In Part Two — the afternoon of Sam Turner’s TWENTY10 Weekly — we discover how Sam’s journey into game shooting began at just 14 years old, when a weekend job on a local farm led him into beating, shooting and ultimately a lifelong connection with the countryside. Sam shares how those early experiences shaped his love of shooting and the people around it, and how that journey eventually led him to work with South West Sporting Simulated Game. We also hear how Sam has helped bring simulated game shooting into weddings, giving couples and their wedding parties the chance to shoot clays together before the ceremony and create a truly memorable start to their day. But one theme keeps coming through this conversation: community. Sam talks about the people shooting has introduced him to, the knowledge shared with him, the friendships that have grown from it and why, for him, shooting has become about far more than simply pulling the trigger. Finally, Sam makes his entry into the TWENTY10 Game Book: “Welcome anyone into shooting the way you would like to be welcomed.” A wonderfully simple message — and the perfect title for this episode. DEFRA CALL FOR EVIDENCE — YOUR VOICE MATTERS Defra is currently asking for evidence about gamebird rearing, release and shooting in England. This is our opportunity to explain, in our own words, what shooting really contributes to the countryside and the communities within it. Think about your own experience. How many people does your shoot bring together? Does it support a local pub, hotel, game dealer, farm, dog trainer, vet or other rural business? Do you beat, pick up, load, keep, farm, shoot or help on work parties? Does game from your day enter the food chain? What habitat is managed or created? Has shooting given you friendships, work, exercise, purpose or simply a stronger connection with the countryside? Don’t just tell Defra that shooting matters. Show them what it actually does. Use real examples, figures, photographs or records where you can, and only talk about the things you genuinely know and have experienced. You do not have to complete every question in the full Defra survey. You can send your evidence directly by email. Email Defra: gamebirds@defra.gov.uk Copy BASC: evidence@basc.org.uk Use “Call for Evidence” in the subject line. For detailed shoot-management guidance, the Countryside Alliance/GWCT also provides support through: lherring@gwct.org.uk Subject: DEFRA Call for Evidence Help Deadline: 1 November 2026. Ten minutes. One email. Your own experience. Your evidence matters. You can find Sam on Instagram at @sam.1turner and through Kingsdon Sporting. You can also join Sam, Avian Sandercock and me each week on the Fish & Game podcast. If you enjoy the show, please follow, subscribe and share it with somebody who loves the countryside. Send us your awkward moments, Countryside Conundrums and Shared experiences from the field at: thetwenty10club@gmail.com Great Days Shared.
