December crossword

CLUES ACROSS

1 Homeland of gunmaker Daniel Fraser (8)

7 Fox hole (5)

9 Gunmaker Zoli (7) 10 Maintained _ , style of shooting (4) 11 Like some shoot workers’ employment – not year-round (8) 13 Started the bidding as the shooting season commenced (6) 14 Metal container – a common target for airgun shooting practice (3,3) 17 Scopes might be filled with this gas (8)

19 One of many markings on the coats of fallow deer (4)

21 Excess number of birds shot on a shoot (7)

22 _ shooting, hunting pigeons in the woods (5)

23 A young deer (8)

CLUES DOWN

2 Traditional keeper’s accommodation (7) 3 Gun component providing a taste sensation? (4) 4 The RSPB chose this wading bird as their emblem (6)

5 One type of leather glove (8) 6 The colour one connects with gunmaker Edwinson? (5)

8 Two foot parts useful for gun measurement? (4,3,3)

9 A versatile gun (3-7) 12 Speedy muzzle specification (8) 15 Shoot _ , team leader (7)

16 City base of Italian ammo company Clever (6)

18 A bird of prey’s claw (5) 20 Camouflage worn over the face (4)