What happens when someone who once refused to touch dead animals becomes an accomplished hunter and equipment tester? Sarah Miles' remarkable journey unfolds in this candid conversation about finding your authentic path in the shooting world.

Sarah reveals how her transformation began with her father's unyielding passion for shooting, through her early aversion to handling game (wearing gloves to touch pheasants!), to eventually landing a job at a gun shop by offering a freshly-baked chocolate cake. This unlikely beginning set her on a path that would lead to becoming a Highland Outdoors ambassador, testing cutting-edge equipment including thermal scopes and precision rifles.

Throughout our discussion, Sarah's refreshing perspective challenges the notion that you need the "latest and greatest" to succeed. "If it works for me, I'll just stick to it," she explains, countering the caliber debates and equipment trends that often dominate shooting forums. Working at what she describes as "the best shooting range in the UK" – a fully underground facility with electronic target systems – she witnesses firsthand how finding the right fit matters more than the price tag.

We explore the technological evolution in hunting, from the "good old days" of lamping to the digital revolution of thermal imaging, while acknowledging concerns about losing traditional stalking skills. Sarah shares invaluable insights from her pursuit of the UK's six deer species, describing the ghost-like sika deer that have humbled her stalking abilities: "If you can stalk sika deer, you can stalk anything."

The conversation takes an honest turn as Sarah discusses the unseen realities behind social media content – the time-consuming editing, challenging photo shoots, and occasionally disturbing messages that come with building an online presence. For anyone interested in hunting, shooting sports, or navigating the modern outdoor world, Sarah's journey offers wisdom earned through persistence and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

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