Police officers on routine patrol near Stow-on-the-Wold discovered an air rifle after stopping a vehicle behaving suspiciously in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Neighbourhood officers were travelling along the A44 when they noticed a car that came to an abrupt halt and switched on its hazard lights shortly after being passed by the police vehicle.
Concerned the vehicle had broken down, officers turned back to check on the occupants. When speaking to the driver, they spotted an air rifle lying in the passenger footwell.
The driver told police they and two passengers had been out attempting to shoot pheasants.
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.