Grey squirrel control with air rifles at Holnicote Estate

The National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in West Somerset has launched an innovative approach to grey squirrel control, using trained volunteers with air rifles.

The 5,059-hectare estate, part of Exmoor National Park, has suffered heavy tree damage from grey squirrels. These invasive pests strip bark from young and mature trees, and in the worst-hit areas, remove up to 70% of bark. This weakens trees and makes them vulnerable to wind damage.

Why traditional grey squirrel control failed

Lethal trapping was abandoned when pine martens were discovered on the estate, as traps posed a serious risk to these protected predators. Live trapping was also ruled out because the estate’s size made it impractical and resource-heavy.

For more on predator recovery, see our feature on pine martens in the UK.

Air rifles provide a practical solution

Instead, trained volunteers now work from fixed bait stations, using air rifles to humanely cull grey squirrels. Between October 2024 and June 2025, around 150 grey squirrels were removed from the most badly damaged areas.

The National Trust’s Simon Powne explained that safety is central to the programme. He said: “At this level, a 16.27 joules air rifle presents a low risk.” Operators are positioned away from public footpaths, with steep valley sides acting as natural backstops.

Working with neighbouring estates

Holnicote is now working with neighbouring landowners to establish a syndicate of trained volunteers across Exmoor. This joint effort shows how air rifles can be used effectively for grey squirrel control, even in sensitive public landscapes.