Is game shooting good for woodland?

Shooting and woodland conservation

New research commissioned by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) reveals that pheasant shooting benefits landscapes at a national scale. The findings show that shooting leads to better-managed woodlands compared to non-shooting areas.

The study was based on BASC Green Shoots data, which covers thousands of shoots of all types. Researchers analysed 1,131 sites where pheasant shooting had taken place within the past decade. Each site was matched with a control site where no shooting occurred.

Key findings from the research

The study compared the size, structure, and composition of woodlands. It also looked at hedgerows, woodland edges, and the length of hedgerows.

Results revealed:

• Shooting areas had longer hedgerows

• Shrubby woodland edges were more common

• More open spaces with sunlit rides supported butterflies and birds

• Better woodland management was evident compared to control sites

Challenging misconceptions

Some nature recovery strategies suggest pheasant releasing threatens adders or damages woodland. However, BASC’s evidence challenges these claims.

For example, a draft strategy had proposed controlling pheasants near red wood ant colonies. It argued that pheasants were harmful to invertebrates. BASC data shows otherwise, proving that pheasant releasing is not broadly detrimental.

Another strategy proposed placing release pens more than 500m away from “areas of particular importance for biodiversity.” BASC evidence suggests such restrictions are unnecessary when shoots follow GWCT sustainable gamebird release guidelines.

Sustainable gamebird release

Releasing pheasants in sustainable numbers is not only safe but also provides immunity from anti-shooting arguments. Evidence demonstrates that when done responsibly, pheasant releasing supports woodland biodiversity and protects ground flora.

The more data BASC gathers, the stronger the case for shooting’s conservation benefits becomes. This is why the BASC Green Shoots Mapping Project is so important.

Conclusion

For over 25 years, BASC members have supported the Green Shoots initiative. Thanks to this long-term data, decision-makers can now see that shooting helps conserve woodland habitats and biodiversity across the UK.