2025-26 UK pheasant shooting season: optimism across estates

As the 2025-26 pheasant shooting season gets underway, gamekeepers across the UK report an overwhelmingly positive outlook. This optimism is largely driven by a long, sunny summer. The exceptional weather has produced high-quality birds, low disease challenges, and strong confidence throughout the industry.

However, the season has not been without complications, particularly regarding bird distribution and feeding habits as shoots progress.

Strong poult rearing sets the tone

Successful poult rearing was a recurring theme. Gamekeeper Robert Barnard highlighted an almost perfect start: “This season we have been blessed with very favourable rearing conditions. This has helped to maintain low mortality rates and been beneficial in producing high-quality birds.”

The extended period of sunshine allowed ideal release timings and offered cost savings on heating. However, it also required extra vigilance during the early stages. Mr Barnard added that keepers had to manage newly arrived chicks carefully to prevent heat stress and select “the coolest part of the day to catch to prevent smothering and overheating” when moving mature birds for release.

Dry weather boosts wild game

In addition to strong poult quality, the dry conditions dramatically benefited wild game production. Areas with higher-than-expected insect life saw stronger natural growth. The sunshine also kept release pens in excellent shape.

Yet, the unexpected bounty of natural feed is creating new challenges. Mark Fitzer explained: “This year has seen an abundance of wild food, with the trees full of beechmast and acorns, and recent high winds have put a lot of feed on the ground. This can result in the birds being less reliant on the food we provide. Consequently, some drives may be harder to establish, with an increased need for dogging-in.”

Estate teams adapt to changing conditions

Estate teams are closely managing the situation. Marc Brown of Bettws Hall in Powys noted: “After an exceptional year of hatching and rearing, we have been immensely proud of how the birds have been performing across our estates for our visiting Guns.”

Despite variable conditions, the general mood across the UK remains high.

Excitement as season opens

Tim Weston of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation summed up the excitement: “1 October is always an exciting time in the game shooting calendar.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association added: “Thankfully, avian flu has not had the same impact as a few years ago. People are looking forward to a good season and a chance to get out, socialise, and enjoy the camaraderie that shoot occasions in Scotland can bring.”