One rogue does not represent gamekeeping

Shooting bodies condemn criminal act against buzzard

Shooting and gamekeeping representatives have united to condemn an ex-keeper convicted of killing a buzzard, stressing his criminal actions have no place in responsible practice.

Thomas Munday, 35, pleaded guilty at Scarborough magistrates’ court on 12 January to intentionally killing the protected bird after being covertly filmed by the RSPB in March 2024. He was fined £1,215.

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Mainstream coverage overlooks sector response

The case has attracted widespread media coverage in outlets including the BBC, ITV and The Times, with many reports focusing solely on the RSPB’s response despite shooting organisations being equally swift in their condemnation of Mr Munday’s actions.

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Zero-tolerance stance from BASC and NGO

BASC chief executive Ian Bell was forthright in his condemnation. “The illegal killing of a buzzard is a serious criminal act and we unequivocally condemn it,” he said. “This sort of behaviour has no place in the shooting community.

“This individual was not a BASC member, but if they had been, they would have faced expulsion. BASC has a zero-tolerance approach to wildlife crime and to anyone who brings shooting into disrepute through illegal or unethical behaviour.”

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was equally clear, confirming Mr Munday was not and never had been a member. “Such behaviour has no place in responsible land or wildlife management, the shooting sector or gamekeeping,” an NGO spokesman said.

“The vast majority of gamekeepers conduct their important work within the law and regard those who break the law as taking us in a backwards direction,” the spokesman added. “Gamekeepers are overwhelmingly a force for good in the countryside, and behaviour such as this damages the hard work that gamekeepers carry out every day of the week.”

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RSPB covert camera

The incident near Malton was captured on an RSPB covert camera positioned near a Larsen trap. Footage showed Mr Munday in camouflage clothing and a mask beating the buzzard with a stick before throwing the dead bird into his vehicle.

Police identified him from the video and seized items including the stick, which tested positive for buzzard DNA.

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Estate acts swiftly after conviction

Mr Munday was employed by a management company running pheasant shooting on the estate. The estate immediately terminated the lease when the investigation began, leaving Mr Munday without his job and tied cottage.

His barrister told magistrates Mr Munday, now a tree surgeon, could not explain his actions but was remorseful and accepted his gamekeeping career was over.