Reports have alleged that Defra director Ben Goldsmith has allowed red deer to escape from his Somerset farm. (The official post held by Mr Goldsmith, 39, is as a non-executive board member at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.) There have been calls for him to resign on…
News
Drones suspected in springer puppy snatch
An Irish gundog enthusiast who has been the victim of a horrific crime has spoken exclusively about the experience to Shooting Times. Rachel Doyle, from Enniscorthy in County Wexford, found that her springer spaniel bitch, Daisy, had been snatched from a locked kennel along with her litter of seven-week-old pups.…
What the new firearm and shotgun certificate figures published by the Home Office tell us about shooting sports today
The new firearms and shotgun certificate figures make interesting and encouraging reading for shooting sports, with over half a million people actively involved. On 31 March 2020, there were 586,351 people in possession of a firearm and/or shotgun certificate. The number of firearms held on a certificate has increased slightly…
Fieldsports fan Sir Ian Botham to sit in the House of Lords
Fieldsports has a new ally in the House of Lords as Sir Ian Botham has been awarded a peerage. The keen Shot and fisherman was knighted in 2007 and is a vocal supporter of shooting and fishing, founding the “You Forgot the Birds” campaign to monitor wildlife groups and put…
RSPB announces first results of gamebird shooting review
Last year the RSPB announced that it was reviewing its policy on gamebird shooting and would be investigating moorland management for driven grouse shooting and non-native gamebird release. As part of the process it consulted with members, volunteers, staff and stakeholders. The charity has now published its first-stage findings, which…
BASC announces a £1m plus ‘Fighting Fund’ to protect shooting
In response to recent challenges by the likes of Wild Justice, the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has announced that it has launched a seven figure fund to enable the body to launch effective legal defences that threaten the shooting community’s future. BASC chairman Eoghan Cameron spoke to…
Former Lord Mayor of York forced to apologise after welcoming death of fieldsports fan and World Cup hero Jack Charlton
Keen Shot and fisherman Jack Charlton died on 10 July, prompting an offensive response by York councillor and former Lord Mayor Dave Taylor who wrote on his Facebook page: “Jack ‘Bloodsports’ Charlton is dead. Good.” When somebody commented on his remark he responded: “I didn’t advocate being cruel to him,…
Wildfowlers face worrying future
Wildfowlers in two of the sport’s most important heartlands may be unable to shoot because long-standing ‘consents’, which allow sustainable wildfowling on European protected sites, have not been renewed by Natural England. One of the refused consents covers areas of the Humber Estuary and the other covers part of Morecambe…
Huge Scottish wild boar shot after Highlands sheep rampage
A large wild boar, estimated to weigh 24 stone (150kg), has been shot dead after being considered responsible for a spate of sheep killing on a Highland farm. Twitter account user @highlandfowler wrote on 17 June: “A keeper friend of mine was called to help find out what was killing…
Volunteers needed to monitor mink rafts in Scotland
A major Scottish project to remove American mink is looking for volunteers to help run mink rafts. Ben Seaman, with the Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust, said: “We monitor for mink presence using a network of mink rafts which are looked after by volunteers….we have gaps in the network we’d like…
Judicial review on gamebird release granted to Wild Justice
Wild Justice has successfully applied for a judicial review on the impact of releasing gamebirds on sites of nature conservation. If the review is successful it could have major implications for the 2021 pheasant and partridge shooting season. The animal rights activist explained its reasoning for pushing for the review…
Mountain hare shooting banned in Scotland
Mountain hares in Scotland will have year-round legal protection following an amendment to the law proposed by Green MSP Alison Johnstone, which passed by 60 to 19 votes. At present mountain hares are controlled between 1 August-28 February to protect trees, fragile habitats and to manage tick populations. The mountain…
General licence extension by DEFRA
General licence holders needing to control wild birds will be relieved to learn that DEFRA has reissued the current permits from 1 August to 31 December 2020. The department has confirmed that no action is required by the licence users beyond the ‘ongoing requirement to act in accordance with the licence…
Two new eco-friendly cartridges launch in the UK
Environmentally-minded shooters and wildfowlers will welcome the arrival of BioAmmo cartridges in the UK, available in lead and steel in both clay and game loads. “They are unique” says importer Nick Levett-Scrivener of Shooting Star, speaking to Shooting UK. “There has been nothing like them in the UK before.” Fully…
Gundog thefts soaring as prices rise
Gundog owners are being warned to be particularly careful following a dramatic increase in gundog thefts, with spaniels seeming to be a particular target. Keeper Jon Gaunt had three springer spaniels stolen from his East Sussex home in early May. Despite an extensive publicity campaign and “brilliant” support from his…
COVID-19 making gundog puppies pricier and harder to come by
Gundog puppies from traditional breeds such as spaniels and Labradors are becoming more expensive and harder to find due to raised demand following lockdown. Shooting Times contributor and gundog breeder Jeremy Hunt of Fenway Labradors remarked: “The demand for Labrador puppies, and not just working ones, has gone crazy. The…
What will the Scottish stalking season be like this year?
Usually at this time of year everyone involved in deer stalking in Scotland – ghillies, agents and guides – would be gearing up for the season ahead. However, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis, recreational stalking and sporting tourism have been hit hard. Scottish National Heritage (SNH) has ruled: “… Unaccompanied…
July launch for new Gamebore environmentally friendly cartridge
Environmentally minded Shots will be able to shore up their eco credentials with an exciting new cartridge being launched by Gamebore in July – the Dark Storm with Quad Seal – a new version of the famous Dark Storm cartridge. On its website Gamebore says that: “The benefits of the…
GWCT calls for vital funds to continue essential work
A letter to members of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) from chief executive Teresa Dent CBE, has illustrated the extent of financial support urgently needed by the Trust. In spring the charity was forced to cancel its fund raising events and lost its paid work due to the…
Clayshooting grounds in England that are open for business again
Clayshooters in England are celebrating the re-opening of their sport after the COVID-19 shutdown. We’ve had a look around to see which clay grounds are open again in which regions (or are about to open). If there are any to add which you think should be included, please let us…