News

Keep up-to-date with the latest news on shooting, political developments, legislation changes, licensing updates, conservation, animal management, campaigns and key events.

We are kept regularly updated by all the major shooting and fieldsports organisations so we can keep our readers informed about what’s happening. In addition, we keep a constant eye on what’s happening on social media.

Our experts provide informed comment on all matters that will affect Shooters.

If you have a story you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact ollie.harvey@futurenet.com.

We also welcome accompanying good quality photographs and video.

Releasing gamebird

The new GL43 general licence – here’s what you need to know

Defra has published its new and long-awaited general licence (GL43), to cover the releasing of gamebirds on European protected sites. These protected sites are Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Ramsar wetlands and potential SPAs and SACs or proposed Ramsar wetlands. The potential or proposed sites are…

feeding tips

Guidance for shoots releasing birds on or near European protected sites

Releasing birds on Special Protection Areas, Special Areas for Conservation and surrounding land within 5km of these sites is now regulated under a general licence. This will set maximum releasing densities on and around protected sites. Advice on releasing birds on special protection areas BASC’s Jack Knott told Shooting Times…

People from all walks of life gather shooting

Shoot bookings 2021 – it’s looking good for next season

I have been chatting to friends who let days and run shoots commercially, and others who manage small syndicates and run shoots of their own and, to a person, they are feeling extremely confident about the coming shooting season. Shoot bookings 2021 are up, most are pretty close to being…

Clay shooting Classic

Clay Shooting Classic – are you booked in yet?

The Clay Shooting Classic is set to be one of the Sporting highlights of the year, so book your place now for 28-30 May at Orston Shooting Ground. The eagerly awaited Clay Shooting Classic is getting nearer, with just a couple of months to go. Bookings are filling up – and…

stolen dogs in Suffolk

Do you recognise any of these stolen dogs?

As we are sadly aware, dog theft is on the rise. Last month Suffolk police seized 80 stolen dogs in a police operation and are now trying to reunite them with their owners. The dogs of various breeds and ages were found at a site near Ipswich on 20 March…

Large Munsterlander

Fieldsports organisations back move to end lead-shot game

The announcement by the The National Game Dealers Association (NGDA) that its members will not accept lead-shot game from next year has been welcomed by fieldsports bodies including the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Countryside Alliance (CA), British Game Alliance (BGA) and Game Farmers’ Association (GFA). Retailers had…

Spaniel with owner

Priti Patel launches taskforce to combat dog theft

Dog owners will be relieved to hear that the Home Secretary has responded to public pressure and launched a dog theft government team to battle the rising number of stolen pets. Calling the pet crime “vile” Priti Patel discussed action on the issue last month with Robert Buckland, the Lord…

lead shotgun cartridges

Government plans to phase out lead ammunition

The government is now considering a lead ammunition ban under the UK’s new chemical regulation system – UK REACH– and has requested an official review of the evidence to begin today with a public consultation in due course. Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Addressing the impacts of lead ammunition will…

Brown hare

Ban on brown hare shooting looms

Senior Government sources have told The Telegraph that a close season is to be introduced for brown hares. A complete ban on shooting mountain hares is also to be introduced in England. News of the forthcoming ban has sparked anger amongst fieldsports bodies, who argue that hare poaching is the…

Rural workers protest

Today thousands are protesting concerns over Scottish rural policy

The Rural Workers Protest had been planned to take place in Scotland’s capital, however COVID restrictions forced organisers to think creatively and the protest moved online. The  event was jointly organised by the Scottish Gamekeepers association and Scotland’s regional moorland groups. However support is going far beyond gamekeepers. As well…

Rapid 7' PCP air rifle by Theoben.

Theoben airguns available again to UK shooters

Around thirty years ago, Theoben airguns were a popular and sought-after brand in the UK. Yet in October 2012 Theoben went into receivership in the UK and Managing Director Martin Rutterford set the Theoben name up in the USA under the banner of Rapid Air Weapons (RAW). UK fans of…

Shot pheasants

High demand for shooting next season

What will the shooting season 2021 look like? We asked some keepers, sporting agents and fieldsports fans what they think the autumn of 2021 is going to look like. Here’s what they said. Alex Farrell, game and gamekeeping officer at BASC, said: “While Covid continues to impact our daily lives,…

having a new gun fitted

UK gun trade in Brexit turmoil

A remarkable seven out of ten businesses surveyed at the end of February 2021 have reported having difficulties trading abroad since Brexit, with four in ten calling trading conditions ‘very difficult’, according to an exclusive Gun Trade News survey. The survey, which includes responses from major manufacturers, distributors and retailers…