This photograph of Michael Gove with Chris Packham surprised us

The Telegraph understands that the review will look at why the group Wild Justice was able to bring the legal challenge in the first place.

A Defra source said: “The Secretary of State’s priority is to fix the problem as soon as possible. He has asked officials to investigate what went wrong, why, and how similar errors can be prevented in future.”

Mr Packham, who has argued for tighter regulation on shooting of birds, said he had a “helpful exchange of ideas” with the environment secretary, and that the pair discussed the “need for more regulation in environmental care .”

Mr Gove has also met Tim Bonner, from the Countryside Alliance, to hear his concerns about the fiasco. He spoke to Amanda Anderson, director of the Moorland Association, on Tuesday.

Mr Gove’s department is also planning to launch a broader review of general licences later this summer.

It could be weeks until the new licences are released, as Natural England works to make sure the new pieces of legislation are not susceptible to a similar legal challenge.

Marian Spain, the Interim Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “We plan to issue further licences this week and over the coming weeks, subject to assessment. We are prioritising those species and circumstances most likely to require urgent control at this time of year, so that users can continue to operate within the law.”