The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) has announced The Rural Workers’ Protest 2021, #RWP21 and says it is: “… an opportunity for everyone across the countryside, on land and river, to unite and find their voice.” The event will take place on Friday 19th March 2021. The association is mindful of…
News
Stolen Webley Nemesis Combo air rifles reappearing
On the night of February 17th a shipment of Webley Nemesis X Combo Airguns was stolen from a lorry in Leicestershire whilst in transit to Webley importer Highland Outdoors. It is thought that the thieves have been using a What’s App group to sell on the stolen guns, some of…
National Gamekeepers’ Organisation calls for focus on gundog theft
The call comes after police officers recovered between 70 and 80 stolen dogs in a single raid in Carmarthenshire last week. Dog theft increasing Theft of dogs, including gundogs, is on the rise across the UK Stolen dogs are often transported over huge distances, with animals that were stolen in…
£1m coronavirus funding relief made available to country sports businesses in Scotland
Details of a £1m Scottish Country Sports Tourism Restart Fund have just been announced with affected businesses being able to apply from next week. The fund, which was jointly developed by the Scottish Government, Visit Scotland, British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group…
Threat to young airgunners with proposed Home Office law changes
Shooting groups are lobbying against the Home Office’s proposed amendments to airgun legislation, which would prevent those between 14 and 17 taking an airgun out alone, even in a private garden. Of particular concern is the impact on thousands of under-18s who use airguns as part of their work for…
What you need to know about the new 2021 general licences for England
The new 2021 general licences for England came into effect from 1 January and are valid for this calendar year. They were announced by Defra in November after the withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement following a challenge by Wild Justice. New 2021 general licences in detail GL40 Conservation of endangered wild…
Beretta takes over Holland & Holland
Beretta Holdings has now significantly expanded its presence in the UK after signing an agreement to buy 100% of the prestigious Holland & Holland brand. The takeover took place on 1 February 2021. Beretta says that it has been seeking to acquire a premium luxury brand for a while now…
Big Farmland Bird Count back for 2021
Gamekeepers, farmers and land managers across the country are being asked to pledge their support to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Big Farmland Bird Count. The GWCT is asking you to spend 30 minutes spotting species on a patch of land between the 5 and 21 February 2021…
Natural England adds ‘screening’ to general licence applications
Natural England’s latest move will mean it takes longer to get permission to control birds not covered by the general licences, such as lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls. The government body advises: “To apply for a licence to control wild birds for conservation or health and safety purposes that…
How will COVID affect the biggest shooting events in 2021?
The organisers of the Northern Shooting Show have announced that the show planned in May 2021 has had to be cancelled. The organisers explained: “We know that you, like us, will be hugely disappointed, but it was just not possible to deliver the show with the current government restrictions. “Any…
Brexit frees Britain from European laws limiting use of lead on and around wetlands
The free trade agreement between the UK and the EU will not bind the UK to European laws that limit the use of lead on and around wetlands. And in more good news, environmental regulations that have been used to attack shooting will come under the full control of the…
High Court rules Welsh general licences lawful
Essential pest control in Wales will be allowed to continue after Judge Jarman QC rejected the claims of Wild Justice on 18 January 2021. Wild Justice had asserted that general licences GL001, GL002 and GL004 were not lawful but in the High Court judgement all three of these claims were…
Who’ll win the Great British Shooting Awards this year 2021?
We proudly announce the third annual Great British Shooting Awards! The Awards give recognition to the products, organisations and people that make our industry tick. From cartridges to clothing, the Awards represent every corner of the market. Dedicated categories will showcase the achievements of the people who’ve really had a…
The rules on shooting for England’s latest lockdown
The latest national lockdown came into force in England on 6th January 2021. However wildfowling, deer stalking and rough shooting are now permitted as exercise, provided shooters comply with the strict conditions that existing around social distancing and travel. So what are the rules on shooting? BASC advises that outdoor…
40 reasons why we shoot
There’s plenty of misinformation about shooting. So here’s a list, with facts published in Shooting Times, of the benefits shooting brings to the community. Why We Shoot Research has shown that going shooting boosts mental wellbeing and physical health. Shooting improves social contact for a variety of ages Shooting instils…
Raffle ticket winner wins big double – a custom fit Perazzi MX12 AND a day’s shooting at Chargot
Christmas came early this year for heating and plumber engineer Mark Lilly. He was amazed at his luck when £40 worth of raffle tickets won him a brand new Perazzi MX12, custom fitted to suit him plus the opportunity to put it through its paces on a free day’s shooting…
Bill calling for two-year phasing out of all lead shot defeated
A proposed amendment to an Environment Bill calling for a two-year phase out of all lead shot has been voted out by Defra. The amendment was led by Labour MP Fleur Anderson but Defra minister Rebecca Pow said that it was unnecessary, due to positive action by shooting organisations to…
Grouse shooting in Scotland to be licensed
The Scottish Government has announced that it is to start licensing grouse shooting. The decision follows assessment of the findings of the independent Grouse Moor Management Group who produced the Werritty Report, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government. Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon announced…
Contestants on I’m A Celebrity become pheasant-eating fans
Great British Game Week got a real publicity boost this week when ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here put pheasant on the menu. To earn the delicious meal for the whole team two contestants had to drink some fairly revolting sounding smoothies (one was made from a…
Air rifle law in England looks set to change
A new government consultation proposes to strengthen air rifle law to keep air guns from being used by unsupervised under-18s. In addition, owners of small gun ranges will have to have a licence and inform the police before buying weapons. Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “Our gun laws are among…