Perhaps this is a good time to pause and ask a question: do we really need to shoot woodpigeons? If the general licence fiasco has reminded us of anything, it is that for pigeons to be controlled, they must be doing not just damage, but serious damage. So is this…
News
Tell Defra what you think about the impact of Natural England’s decision to revoke three general licences
All shooters, keepers, farmers and landmanagers are encouraged to take part in submitting evidence to Defra to state how the sudden Natural England ruling on general licences has affected them. Defra has launched a call for evidence on the impact of the recent @NaturalEngland decision to revoke three general licences.…
The new individual licences from Natural England – what’s been the experience of shooters so far?
Staff at Natural England have been working through more than 1000 applications from farmers gamekeepers and pest shooters since the previous system of general licences was scrapped a week ago. The individual licences have been welcomed as clearer and much less restrictive than the new general licence for carrion crows…
Why you should pay a visit to the Northern Shooting Show 2019
The Northern Shooting Show is back. Now in its fourth year, once again it will be held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, just off the A1 to the east of Harrogate, on 11 and 12 May. It is the perfect show for anyone with a passion for shooting and showcases…
This photograph of Michael Gove with Chris Packham surprised us
< My meeting with @michaelgove this morning started well – two Red Kites soaring from his office window , as did our cordial discussions about @ExtinctionR @WildJustice_org , the Peoples Manifesto for Wildlife and the need for more regulation in environmental care . pic.twitter.com/8bbeEmPIcW — Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) May 1,…
General licences latest update – what happens now?
The revocation of the general licences from midnight on the 25th of April means that in most situations it will be a criminal offence to kill any wild bird in England unless you hold a personal licence issued by Natural England. This includes crows, magpies, jays, gulls, parakeets, Canada geese…
The latest reactions to withdrawal of the general licences
Farmers, gamekeepers and recreational shooters have reacted with a mixture of anger and confusion to the decision by Natural England to withdraw the general licences for England with just two days notice at the height of the lambing and nesting seasons. The decision follows a legal challenge by the campaign…
Shooting pigeons, crows, rooks, magpies and Canada geese to become illegal in UK as general licences revoked
Natural England has announced that General Licences GL04 (for the prevention of serious damage to crops and livestock), GL05 (for prevention of disease and ensuring public safety) and GL06 (for conservation purposes), will all cease to exist from ‘sometime’ on 25 April 2019. The shock announcement was made late on…
Threat to general licences
The general licences that allow for the shooting of pest bird species, including crows, feral pigeons, Canada geese and lesser black-backed gulls, are to be challenged in the courts by a campaign group. Wild Justice, a private company set up by TV presenter Chris Packham, raptor blogger Dr Ruth Tingay…
Test your shooting knowledge and WIN!
In association with Shooting Times, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is running a monthly competition to win a GWCT apron. So you can cook those game recipes in style and show off your mastery of shooting and rural matters at the same time. You’ll find the quiz every…
Numbers point to a record year for Big Farmland Bird Count
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), which organises the Big Farmland Bird Count, said the results were dropping in every five minutes. Jim Egan of the GWCT said: “We look like having a record year in terms of the number of counts returned. I can say that, so far, 127…
Are you eligible for Woodcock Club membership?
It has been a vintage year for the Shooting Times Woodcock Club, with 39 new members — compared with 19 last year — and applications still coming in, which brings current membership to over 1,400. The increase in applications, which are sent in by those who have shot a…
What to look out for at the British Shooting Show 2019
Thousands of shooting enthusiasts will descend on the NEC in Birmingham for the 2019 British Shooting Show. Shooting Times asked organiser John Allison why the show has proven increasingly popular. He explained it simply: “We get to know our visitors and find out what they want.” The show brings something…
7 reasons why you should go to the British Shooting Show
1.Because you’re looking for a new or used shotgun Whatever your discipline, whether you’re a gameshooter, a wildfowler or a clayshooter, this is the place to come. You’ll find thousands of new and used shotguns to choose from at prices for every budget. Expect to discover some excellent “show only” offers.…
Happy hunting memories
A rare chance to view an archive of hunting photographs should prove nostalgic for followers of West Country packs. The late Eric Green, who was a regular contributor to the West Somerset Free Press and manager of the forestry estate at Combe Sydenham, was a familiar figure with all the…
Dumped pheasant video provokes strong reaction from shooting organisations
The video was allegedly taken in November 2018 at Cotesbach Game farm in Leicestershire. Although it was found that the birds had been breasted, shooting organisations have united to condemn the activity shown. Liam Bell, Chairman of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation said, “The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation is deeply dismayed by…
Big Farmland Bird Count back for 2019
Gamekeepers, farmers and land managers across the country are being asked to pledge their support to the Big Farmland Bird Count. The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust-led project is back for the sixth successive year. The GWCT is asking you to spend 30 minutes spotting species on a patch of…
Black Friday half price subscription deals on your favourite shooting magazines
This Black Friday weekend we have a huge 50% off subscriptions to Shooting Times, Sporting Gun, Shooting Gazette and The Field. Now is the best time to get yourself a bargain! Have you been thinking about subscribing to your favourite shooting magazine? Have you let your subscription lapse? Or did you…
Latest on the Shooting Times Woodcock Club – this year’s dinner, the speaker, the venue …
Membership of the Shooting Times Woodcock Club can be applied for after a person has achieved the exceptionally skilled feat of bagging a right and left woodcock. At game fairs and on shoots up and down the country, members can be spotted sporting club lapel badges displaying a logo with…
RSPB is like a “giant squid” says Ian Botham
Sir Ian Botham has set his sights on the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB), questioning why the charity needs a grand total of 34 press officers and 685 fundraisers. By comparison the British Red Cross has just 19 press officers and Macmillan Cancer Support 11. The former…