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…
News
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…
Poor grouse season affects local businesses and employment
Stocks of grouse are so low that several estates have had to postpone or even cancel shooting. A long, hard winter followed by weeks of hot sunshine and little rain has had a critical effect on bird breeding rates. Areas particularly badly affected include Perthshire, the Highlands and the Borders.…
Could you be the new News Editor of Shooting Times?
For over a century Shooting Times has been essential reading for Britain’s fieldsports community. As part of a weekly publication, news has always been an integral part of Shooting Times’ brand and as News Editor you will have the important role of writing news pages, writing investigative features, contributing to…
Take a look inside the new-look Sporting Gun, on sale now
Britain’s number one shooting magazine has had a massive makeover. With a bright and modern new look, we have new articles that will help you get more from your sport, plus a whole section devoted to instruction, which will help you improve your shooting whether on the clayground or in…
Government told of shooting’s unique benefits to health
With potential rises in licence costs, GP fees and long waiting times for certificate renewals, shooters could be forgiven for thinking that their sport attracts little support from the Government. However, good news could be on the horizon, as a result of the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport select committee…
Keepers in pink mankinis? Really?
Highland walkers enjoying a hike up Mount Keen must have thought they were hallucinating when they spotted a group of burly men standing at the top wearing pink Borat-style mankinis. It was in fact no vision, but the reality of a group of gamekeepers, who raised a solid £2,000 for…
The Shooting UK Forum is changing
We’re really sorry to be the bearer of bad news regarding the ShootingUK Forum. The Forum has for many years been a source of pride to the ShootingUK team – it is a warm, helpful community where advice is freely given and many friendships have been made, not just via…
Death threat to Scottish National Heritage chief after raven cull decision
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) chairman Dr Mike Cantlay has received a death threat after Springwatch presenter Chris Packham criticised a decision to license a raven cull in Perthshire. SNH granted a research licence to Strathbaarn Community Collaboration for Waders, which wants to protect declining wading birds such as curlew and…