Woodpigeon quarry status under review 

As covered last week, the Government is reviewing bird quarry species and seasons for England, Wales and Scotland. The consultation closes on 17 May.

While most proposals are for bans or reduced shooting seasons for eight quarry species, there is a positive proposal. Woodpigeons could be placed on the quarry list. Defra is also inviting suggestions for other species additions.

There has been plenty of discussion, confusion and some suspicion about the woodpigeon proposal. However, this article should help make things clearer.

Why the proposal matters

It is more than 30 years since the UK’s pest birds list was replaced with General Licences. This gave the UK an exemption from European Union legislation. That legislation required close seasons for all huntable birds during their peak breeding season.

The principle was simple. It allowed people to continue necessary year-round control of bird species, including woodpigeons, magpies and carrion crows, with no added burdens.

The legal complexities were the responsibility of government to administer. Shooters only needed to know what species were on the list to ensure they acted lawfully.

Legal clarity for shooters

For decades there was legal clarity for all involved. In fact, it was such a low-key regulation that BASC often had to remind conservation agencies in Wales and Northern Ireland to reissue the annual General Licences. Sometimes this happened weeks, or even months, into the year.

However, in recent years, legal challenges have introduced a raft of complexities, burdens and restrictions for anyone controlling birds under the General Licences.

Also, some species have been removed, while others have been added in different home nations.

What Defra is proposing

Defra’s consultation gives an opportunity to regain legal clarity for the shooting of various pest bird species for part of the year. This would happen by adding them to the quarry list, with open and close seasons.

During the open season, shooting would be permitted as with any other quarry species. Shooting and other control methods would also continue. This includes destruction of nests and eggs, use of traps and more.

These methods would remain available during the open season and year-round under the terms of the relevant General Licences.

This dual approach already works well for Canada geese. Therefore, it gives shooters greater legal certainty while maintaining flexibility where control is needed.

Woodpigeon shooting under the new plan

As part of the quarry species review, Defra is proposing woodpigeons be added to the quarry list in England, Wales and Scotland.

The suggested open season would run from 1 September to 31 January. At the same time, woodpigeons would remain on the General Licences.

This means woodpigeons would be both a quarry species during the open season, with no requirement to justify control if challenged, and still covered by General Licences for year-round control, subject to terms and conditions.

BASC’s position

In summary, Defra says:

“The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments all propose the hunting of woodpigeons for recreation and harvest for food should be distinguished in law from control carried out to manage crop damage.”

BASC is actively reviewing the evidence for additional species that could be added to quarry lists where populations are healthy and the take can be sustainable. That could be for harvesting for food or for pest control purposes.

Could the season run longer?

Anthony Fraser argued in the letters page that the open season for woodpigeons could run from 1 September to 31 March. This would still avoid their peak breeding season, based on Defra’s own assessments.

BASC says it will consider that point for its advice and submission.

How to respond to the consultation

The consultation closes on 17 May, so shooters are encouraged to respond.

BASC says people should say “no” to the proposed restrictions and “yes” to the addition of woodpigeons to the quarry list. Visit BASC for advice on how to respond.

For more countryside policy updates, visit DEFRA and browse the latest news on Shooting UK.