March 27, 2024
During the COVID-19 pandemic the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) found itself at the centre of a social media storm, whipped up by animal rights activists, over the culling of a small number of roe deer at its new Bridgewater site near Salford. The deer had evaded detection during the erection of deer fences when the…
March 27, 2024
Defra Secretary Steve Barclay acknowledged the role shooters play in conserving and protecting the countryside at the inaugural Northern Gamekeepers’ Conference, hosted by BASC. Speaking at the conference, held in the historic grounds of the Swinton Estate in Masham, North Yorkshire, Mr Barclay said: “BASC members have a pivotal role to play as custodians of…
March 27, 2024
The Government has abandoned its plans to phase out the badger cull and will continue to license the control of populations across most of south-west and central England. Ministers had planned to introduce targeted culling — known as epidemiological culling or epi-culling — in which populations of badgers could be reduced to almost zero in…
March 27, 2024
Scott Country International Ltd has won the Countryside Alliance Rural Enterprise Award — dubbed the rural Oscars — and crowned the 2024 Scottish champion in Edinburgh on 13 March. The awards are an annual celebration of British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses. This year’s awards received more than 17,000 entries. …
March 27, 2024
As Wales votes in a new first minister in Vaughan Gething, there are fears that nothing will change in terms of how the rural communities are treated. Mr Gething beat closest rival Jeremy Miles with a 51.7% majority. However, he is already embroiled in controversy over a £200,000 campaign donation he accepted from businessman David…
March 27, 2024
Harrier bitch Holcombe Anglezarke was named the overall best in breed while Holcombe President was awarded the best opposite sex accolade. Both hounds are now qualified to return in 2025. Senior master of the Holcombe Harriers Sue Simmons — who is also vice-chair of the Association of the Master of Harriers and Beagles — said:…
March 27, 2024
The Scottish government has introduced legislation to encourage community ownership by granting ministers powers to intervene in the sales of estates of more than 1,000 hectares. The SNP said the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill — the largest set of land reforms in years — aimed to “revolutionise land ownership in Scotland”. If passed, the Bill…
March 20, 2024
BASC is the only UK shooting organisation that offers its members access to a full-time, in-house team of experts. Thousands of calls and emails are received every year by BASC’s firearms officers, who provide the best possible advice on legal, technical and practical matters. The firearms team also provides forensic evidence and expert legal support…
March 20, 2024
The salmon fishing season is recording low catch numbers across the board, according FishPal, a website that logs salmon numbers caught across the country. Last month on the Tweed in the Borders, the salmon fishing season was opened with great ceremony by the Duchess of Sutherland in conjunction with the inaugural River Tweed Film Festival….
March 20, 2024
A BASC member has been awarded costs of £4,000 after a successful appeal against the revocation of his firearms certificate. Cheshire Constabulary was informed last year by BASC that costs would be sought in the event of the appeal being upheld. The judge ruled in the member’s favour, citing the fact that the case should…
Sponsored by Skinner’s, this week’s dog of the week is Ruby. Ruby is a six-year-old field trial winner. While she loves being at home with the children and enjoys spending time with the rest of her team, she is happiest out in the field doing what she does best. For your dog to be included, email [email protected] a picture and tell us all about them. Featured dogs receive a 15kg bag of food, via Skinner’s.