“A great deal, of late, has been said and has been written against shooting. It has been denounced as unnatural, cruel, useless, and absurd.” I like that, but the words are not mine. They were written in 1876 by Wildfowler, the nom de plume of Lewis Clement, who was to…
Conservation
Gamekeepers’ conservation evidence is valid
When the "conservation" community dismisses the evidence of those with direct experience of the natural world, it is, effectively masking the truth, writes Lindsay Waddell, chairman of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation
What Scottish independence means for fieldsports
I can honestly say not one person has asked me about independence,” says Robert Rattray, hand dramatically over his heart. As the head of CKD Galbraith’s sporting lets agency in Perth, Robert is someone you’d expect to be asked about the future for Scotland’s £360million fieldsports industry, should the nation…
CAP reforms could mean more peas for pigeon
Reforms to farm funding announced by environment secretary Owen Paterson could mean a boost for pollinators and pigeon shooters, but have been greeted with dismay by a number of wildlife and conservation groups. The minister’s announcement set out how the £15billion of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds would be distributed…
Ladies-only shooting: Girls with guns want more than fun
The outlook for women in the shooting world is looking reasonably rosy these days. It’s not merely a matter of there being more patronisingly pink skeet vests, fuschia-trimmed tweeds and shotguns with flouncy flowery engraving on sale in shooting shops, nor is it simply the case that there is an…
Shot Gun Certificate appeals
The recent announcements by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) about their standard members’ insurance can only be welcome news to shooters. They will shortly extend their coverage to include costs incurred appealing police decisions in respect to the refusal or…
Does scientific bias affect shooting?
A few years ago I listened to a lecture by American biostatistician, Professor David Allison. In his talk he warned of the dangers of what he called “white-hat bias” and its effect on objective, evidence-based policymaking. It might sound odd, but I was completely transfixed as he described the ways…
BASC chief executive Richard Ali’s first year
By Helena Douglas Richard Ali describes his first year as BASC chief executive as energising, fast-moving and busy. “The one-year anniversary has come round quickly and it really doesn’t seem like I’ve been here for 12 months,” he says. “We have had a lot to do and we have achieved…
Stalking roebucks in the bluebells
At the start of the 20th-century, roe were almost extinct in southern England. Since then, their numbers have soared thanks to an increase in woodland planting and strategic reintroduction. In fact, roe are now the most widely distributed deer species in the UK, according to the most recent population survey…
Royal backing for red squirrel strategy
A new plan promoting action to protect red squirrels has received the personal approval of Prince Charles, his office has confirmed. The Accord on Squirrels in the United Kingdom sets out a long-term commitment to see “Red squirrel populations protected and thriving and greys controlled through targeted and sustained action”.…
Why pest control is essential if we still want to hear birdsong
Our wildlife has declined by 50 per cent in the past 40 years. Predators have gained the upper hand throughout Britain and nowhere is safe. Pest control is essential if the next generation is ever to hear birdsong, says Richard Brigham
HS2 rail line risks conservation catastrophe, says study
Cross-party committee warns that 40% of the land earmarked for the high-speed rail line hasn't been surveyed for environmental impact
RSPB conservation chief to make landmark speech to gamekeepers
The conservation chief at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is to make the keynote address at the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation Annual General Meeting this spring
Kent Wildfowling & Conservation Association extends shooting rights
The highly successful wildfowling club purchases its 11th parcel of land in four years, bringing the total to more than 2,200 acres owned by the association.
Conservation groups call for future predator control
Scottish conservation groups call for future Government funded conservation measures to include predator control.
Grouse keeper wins David Bellamy conservation trophy
North Yorkshire grouse keeper, George Thompson, is the winner of this year’s prestigious Bellamy Trophy for his work promoting countryside conservation.
Breckland conservation project
How the humble rabbit is making an invaluable contribution to preserving ecosystems