A clay shoot and auction, organised by Gerard Eadie’s Shoot Charitable Trust, has raised almost a quarter of a million pounds for charity. The annual shoot, the 16th organised by…
Mark Layton
News Editor Shooting Times
DEFRA boss Michael Gove praises shooters
Environment secretary Michael Gove has once again celebrated the role that game shooting and land management plays in preserving the countryside. Mr Gove addressed an audience at last month’s All…
European conservation award for GWCT
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has received a prestigious European award, recognising its work in wildlife management and conservation. The Jan Van Haaften IUGB (International Union of Game…
Glorious start to the grouse season
It’s been a terrific start to the grouse season in northern England, though reports from Scotland have been mixed. Last month, estates reported big broods and perfect conditions along with…
Grouse shooting is good for business
Grouse shooting in North Yorkshire is expected to contribute more than £100,000 to hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout this season. Nine estates alone surveyed by the Nidderdale Moorland Group will…
Lead faces threat of new Euro ban
The use of lead shot is once again in jeopardy as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) considers restricting its use. Last year, before leaving office as DEFRA secretary, Elizabeth Truss…
Sir Ian Botham criticises BBC for being “anti-shooting” – do you agree?
Cricket legend, philanthropist and countryman Sir Ian Botham has come under fire after pledging to donate 10,000 game birds from his shooting estates to those in need. Pheasants, partridges and…
This is why more than 23,000 new shotgun licences have been issued in the past year
The number of people enjoying shooting is growing, with more than 23,000 new shotgun certificates issued by police forces in England and Wales in the past year. There were 23,718…
Lowland birds breeding well
Gamekeepers across the UK are reporting strong broods and quality eggs, despite a period of bad weather, with the breeding season under way. Persistent rain has been an issue, but…
Scotland ends tail docking ban
The Scottish Government this week voted in favour of allowing vets to shorten the tails of spaniels and hunt, point, retrievers (HPR) if they will be used as working dogs.…
Will new police text alert system speed up firearms licensing?
Thames Valley Police is pioneering a new text alert scheme to improve and speed up its firearms and shotgun licensing process. The three-stage system will send a text to applicants…
Pheasant lands on school menus
School pupils across the UK are to learn about the benefits of game meat after BASC’s Taste of Game campaign teamed up with teachers to get pheasant cooking lessons added…
Scottish shooters condemn illegal killing of raptors
The shooting community has condemned the illegal killing of birds of prey after a new report into the disappearance of golden eagles provided strong evidence of raptor persecution over Scottish…
Police get tougher on gun ownership
The police are overcautious and too quick to revoke shotgun and firearm certificates, according to a firearms legal specialist. Earlier this month, Shooting Times reported on prosecutions launched by South…
Shooters must announce past convictions
Shooters are being warned not to withhold details of past or “spent” convictions when applying for or renewing their firearm and shotgun certificates, otherwise they could risk prosecution. BASC has…
Positive start for European partridge research project
A Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust-led project has got under way, with the grey partridge helping to improve farm biodiversity across Europe. Apt acronym As Shooting Times reported at the…
Gamekeepers rewarded for community effort
Gamekeepers who helped villages in Royal Deeside to recover from devastating flooding have been recognised for their community effort with a major award. Around 70 estate workers and gamekeepers from…
Scotland puts game-shoot licensing back on the table
Scottish fieldsports groups have expressed their dismay over the Scottish Parliament’s decision to explore the introduction of game-shoot licensing. Last month, the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee voted…
Rural police back on the Wiltshire beat
A joint endeavour by Wiltshire Police and rural groups, including the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), has put 20 dedicated rural officers back on the beat in the county after they…
Gun dealers warned over Islamic State threat
The police have asked registered firearms dealers to be extra vigilant after an online magazine published by Islamic State advised would-be terrorists to acquire guns from gun shops by force.…