Sporting Rifle January 2021

post at your peril

Social media can be used to educate, entertain and enlighten, it’s a fast form of communication that’s now part of our daily lives. But there are also people who do use it to bully, intimidate, and harass. Indeed, increasingly often, graphic images shared within our own circles, end up in the public domain and are often used against us. There are, of course, many who would say if you enter the public arena you have to accept what comes with it. I agree with that to a certain extent, but there is a big difference from expressing one’s aversion and death threats or the other bile that these trolls post in response. One can expect it from the extremists in the anti-brigade, and I respect anyone’s right to their own opinions,…

gamebird release to be licensed

Just days before the Judicial Review into gamebird licensing was due to be heard, Defra made a dramatic U-turn on its position. With no prior consultation with BASC, Countryside Alliance, National Gamekeepers Organisation or the Game Farmers’ Association – who were all designated as ‘interested parties’ in the case – Defra has announced its intention to introduce an interim licensing system for pheasants and red-legged partridges. The proposed licensing system will operate within 500m of all sites designated by Europe as ‘Natura 2000’ sites, usually sites of special scientific interest, though Wild Justice would prefer to see 1km used as the distance. In a letter to the High Court, Defra said: “Laying secondary legislation and introducing a new licensing regime will be challenging to deliver but we believe it will be just possible…

highland outdoors branch into ireland

Highland Outdoors has announced the opening of new offices and a warehouse facility in County Wexford, citing the continued growth and expansion plans of Highland Outdoors Limited and the importance of offering the highest level of service to its Irish and European customers as key reasons.. “We have been developing our business in the Irish market for the past few years and due to increased demand and the need to have a dedicated company servicing our existing and potential customer base, Highland Outdoors Ireland Ltd has been established,” said managing director, John Bright. The new venture will be headed up by Dominic and Joan Byrne of Springvalley Trading (Dom’s Custom Rifles) with the promise of the full support and backing of Highland Outdoors Ltd. The new operation will focus initially on existing…

three new general licences issued by defra

Defra has issued three new General Licences, which will come into force when the current licences end, on 1 January 2021. The new licences represent a considerable improvement, and shooting organisations believe that they are legally robust enough to avoid further legal challenge from Wild Justice. A Countryside Alliance spokesperson said: “We are pleased to see that Defra have responded to our lobbying effort, and have issued these licences themselves, rather than allowing Natural England to do so, who have proved incapable of overseeing a credible wildlife licencing system. “There are some details that require further refining, and the full terms and conditions are still to published. The CA are continuing to work with Defra to ensure that these remaining creases are ironed out.” Glynn Evans, BASC head of game and gundogs, added: “On…

why we shoot: future’s new campaign

Launched on 2 November, Why We Shoot is a new collaborative campaign between all the print and digital brands within the newly expanded Future fieldsports portfolio. Why We Shoot aims to raise awareness of the positive ripple effect and numerous benefits of shooting. Future’s editorial teams will cover stories too often overlooked in the news cycle – turning the spotlight on conservation and ecology, inclusion and diversity, and mental and physical wellbeing. The campaign aims to support Britain’s countryside and help people to better understand the world of shooting, which contributes approximately £2 billion a year to the UK economy. Thy We Shoot initiative, will also look to encourage new interest in field sports, so Sporting Rifle will be working closely with shooters to provide an authoritative and trusted voice to inspire deer…

british shooting show plans for 2021

Due to the restrictions placed upon the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) due to Covid-19, they are unable to accommodate the British Shooting Show for 2021. The British Shooting Show was set to return to the NEC for the fourth year, however organisers have been made to comply with the ever changing demands from the UK Government. They have now named the East of England Arena & Events Centre in Peterborough as the new venue for 2021, with show dates on the 23, 24 and 25 April. The show organisers stated: “As a company we have an obligation to serve the gun trade, doing all we can to keep them buoyant. If we do not run an event during 2021 and wait until February 2022 that will have been 24 months since the…