Shooting Times & Country 29-Dec-2021

The other day, in an entirely non-shooting context, a lady said to me that she’d decided she wasn’t going to use social media any more. As far as she was concerned, it was just people slogging it out without any possibility of one side succeeding in bringing the other round. At least once a week, I find myself reading arguments online between those who are involved in shooting and those who hate it. I fully understand that for people who make their livelihood out of this sport and to whom it is everything, just scrolling on by when it’s under attack is tough. At the same time, I would imagine that if they sat back, they’d probably realise that engaging is futile. There are plenty of bright, sensible people who would love…

Conservationists and African community groups have responded with dismay to the announcement that the UK Government will introduce a ban on the import of hunting trophies. In its 2019 manifesto, the Government committed to banning the import of trophies from ‘endangered species’. However, environment secretary George Eustice said the ban will be brought forward and will include a commitment to ban trophies from species that are ‘near threatened’ — a much lower category of conservation concern. This announcement quoted a Government minister and the leaders of three campaign groups, but no conservation scientists. Among those quoted was Eduardo Gonçalves, chairman of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. The decision to quote Mr Gonçalves on an official Government statement was met with anger and disbelief after the evidence he presented to the committee…

Significant numbers of pheasants are dying as the bird flu outbreak is confirmed as the UK’s largest ever. Sudden deaths of gamebirds have been reported from northern England and southern Scotland. Shooting Times has been unable to confirm that the deaths are related to the bird flu outbreak. However, it is clear the situation continues to worsen. Outbreaks of the most deadly form of the disease, known as high-path bird flu, have now been confirmed at 41 premises in England as well as at sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The disease also appears to be spreading rapidly among wild birds, with significant numbers now confirmed as having died of the disease. The majority of wild birds infected so far are geese and swans, with mute swans and barnacle geese particularly badly…

Police are hunting poachers after a spate of incidents in which pheasants were shot with air rifles. West Mercia Police believe that hundreds of birds may have been poached in seven reported incidents over a period of two weeks. The crimes have taken place in the Kington and Shobdon area near the England-Wales border in Herefordshire. PC Dean Wall said: “Although we don’t get a huge amount of it out here in my experience, when we do get it, it’s noticeable.” He added: “Even if they’re taking five or six [birds] at a time, that’s still not a huge monetary value.” He said he had been getting calls from concerned farmers, with one reporting seeing “a trail of blood and of feathers and the mess left behind”. In an unrelated incident, a gamekeeper in…

COOK Rather like wildfowling, winter sea fishing requires a hardy and determined soul. But a pennel rig with a mix of mussel, peeler crab or lugworm can find a delicious and satisfying winter cod. Do check weather and tides and make sure you are kitted out with warm clothing and plenty of light sources. CHECK If you are finishing a rainy day of shooting less dry than you expected, it may be time to reproof your waterproofs. Many manufacturers have their own product, or generic wash-in or spray-on treatments are available online. Before trying any treatments, a wash and gentle tumble dry does many breathable fabrics a world of good.…

A segment on Countryfile looking at lead shot in game has met with criticism from the shooting community who have described it as “alarmist” and “silly”. The 10-minute piece, presented by Tom Heap, began with the claim that game may “contain a hidden risk”. The potentially harmful effects of lead on brain function were repeatedly emphasised, despite a complete lack of evidence of any cases of anyone suffering lead poisoning from consuming lead-shot game in the UK. In an interview with British Game Assurance chief executive Liam Stokes, (right) Mr Heap even claimed that lead-shot game “could potentially cause brain damage”. Continuing the alarmist theme, Heap described buying wild game as “playing Russian roulette with lead poisoning”. The claim came despite the majority of birds tested by the show containing no shot…