The GWCT has launched its principles of gamebird management, which are intended to ensure that shooting plays its part in environmental protection.
The principles cover 12 areas that are regarded as crucial: biodiversity, landscape, densities, diversity, timing, development, responsibility, sustainability, science, wildlife, balance and legal control. They deal with contentious issues such as predator control and release densities, as well as highlighting the importance of hedges, ponds and scrubland for both shooting and wildlife.
A recent report from Natural England (NE) and the University of Exeter looked at the impact of gamebird releasing (News, 26 August). It found that while shooting had many positive effects, releasing gamebirds can have negative consequences.
The GWCT’s Roger Draycott told Shooting Timeshow the new principles would help shoots meet the challenges raised by the…