The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) are joining together with BASC to provide a two day course in shoot management and shooting techniques.
Based at the GWCT’s Allerton Project in Leicestershire, the two organisations are due to once again deliver this successful course. The shooting element of this course is intended for anybody who shoots, and is designed to improve technique and therefore success in the field. The second day will focus on habitat management, helping anybody who is releasing pheasants for shooting, whether DIY or professional shoot managers
The first day concentrates on shooting techniques. The day will start with an interactive session discussing the issues surrounding poor performance in the field and the factors responsible for it. There will then be a number of practical activities including a shooting skills exercise, range-judging and a patterning workshop. The afternoon session will focus on how to shoot better within your capabilities; BASC shotgun coaches will spend two to three hours with each group working on their individual shooting skills.
During the morning presentations of day two, issues discussed will focus on best practice guidelines, utilising predator control and planting the optimal cover crops. This information will help shoots to maintain the health and welfare of their birds, ensuring good returns and high quality sport. This will be followed by an afternoon visit to a working shoot, to see hands-on how to put the guidelines into practice.
The course will also cover recent GWCT research, such as the guidelines for gamebird releasing.
A previous attendee says: “The high standard of presentations and coaching reinforced my opinion that conservationists and game shooters are very well represented by GWCT and BASC, who do so much for the environment and their membership, which is open to all.”
Limited places available - book now
You can take the two days together for £150 (including the cost of clays, cartridges, lunch and refreshments), or just book day one or day two at £85.
For further details please call Lynda Ferguson on 01425 651013 or click here.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 40 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
The GWCT’s Allerton Project: The GWCT’s Allerton Project is an 800 acre commercial farm business attached to a Research and Educational charitable trust. The Project was established in 1992 with the objective of demonstrating how modern efficient farming and environmental conservation can co-exist. The development of the education objectives of the Trust has expanded substantially to several thousand visitors a year including school groups, politicians and farmers, thus necessitating the construction of a larger visitor centre. The challenge of converting a disused brick cowshed into a sustainable building was given to architect Sylvester Cheung from Melton Mowbray. 60 per cent of construction costs were obtained as a grant from the Rural Development Programme for England.