Blogs

At the beginning of this week Natural Resources Wales, on behalf of Welsh Government, launched their 12-week public consultation on their proposals to license gamebird releasing in Wales. It is absolutely critical that everyone with an interest in shooting in Wales, whether from Wales or not, respond, offering constructive and considered responses. The number and quality of responses will be incredibly important, so please share the links with others and encourage them to respond. 

On Monday 27th March Natural Resources Wales (NRW), on behalf of Welsh Government, launched a 12-week public consultation on their proposals to licence gamebird releasing in Wales. They propose to move pheasant and red-legged partridge onto Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which would make it illegal to release these gamebirds except under licence. 

Please join us at Shropshire Conference Centre, Shrewsbury for our annual Game 23 Conference on Tuesday 28th March.

On Monday 9th January 2023 the National Avian Influenza Protection Zones (AIPZ’s) that cover England, Scotland and Wales, were all amended to include new mandatory requirements for those who catch-up gamebirds (pheasants, partridges or ducks). Here is an overview of these new legal obligations and some frequently asked questions about the practice of catching-up.

Richard Leach, sales manager at Keepers Choice, looks at why feeding over the winter is more important than ever…

Recent isolated cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in released pheasants highlights the importance of good biosecurity and vigilance amongst all those involved in game management. 

As a research-led organisation with expertise in gamebird management and biodiversity monitoring, the GWCT has previously reviewed the evidence relating to the relationship between pheasant releasing and reptile numbers alongside our wider work on the potential impacts of gamebird releasing on the environment. 

We recently published an updated version of one of our popular 'Green Guides' - Woodlands for Pheasants and Wildlife. Having sold several hundred copies we asked customers for their comments about the book. Here's what they had to say...

The RSPB’s position (‘Calls to ban gamebird release to avoid ‘catastrophic’ avian flu outbreak’, 10.02.2022) is not based on scientific evidence and the tone of Jeff Knott’s comments is alarmist.