Blogs

As part of the project group established to increase recording of mountain hare presence right across Scotland, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is dismayed that following the first year of this expanded survey capacity, the National newspaper has hailed this as marking an increase in mountain hare numbers following protection.

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair returns to Scone Palace in Scotland from 1- 3 July with an incredible itinerary of displays, demonstrations, have-a-go attractions and exhibitors covering everything from fishing and shooting to gundogs and falcons.

The subject of predator control can be charged with emotion and often misguided opinion. This has put ever greater scrutiny on practitioners; there is no place for poor practice. The game sector prides itself in being able to demonstrate best practice to ensure that predator control remains a legitimate conservation tool. There are sector-led codes of practice in place and the GWCT is recognised for up-to-date training on all aspects of humane predator control.

Megan Rowland, a deer manager from the Highlands, was chosen as the overall winner of the INEOS Grenadier Countryside Champion Award 2022, coordinated by GunsOnPegs. 

Rigorous counting from gamekeepers has given hope to the Peak District’s population of mountain hares, showing their numbers are much better than feared.

The GWCT recognises the importance of muirburn as a vital conservation and land management tool. It is used by farmers and crofters, as well as wildlife managers and gamekeepers, for a variety of reasons including grazing improvement, habitat restoration and wildfire mitigation.

The capercaillie is a truly magnificent species, one that almost seems too significant and primeval to occur in the small remaining pockets of Caledonian pine forests in the 21st century. The small, declining population of this species is now centred in Strathspey, with fewer individuals occurring in Deeside and Easter Ross. This, sadly, makes observing capercaillie particularly rare in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is seeking views via a consultation on proposals to strengthen the law relating to the use of dogs to hunt and flush foxes and other wild mammals in Scotland.

With the Guardian reporting declines in rabbit populations and the importance of intervention in their management, we thought it the ideal time to reflect on how they’re getting on our Scottish demonstration farm.

We are delighted to support the #LambforStAndrewsDay campaign and are equally pleased to know that 180 schools and 30,000 home economic pupils across Scotland have signed up to cook and eat Scotch Lamb on the day.