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28/4/2026

Urgent questionnaire on the future of woodcock and snipe shooting in Great Britain

Government is currently consulting on its proposals to amend the list of birds that can be legally shot outside of a closed season. The proposals include extending the closed season for woodcock and snipe in England and Scotland and removing snipe from the quarry list in Wales.

Active habitat management by game managers and shooters can be a very important driver for privately funded conservation of red-listed species, so any changes in regulation should be based on scientific evidence and a good knowledge of the practical land management activities being undertaken, or they risk being counterproductive and causing further declines.

We are also interested in hearing views on voluntary restraint and how practices within the community have changed or adapted in recent years to help ensure harvest rates are sustainable. 

Please respond to this urgent GWCT questionnaire by 7th May 2026 to help ensure Government takes an informed and evidence led approach to future regulation.

Have your say: Schedule 2: Your views on the future of woodcock and snipe shooting in the UK

Topic:

Comments

Woodcock over pointers

at 8:25 on 29/04/2026 by Luise Janniche

I only shoot woodcock over my pointers and only after the end of November. The first one shot is the most important: If it is not fat and strong, I don't shoot anymore. They might just have come in or they have had a tough time. This is especially if the weather has been cold. If I was ever in an area with local breeding birds, I would not shoot there. Every single bird is much treasured and taken to the kitchen as it is a special treat. I cook them all myself and it is the best game bird. I will be very alert to the statistics and if these birds start to struggle in their "home lands" where they breed, I will stop shooting them.

woodcock and snipe

at 8:23 on 29/04/2026 by peter walsh

I shoot on 3 estates in Durham and Cumbria. All 3 have a good resident population of woodcock and during the shooting season when the overseas visitors arrive there are more than enough birds to harvest a few. All the estates allow the shooting of these birds but whoever shoots them are expected to take them for the table.

Woodcock and snipe shooting

at 8:07 on 29/04/2026 by Jonny Hogg

I have shot over areas of raised mire, ie heather and birch scrub, peatlands, for most of my life, these areas were declared SSSI decades ago and since then have been re-wetted etc by Natural England. I no longer shoot there but still observe the wildlife, which has declined drastically since the shooting interest stopped and much of the birch scrub was removed under the name of conservation, snipe were once abundant and good sport as well as good to eat, Woodcock are still present but I don't think theres many due to the removal of birch scrub etc. I see these results as a warning to those who think shooting is the evil and so called conservation is the saviour of wildlife. I support restraint where necessary but leave the shooting in place.

Woodcock and snipe shooting

at 5:18 on 29/04/2026 by Jim Stevenson

It’s time to sell those guns and get a decent camera. With a photo you have a permanent memento of your time in the field that uses all the skills required in hunting without resulting in a mess of blood and feathers. You can even mount your camera on a gunstock and fire the shutter with the trigger. Woodcock in particular are in serious decline , not through shooting but climate change and habitat loss. They need our help.

Woodcock

at 1:28 on 29/04/2026 by Rob Claase

I do feel that its just the thrill of shoot rather than anybody eating the bird At least we can justify shooting other birds e.g. Pheasants and Partridges etc as they are eaten

Woodcock and snipe

at 23:38 on 28/04/2026 by Bob Holderness-Roddam

As a former landowner and shooter in Northumberland, I never shot at either. I feel we should not treat them as our prey.

Woodcock and Snipe shooting in the UK

at 23:31 on 28/04/2026 by Sarah Godley

I have only fired a gun once in my life and nearly shot my brother - I decided it wasn't the sport for me. But proper management of the countryside should be down to those that know it, live in it and work in it, not TV celebrities who buy expensive properties in a pretty area and think that endows them with the wisdom of the ages. The British countryside is not a wild jungle from which all human activity should be removed, it is the result of thousands of years of interaction. That interaction should certainly involve authorities under democratic control, but they must first and foremost understand that they are there to serve the people immediately concerned, not pander to the well-off urbanites who fund the current political party in power.

Woodcock and Snipe

at 22:08 on 28/04/2026 by Martin

On our small family shoot in Devon we see high numbers of Snipe and despite having a number of dedicated snipe drives shoot very few (1-2) because the are very difficult to hit. We used to shoot Woodcock but then the numbers seemed to go down so we paused shooting them about 15 years ago. In recent years numbers of Woodcock have increased so we may shoot them again in the future. Its such a shame that people who know nothing of rural life are imposing their views on rural people and taking away our freedom to manage the countryside and shoot. Its a terrible tragedy.

Woodcock and snipe

at 21:58 on 28/04/2026 by Derek lutton

Most shoot leave wookcocj shooting until late November till the migrant birds arrive.As with all game birds now its better to let the gamekeepers and shoots manage shooting and habitat. They are the people on the gound and understand whats happening

Snipe & Woodcock: extending close season

at 20:49 on 28/04/2026 by Paul Stewart

I am in complete agreement with the statements made by two members as below: A moratorium on the shooting of these birds and review when and if numbers recover would be a good compromise. I strongly believe that we, the shooting community should consider putting a stop to the shooting of both of these species. I find it totally unacceptable when one hands out game to be met with the response " I do not eat those but can I have the pin feathers " The same point of view might be applied to all game ? Paul S

Snipe and Woodcock quarry

at 20:25 on 28/04/2026 by Stephen Bell

Woodcock is my favourite tasting game bird , I may take 2 a season but that would be all , snipe are to fussy to prepare for the table so I don’t waste shot on them . And I see plenty ! If you do not eat your quarry don’t shoot them

Woodcock and Snipe

at 20:10 on 28/04/2026 by R Shires

Both these birds, like many others, are in decline for a variety of reasons that are not the fault of the shooting community, and despite the provision made by shooting for appropriate habitats. Nevertheless, any shooting of these birds only adds to the pressure on their populations; it is clear from the above responses that many shooting people recognise the need to refrain from shooting them. Woodcock and Snipe are wild birds, not maintained artificially by breeding and rearing as are pheasants and partridge. Furthermore, accepting the proposals by the shooting community would demonstrate high understanding and responsibility to other viewpoints.

Woodcock

at 19:52 on 28/04/2026 by Mark Brackstone

I think that we should be permitted to shoot a woodcock or snipe providing the shooter is taking it for the table. On our shoot we tell guns that we do not generally shoot woodcock but if someone would like to take one for the table then it is perfectly fine . Maybe a compromise may be to limit commercial sale . Ie woodcock and snipe may not be sold to a dealer .

Woodcock and snipe shooting

at 19:49 on 28/04/2026 by David Tomlinson

My observations from picking up on various shoots is that few people want to shoot either snipe or woodcock. However, those that do rarely want to take the birds home and eat them. I live in the Brecks, where we used to have a strong breeding population of woodcock. I am lucky if I see a single roding bird now, I believe that DEFRA’s proposals make sense.

Woodcock and snipe

at 19:04 on 28/04/2026 by Alistair

My experience is that most escape the guns and loss of feeding habitat through drainage together with a massive increase in predation (foxes, badgers, rats) on these ground nesting species are the main causes of the decline. The shooting of woodcock to sell (which a few do - sadly) should be banned - but for the few happy hunters who maybe shoot and eat a very small number why the need to legislate. They’d be better off legislating to control foxes. Another example of the law of unintended consequences?

Woodcock and Snipe

at 18:59 on 28/04/2026 by John Hickman

I've shot for over 45 years and many of the shoots I visit nowadays and likewise our syndicate shoot stopped shooting these two birds species a couple of decades ago. We have noticed the decline in both species over many years on our shoot and the same can be said for other shoots I visit and have discussed this topic with them. In my opinion if the stock is not there don't shoot it and try to preserve whats left. We've been practising this same ethos with salmon fishing now for many years.

Woodcock and snipe shooting

at 18:57 on 28/04/2026 by Ron Smart

I’ve been shooting for 73 years and I can’t see any reason to shoot these birds, people say that it’s the challenge or sport if you want a challenge try wood pigeon.

Woodcock & Snipe shooting in the UK

at 18:36 on 28/04/2026 by Richard Hill

As a member of a long established Hampshire shoot for many years, as well as shooting at other estates in the South and West country, my firm belief is that well managed shoots such as these employ the best and only people properly equipped to manage decisions on quarry, here especially woodcock. Our shoot master clearly instructs guns on status of shooting woodcock before every day. The guns observe this instruction and certainly in the last five or so years we have not shot them and we see a healthy number each week. Some have even moved into my woods at home. This government surely needs to focus on bigger issues, many of which currently seem beyond its capabilities.

Woodcock ban

at 18:31 on 28/04/2026 by Aidan Ferguson

Banning the shooting of these species will have absolutely no effect on the decline of either species. Habitat loss is the greatest threat to All species. Nests of songbirds and game birds Are being concentrated in certain areas due to drainage and deforestation/de-vegetation , predators hone in on these areas … that’s the problem !

Woodcock and Snipe shooting

at 18:28 on 28/04/2026 by David Betts

I believe that woodcock and snipe shooting should continue because of the amount of birds that migrate in which is between 1,400,000 to 1,600,000 per year.

Snipe and woodcock

at 18:25 on 28/04/2026 by Michael Strang Steel

I have shot snipe and woodcock in the Outer Hebrides where the birds are mainly migratory. They are all eaten by those in the Lodge and are delicious. If they were banned several keepers would be redundant and the main draw for sportsmen to this amazing place would be lost. In Scottish Borders we don’t shoot resident birds unless a gun is particularly keen to eat a snipe or woodcock. We love seeing the birds and do all we can to manage the habitat for them. If shooting of them was banned we would probably plant up the area and their population would decline.

Future of Woodcock and Snipe Shooting in the UK

at 11:26 on 28/04/2026 by Helen Wren

I volunteer for the National Breeding Woodcock Survey in Northamptonshire and have two sites; one where I don't think I shall see them in the near future but the other, at Fineshade appears to be the only wood within our county supporting breeding birds. However, on my 2025 survey there, I sadly failed to record any. I would therefore assume that continued existing shooting practice will even affect the dwindling Woodcock population at this last Northamptonshire breeding wood.

Woodcock and Snipe

at 11:24 on 28/04/2026 by Michael hughes

A moratorium on the shooting of these birds and review when and if numbers recover would be a good compromise.

Snipe and woodcock

at 11:22 on 28/04/2026 by John marshall

Leave the management and conservation, to the people who have an interest in the preservation of both these birds

Woodcock and snipe shooting

at 11:22 on 28/04/2026 by Dr Peter Gough OBE

Most people have never knowingly seen these species. I encourage UK Government to think very carefully about any shooting at all!

Snipe and woodcock

at 11:21 on 28/04/2026 by Mike Medcalf

I work on two shoots, both shot only twice a year and the quarry is snipe and woodcock. Most of our effort goes into habitat management for the benefit of these birds and many others. We maintain copices and wet lands, reduce grazing and fence off sensitive areas. This work would cease if the shooting was curtailed

Snipe and woodcock

at 11:20 on 28/04/2026 by Mike Medcalf

I work on two shoots, both shot only twice a year and the quarry is snipe and woodcock. Most of our effort goes into habitat management for the benefit of these birds and many others. We maintain copices and wet lands, reduce grazing and fence off sensitive areas. This work would cease if the shooting was curtailed

Future of Woodcock and Snipe shooting uk.

at 11:18 on 28/04/2026 by Kenneth Horseman

Extend both closed seasons and remove the Snipe from the quarry list would be my preference.

Future of woodcock and snipe shooting in UK

at 11:17 on 28/04/2026 by Michael Gough

The shooting community are the ones that generally provide habitat, and predator control that allow these birds to survive. The numbers of these birds that are shot has little baring on their decline. The home bred population is declining due to habitat loss and predation away from managed estates and reducing the shooting season will have no effect on stopping their decline.

Woodcock and sniper shooting

at 11:16 on 28/04/2026 by Sid Phillips

Must not be allowed

Woodcock

at 11:16 on 28/04/2026 by Mark Brackstone

I think that we should be permitted to shoot a woodcock or snipe providing the shooter is taking it for the table. On our shoot we tell guns that we do not generally shoot woodcock but if someone would like to take one for the table then it is perfectly fine . Maybe a compromise may be to limit commercial sale . Ie woodcock and snipe may not be sold to a dealer .

The future of Woodcock & Snipe Shooting in the UK

at 11:15 on 28/04/2026 by Mike Taylor

Even as a shooter my opinion is that there in no need to shoot either of these birds within the or outside of the the shooting season.

woodcock

at 11:14 on 28/04/2026 by Alistair Montgomery

We are already over- legislated/regulated. Where voluntary discipline and discresion is being practised and is working, Government has no business to interfer..

Woodcock & Snipe

at 11:13 on 28/04/2026 by John A Mead

I strongly believe that we, the shooting community should consider putting a stop to the shooting of both of these species. I find it totally unacceptable when one hands out game to be met with the response " I do not eat those but can I have the pin feathers " The same point of view might be applied to all game ?

Woodcock and Snipe Shooting

at 11:12 on 28/04/2026 by Hugo Kirby

I completely support the GCWT's view that any changes in regulation should be based on scientific evidence and a good knowledge of the practical land management activities being undertaken, or they risk being counterproductive and causing further declines. Like all responsible shooters I and my colleagues adopt voluntary restraint to ensure thriving populations.

Woodcock & Snipe

at 11:09 on 28/04/2026 by Dale

I don't shoot them myself and most places I do shoot are of the same mind unless one is prepared to take and eat them.

Woodcock & Snipe

at 11:09 on 28/04/2026 by Dale

I don't shoot them myself and most places I do shoot are of the same mind unless one is prepared to take and eat them.

Woodcock and Snipe shooting in the UK

at 11:08 on 28/04/2026 by Jonathan Fenton

I completely agree with the proposals!

Wood cock

at 11:08 on 28/04/2026 by Tony

We are a choirs to shoot or not shoot them all people on my shoot leave them

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