21 May 2018

GWCT launch prestigious gun draw

GWCT-Jack London -2017-098

TICKETS for one of the most coveted prizes in fieldsports are on sale.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) 2018 Gun Draw includes a day’s driven grouse shooting, a new pair of 12-bore shotguns, three-hour fitting session and 500 game cartridges – all worth an eyewatering £25,000.

The popular draw sees hundreds of shooting enthusiasts take part each year, some of whom buy tickets for the first time, such as last year’s winner.

Mark Deacon, from Bedfordshire, says he was ‘thrilled to have won such a fantastic prize’.

“It was the first time I had entered such a competition with a prize value anything like this. I have never shot grouse before and, as it is something I had promised I would do, I thought it may be worth a punt,” he said.

“The guns are a massive bonus. I am really humbled by my fellow “guns” and shooting acquaintances that have said how pleased they are for me and encouraged by a local Bedfordshire boy to have won.”

Mark, who runs a quad biking and buggy business, has been for a three-hour fitting session with Tom Payne at the Oxfordshire Shooting School and will embark on the day’s driven grouse shooting when the new season commences.

By taking part in the draw, you will also be supporting GWCT’s scientific research programmes for game and wildlife conservation.

The Trust aims to ensure a thriving countryside, rich in game and other wildlife and believe its research can go a long way to achieving this.

You will be helping us to tell a more balanced story about game management by funding new research to measure and publish the positive influence it has on our countryside.

GWCT would like to thank William Powell for its generosity in donating the prizes for the third consecutive year.

Tickets are priced at £50 and the draw will take place at GWCT headquarters in Fordingbridge on 21st December 2018. 

Enter now >


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish 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.

For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk