MPs refute woodcock petition claims in parliamentary debate

[Conor O'Gorman]

A debate on the shooting season for woodcock held in Parliament yesterday saw MPs push back on claims made under a petition instigated by Wild Justice. Briefings from BASC, GWCT and CA were used by MPs to good effect.

Click the links below to find out more:

MPs refute woodcock petition claims in parliamentary debate

A parliamentary debate held on the shooting season for woodcock saw MPs push back on claims made under a petition instigated by Wild Justice.

basc.org.uk

GWCT research highlighted in parliamentary debate on woodcock - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

Wild Justice petition fails to take flight

Yet again, Wild Justice have shown their unique talent for wasting government time. A debate on a petition to limit the shooting season for woodcock took place in Westminster Hall yesterday afternoon (Monday 27 February).

www.countryside-alliance.org

 

[Mike L]

Well done

 

[Liveonce]

I am neutral in this but as a native red listed bird, what was wrong with moving the shooting season to 1st December when the migratory birds arrive? Other than giving WJ another win.

 

[VSS]

I am neutral in this but as a native red listed bird, what was wrong with moving the shooting season to 1st December when the migratory birds arrive? Other than giving WJ another win.

I think the point is that voluntary restraint on the part of shooters (as at present) is a more positive action than imposing restrictive legislation.

 

[Liveonce]

I think the point is that voluntary restraint on the part of shooters (as at present) is a more positive action than imposing restrictive legislation.

let me think about that ……. oh like the legal restraint not to shoot raptors …..

 

[kes]

I think the point is that voluntary restraint on the part of shooters (as at present) is a more positive action than imposing restrictive legislation.

Exactly the point - legislation is not relevant since many shooters will not shoot red listed birds but do not like further regulation of a sport which has a conscience.
It is very much more likely a call to abstain will be heard where a rule to omit will not. We are all concerned shooters and I doubt 'the beligerent three' had merely the protection of woodcock in mind.
It also makes no sense to control all shooting of woodcock when a survey will tell us where we are and then its vitally important to address the main issues which are causing a reduction in breeding populations - shooting I would suggest is not high amongst those and adequately controlled by a voluntary moratorium until a subsequent survey in, say, 5 years.

 

[VSS]

let me think about that ……. oh like the legal restraint not to shoot raptors …..

No, I don't think that's a very good analogy.
Anyway, that's beside the point. If the woodcock thing shows that shooters are capable of self regulation, then that's got to be good, surely? A bit like repeated calls for compulsory training for deer stalking, where the counter argument is that the voluntary uptake of DSC1 / 2 demonstrates that stalkers are self regulating, so further legislation isn't required. Of course not everyone voluntarily complies, but enough to make an impact.

 

[Liveonce]

interesting way to look at it,

“It is very much more likely a call to abstain will be heard where a rule to omit will not”

law abiding gun owners are likely to break the law if no voluntary option to abstain.

For the sake of the native woodcock, let’s hope shooters do abstain until the 1st December.

 

[Scotty99]

I am neutral in this but as a native red listed bird, what was wrong with moving the shooting season to 1st December when the migratory birds arrive? Other than giving WJ another win.

Probably because most people do not shoot woodcock these days and if they do it’s after the migrants have arrived. I’m a supporter of self restraint rather than imposed regulation. That may have been the main thrust of BACS briefings to MPs.

 

[Scotty99]

interesting way to look at it,

“It is very much more likely a call to abstain will be heard where a rule to omit will not”

law abiding gun owners are likely to break the law if no voluntary option to abstain.

For the sake of the native woodcock, let’s hope shooters do abstain until the 1st December.

Most shoots round my way do so and several around here have a no woodcock rule (at any time of the season) to go long with the no ground game rule.

 

[Kalahari]

It is a bit like the "plan" the Welsh lot in Cardiff Bay had on white fronted geese. They thought it would be good to ban shooting whitefronts in Wales only to find out (ignorant lot) that Welsh Wildfowling clubs had put a voluntary moratorium on shooting this species over 20 years earlier. Sort of keep up at the back time.

David.

 

[geoshot]

It is a bit like the "plan" the Welsh lot in Cardiff Bay had on white fronted geese. They thought it would be good to ban shooting whitefronts in Wales only to find out (ignorant lot) that Welsh Wildfowling clubs had put avoluntary moratorium on shooting this species over 20 years earlier. Sort of keep up at the back time.

David.

Imagine!? Politicians, especially those on the "Celtic Fringe" being out of touch with reality - who would have thunk it?

 

[Mick9abf]

Well done BASC, GWCT and MP’s who stood up to this latest pish.

I agree with sticking by as they have because voluntary restraint is observed and works.

The likes of WJ et all will go after anything, I remember having a debate with some dribbling anti about Plover and they claimed that they were “shot all the time on game shoots”, I politely informed them that while it’s still legal I know of no shoots (Aberdeenshire), and I’ve been on Puckle of bits of ground, where they are EVER shot and in fact keepers go out of their way to try and protect them.

 

[User00036]

I think a lot less Woodcock are shot these days, hopefully. Leave them for the rough shooter would be a starting point, apart from anything else it gets bloody dangerous on driven shoots when woodcock are allowed. What about the campaigning of butchers shops by sporting orgs to ban sale of woodcock, it breaks my heart to see rows of wc for sale for pence, when the general public woulnd even know what to do with them.if people are shooting to sell them, they are shooting too many. Eat what you shoot, enjoy them, they are an extraordinary bird. & the guts aren't bad on toast either!

 

[kes]

interesting way to look at it,

“It is very much more likely a call to abstain will be heard where a rule to omit will not”

law abiding gun owners are likely to break the law if no voluntary option to abstain.

For the sake of the native woodcock, let’s hope shooters do abstain until the 1st December.

The whole point, which you seem to have missed, is that the 1st December has no relevance if it can be shown that the domestic breeding stock is under severe pressure in given areas. I am sure the local shoots can ensure their particular areas are subject to moratoria as necessary.

 

[One on top of two]

I think a lot less Woodcock are shot these days, hopefully. Leave them for the rough shooter would be a starting point, apart from anything else it gets bloody dangerous on driven shoots when woodcock are allowed. What about the campaigning of butchers shops by sporting orgs to ban sale of woodcock, it breaks my heart to see rows of wc for sale for pence, when the general public woulnd even know what to do with them.if people are shooting to sell them, they are shooting too many. Eat what you shoot, enjoy them, they are an extraordinary bird. & the guts aren't bad on toast either!

You’re not wrong if you can’t eat it don’t shoot it . I cut my teeth as pigeon shooter , any chance for a nice pair .

Last Sunday , my first taste for 2023

 

[timbrayford]

A debate on the shooting season for woodcock held in Parliament yesterday saw MPs push back on claims made under a petition instigated by Wild Justice. Briefings from BASC, GWCT and CA were used by MPs to good effect.

Click the links below to find out more:

MPs refute woodcock petition claims in parliamentary debate

A parliamentary debate held on the shooting season for woodcock saw MPs push back on claims made under a petition instigated by Wild Justice.

basc.org.uk

GWCT research highlighted in parliamentary debate on woodcock - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

Wild Justice petition fails to take flight

Yet again, Wild Justice have shown their unique talent for wasting government time. A debate on a petition to limit the shooting season for woodcock took place in Westminster Hall yesterday afternoon (Monday 27 February).

www.countryside-alliance.org

Good work Conor

 

[Malxwal]

I won't shoot woodcock, just a personal thing.
I was extremely lucky the other evening for one to come out of the wood to feed at last light, landing about six feet away from the dog and me. We sat and watched it feed it's way back into cover for ten minutes or so.
The only shoots which allow woodcock to be shot which I've been on won't shoot til migrants are in, make an express statement that if you shoot it you must take it home and eat it, and furthermore I'd say there's an underlying message of distaste at shooting them.

 

[Jgray]

Well done all involved

 

[foxhunter]

It's long overdue a review on the pheasant season , should be extended to include February when the birds are at their strongest.