Voluntary restraint call for shooting ducks, geese and waders due to severe weather

[Conor O'Gorman]

Due to the widespread severe weather BASC is calling for all shooters in the UK to exercise restraint, wherever it is needed, in the shooting of ducks, geese and waders.

The call is being made following seven days of severe weather. The species affected are geese, wild duck, released duck, woodcock, snipe, golden plover, coot and moorhen.

Voluntary restraint in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should continue to apply until three consecutive thaw days or until a statutory suspension is enacted following 14 days of severe weather.

BASC’s head of wildfowling James Green said: “BASC issues a call for voluntary restraint in shooting ducks, geese and waders when it is clear that birds could be affected by the weather, but ahead of any statutory suspension of shooting.

“We would also call on other countryside users, such as dog-walkers, ramblers and bird-watchers to take care not to cause unnecessary disturbance to birds which may be struggling in the severe conditions.”

He added: “The decision to show restraint in shooting should be made by individuals where feeding or roosting is affected by snow or ice. It should be based on local observations of the condition of the birds and their habitats.”

If freezing conditions persist, statutory suspension of waterfowl shooting could take effect from day 14. Statutory suspensions normally last for 14 days but would be reviewed after seven days and could be lifted if conditions have improved. All dates are subject to change according to prevailing weather conditions.

Click here for more information on severe weather procedures, voluntary restraint and updates on the situation in all parts of the UK.

 

[Heym SR20]

Will this cold snap be enough to finish off Bird Flu. i.e. those birds that are infected will die leaving a stronger flock behind?

And as regards ticks etc - how long a cold spell is needed to knock their numbers back.

I can’t help feeling a good hard winter is a good thing.

 

[VSS]

And as regards ticks etc - how long a cold spell is needed to knock their numbers back.

Two weeks of sub- zero.

 

[kes]

I dont know about anyone else but I have not been shooting shotgun 'game' since the weather turned nasty - no need for entreaty.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Thanks @kes and agreed, its an individual choice, but perhaps not so much 'entreaty' as a long established formal procedure based on data from weather stations and perhaps a good thing that the shooting organisations raise awareness of the first stage of the procedure in the public domain - we are not the only audience.

Also its been at least a decade since we have had a widespread prolonged period of winter weather that has triggered the procedure in all four countries and there will be many newcomers to shooting over that period for whom this might be of interest.

Ministers in each country have the power to impose temporary shooting bans for severe weather. The procedure all agencies have agreed to provides some flexibility and avoids a one-size fits all approach nationwide with voluntary restraint being a starting point and awareness raising from BASC and the other shooting organisations demonstrates a responsible approach from the shooting community.

The following video filmed at Marford Mill explains the whole procedure - its from a good few years ago but still relevant.