Running a shoot – whether commercial or DIY – has been a gruelling undertaking over the last few years. Covid, bird flu and the war in Ukraine have caused serious issues with supply chains and costs, not to mention the basic requirement of actually carrying out habitat creation and shoot days.
So, when the announcement came that Labour, traditionally not the greatest advocates of field sports, had won the General Election, there was an understandable level of apprehension that spread through the UK shooting community.
However, all is not lost. The existing sustainable policies – with an emphasis on environmental land management and biodiversity – are popular across the political spectrum. And, these aspects create an opportunity to communicate positively with some of the shooting sceptics out there. It is hard to deny the benefits.
The main point of contention is the shooting itself.
So, if there was ever a time for shoots to take a look at their operations and how they are running, it is now. Self-regulation is the best way to stop government regulation.
Habitat Creation
Habitat creation is a key player when demonstrating the positives that shooting brings to the countryside and its wildlife. As many do now, shoots need to have a varied habitat that can sustain numbers of released game birds, whilst not impacting on local wildlife and flora.
In days gone by, planting multiple blocks or strips of maize would be seen as enough, but not anymore.
We aren’t advising to get rid of maize altogether – it still has an important role to play. Birds like it, it can be drilled deep, it works well for running birds on, gives excellent avian predation protection and, importantly, provides a perfect agronomical option to deal with both broad leaved and grass weeds. But there are numerous options to look at alongside maize.
These include:
Perennial Crops (such as reed canary grass and chicory) – These help spread establishment risk year on year, which also benefit the shoot financially, with costs being spread over 5-10 years. These crops make great wind breaks and can aid with beefing up flushing points.
Wild Bird Seed Mixtures – Our wild bird seed mixtures provide some feed variety for game and songbirds. We know that pheasant and partridge enjoy maize to run around in, and can feed on cobs as they drop. But, like humans, game and farmland songbirds like variety and these mixes provide sunflower, quinoa, millet and buckwheat seed for feed. They also attract insects for younger birds.
A further huge benefit is that these mixtures can bring financial benefit of £800+/ha under SFIs (AHL2).
Grass Margins, Beetle Banks & In-Field Grass Strips – Many of these options can yield good payments and are now a necessity for water course protection and “buffer zones” for farmers.
From a habitat creation perspective, they provide essential nesting habitat for ground nesting game and songbirds during the spring months, and then crucial over wintering habitats for beneficial pollinators.
Nectar Flower Plots – This option pays £700+/ha in stewardship, and is great when looking to improve local public relations.
It also acts as a long-term green manure for farming practices (helping increase soil health). From a habitat creation angle, it can help with brood rearing and as a summer holding block to entertain released birds.
Unharvested Cereal Headlands – Paying over £600/ha, this option is easy to use and is one of the best options (as discussed by the GWCT) for brood rearing habitat creation for ground nesting game and farmland songbirds, mimicking the cereal crops associated with farming practices pre-WW2.
They can also be strategically utilised as lead out strips or early season holding/blanking in blocks for released birds.
Animal Welfare
Though habitat creation is set to play a huge role in forming opinions on shooting, and can provide sizable income streams, animal health and welfare is also vital.
Demonstrating that the majority of shoot owners commit to best practise presents the best avenue to ensuring that we are able to continue self-regulation within the industry.
This includes things like ensuring that release sites are large enough, and with a varied habitat, adequate food and clean water availability, and best practise vermin control.
Additionally, a close working relationship with a specialised game bird vet is always a positive.
Changing Attitudes
With the aforementioned potential for a government that is less understanding in regard to field sports, shoots that release large numbers of birds will come under particular scrutiny. And, with the cost of almost everything rising, putting down huge numbers of birds is becoming more and more difficult. Larger releases are also used as a weapon against us by certain bodies, not just antis.
The increasing cost, and ongoing political situation, may force a change in attitude by those of us who shoot. It is likely that guns will have to spend more money to continue participating in the same sized days – gone are the days of £30/bird. If paying more isn’t an option, then guns may need to look at buying smaller days.
The ongoing push to get more of the game that is shot into the food chain is also essential. If those who are less understanding of shooting know that the meat is being made use of, it is another argument that they do not have.
So, through habitat creation and self-regulation, the future of British shooting can remain strong, regardless of government eyes.