Shooting and conservation: what can guns do?

One of the most compelling arguments that we have at our disposal when it comes to making the case for shooting in the corridors of power or in the press is the dramatic positive conservation impact that well-run shoots have on their local environment and biodiversity. 

Whether it is the predator control carried out by keepers up and down the land, the thousands of acres of cover crops planted each year which benefit both game birds and farmland birds, or the woodland planting and management that shoots carry out, shooting can be seen as a vast network of privately funded conservation projects. 

However, as a gun,  it can sometimes feel like we are merely passengers on the journey, rather than being able to steer the ship when it comes to conservation. However, there are plenty of ways that guns can help to encourage further conservation efforts and support shooting.

1. The First Rule of Conservation is You DO Talk About Conservation

Within shooting it may be a truism that shooting has great benefits to wildlife, but to an outsider this is simply not the case.

It is a sad fact that in today’s world there are very few people who would recognise that shoots plant trees or understand the importance of cutting skylights or rides in woods or would know a cover crop when they saw one, nor understand the benefits of one. Very few understand how predator control benefits red list bird species and ground nesting birds.

Whenever you get the chance, when speaking to non-shooting people, make these points, be that down the pub, at work, at dinner parties or on social media.

2. The Second Rule of Conservation is You DO Talk About Conservation!

The Game Shooting Census consistently reveals that guns value conservation and sustainability far more than shoot managers think they do. Whether it is assurance, adhering to best practice or demonstrating the net biodiversity impact of their shoots, those who run shoots need to be reminded how important it is to the people who shoot with them. 

When you’re out in the field, take every chance to enquire of shoot captains and keepers about the work that they do. For those shoot managers for whom it is already something that they value, they’ll be thrilled that you’re taking an interest, and for those for whom conservation and best practice is an afterthought, it will drive home the fact that it is something that matters to guns.

Take the initiative over sustainable ammunition and make the transition yourself as a gun and talk to the shoot captain about their policy and plans for their own transition to non-toxic shot. If you are in a syndicate raise the issue as a conservation and environmental necessity rather than wait – the sooner all game is shot with non-lead shot, the stronger the game market will become.

3. Vote with your feet (and wallet)

Of course, the best way to drive home how important conservation is to you is to make it part of your criteria when choosing where to shoot. If shoot owners are fielding questions from prospective customers that focus not on the size of the bag but the height of the birds but on the shoot's conservation credentials, economic imperatives will force shoot owners to make talking about their management practices a greater part of their marketing efforts.

Try to only book shooting at places that you think deserve your custom and that give shooting a good name.

4. Do It Yourself

Syndicates are the backbone of shooting in the UK. If you belong to a DIY syndicate or even one that employs a keeper, you have significant power to influence the way that your shoot is run. Many of the actions your shoot can take, be that erecting duck tubes on the flight pond or switching from maize cover crops to wild bird mixes, can have positive impacts on the shooting itself as well as benefits for the local wildlife. 

At next year’s AGM, why not float the idea of one more work party a season to focus on habitat creation or woodland management? Imagine what the impact would be if every syndicate in the land did that! For something a bit more entertaining, I know of one syndicate that uses the off-season to hold the ‘Squirrel Cup’, awarded to the member who accounts for the most grey squirrels - valuable conservation work that keeps the syndicate in contact (and competition) throughout the year.

5. Support our organisations

The likes of BASC and GWCT do tireless work to support shooting. In the case of the former, the rigorous, independent scientific research provides empirical evidence that helps to make our case. In the case of the latter, your membership fees go towards a wide variety of public-facing campaigns and initiatives, not to mention funding the organisation’s advisory, educational and training programmes for shoot owners and keepers.

Indeed, a range of species and habitats are set to benefit from the recently launched BASC Wildlife Fund, which is targeted at conservation activities linked to sustainable shooting. It awards grants to fund conservation projects in the UK and abroad, plus provides loans for land purchase. You can find out more about applying for financial support for your shoot project or on how to donate to the fund at  https://bascwildlifefund.co.uk/