Why this year's Game Shooting Census is the most important yet

The Game Shooting Census and the Shoot Owner Census, carried out annually by GunsOnPegs and Lycetts and with the support of BASC, Countryside Alliance and GWCT, began in 2013\. Over the years they have provided some fascinating and important insights in to the shooting world, but this year they have particular importance.

Each year around 10,000 people complete the surveys, making them the largest of their kind, and providing the clearest picture of the thoughts, habits and preferences of the shooting community, on everything from the consumption of game, the cost of shooting and its contribution to the rural economy, the role that shooting plays in people's social lives, their attitudes towards conservation and even what the nation's favourite cartridges and gunmakers are.

The most important census ever

This year, as every year, we are once again running the Game Shooting Census and the Shoot Owner Census, and we believe that this will be the most important year yet. In the light of COVID-19, it is all the more vital that we get a clear picture of how Guns and Shoot Owners are thinking, and what impact the virus and lockdown have had on the shooting community.

Aside from COVID-19, 2020 has been a momentous year in the shooting world, with news that the shooting organisations are proposing a 5-year phase out of lead shot for game shooting, the continuing uncertainty over General Licenses, an iminent review into game bird releasing near sensitive sites and continuing pressure on shooting from those who oppose our way of life over wildlife crime and the persecution of raptors, muirburn and more.

We know that the shooting community is full of strong opinions - now is your chance to make your voice heard.