As an RSPB member, I dialled into its virtual AGM this year on 10 October, awaiting news of the outcome of the charity’s consultation on game bird shooting. RSPB’s council had already signed off the policy changes that were going to be announced at the AGM, but there was no advance news of what would be announced. In a highly unusual information vacuum, all eyes really were on the AGM for first sight of the direction of travel.
As RSPB chairman Kevin Cox began to read out his statement live on screen, I was wondering whether the overview was going to be emotive and combative or whether the message would be rational and evidenced-based. In the end, it was a very mixed message. A series of demands and deadlines were issued without much clarity or evidence around the alleged negative environmental impact of shooting.
Esta historia es de la edición December 2020 de Sporting Shooter.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 2020 de Sporting Shooter.
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RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
