Be Prepared

Geoff Garrod says checking and repairing equipment reaps rewards over the season and urges people to make their general licence case in the Defra survey.

- Geoff Garrod

I realize that I have talked about general licenses but I think it is important that I mention it again. I believe that unless all of us involved in country pursuits put a cohesive case forward during the current review, we will face an increasing amount of restrictions that could eventually put our way of life under threat.

Following the revocation fiasco and subsequent reinstatement of the general licenses in England this year, a ban on the shooting of collared doves and rooks was recently put in place in Wales. This may be the thin end of the wedge. Wild Justice, the campaign group, is trying to ban grouse shooting and is also making a legal case to stop the release of pheasants and partridge.

Defra has a questionnaire running until 5 December that asks for reasons and evidence about the benefits of shooting allowed under the general licenses. Anybody who shoots or benefits from shooting should make it a priority to fill it in. It doesn’t take long and I’d recommend that when doing so you think of all shooters and not just the shooting you do. We should explain what we do, why we do it and make the case for its benefits loud and clear.

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