High on the list of successes for 2019 would be the resurgent solidarity between shooting and countryside organisations in the face of hostile agendas that are not only anti-fieldsports, but frankly anti-countryside. The General Licences saga, for instance, continues to be countered by effective, pan-organisational collaboration. Uniting under an allied banner at such pivotal junctures for the British countryside is critical. With significant challenges ahead, this model is to be celebrated and developed further.
In 2019, BASC also helped to launch 2020 Year of the Gamekeeper. Again, this is a joint initiative to help support and grow the incredibly valuable work done by the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT). Celebratory events and fundraisers will be taking place throughout the year. The initiative is another powerful demonstration of solidarity that we can and should all get behind.
In terms of challenges, animal rights activists have now firmly opened their account against all shooting. Never having been too troubled by facts or evidence, they cynically and deliberately resort to misrepresentation and sensationalist tales. Sadly, sensationalism sells and this is quickly capitalised on by an increasingly urban-centric press.
Even some public land-owning bodies have felt unable to stand fast in the face of anti-shooting pressure from a vocal, but narrow minority. Small victories to the activists and cheaply won, but very costly to the countryside. While we are clear that sustainable shooting and the conservation of our great British countryside go hand in hand, these individuals are concerned only with the demise of all shooting.
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
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Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ONE TO ANOTHER
What are the ingredients for a stella season in the field and how should we approach comparing different seasons with each other?
Of tweeds and texts
Like it or not, mobile phones are part and parcel of everyday life. How do you use yours when out in the field, if at all?
The life and times of a retired moorkeeper
The remarkable story of one man's passion for gamekeeping and fieldsports.
Masters of our own destiny
While resistance to moving on from lead shot is deep rooted, game shooting can make great strides in securing its future if it changes now
The year past, THE YEAR TO COME
Shooting Gazette asked a host of leading figures in the game shooting community for their reflections on the highs and lows of 2019, what they are looking forward to about 2020 and also the one issue they are concerned about in the year ahead.
Davenport House Estate SHROPSHIRE
A shoot running on new lines uses its time-served assets to bring traditional shooting to a modern audience.
A WEIGHT ON YOUR MIND
Keeping ourselves in tip-top condition needn't be seen as nannying because we all know that when we see it elsewhere in our daily lives
Range Rover Evoque
Every bit the proper Range Rover, as Ben Samuelson explains.
The Keeper's View
Headkeeper David Whitby ponders the impact a ban on lead shot would have on shooting.
What December Means To Me…
When Shooting Gazette’s venerable list of writers and photographers aren’t producing thought-provoking copy and truly outstanding images, they are out in the field at every opportunity. December is a month just like any other, but with temperatures low and spirits high as Christmas approaches, we thought we’d share with you what our people get up to at this time of year.
