Supply and demand
Sporting Gun|June 2023
Patrick Hook takes a look at how the cull of one predator leads to the growth of another
Patrick Hook
Supply and demand

Those of us who live where there’s been a badger cull may well have noticed a large increase in the fox population since it ended. Countless farmers have commented something or other on the matter, and I suspect that to many it looks as though we, the local shooters, haven’t been doing our job properly. That really isn’t the case though, as evidenced by several recent scientific studies on the subject. They all agree that wherever the badgers have been culled, foxes subsequently prospered.

Due to regional variations, there are no hard and fast rules as to just how many more foxes there will be. These include such factors as the availability of food, the weather and local pest control. A rough estimation suggests that their numbers can more or less double, as shown by biologists at the Central Science Laboratory in York. Some researchers claim that the removal of badgers increases the fox population by an average of one extra fox per square kilometre, but others say as many as two.

Since the increase in vulpine populations has been observed and recorded in so many places, one has to accept it as fact. This then raises two basic questions.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTING GUNVer todo
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 2023