Shooters urged to stop for cold snap

Shooters in Scotland are being urged to stop hunting birds until the freezing temperatures ease. The plea has come from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), based in Dunkeld, Perthshire.

It is calling for “voluntary restraint” around the shooting of birds such as ducks, geese, coots, moorhens and wading birds including woodcock.

The organisation says the harsh weather conditions, such as persistent frost, are making it difficult for waterfowl to feed and roost.

It added this can quickly lead to a “marked deterioration” wellbeing and habitats.

BASC Scotland director Dr Colin Shedden said lockdown rules had led to a sharp decrease in the number of people out shooting but added the cold snap wa s still a concern for birds.

“We are fully aware that the current coronavirus restrictions in place over all of mainland Scotland mean that very few people are actually able to shoot just now”, he said.

“Ho w e v e r, it is still important that those who are shooting, whether on the foreshore or inland, recognise that frozen ground and water bodies in their natural make both feeding and roosting very difficult and birds can lose condition quickly.

“We are therefore calling for restraint to be exercised in the shooting of ducks, geese and waders, including reared mallard and woodcock.”

The BASC is also urging people to be mindful of the “strug gling water fowl” while they are out getting sport and exercise in the countryside.

It believes this has been “exacerbated” by the pandemic, with an increase in the number of people going for walks during the current lockdown.

Dr Shedden added: “We are urging all countryside users to minimise disturbance of waterfowl in and around their foreshore and inland habitats while the cold weather continues.”

In response to the calls, animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA described the move as “sensible” but altogether condemned bird shooting.

SSPCA ch ie f superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Under the circumstances, it is sensible for BASC to advise voluntary restraint at this particular time of extreme weather.

“However, although the shooting of birds is legal the Scottish SPCA do not support the killing of any animal purely for sport.”

RESTRAINT: Dr Colin Shedden has called for those hunting birds to take a break due to the weather.