NGO issues shoot sab advice

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) has issued advice for dealing with saboteurs after grouse shoots were disrupted on 12 August by individuals with links to the hunt saboteur movement.

The advice covers how to deal with saboteurs when they show up and includes tips such as “try to photograph the drivers of the vehicles or any that are not wearing face masks so that they can be identified later” and “any that are wearing face masks, try to photograph their clothing, including shoes; they can change jackets and so on, but footwear is more difficult and is often overlooked”.

It also suggests powers that police officers can be encouraged to use to disperse saboteurs and challenges the police decision not to arrest or otherwise tackle grouse shooting saboteurs. Controversially, it claims that “there is plenty that they could have done, but only if they chose to act”.

With the nights getting colder, rats and mice will be looking for warmer winter accommodation and this can cause them to leave hedgerows and middens to head indoors. Safe and effective indoor rodent control is vital. Ensure you only use approved pistons, proper bait boxes or licensed traps, but keep on top of the furry visitors before they get out of hand.

If you have got a couple of weeks’ shooting under your belt, it might be clear which ones are going to be your problem pegs. Consider options for moving them, perhaps replace them with a walking Gun, or at least make sure no one gets more than one of them a day.

The advice covers how to deal with sabs and police powers of arrest