Shooting ranges and the environment - a handbook for European Range Managers

By John Harradine
Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Ammunition 2002
88 pages                                                                        Price: £ 8.00

Woodpigeon Shooting Survey – a survey of BASC members' woodpigeon shooting activities

BASC Ltd. 2001
4 pages                                                                         Free
The most up-to-date and comprehensive compilation of information on the woodpigeon, its habits, population dynamics and inter-relationship with agriculture. The report describes the importance of pigeon shooting for both sport and crop protection and includes the results of a survey amongst farmers about pigeon problems and remedial measures as well as the first results of the BASC's Woodpigeon Shooting Survey.

Lowland Game Shooting Study

Edited by L G Firbank, Institute of Terrestial Ecology 1999

Biodiversity on lowland farm landscapes has been in decline since before the middle of the last century, largely as a result of agricultural intensification. However a number of demonstration projects and studies on specific habitats have shown that management for shooting has the effect of slowing or even reversing such declines. But are these effects general and widespread?

The purpose of the Lowland Game Shooting Study was to establish the importance of shooting in maintaining rich wildlife and a diverse countryside throughout the British Isles and not just at sites where best practice is actively promoted.

The study was undertaken by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE, now the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) under contract to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). The project steering group comprised BASC, ITE and English Nature.

The two year study (1997-1998) examined the influence of game shooting on the management of arable and pasture areas of lowland Britain.

The first element assessed land cover and woodland habitats, comparing areas managed for game with areas not so managed. Data were analysed from the latest ITE Countryside Survey (1990), a national survey of land cover and vegetation based on sampled 1 km squares.

The second element studies the history of woodlands within a subsample of these squares. Maps were used that went back over a century, supplemented by discussions with landowners and managers.

The third element was a field study of habitats, flora and fauna on a random sample of paired 1 km squares. Each pair consisted of a 'game square' i.e. with evidence of game management and a 'non-game square' i.e. with no such management. Each pair was selected to be as similar as possible in terms of environmental conditions and landscape structure.

The fourth element considered how habitat area and landscape composition differed between game and non-game squares and the implications for biodiversity. The results were used in a computer model to evaluate the effects of landscape change on game squares that would improve biodiversity and be compatible with game shooting and agricultural interests.

Unlike many other studies, the study sites were selected at random and not 'cherry-picked' to represent the best. Comparisons were therefore designed to be conservative, tending to underestimate, rather than overestimate, any effects.

The results were brought together to suggest guidelines to landowners and shoot managers for improving the benefits to biodiversity from landscapes managed for game.

Full report 1999 - £30.00 per copy
Summary report - Free

Rabbits, Rabbit Shooting and Rabbiting – A Survey of BASC members

By Nicola Reynolds and John Harradine.
BASC Ltd. 1999                                                                            Free

Rabbits are one of the most popular quarry species and are widespread throughout mainland Britain. Before the onset of myxomatosis in the 1950s the rabbit population was estimated to be between 60 and 100 million. Although myxomatosis destroyed over 99% of the rabbit population, numbers have gradually recovered and the pre-breeding rabbit population is now estimated to be about 37.5 million.

The onset of a new disease, rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), could have a serious impact on rabbit populations. This disease first appeared in the UK in 1992 in domestic rabbits but has since spread to wild rabbits. Outbreaks have been especially prevalent in the western parts of Britain (particularly Devon, Wales and Scotland). Although there is a some natural immunity to the disease (as much as 60% in some populations), its potential effect on rabbit populations is unknown.

In their present numbers rabbits can be a serious pest to farmers by causing reduced crop yields, damage to trees and young saplings and erosion of ground around their warrens. Consequently, in the interests of crop and environment protection, they provide much sporting opportunity, and are taken by a variety of methods. They are also a very popular quarry species in their own right.

In 1998, BASC undertook a survey of its members to broaden our understanding of the rabbit as a quarry species and the contribution of the shooting community towards the control of a major agricultural pest. Results are based on 3533 replies.

57% of BASC members took rabbits by one method or another. The most popular method was day shooting, used by 93% of rabbiters. Night shooting was used by 63% of rabbiters, 24% used ferrets and a small percentage used other methods (netting, snaring, trapping, dogs, gassing and falconry).

There is no close season for rabbits and they can be taken at any time of year. Most rabbiting, however, occurs from September through to March. It is estimated that over half of all rabbits taken are shot at night. Day shooting accounts for 31% of rabbits and ferreting 13%.

Most rabbiters either eat their rabbits themselves or give them away to be eaten or to be fed to animals. 14% of rabbiters sell their rabbits to a game dealer. 

Access, The Countryside and Shooting

In 1998, the Government produced a consultation paper on public access to the countryside. In order to feed into the consultation process BASC undertook a substantial survey of its members. A summary of the results is given below.

The BASC Access Survey was circulated to BASC gamekeepers, stalkers, club secretaries and syndicate captains. Results are based on 1717 returns relating to some 3.8 million acres.

• 82% of all respondents had at least one type of legal access provision over their land. Of those with legal access, 80% had public footpaths, 52% had bridleways and 29% byways.
• One objective of the survey was to identify problems related to access. Of the respondents with public access over their land, 88% indicated that they suffered at least one type of associated problem.
• The biggest overall problem was uncontrolled dogs, a problem suffered by 72% of people with access over their land, followed by disturbance to wildlife and game, and interference with game management equipment.
• 85% of people with access related problems took measures to deal with them. The most frequently used measures were talking to the perpetrators of the problem and erection of signs.
• Of the 43% of people that sought assistance to deal with problems, most went to the police, although local authorities and representative organisations (including the BASC and CLA) were also approached.
• Current proposals for open access indicate that temporary closure over certain areas would be possible to accommodate landowner / management needs. 63% of respondents felt that temporary closures would be required for them to successfully manage their shooting interests alongside that of open access.
• On moors managed for grouse, temporary closures would be required during the nesting period, during the shooting season and for heather burning and moorland management.
• 79% of respondents in England and Wales felt that current trespass legislation would not be adequate to deal with the proposed freedom to roam, the main reasons given were that current laws cannot be enforced and are ineffective, the police do not have enough time to deal with such problems and that it is difficult to get proof of damage necessary to bring about a conviction.
• 63% of respondents felt that the landowner should be given the responsibility for making the necessary arrangements for further access to his land.

Woodpigeons, Woodpigeon Shooting and Agriculture

By John Harradine and Nicola Reynolds
BASC Ltd. 1997
101 pages                

The woodpigeon is the most serious bird pest to the farming industry in the UK. As a major shootable species and agricultural bird pest the woodpigeon is important to many hundreds of thousands of sportsmen and farmers in this country. The costs to farmers from crop damage run into millions of pounds each year. Large numbers of pigeons are shot for crop protection. The national population has more than doubled over the past 25 years, largely due to oilseed rape.

The woodpigeon in the UK is unique in that it is largely non-migratory, unlike the population on the continent - hence crop damage occurs all the year.

An NFU/BASC nationwide survey showed that: farmers regard the woodpigeon as a major pest throughout the year; crop protection is needed throughout the year; and that shooting is the most effective means of protecting their crops. Farmers would strongly resist any EU attempts to introduce a close season.

Recently there have been changes in woodpigeon numbers, behaviour and distribution at the local level, due to farming practices, changes in food supplies and other factors, and decoying is more difficult than in the past.

The BASC, through its Woodpigeon Shooting Survey, programme has the most detailed database on the importance of woodpigeon shooting in the UK, showing when, where and how it is conducted. 

A summary of the results of more recent monitoring of woodpigeon shooting over a four year period is now available (free of charge) from the Research Department.
                                                                                   Price: £5.50

Birds of Prey at Pheasant Release Pens. A practical guide for game managers and gamekeepers

BASC Ltd.
14 pages                                                                      Free

Please contact the Research Department for a hard copy of this publication or download a copy below.

  BASC Birds of prey at pheasant release pens - Warning large file 

Raptors and Gamebirds. A survey of game managers affected by raptors

By John Harradine, Nicola Reynolds and Tony Laws
BASC Ltd. 1997
25 pages + appendices     

In 1995 the Government’s Raptor Working Group was established to identify and resolve problems involving birds of prey (raptors) and gamebirds (as well as racing pigeons). To contribute to its work, BASC undertook a survey of its gamekeeper members to find out their problems with raptors and how they dealt with them.

• Nearly 1200 keepers supplied information and reports on typical problems that they experienced.
• Keepers’ concerns were greatest in lowland areas, particularly in and around pheasant release pens and involved mainly Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Tawny Owl, but also Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier. The survey showed that raptor problems are widespread and not just on the grouse moors as recent publicity has tended to suggest.
• Reported losses of birds were often under 1% but rose to over 10% of released pheasants on different shoots. Such figures, though, can conceal the actual numbers of birds lost and the financial and other problems that can be caused.
• Other problems included the dispersal of poults from the pens and further losses to other predators.
• Many traditional deterrent and scaring devices were used to try to prevent interference from raptors but generally with rather little effect. Using more cover inside pens, roofing pens where possible, and putting poults out later (ie when they are older and bigger) seemed to be amongst the more effective methods.
• There was much frustration among keepers over the difficulties of keeping problems from raptors to reasonable levels.

As a result of these findings BASC undertook a major study.

The results of both were brought together to produce a booklet which would provide practical guidance for gamekeepers to enable them to keep raptor problems to acceptable levels:

Birds of Prey at Pheasant Release Pens - A Practical Guide for Game Managers and Gamekeepers (see above).

Non-Toxic Shot – Progress and Needs. RMCS Seminar proceedings

Edited by John Harradine
BASC Ltd. 1996                                                            Price £ 10.50
The proceedings of a seminar in May 1996 at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, reviewing the progress being made in the UK in developing and using non-toxic alternatives to lead shot in shotgun cartridges for use over wetlands.

Farmers, Woodpigeons and Woodpigeon Shooting

By Steve Smith, John Harradine and John Batley.
BASC Ltd. 1995
16 pages + appendices                                                 Free

Gamekeepers and Gamekeeping

A survey was conducted among BASC Gamekeeper members in 1994. Results are based on 1532 returns. The aims of the survey were to profile the modern gamekeeper and quantify his contribution to the management of the countryside. 73% of the BASC Gamekeeper members were professional full-time gamekeepers, stalkers or ghillies.

Head and single-handed keepers and stalkers:

• Were responsible for an estimated total 18 million acres of land.
• Managed an average 5770 acres each.
• 60% had created new woodlands, hedges or ponds
• Much of the new habitat created was for wildlife conservation purposes
• Half had land with a conservation designation, a third had Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• A third had conservation projects on their ground. Many projects involved surveys of raptors including merlins, peregrines, red kites, buzzards and barn owls. Bird research also covered game species from partridges to black grouse. Other projects included red kite re-introduction, badger watch, bats, otters, insects and various plant species. Gamekeepers were also responsible for ensuring the successful breeding of some of the rarer British birds (stone curlew, corncrake, dotterel).
• 60% had suffered from poaching problems, at least 6000 individual cases were reported by 1055 keepers, with 585 prosecutions over a twelve month period
• A third of all poaching incidents involved hares, followed by pheasants (20%), rabbits (17%) and deer (15%)
• 83% of Gamekeepers own at least one dog, the most popular breeds were labrador, spaniel and terrier

Long-term analysis of Teal (A. crecca) and Wigeon (A. penelope) wings in the United Kingdom

By John Harradine and Nicola Reynolds.
BASC Ltd. 1992                                                            Free

  Long-term analysis of Teal and Wigeon wings in the United Kingdom
 

To order or request any of the above please contact the research department on 01244 573016.