Leading shooting, rural organisations and charities are reminding the shooting community of the importance of following the law and government guidance after the third national lockdown comes into force throughout England on 6 January 2021.
Read the full National Lockdown Joint Statement HERE
The purpose of the new national lockdown in England is to ensure that people stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
Government guidance has been published and regulations will follow.
You must not leave home or travel unless you have reasonable excuse.
Shooting for leisure or recreational purposes is prohibited. Driven game shooting or other group shooting activities are not permitted during the lockdown.
Shooting-related essential work is permitted in England and it is reasonable to travel outside your local area to carry out that essential work. This includes essential bird and mammal pest control to protect crops or livestock such as the shooting and trapping of pest bird species under general licence; the management of rodents and rabbits; deer management as part of a plan agreed with and requested by the landowner. It is advised that you keep a copy of your shooting permission and a written request to undertake essential work with you so that you can present them if challenged by the authorities.
Game management work and gamekeeping activities such as management of game birds, conducting pest/predator control and undertaking habitat management are also permitted.
Everyone shooting during the Covid-19 pandemic must consider the impact of their actions on the image and reputation of the sport. We all have a responsibility to comply with Government regulations and guidance, and failure to do so may place you at risk of a fine and jeopardise your shotgun and firearms certificates.
Click here for government guidance on the national lockdown
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
These are unprecedented times, and with national lockdown in England expected to continue beyond the end of the game shooting season, a different approach to the final weeks of this season will be required: