The effects of predator control on nature recovery in the UK
This evidence review highlights the role of predator control in supporting the recovery of vulnerable species and identifies key areas that require further research.
BASC ShootPlanner
ShootPlanner is BASC’s new evidence-based tool that helps shoot owners and managers stress-test and validate their shooting plans.Â
Developed with researchers at the University of Exeter, it combines real-world data with economic and ecological modelling to show how different release numbers, bag patterns and shoot day schedules can affect both your finances and the number of birds remaining at the end of the season.Â
Designed for whole-season planning, ShootPlanner gives you the insights to plan with confidence, reduce surprises, and make decisions that are practical and sustainable.
What is ShootPlanner?
ShootPlanner uses a simulation model to explore how different shooting strategies affect both financial outcomes and the number of birds left at the end of the season.
Built on BASC-commissioned research, national survey data, pheasant behaviour and economic modelling, the tool allows shoots to test ideas, compare options, and examine the impact of release numbers, bag sizes and shoot-day schedules – all before committing to a season.
It provides a practical way to understand the consequences of planning decisions and support more informed, sustainable management.
What can ShootPlanner do?
With ShootPlanner, you can explore:
- How different release numbers affect costs, profit and the number of birds likely to remain unharvested at the end of the season.
- The implications of various shoot day and bag size patterns (even, mixed, tapered, front-loaded, irregular or humped) and which are more resilient under different levels of shooting difficulty.
- How cartridge-to-kill ratios, shoot day spacing and bag sizes influence risk and reliability.
- The financial impact of changing day structure, bag expectations and season timing across multiple simulated seasons.
- How your shoot plan performs in a competitive marketplace (PRO mode), where gun preferences and availability vary throughout the season.
ShootPlanner is designed to support flexible, evidence-led decision making, helping you optimise your season financially, make the most of your bird releases and strengthen the sustainability credentials of your shoot.
FAQs
Shoot owners, managers and gamekeepers who want to optimise their season financially, reduce surprises and make sustainable, evidence-based decisions.
No. This app should be seen as a calculator. It does not store any data you enter or share your results with anyone. The page will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity, and any entered or generated data will be lost.
By modelling the likely number of birds remaining at the end of the season, it helps you balance shooting with responsible bird management and avoid over-releasing or over-shooting.
Yes. The tool combines costs, bag sizes and release numbers to estimate potential financial outcomes for your season. The accuracy of this is dependent on the accuracy of the costs you input.
No. ShootPlanner is designed to be user-friendly, even if you have no experience of using this sort of tool before. BASIC mode is especially simple to use, while PRO mode offers more advanced features, including setting specific shoot days and bag sizes.
At minimum, you’ll need the number of birds released, planned bag sizes, cost estimates and shoot dates. PRO mode allows you to add more detailed inputs, such as the difficulty of birds and skill of the guns (represented as cartridge-to-kill ratio – CKR) and gun availability.
Absolutely. It is built on BASC-commissioned research, national survey data, pheasant behaviour studies and economic modelling.
While no model can perfectly predict the future, ShootPlanner uses robust data and simulations to provide evidence-based estimates, helping you make informed, low-risk decisions.
Yes. ShootPlanner is a web-based app and requires an internet connection.
Currently, ShootPlanner is designed for pheasant shoots. Some principles may apply to other gamebirds such as red-legged partridge, but it is not currently recommended for use by shoots that release partridge alone or in combination with pheasants. We may expand functionality in future updates.
If you need support, get in touch with us using the feedback / questions form on this page.