Are you new to gamekeeping or run a DIY shoot? This diary could be the resource you’ve been looking for. The handy top tips and monthly to-do lists will help small DIY shoots and keepers plan their year and prepare for the season.
For further advice, or to discuss any of the points above, please contact your BASC regional office.
February is all about planning. Despite the end of the season, it’s a very busy month for shoot management. Last season was difficult for many, and with Covid restrictions still in place usual plans may need to be adapted or altered.
Collect feeders and equipment not in use to ensure the shoot is tidy.
This early planning also allows you to discuss the placement of cover crops for next season with the farmer.
Ensure your lease is up to date and in place for next season.
Ensure consent is in place on areas that require it.
Top off some of the remaining cover crops in sections or flatten them to provide additional feed for the remaining birds.
Increase the amount of pest and predator control across the shoot to ensure wild birds have the best chance of breeding.
Now would be a good time to also have an annual syndicate meeting, perhaps virtually, to discuss scenario planning and potential covid restrictions in the coming year.
Look at any woodland or habitat improvements that could be made before the nesting season begins.
For any further advice, or to discuss any of the points above, please contact your BASC regional office.
March is often the time for keepers to take some time for themselves and the family. While many jobs remain important, it is a more suitable time to wind down a little and maybe even squeeze a holiday in – if you are allowed to!
Continue any woodland, and other habitats management, before nesting season.
Liaise with your game cover supplier to ensure ground is managed correctly to give the plants the best chance of getting established.
Any cover crops will need to be worked down in preparation for drilling. Consider crops which will benefit not only the released birds but all the other wildlife in the area.
Order birds from supplier. Game suppliers may require a deposit up front so ensure the shoot has finances available.
Contact your game bird vet to ensure you’re still registered with them and advise them of the plan for the year ahead.
Continue pest and predator control.
For any further advice, or to discuss any of the points above, please contact your BASC regional office.
Although April is a relatively quiet month for jobs on your shoot, perhaps members could consider how they can demonstrate what the shoot brings to the area in terms of environmental benefits?
Record keeping will not only benefit the shoot but also help demonstrate biodiversity net gains to a wider audience. Have a look at our Green Shoots Mapping programme.
For any further advice, or to discuss any of the points above, please contact your BASC regional office.
With the abundance of natural food available now that Spring is well under way, you may find less activity around the feeders across the shoot.
With many ground nesting birds establishing nesting sites, ensure your pest and predator control is maintained throughout this period.
For any further advice or to discuss any of the points above please contact your local BASC regional office.
For most shoots June is a busy period in the rearing calendar, with many shoots looking to take birds from the field to wood. Getting things right at this stage will really help to ensure birds hold well and are fit and healthy.
For more advice or to discuss any of the points above please contact your local BASC regional office.
July is when we start to see the weather warming up and activity building across the countryside. The farming and shoot calendars are eventful for many throughout the month, with birds either set to be released or those already released starting to leave the release pen.
For any further advice or to discuss any of the points above please contact your local BASC regional office.