What counts as evidence in Defra’s review of game shooting?

A review of game shooting has launched in England. Your everyday work in the countryside is the vital evidence that Defra needs to hear about, says Conor O’Gorman.

Your experience is evidence

BASC is encouraging people to submit their individual experiences of the benefits of game shooting as evidence to Defra’s game shooting review.

Many people think “evidence” only means complex lab reports or heavy academic texts. In practice, that is not the case and your experience will be considered for Defra’s call for evidence.

Defra’s official guidance on “why your views matter” for this review states that they are “keen to hear from anyone with relevant evidence or experience”.

Sure, the review will consider the hundreds of research papers written by academics on the positive and negative impacts of game shooting.

But what the call for evidence could miss is the thousands of stories yet to be shared by those protecting the British countryside, boosting nature, supporting the rural economy and bringing together people from all walks of life.

Your lived experiences of the benefits of game shooting will be many. Those facts, shared by you, must be at the forefront of any decision making.

Before you submit your experiences to Defra, a key point to remember is that this review is not about opinions for or against shooting but about direct evidence – and, as individuals, we have that evidence in spades based on our own experiences.

Do you manage a game shoot?

If you manage a game shoot in England, outline the habitat and predator control that takes place and some of the species that you see benefiting. If you support stewardship schemes for farm margins, forestry and/or supplementary bird feeding, please detail that. You could add examples of rural crime prevention and how the shoot helps bring people together in rural areas.

Please also outline key items and services the shoot purchases that supports local businesses. If any habitat or wildlife surveys take place on the shoot either by volunteers or conservation charities, provide the results.

Does your farm host a game shoot?

If you are a farm owner who hosts a game shoot in England, outline the contribution that shooting makes to the farm business. This is particularly important as there is a lack of understanding within Defra about how closely connected shooting and farming are.

Does game shooting support your business?

If your business is supported by game shooting in England, please outline some of the benefits provided. This will include everything from fuel, accommodation, meals, drinks and clothing to gundog-related products and services, to all the needs of shoot providers including vehicles, tools and general agricultural supplies.

Do you participate in game shooting?

If you participate in game shooting in England, whether as a Gun, beater, picker-up or in another role, outline the benefits to your personal wellbeing, such as physical activity and social connections.

You could add examples of the diversity of habitats and wildlife you have seen on the shoots you visit in England, and all the items and services you purchase. All this will echo with the feedback also being given by shoot managers, farm owners and businesses.

Submit your evidence

Your experience on the benefits of game shooting is valid evidence, be in no doubt of that, and your response to the call for evidence can be a few paragraphs or several pages – it is your story so make it as short or long as you wish.

Submit your evidence here

Conor OGorman

Conor O’Gorman has worked in a variety of conservation, policy and campaigning roles at BASC over the last 20 years. A zoology graduate with a PhD awarded for grey partridge research, he has over 25 years’ experience in conservation and land management.