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This week Natural Resources Wales (NRW) launched a review of how it regulates the shooting and trapping of wild birds in Wales. This covers a wide range of areas such as NRW’s approach to authorising wild bird control both on general and specific licences - including species, methods of control and location. The call for evidence runs until 27 January 2021. NRW have highlighted that they are looking for feedback with scientific or anecdotal evidence and they are not looking for views or opinions at this stage. Also they are not currently proposing any changes to the way in which they license or provide advice on the shooting and trapping of birds or the destruction of eggs and nests. Following the review, any proposals to change the way in which they carry out these functions will be subject to public consultation in 2021, which will give everyone the opportunity to give them their opinions. NRW has outlined the main elements of its review as follows: Ensuring continuity of service for the delivery of wild bird control licensing while the review is being carried out Review of NRW’s approach to wild bird control licensing (general and specific licences), including in relation to the outcome of the current legal challenge to some of its general licences Review of NRW's approach to regulating the shooting or capture of wild birds on SSSIs Review of the impact on Welsh fisheries by fish-eating birds to inform NRW’s approach to wild bird control licensing Review of NRW’s approach to the regulation of the use of cage traps for the control of wild birds There are weblinks below and if you need advice on submitting your evidence do let me know by emailing conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk BASC press release https://basc.org.uk/answer-nrws-call-for-evidence-on-wild-bird-licensing-says-basc/ BASC FAQ and advice on submitting evidence https://basc.org.uk/gl/wales/ Direct link to the call for evidence https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/evidence-policy-and-permitting-tystiolaeth-polisi-a-thrwyddedu/cfe-review-of-shooting-and-trapping/

Morning everyone, I am a new member to pigeon watch, however my shooting compadre and I have been shooting for over 30 years. I have joined pigeon watch in the hope that one of its member may be able to help identify a 'rough shoot' either on or within a 50 mile radius of the Wirral, as the one we previously used in Angelsey has now unfortunately closed. My colleague Matt and I are really keen rough shooters and we would be incredibly grateful if anyone could help us out. many thank Mike

Had the opportunity to go to Fauxdegla last friday, in the welsh hills. Quite a neat ground! Facilities are excellent - clubhouse is very cosy, had a fantastic breakfast (by a real chef!). Went to do the Sporting ridge, and I thought the targets were all very interesting an challenging; /most/ of them are shot up the hill, and theres a large selection of rather devious little birds. Really enjoyed it. There are also 2 pretty nice Compak layouts, again with interesting birds. Staff I met was very nice too, ground guy was pretty awesome, appeared in 2 minutes on a phone call to fix a trap that ran out of battery and was apologising all the way until we told him we actually *expected* stuff to break down and it was fine! Also had a round of skeet -- again, really solid, beautifully built houses and setup. /mostly/ sheltered from the wind too, which is quite nice considering the placement (the Sporting ridge is NOT sheltered and you'd better be ready for the nice Snowdonia 'breeze' down your neck ;-)) Trying to find a 'cons' against all these 'pros', I'd say I was a bit surprised to see the in-house Instructor wearing what looks like sweatpants. I'm not expecting E.J Churchill everywhere, but sweatpants? :-) -- anyway, I didn't talk to the guy, for all I know he's a multi-medalist of some sort, whoops :-) Another small 'con' is the fact you need to pre-charge your card. Given we had no clue when we arrived how many clays we'd shoot, it's really a tough choice! Ultimately we still managed to shoot 400 between the two of us. But I still prefer the 'pay as you go' sort of method... As far as pricing goes, it was very cheap; £20/100. Ok, it took us 2h to drive there and so on (also there is a LOT of traffic around Wrexham) but considering the quality of the facilities, it's really excellent.

Just in case anyone hasn't heard nelson clay ground has closed.... Real shame to see it go but I think the ground operator had lost his fight, not sure what will happen but I think most will move to SW2000 but a real shame to loose such a longstanding ground that started many Welsh internationals on their trap shooting career.

ARCFieldsports Sporting Clayshoot Competition & BBQ Date: Saturday 18th July Time: 11.00 - 17.00 Location: Lee Bridges Farm near Ellesmere Sat Nav: SY12 9AF Price: £11.50 per round (includes cartridges and clays) Gun Hire: Free Disciplines: Everyone welcome Prizes for top scores For more details + enquiries about this or any other days we offer please call Alan or visit the website. Follow Us on Facebook and Google + D1.pdf

Anyone know of any places that do have a go days/events near Llanelli. I will give Crynant a ring, I think Brondai has shut? Anyone know of any others ideally one open in the evenings? Looking for to take a few from work for an afternoon/after work activity.

All. Who would like to start up a syndicate with me from the wirral area? (NOW!) in short I am looking for 6-10 guns to join me in a completely open book management of , this year rough, next year our own birds shoot. 500 acres in total (split between 2 lands) plus 2 duck ponds. (exclusively on all unless we decide we can bring guests) These lands come complete with a keeper of 20 years, man and boy living and beating in the area. It is my intention he will be paid well. Fed well and beer'ed up. We have the feeders and grain. We are ready to roll for the start of the season. 6-8 guns (or more) who are not Syndicate owners, land hunters, but want to go when you can to the shoot, at least fortnightly, in a group or as I like, 2 of with own dogs. A democracy where we all decide what is best for the land, what we want to do with it going forward etc.I want to go on every saturday, meet up with a couple of lads, organise a rough, walk up, mini drive, what ever. Have a good walk with my dogs, miss everything in the air, have a laugh over a beer... and let off steam. I have 3 areas in the north of wales I am talking to the land owners about. These are not definite but we have a backup piece of land. The duck ponds are a cert. depending on the response will depend on what we can afford. 250 acres plus 100 acre separate areas we can use in the afternoon only. Sheep land in a valley completely secluded with one route in and out. I never saw a car or a person on my shoots. (I got pics) 20-40 degree incline west facing. River at the bottom. Larks' wood, hedges, gorse 2 dingle, 2 coppice 6 feeders (6? to go in). On the south side (not part of the shoot) is heather. For the summer it is full of bunnies. Full of them! I cut my teeth on this land. There has been no birds put down for 5 years but I out of 6 rough visits bagged 2 bunnies, 8 pheasant, 3 woodcock (my first) , the odd crow and jay, its a valley and the birds don’t leave. It can easily be a full 6 hours walk from end to end top to bottom. 200-250 acres of sheep land again. South facing 20 - 30 degree incline. Big pine spruce and oak wood. Crops on 2 fields. Had birds down 2 years ago to support an estate. The pen are still there but I don’t know ho many or how many feeders. Intention again next season is to put bird down. This would be welcomed and supported from surrounding estates. Duck shoot. 2 ponds. This is a cert. 500 ducks went down last year and there are still wild (counted 60 on saturday) living quite happily there. I will be honest we have been able to get 50 for this year (ducks ready in 6 weeks) Plus goose use the run as there flight in but you need a sharp eye to hit them as they are high. We have been and are feeding the ponds a bag a week. Next season it is the intention to put in 500 again. If not just to put back to the regions level (share and share alike) but to pay for our way for next year by accompanied guests. Again we will work out the figures and all agree up front. So what do I want to start with is 6-10 guns. Money obviously.. Estimate dependant on Response £300 -£500 for the year (I can split and pay on the go as is needed if you cannot effort this up front. I wont stand you over just cos you are not rolling in it. As I said this is open book non profit making, keeping the keeper happy gig.) Offer open to young guns, old guns, young guns, lady guns, new guns. Support on mini drives, help with the pens, feed the bins, pest control in the summer, keep the piece and the sport respectable. Licence and insurance a must. And prefer local chaps only Wirral, Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales. I will make this clear, if I get sniff of anyone out for themselves or to make money they will not be entertained... my biggest announce of what it meant to be a gentlemen sport is being shafted by syndicate owners who disappear with your money, last minute directions to land and having to leave quickly because the owner arrives... PM me if you want to have a chat, meet for a drink, see the pics and discuss the numbers. This is a totally genuine offer from someone who just wants to shoot. Matt.