Promising woodcock numbers show self-regulation in shooting works

[Conor O'Gorman]

A study carried out by BASC and the University of Exeter into the UK’s resident woodcock population has heralded positive results. 

Newly published research into the scale of woodcock shooting in the UK has revealed that people who shoot are complying with calls for voluntary restraint. As a result, the outlook for this iconic but threatened species is much improved.

The peer-reviewed study, a collaboration between BASC and the University of Exeter, indicated that nine out of ten people who traditionally shoot woodcock now only do so after 1 December, when the UK resident population is swelled by the influx of migrant birds.

The findings add weight to the argument that self-regulation can be an effective method of improving the sustainability of wild bird harvests.

This result is reflected in annual bag data which shows that, since 2018, as few as 2.2 per cent of woodcock shot were harvested before 1 December. Around a third of people who responded say they have stopped shooting woodcock altogether.

This confirms an overall continuing decline in the numbers of woodcock being shot in the UK. In the last 20 years the numbers fell by around two-thirds. It is likely the woodcock harvest will continue to decline in coming years due to voluntary restraint.

BASC’s deputy director of conservation Dr Matt Ellis said: “The paper used five different data sources, including BASC’s substantial wing survey, and found that more than 90% of shooters complied with the voluntary delay to the season.

“According to GunsOnPegs shoot census data, the vast majority shoot woodcock only when there is a clear understanding of the local population, which indicates that they have a clear understanding of the conservation value of restraint.

“We believe that this shows that honest messaging from trusted brokers can result in successful self-regulation in the shooting community.”

Prof Joah Madden, University of Exeter, said: “This research was only possible thanks to the long-term record keeping by the shooting community and the generosity of so many Guns who kindly shared their shoot cards and game books with us. This gives us robust, long-term data that allows us to ask important questions about game management and wild harvests in the UK.”

Read the paper in full here.  

[jall25]

I wonder why we dont take the moral high ground then - and the sensible one - and move the season until December 

[Conor O'Gorman]

4 minutes ago, jall25 said:

I wonder why we dont take the moral high ground then - and the sensible one - and move the season until December 

Successful self-regulation is arguably the moral high ground and self-regulation to address evidence of issues has certainly been the ethos of WAGBI/BASC for many decades. That includes voluntary action during periods of severe weather, on bag limits, on use of lead shot for live quarry etc. Amending the open season in each separate jurisdiction (England, Wales, Scotland, NI) involves opening up the whole quarry species list for review across the UK  and in such legislative reviews the decisions may not necessarily be evidence-led depending on the governments making the decisions - we may see woodcock and other species removed from the quarry list. 

[jall25]

3 minutes ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

Successful self-regulation is arguably the moral high ground and self-regulation to address evidence of issues has certainly been the ethos of WAGBI/BASC for many decades. That includes voluntary action during periods of severe weather, on bag limits, on use of lead shot for live quarry etc. Amending the open season in each separate jurisdiction (England, Wales, Scotland, NI) involves opening up the whole quarry species list for review across the UK  and in such legislative reviews the decisions may not necessarily be evidence-led depending on the governments making the decisions - we may see woodcock and other species removed from the quarry list. 

I think there is far more chance of someone making the decision for us rather than us putting our own house in order and showing that we follow our own science that we keep banging on about 

[Fellside]

3 hours ago, Conor O'Gorman said:

A study carried out by BASC and the University of Exeter into the UK’s resident woodcock population has heralded positive results. 

Newly published research into the scale of woodcock shooting in the UK has revealed that people who shoot are complying with calls for voluntary restraint. As a result, the outlook for this iconic but threatened species is much improved.

The peer-reviewed study, a collaboration between BASC and the University of Exeter, indicated that nine out of ten people who traditionally shoot woodcock now only do so after 1 December, when the UK resident population is swelled by the influx of migrant birds.

The findings add weight to the argument that self-regulation can be an effective method of improving the sustainability of wild bird harvests.

This result is reflected in annual bag data which shows that, since 2018, as few as 2.2 per cent of woodcock shot were harvested before 1 December. Around a third of people who responded say they have stopped shooting woodcock altogether.

This confirms an overall continuing decline in the numbers of woodcock being shot in the UK. In the last 20 years the numbers fell by around two-thirds. It is likely the woodcock harvest will continue to decline in coming years due to voluntary restraint.

BASC’s deputy director of conservation Dr Matt Ellis said: “The paper used five different data sources, including BASC’s substantial wing survey, and found that more than 90% of shooters complied with the voluntary delay to the season.

“According to GunsOnPegs shoot census data, the vast majority shoot woodcock only when there is a clear understanding of the local population, which indicates that they have a clear understanding of the conservation value of restraint.

“We believe that this shows that honest messaging from trusted brokers can result in successful self-regulation in the shooting community.”

Prof Joah Madden, University of Exeter, said: “This research was only possible thanks to the long-term record keeping by the shooting community and the generosity of so many Guns who kindly shared their shoot cards and game books with us. This gives us robust, long-term data that allows us to ask important questions about game management and wild harvests in the UK.”

Read the paper in full here.  

Well done BASC….! 
This reflects what most of us already know and practice. However empirical data has more value. A better example of proven and responsible self regulation would be difficult to find. Better this than further restrictions from officialdom. 
 

[Conor O'Gorman]

13 minutes ago, Fellside said:

Well done BASC….! 
This reflects what most of us already know and practice. However empirical data has more value. A better example of proven and responsible self regulation would be difficult to find. Better this than further restrictions from officialdom. 
 

I agree and the voluntary restraint shown by wildfowlers in Wales for decades on Greenland white-fronted geese until they were taken off the quarry list for political reasons is another example. There will still be calls to impose changes in law on woodcock in the various jurisdictions of England, Wales, Scotland and NI but this research puts our arguments in a stronger position to counter those calls. 

3 hours ago, jall25 said:

I think there is far more chance of someone making the decision for us rather than us putting our own house in order and showing that we follow our own science that we keep banging on about 

The current voluntary approach allows flexibility across all parts of the UK - the migratory birds arrive at different times in different places and that varies between years also. Local shoots and shooters make the informed choice when to start shooting.

The GWCT has produced the following advice – much of which is underpinned by science – for shooting woodcock:

• Avoid shooting woodcock early in the season and refrain from shooting woodcock until the migratory population arrives.
• Gain an understanding of your local woodcock population.
• Show restraint even where resident birds are absent.
• Shoot flightlines with caution.
• Stop shooting in severe weather.

https://basc.org.uk/doing-our-bit-for-woodcock/

 

 

[jall25]

As i suggest on SD - i think we should take action before we are made to take action - to risk shooting residents is daft in the current situation.

I wonder would a ballot or members - the shooting community be appropriate 

[Fellside]

50 minutes ago, jall25 said:

As i suggest on SD - i think we should take action before we are made to take action - to risk shooting residents is daft in the current situation.

I wonder would a ballot or members - the shooting community be appropriate 

According to the science there is a south north gradient for resident breeding woodcock - as with a lot of other wildlife. In the north the native population is stable. If a blanket policy were to be adopted, it wouldn’t be appropriate for all of the UK. A far more sensible approach is to self regulate and let people in each region decide whether or not to shoot them. The recent research cited above clearly demonstrates successful self governance in this regard. 

It is also worth noting that the UK is on the very edge of the woodcock’s breeding range. Therefore small expansions and contractions of the Eurasian population can lead to significant changes around the edges - and this is what we could be seeing. A couple of hundred years ago there were no recorded breeding pairs in the UK. Food for thought? The overwhelming majority (estimated at 98%) of woodcock shot in December and January are Eurasian migrants from a ‘stable and not under threat’ population. To actually invite any intervention which could lead to further shooting restrictions, is not only unnecessary, but a dangerous game to initiate. 

[Krico woodcock]

12 hours ago, Fellside said:

According to the science there is a south north gradient for resident breeding woodcock - as with a lot of other wildlife. In the north the native population is stable. If a blanket policy were to be adopted, it wouldn’t be appropriate for all of the UK. A far more sensible approach is to self regulate and let people in each region decide whether or not to shoot them. The recent research cited above clearly demonstrates successful self governance in this regard. 

It is also worth noting that the UK is on the very edge of the woodcock’s breeding range. Therefore small expansions and contractions of the Eurasian population can lead to significant changes around the edges - and this is what we could be seeing. A couple of hundred years ago there were no recorded breeding pairs in the UK. Food for thought? The overwhelming majority (estimated at 98%) of woodcock shot in December and January are Eurasian migrants from a ‘stable and not under threat’ population. To actually invite any intervention which could lead to further shooting restrictions, is not only unnecessary, but a dangerous game to initiate. 

👆👆👆👆💯% ... ye would be crazy to suggest a change in the season.. as this is in uk I'm not going to scribe page's about this subject.  But we have a similar situation here in Ireland.  All I will say it's a delicate,  difficult situation.  Because they   ( antis, powers that be, government,  we have a minister in charge of such things that is a out and out anti)  are using statistics from fresh air on resident birds, and how much of a threat they are in. Even though they really have no idea good or bad. And are trying any way possible to curtail,  stop,  remove woodcock from list because of this.  And seem oblivious to the fact that a ocean of woodcock arrive here in winter. Just a another hammer to try and give us sportsmen a blow.  We are lucky that the  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL GAME COUNCILS  had the foresight to  commission , a number of years ago ,a Dr James o neill To conduct surveys,  ringing, putting satellite tags, etc, etc , on the resident population and migrants in wintertime. Our government would have removed the woodcock from list only for this.. absolutely crazy!! 

[jall25]

14 hours ago, Fellside said:

According to the science there is a south north gradient for resident breeding woodcock - as with a lot of other wildlife. In the north the native population is stable. If a blanket policy were to be adopted, it wouldn’t be appropriate for all of the UK. A far more sensible approach is to self regulate and let people in each region decide whether or not to shoot them. The recent research cited above clearly demonstrates successful self governance in this regard. 

It is also worth noting that the UK is on the very edge of the woodcock’s breeding range. Therefore small expansions and contractions of the Eurasian population can lead to significant changes around the edges - and this is what we could be seeing. A couple of hundred years ago there were no recorded breeding pairs in the UK. Food for thought? The overwhelming majority (estimated at 98%) of woodcock shot in December and January are Eurasian migrants from a ‘stable and not under threat’ population. To actually invite any intervention which could lead to further shooting restrictions, is not only unnecessary, but a dangerous game to initiate. 

 

Well simply though maybe they wont breed if they are all shot down south ? Why urge restraint not to shoot till November / December then - and not do so based on locality ?

1 hour ago, Krico woodcock said:

👆👆👆👆💯% ... ye would be crazy to suggest a change in the season.. as this is in uk I'm not going to scribe page's about this subject.  But we have a similar situation here in Ireland.  All I will say it's a delicate,  difficult situation.  Because they   ( antis, powers that be, government,  we have a minister in charge of such things that is a out and out anti)  are using statistics from fresh air on resident birds, and how much of a threat they are in. Even though they really have no idea good or bad. And are trying any way possible to curtail,  stop,  remove woodcock from list because of this.  And seem oblivious to the fact that a ocean of woodcock arrive here in winter. Just a another hammer to try and give us sportsmen a blow.  We are lucky that the  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL GAME COUNCILS  had the foresight to  commission , a number of years ago ,a Dr James o neill To conduct surveys,  ringing, putting satellite tags, etc, etc , on the resident population and migrants in wintertime. Our government would have removed the woodcock from list only for this.. absolutely crazy!! 

 

No i think you are wrong If we are "following the science" and that urges us not to shoot till November/December - then a season change would be a good idea. We cant keep telling people we are following the science then totally ignoring it at the next juncture , surely ?

Or maybe we can

[Fellside]

The research above demonstrates that restraint when/where necessary is being practiced. In other words we’ve got it sorted. 

If you’re inviting shooting restrictions in the current climate, on behalf of your own shooting community…..well….its an unusual approach… especially when Packham et al are campaigning for a shorter season. However you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s interesting to know what it is. 

[jall25]

1 hour ago, Fellside said:

The research above demonstrates that restraint when/where necessary is being practiced. In other words we’ve got it sorted. 

If you’re inviting shooting restrictions in the current climate, on behalf of your own shooting community…..well….its an unusual approach… especially when Packham et al are campaigning for a shorter season. However you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s interesting to know what it is. 

Yes i have no issue with restriction if its for the right reasons

I think the current situation in Scotland - now shooting deer all year round is a disgrace

 

I am a firm believer in taking the first move and adjusting to things rather than having them adjusted ie i would rather have a shorter / altered season than no season at all - Have we not been here before - once quarry are off the list they never return despite then what happens to future numbers 

[Fellside]

34 minutes ago, jall25 said:

Yes i have no issue with restriction if its for the right reasons

I think the current situation in Scotland - now shooting deer all year round is a disgrace

 

I am a firm believer in taking the first move and adjusting to things rather than having them adjusted ie i would rather have a shorter / altered season than no season at all - Have we not been here before - once quarry are off the list they never return despite then what happens to future numbers 

My point is not to further encourage any restrictions - as this is a step towards losing them off the list. Another chip as it were. This philosophy I’m sure was not overlooked in the production of the paper above. You may obviously have a different and contradictory view - fair enough. My view re woodcock is generally aligned with BASC’s approach, which is why I find the evidence helpful. Therefore it is unlikely we will agree on this matter. Thanks for your thoughts on this anyway……. 👍 

[jall25]

7 hours ago, Fellside said:

My point is not to further encourage any restrictions - as this is a step towards losing them off the list. Another chip as it were. This philosophy I’m sure was not overlooked in the production of the paper above. You may obviously have a different and contradictory view - fair enough. My view re woodcock is generally aligned with BASC’s approach, which is why I find the evidence helpful. Therefore it is unlikely we will agree on this matter. Thanks for your thoughts on this anyway……. 👍 

Yes - its not that i want them off the list - i want to keep them on the list - Not just so people can shoot them but i believe it brings in money / sport for some and that in turn creates / manages the habitats and predators 

[Fellside]

7 hours ago, jall25 said:

Yes - its not that i want them off the list - i want to keep them on the list - Not just so people can shoot them but i believe it brings in money / sport for some and that in turn creates / manages the habitats and predators 

I appreciate you don’t actually want them off the list. However the majority of people (including BASC) consider this a likely downstream consequence of extra restrictions - which are unnecessary as we have our house in order. 

[jall25]

2 hours ago, Fellside said:

I appreciate you don’t actually want them off the list. However the majority of people (including BASC) consider this a likely downstream consequence of extra restrictions - which are unnecessary as we have our house in order. 

 

Yes i know BASC think that - but i wonder if sometimes we need to have a better look at things 

Anyway - as you say we can agree to differ - and i believe we both want the best for the species - the habitat and the sportsman 

[Fellside]

56 minutes ago, jall25 said:

 

Yes i know BASC think that - but i wonder if sometimes we need to have a better look at things 

Anyway - as you say we can agree to differ - and i believe we both want the best for the species - the habitat and the sportsman 

Yes we’ll agree to differ as I don’t favour any policy intervention at all. Incidentally we had a superb migration of woodcock in the north last season. Best I’ve seen for years - they were everywhere. They must have bread well in sub Russia. I remember there being some east winds when they arrived and that must have also helped. 

[jall25]

17 minutes ago, Fellside said:

Yes we’ll agree to differ as I don’t favour any policy intervention at all. Incidentally we had a superb migration of woodcock in the north last season. Best I’ve seen for years - they were everywhere. They must have bread well in sub Russia. I remember there being some east winds when they arrived and that must have also helped. 

Im in Derbyshire - and this last few years we have had very good numbers breeding

We clearfelled some land and coppiced - I have also created lots of wetland for them - happy days 

[Fellside]

1 minute ago, jall25 said:

Im in Derbyshire - and this last few years we have had very good numbers breeding

We clearfelled some land and coppiced - I have also created lots of wetland for them - happy days 

👍 well done that man!

[jall25]

Just now, Fellside said:

👍 well done that man!

Thank you - we had a corn crake visit one day last week - which really excited me and this morning the cuckoo was in full shouting !