Shooting - Code of Good Shooting Practice

The Code provides advice at two levels:

• Advice that must be followed in order to deliver sustainable shooting - unless otherwise stated the term ‘must' only applies to meeting the standards set by this Code of Practice and does not refer to a legal obligation.
• Advice that should be followed in order to achieve Best Practice, any deviation from which would need justification.

This Code is primarily addressed to shooting "game", which includes all of the traditional gamebirds, namely, pheasants, partridges and grouse, but many of the principles apply equally to other quarry types ducks, geese and waders - as well as pest species, including pigeons, crows, rabbits, hares and squirrels.

The following Five Golden Rules apply:

• The safe conduct of shooting must meet the standards described in this code, show respect for the countryside and consideration for others.
• Shoot managers must endeavour to enhance wildlife conservation and the countryside.
• Respect for quarry is paramount. It is fundamental to mark and retrieve all shot birds. Shot game is food and must be treated as such.
• If birds are released, shoots should take steps to comply with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust's new guidelines for sustainable releasing.
• Birds must never be released to replenish or replace any birds already released and shot in that season.

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