Cold weather brings first suspension of shooting in Northern

[Wildfowler]

Cold weather brings first suspension of shooting in Northern Ireland.....BASC Release

4th January 2010…………….…………………………………………….immediate release

A slight alteration from the earlier severe weather update is the suspension in Northern Ireland begins at 0900hrs on Wednesday 6th January, not 0800rs as previously stated. Apologies for any confusion.

A legal suspension of the shooting of waterfowl is to be introduced for the first time in Northern Ireland because of the severe winter weather. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency plans to bring in a temporary suspension of the shooting of ducks, geese and waders for at least seven days starting on Wednesday 6th January to allow the birds to see out the cold snap. Shooters are being advised to exercise voluntary restraint until the suspension begins.

Waterfowl shooting is also to be legally suspended in Scotland for the first time in 13 years with effect from 0:01am on Tuesday 5th January. In England and Wales it is possible that the continuing cold weather will lead to a call for voluntary restraint in the shooting of ducks such as reared mallard, geese and wading birds including woodcock by the end of this week.

Restraint and suspension are necessary to protect birds which will experience difficulties in feeding and roosting due to snow and ice affecting their habitats. Roger Pollen, Northern Ireland director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said: “This is the first time that a legal suspension of shooting has been required in Northern Ireland, where the climate usually means we do not experience prolonged bouts of severe weather. “Everyone who shoots respects their quarry and we are calling on all individuals, clubs and syndicates to exercise restraint in their shooting before the statutory suspension is brought in.” ENDS

For more information call the BASC press office on 01244 573031 / 07500 609161 or Roger Pollen on 028 9260 5050 / 07795 268431

NOTE TO EDITORS:
When a suspension is in force it becomes an offence to kill or take any of the following quarry species, whether on the coast or inland:
Duck: Mallard, teal, wigeon, pintail, tufted duck, pochard, shoveler, gadwall, goldeneye, scaup (NI).
Geese: Greylag, pink-footed, Canada, white fronted (Eng and Wales).
Waders: Golden plover, woodcock, snipe, jack snipe (NI) curlew (NI).
Others: Moorhen and coot (Eng, Wales, Scotland).
Game birds are not affected, but reared mallard are included.
_________________
Wildfowler

"What's hit is history, What's missed is a mystery?"