Wildfowling clubs have secured shooting on 12,500 acres of foreshore with help from the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Over the last 12 months BASC’s wildfowling team has worked with 17 clubs in England and five in Wales to ensure the continuation of sporting rights, leases and consents for wildfowling on 24 sites.
20 of the leases are on major estuaries including the Humber, Severn, Wash, Exe and Dyfi. 15-year leases have been granted on the Humber and Severn. New leases and consents have been secured on the Humber and Caernarfon Bay, adding an extra 155 acres of wildfowling land. A 20-year lease has been agreed in Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Dorset Wildfowlers’ Association chairman, Bob Futcher said: “Dorset Wildfowlers’ Association is delighted to have started the 2013-14 season in Poole Harbour with a new 20- year Crown Estate lease. We are hugely indebted to the wildfowling team at BASC with their expertise and assistance. The ability of the research team to support our application with sound analysis and interpretation of bird count data was invaluable.”
Mark Greenhough, BASC’S wildfowling officer said: “Securing new leases and opportunities for wildfowling is vital. I am pleased that BASC has again been able to help affiliated clubs secure access to 12,500 acres of foreshore. By providing this support BASC can ensure that where wildfowling is taking place on the coast it is carried out with a sustainable and responsible approach.”
BASC members interested in finding out more about wildfowling and taking up shooting opportunities should contact the BASC wildfowling team and ask for a copy of the BASC wildfowling permit scheme booklet. Email wildfowling@0ld.basc.org.uk or phone 01244 573011.