2 Minute Read
Written by Dr Jennifer Brewin, Writer and Research Specialist
In February 2020, as COVID loomed and before many of us had grasped the profound effect it would have, the GWCT and eight other organisations released a statement calling for the shooting community to voluntarily move away from lead ammunition within five years.
The intervening time has been so unusual that such a call may have faded into the background, but this year’s 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in France and COP26 in Glasgow are timely reminders that, despite all that has happened to distract, distress and challenge us, putting the environment at the front of our minds is more critical than ever.
Moving away from lead ammunition is just one step that individuals in the shooting community can take. In a survey of over 2,500 individuals at the beginning of 2021, four percent had made the switch away from lead, 20% had started testing alternatives, and a further 28% were planning to do so in the coming season.
COVID delayed the process for many, but now that that season is upon us and shooting is back on the calendar, it is a good time to remember those intentions and take another step down the road towards alternative ammunition. It is our hope that when we repeat our survey in 2022, we will see the evidence that more participants are moving over to lead alternatives.
If you are inspired by the groundswell of environmental momentum this year, also make sure that you consider the contribution towards biodiversity that your shoot provider makes. Do they plant varied and wildlife-friendly game mixes? Stick to the GWCT’s sustainable gamebird releasing practices and the Code of Good Shooting Practice? Feed their released gamebirds past the end of the season, therefore supporting their own released birds which survived the season, and also helping their local wildlife?
There are many ways in which the shooting community can and do help biodiversity and the environment – sustainability and biodiversity are fundamental to country sports which depend on a healthy ecosystem. We can all make sure we maximise our own influence over these fundamental issues by making careful choices in our shooting, as well as our lives.
For more information about how to judge the environmental impact of your shoot provider, buy your copy of The Knowledge here.