Since the enactment of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, due diligence in avoiding unintentional wrongdoing has become a prerequisite for managing game and wildlife in Scotland. Training courses offered by GWCT Advisory Services are designed to help all land managers, including gamekeepers, understand and observe current legislation and best practice. On completion of each course, participants receive a GWCT certificate, which forms an important paper trail in the documentation of due diligence.
The next series of courses is due to be run in spring 2024, with locations in West Lothian, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. Find out more and book below. Be quick though - places are limited:
Snaring
Although Scottish Government has confirmed their intention to ban snaring later this year, the use of snares currently remain a legitimate and important tool in the game and wildlife management toolbox. Our Scottish Government approved fox and rabbit snaring course provides candidates with the necessary certificate to obtain their unique ID number, which must by law be attached to all snares set in Scotland. Fundamental to the course is the emphasis placed on welfare, in addition to best practice, species conservation and legal updates.
28th Feb at Hopetoun Estate, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL >
Corvid Control (inc. vicarious liability)
Corvid control is a vital tool for countryside managers. When done well, it can be hugely beneficial to the conservation of our game and wildlife. This course has been developed to ensure those practicing corvid control in Scotland can do so with the confidence that they are operating within the law whilst demonstrating due diligence and welfare considerations.
26th Feb at Hopetoun Estate, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL >
29th Feb at The Armoury Room, Blair Atholl Village Hall >
6th Mar at GWSDF, Bridgefoot, Logie Coldstone >
Mustelid Control (tunnel trapping)
With significant changes to tunnel trapping legislation now in place throughout the UK, this popular course keeps trappers fully up to date with both legal and humane control issues. The session will address the legal aspects of the various trapping methods for stoat, weasel and rodent control employed by keepers and wildlife managers as well as the equipment required and best practice advice.
26th Feb at Hopetoun Estate, South Queensferry >
29th Feb at The Armoury Room, Blair Atholl Village Hall >
6th Mar at GWSDF, Bridgefoot, Logie Coldstone >
Grouse Health & Disease
This training opportunity addresses the increasing need for grouse moors to assemble documented evidence to demonstrate best practice. The half-day course will focus on the latest management techniques for the control of strongyle worm burdens and tick in red grouse. A must for those requiring medicated grit prescriptions!
1st Mar at The Armoury Room, Blair Atholl Village Hall, PH18 5SP >
7th Mar at GWSDF, Bridgefoot, Logie Coldstone, AB34 5PT >
Lowland Deer Management
Our new lowland deer management course is centred around population survey techniques, cull planning and record keeping as well as changes in legislation and best practice. This half-day course is best suited to participants new to, or with a basic understanding of, lowland deer management.
28th Feb at Hopetoun Estate, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL >
1st Mar at The Armoury Room, Blair Atholl Village Hall, PH18 5SP >
7th Mar at GWSDF, Bridgefoot, Logie Coldstone, AB34 5PT >
Further information
Any questions please contact us on 0131 202 7670 or scottishadvisory@gwct.org.uk.