Shotgun ban reversed after hunters undergo safety training
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A GROUP has won a battle with the Forestry Commission to use shotguns to kill foxes rooted out by hounds in woodland near Inverness.
The Three Straths Fox Control Association was told last year it could no longer use the firearms at Inshes and Tomatin in case a bullet ricocheted and killed or injured a member of the public.
But the decision was overturned this week after association members lodged certificates showing they had undergone gun safety training.
A countryside campaigner said he was "appalled" by the U-turn, claiming it went against everything the government agency protecting public woodlands should stand for.
But Inverness-based Forest Enterprise Scotland, the operations arm of Forestry Commission Scotland, insisted "public safety remains paramount" and new stricter guidelines were now in place.
The Three Straths has been hunting with guns and dogs under a licence issued annually by the Forestry Commission since 1996 – and the group’s head huntsman said there had never been an incident.
The association, made up of gamekeepers and land owners, organises hunting days in woodlands around Inverness, Ross, and Moray, up to 16 per year.
The foot pack hunts with 20 fox fell hounds to flush foxes to their guns, a legal practice in Scotland.
Mr Crofts said safety rules were rigid.
He added: "There are people on the day who are designated marshals and if a dog walker or anybody else does meet us in the woods, we just explain to them what’s happening.
"We all wear high-visibility jackets and once the operation starts there is a very strict rule about nobody moving about.
"Everybody has got to know where the neighbouring gun is. We do not want to shoot someone by accident. Everybody can be contacted by radio."
He said there would be "a build-up of foxes" if the hunts did not take place.
"We shoot the fox as soon as we can," he said. "We are trying to do it as humanely as possible."
Retired RSPB monitoring officer Brian Etheridge (70) from Avoch, was incensed at Forest Enterprise Scotland for overturning the shotgun ban, and he was horrified that gamekeepers were allowed to hunt and shoot in public forests.
He said he did not not want any of his taxes "supporting this kind of thing".
He added: "I imagine a great deal of other people would also be appalled."
A Forestry Enterprise Scotland spokesman said safety measures had been increased.
A spokesman said: "We require any activity be marshalled at an appropriate level to ensure no member of the public is put at risk. No-one will be discouraged from visiting the forest and any interaction between association members and the public must be courteous and respectful.
"In the event of any interaction we will require a written report from the association.
"Association members are suitably qualified through the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Safeshot Scheme and have lodged copies of their certifications. We can have a member of our team accompany the association at any time and we will also carry out spot checks to ensure compliance with the conditions attached to the permission."
