Currently:
All snares must be free-running and have a fixed stop at the appropriate distance.
All set snares must be checked every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours.
All set snares must be staked to the ground or attached to an object to prevent the snare from being dragged.
Snares must not be set where an animal caught by the snare may become fully or partially suspended or drown.
Anyone wishing to set snares must be accredited and also have their operator ID number.
Anyone who passed the accreditation course prior to May 2010 will need to contact their accreditation body and request a new certificate before applying for their operator ID number.
Tags featuring the ID number will need to be fitted to snares.
Snare operators will be obliged to keep snaring records.
BASC Scotland will be running a number of accreditation courses throughout Scotland. For more information on snaring or if you are interested in doing a snaring accreditation course, please contact the BASC Scotland.
Snaring in Scotland – a practitioners’ guide (fifth edition), a booklet covering all aspects of snaring legislation and best practice, is available on request from BASC Scotland.
Quarry species and shooting seasons Advice Seasons Species There are a number of gamebirds, waterfowl (ducks, geese and waders) and other bird species, as well as mammals, which can be shot legally. For many there is a close season when it is illegal to shoot them, and this helps to
Microchipping The BASC Gundog Program kindly sponsored by Skinner’s Microchipping is compulsory for all dogs over 8 weeks old* in the UK. Any owners whose dog is discovered not to be microchipped face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine. Before you get your dog microchipped it is beneficial to research
Shot Sizes Traditionally, different pellet sizes in lead shot have been favoured for different types of shooting, such as: Geese – BB/1/3 Grouse – 6/7 Rabbit – 5/6 Teal – 6/7 Pheasant – 5/6/7 Woodcock – 7 Pigeon – 6/7 Recent research, however, may result in recommended shot sizes changing,
