Friday 20 June 2014

GAMEKEEPERS STATEMENT: RSPB HEN HARRIER PROTECTION CALL

STATEMENT: RSPB CALLS FOR HEN HARRIER PROTECTION

An SGA Spokesman Said: “Our understanding from the case in the Cairngorms is that there is no evidence to support the RSPB’s interpretation of events and the RSPB is aware of this.
In terms of accusing grouse moors alone for the decline of Hen Harrier, the RSPB, as a bird charity, could spend donor money more wisely by assessing the bigger picture of Harrier decline and the criminal drop in the smaller, less iconic prey birds, rather than spending it on demonising gamekeepers; the vast majority of whom work within the law every day, under very trying circumstances, to produce a balance of species as well as a surplus of grouse to shoot. 
In Orkney, the Hen Harrier population declined 70 per cent from 1970, yet there are no gamekeepers or grouse moors. 
Prior to 1995, Langholm Moor was one of the most successful grouse moors in the world but became commercially unviable when a build-up of protected predators, including Hen Harriers, forced it to close and the gamekeeping staff to be withdrawn.
When the gamekeepers lost their jobs, Hen Harrier numbers dropped from 28 to 2 and the wading bird population on the moor crashed by 75 per cent. These are not people who should be demonised en masse by RSPB if we are interested in preventing Hen Harrier decline.

Diversionary feeding is supported by the SGA, which advocates legal tools for species conflicts, but faith in its deployment will depend on it being proven to work when Harrier numbers rise. As yet, there is no evidence to show this is the case.”






Tuesday 17 June 2014

DATE CHANGE: SILENT AUCTION LOT 16

There has been an amendment to dates for Lot 16 in the 2014 SGA Silent Auction Booklet.
In the booklet, it had that 1 Day Red Hind stalking for1 rifle on the Dalchonsie Estate, Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, would be available on 10th-15th Feb 2015.
However, Dalchonsie Estate have stated that the date should be arranged between the successful bidder and themselves. The contact is Mr Calum Gillies.

Friday 13 June 2014

SCOTTISH GAMEKEEPER MAGAZINE: BORDERS COLLEGE CLARIFICATION

Scottish Gamekeeper magazine would like to issue a clarification regarding the article 'Young Gamekeepers Voice Concern At College Policy'. In the article it was suggested that only North Highland College UHI offer regular HNC Courses in gamekeeping.
Borders College officials would like to point out that Borders College has also ran, and will continue to run, regular HNC courses in gamekeeping.
Scottish Gamekeeper would like to apologise for any misunderstanding caused.

Thursday 12 June 2014

AMENDMENTS TO SILENT AUCTION BOOKLET 2014


Members and supporters please note, there are two changes to lot wordings in the 2014 SGA Silent Auction Booklet.

Lot 33: 1 day for 2 rods salmon fishing in August 2014 (date to be arranged) was printed minus a location. Bidders should note that the location is Park Beat, Drumoak, Kincardineshire.

Lot 34: 1 day for 2 rods salmon fishing on the River Lyon, with Ghillie, on the Glen Lyon Estate Beat, was printed with a date of November/December 2014. This is a misprint. The date is to be arranged between the successful bidder and the donor and the contact for Glen Lyon Estate is Bert Shearer.

We apologise for any inconvenience. Good luck with the bidding and thanks to all donors and bidders for helping the SGA.

Wednesday 4 June 2014

SGA CLAY SHOOT POSTPONED

Due to illness, the SGA has been forced to postpone the proposed clay shoot at House of Mulben near Keith, scheduled for this Sunday, June 8th 2014.
The SGA intends to re-schedule the event for later this year and we will update members and supporters as to the new date, when this is agreed with the relevant parties.
We would like to thank all those who booked for the event, for their continued support, and we apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment as regards this.