Latest News 2023

Rural workers sick of being pawns in 'done deals'

SGA responds to consultation on snaring ban

Statement: Missing Eagle in Borders

The SGA has responded to a Police appeal

New Hunting Bill policy leaving deer to die

Contractors having to leave wounded animals

Rural committee accepts case for new trap wrecking offence

Holyrood Committee includes recommendation in Stage One report

Call to enlist gamekeeping students to save Curlew

With game management techniques proven to help the species, it is time to think out of the box

SGA reacts to loss of snaring in Scotland

Gamekeeping body describes the decision as 'political'

Gamekeepers seek law change for trap wrecking

SGA to propose an amendment to new Bill

Predator control petition carried forward at Holyrood

Scottish Government to be questioned on its actions for species

SGA and its part in the Common Ground Forum

An update on an aspect of the SGA's work on deer management in Scotland

State of Nature report proves need for change

Land managers have a key conservation role

Hunting with Dogs Bill now law - info and advice for members

Application process the 'acid test' for foot packs

The eagles have landed, with gamekeepers pivotal

The role gamekeepers have played in eagle conservation is recognised

Holyrood Committee keeps SGA Petition open

Government to be asked how it will incorporate practitioner knowledge

WATCH the SGA Petition hearing

Watch, sign and find out more about the SGA's knowledge petition

In the atmosphere, in the trees or in the ground

A guest article on carbon, soil and trees by Victor Clements

Male deer season abolition fails first Parliament test

Edward Mountain MSP's move to annul secures Committee majority

Far-reaching changes loom for land and river managers

Challenges and opportunities for skills-rich SGA members

Holyrood hears SGA Petition again

Practitioner knowledge must inform conservation policy

Helping shoots comply with the Hunting with Dogs Bill

SGA and 8 rural bodies publish guidance for shoots

Respond now as Scottish Government proposes snare ban

Government to introduce ban on snares and more powers for SSPCA in new Bill

Firearms Licensing consultation - respond now

The Home Office Firearms Licensing Consultation closes in 5 days - time to ACT.

Warning to Scottish Government that gamekeeping 'close to breaking point'

Relentless legislative change, job losses and an unregulated carbon market impacting the profession

River gradings announced for 2024

Scottish Government has published the draft gradings for salmon and sea trout rivers for next season

Everything you need to know about Moy Country Fair

What's On, member offers, awards presentations and the weather!

Wildfire prevention plans should be mandatory, says SGA

Scottish Government can guard against the loss of tax payer money

Recognising our people

Time to nominate for the 2023 SGA Awards

Grouse Bill takes shape as Minister addresses Committee

Updates on traps, snaring, SSPCA powers and Muirburn

Chairman's Blog: Conservation and the 3-legged stool

Alex Hogg remembers Dick Potts in his blog on his Holyrood petition

Have your say on Firearms changes and National Parks

UK Firearms licensing may change following fatalities

Deeside youngster is SGA Young Gamekeeper of the Year 2023

22 year old Finlay Shand wins the prestigious youth prize

Petition asks Holyrood to back predator control

'An opportunity for MSPs to prove they value land managers' work' says SGA Chair.

Summer magazine delay

An explanation over why the Summer issue is not with members

Muirburn 'most effective' fuel management tool- Grouse Bill latest

Holyrood evidence as Police and Law Society oppose more SSPCA powers

Grouse Bill latest and how to watch LIVE

Details on Wednesday's (21st) Bill evidence session and how to view proceedings

SGA responds on removal of male deer seasons

Thermal imaging and copper bullets also being considered by Scottish Government

SGA gives evidence on Grouse Bill

Key points on trap tampering and SSPCA powers

Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill- SGA response

The SGA's response, in full, to the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill

Take our JOBS survey- and receive a free gift

5 minute poll will assess the changing employment picture within the sector

Over 500 new deer managers through the SGA centre

Deer management milestone for SGA DMQ Assessment team

Scottish Game Fair preparations underway

Latest news and a members' guide to the event

Fundraising shoots cancelled for 2023

Unforeseen circumstances mean 2 key events won't go ahead

BLOG: RSPB seek public donations after reserve lost to wildfire

Despite an income of nearly 160 million pounds, RSPB want the public to dip into their pockets

New fox control devices a 'step-change' for welfare

Gamekeepers recommend existing snare phase-out

Glen Coe community 80% against charity's deer culls

Community believes National Trust for Scotland's culls will impact jobs, tourism and animal welfare.

Sweden to oppose any EU lead shot ban

Swedes say current measures are 'restrictive enough'

Major eagle nest increase where Scottish gamekeepers work

New survey shows a 57% rise in only 7 years.

Government changes could waste national venison resource

Leading voice opposes abolition of male deer seasons

Give your views on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill

All SGA members are urged to respond to the new Grouse Bill

SGA reacts to Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill

The legislation, at Stage One, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

SGA relieved for worried members after South Uist vote

Following an EGM, South Uist residents have voted not to eradicate the island's deer

Red deer purity fears if South Uist refuge is lost by eradication

The SGA believes the loss of one of Scotland's remaining red deer refugia would be a 'symbolic' blow to the species

Record deer cull in South Uist ahead of eradication vote

SGA learns professional stalkers have culled more deer than at any time since community buy-out

Caution urged over plan to eradicate South Uist deer

The SGA has warned of the repercussions of wiping out a species native since Neolithic times

Open letter to gamekeepers who use professional rodenticides

Recent high-profile incidents of raptor poisonings have brought the gamekeeping sector’s use of rodenticides under increased scrutiny. Clearly, these incidents damage gamekeeping’s good name for managing and protecting the countryside, and jeopardise the continued use of rodenticides by gamekeepers.

Delivering new Muirburn Practitioner Training

An article by SGA members in Bright Spark Burning Techniques- an approved body for new Muirburn training.

A thousand years too late

A guest article by Victor Clements on why a controversial regeneration scheme will not work

Spratt's sponsor AGM in Inverness- BOOK NOW!

Game food firm backs SGA as booking details announced for 26th AGM on March 3rd.

Available now: Binge watch 'For Peat's Sake'

Our film series with Scotland's regional moorland groups - first 3 parts- now available

Police probe into Assynt deer with jaw left hanging off

Incident and further eye witness accounts of wounded deer appal Assynt community

Incidents of injured deer heighten concern in Assynt

Police inquiry and eye witness accounts cast doubts over animal welfare

Statement: Licensing necessary in Hunting with Dogs Bill

SGA welcomes licensing in the new Bill but challenges regulators to deliver workable scheme

SGA contributes to course setting standard for Muirburn in Scotland

Experienced SGA gamekeepers have worked with fire and agency partners to develop a course for everyone using prescribed fire in the countryside.

Assynt Crofters consider Quinag buy-out over NGO deer culls

Crofters also complain to environment and charity regulators

Crofters describe John Muir Trust as NatureScot's 'mad' dog

Assynt Crofters' Trust say regulators have lost control of John Muir Trust in Assynt

Media review: coverage of Assynt's 'gratuitous' deer culls

How the press covered another lamentable episode for the Assynt community at the hands of an NGO

Avian influenza outbreak

Specific advice to all involved with wild gamebirds in Scotland

Comment: Assynt and Glen Coe deer culls

The SGA is backing members impacted by out-of-season deer culls in Assynt and Glen Coe

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