Following years of highlighting concerns of professional wildlife managers, The SGA recently made a specific request for a derogation to be made to legislation to allow lead shot to be used for urban and peri-urban wildlife management and for the management of deer in forests at night in Scotland.
This came on the back of an anonymous survey, conducted by the SGA, which found that 60% of professionals managing deer in forestry in the hours of darkness have concerns about using copper bullets (the most commonly used lead alternative) in these situations.
Sixty eight percent of respondents said lead was better for public safety, due to the high propensity for ricochet in copper ammunition, and 62% said lead was better for animal welfare.
Several respondents said copper ammunition should never be used when managing wildlife near people. See the Survey details, here: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/latest-news/2024/2025-02-20-public-safety-fears-over-copper-bullet-switch.php
The SGA warned about the dangers to humans where wildlife managers are forced to use ammunition with a higher propensity for ricochet, in areas close to population centres.
Despite this, new regulations will come into force soon to begin the three year phase-out.
Public Safety a Priority
A Spokesman for The SGA said: “The request, for a few well-reasoned and well evidenced exemptions to a complete ban, would have made the public safer.
“They would also have prevented more deer running on, in public forests, and dying a lingering death.
“In Scotland, we pride ourselves in animal welfare. This decision does not serve animal welfare if it is to lead to more wounding and less ability to follow up a wounded animal and, sadly, that will now be the case.
“We have warned about the implications of a full ban. We understand the environmental rationale but, there are some circumstances where keeping people safe must be the priority.
“It would appear this is less of a priority for the respective governments.”
The SGA represents 5300 members in Scotland, thousands of whom are professional wildlife managers.
The decision of the governments can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-reach-restriction-for-lead-in-ammunition-27-june-2025
