Codes of Practice

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In Britain we are rightly proud of our shooting sports. Game management and conservation help shape and enhance our landscape. Wildlife thrives where land is managed for shooting. Over a million people are involved in shooting; many more enjoy the end product as consumers of pheasants, partridges and other game. Moreover, shooting makes a substantial contribution to the rural economy – often at times and in places where other income is scarce. Shooting is worth £2 billion to the UK annually.

But shooting has its opponents; the good name of shooting – and the ability of our organisations to defend it – depends on everyone involved following the Codes of practice. Whatever your role within shooting, you should always be ‘Code-aware’ and raise awareness of all of these Code's in others.

Click to download a copy of the Game Sectors Codes of Practice

This Code applies to all game shooting, walked up, driven, wild bird or reared. Provided it is carried out following the advice set out in this Code, the release of reared birds is an entirely valid method of increasing or sustaining a stock of wild game: indeed, it is fundamental to British game shooting and its attendant conservation benefits. Download the Code

Snaring Best Practice

Click to download a copy of the code of best practice on the use of snares for fox control in England

The Wild Game Guide

The wild game guide provides information on the hygiene regulations for food businesses that supply wild game for human consumption, and for people who hunt wild game and supply it either in-fur or in-feather or as small quantities of wild game meat. Download the guide

The Heather and Grass Burning Code

The Heather and Grass Burning Code is a voluntary code. It outlines good practice on planning where to burn, and how to burn safely and responsibly. Section 3 of the Code summarises the main laws which apply to burning. Download the guide