WITH JOEL HOLT CONSERVATION
PICTURES:GWCTB
ushcraft expert, Ray Mears, has pledged his
support to a Game & Wildlife Conservation
Trust (GWCT) campaign that aims to improve
awareness and understanding of how the
countryside works.
Mears was so taken with the conservation
charity’s guidebook The Knowledge: Every Gun’s
Guide to Conservation that he offered to write a
foreword to the newly revised edition.
The book, launched last June, aims to
increase the understanding of shoot conservation
and to raise standards by ensuring those who
take part in fieldsports are aware of their legal and
ethical obligations.
It is aimed at those who take part in shooting,
whether they’re a seasoned shot or new to the
sport, and is equally of value to conservationists
or people keen to learn more about how the
British countryside is managed.
With over 35 years’ experience in educating the
public about man’s relationship
with the natural environment,
Mears understands the
importance of knowledge
in the countryside.
“There are always
new things to learn,
both for beginners and
old hands,” he says.
“That knowledge is key to
valuing and respecting our
natural environment and
nurturing greater biodiversity and
species abundance within it.”
The 200-page book draws on more than 150
scientific publications to provide a detailed
introduction to the principal quarry species,
management of habitat and predators and the law
relating to a shoot day. It includes information on
the use of lead shot, medication in game rearing,
health and safety, game handling and security.
Sales have been strong, with over 1,500 copies
already sold, prompting the latest edition.
The book is part of a wider campaign run by
the GWCT, which includes on-site visits from their
advisory department, training courses and the
Accredited Game Shot assessment, which allows
participants to demonstrate their understanding of
best practice and conservation measures.
James Swyer, GWCT publications manager,
said: “I’m delighted to have Ray’s support for this
book. His understanding of our managed
landscape has shown the British public just how
fortunate we are to be able to enjoy it. It’s
essential that we do so wisely.”
Ray Mears offers support to GWCT
The well-loved bushcraft expert, Ray Mears, is backing the GWCT campaign to improve
awareness of countryside management, writes Joel Holt
The book costs
£15.95 and is available to
order at http://www.gwctshop.org.
uk/collections/books/
products/2268-the-knowledge-
every-guns-guide-to-
conservationThe latest edition features a foreword
by respected bushcraft expert Ray Mears