Killing birds and animals for sport is a contentious issue for many.

There are all sorts of laws in place to not only protect our wildlife but to also limit the amount of killing that takes place in our countryside.

The most obvious rule is that no killing is allowed during the close season.

This varies a little depending on the quarry but it generally means that our wildlife is allowed to breed in peace and have a reasonable chance of rearing its young during the aforementioned close season.

Game birds consist of grouse (black and red), ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, capercaillie, snipe and woodcock.

Other birds that can be shot outside of the close season include the ducks: mallard, tufted duck, gadwall, goldeneye, pintail, pochard, shoveler, teal and wigeon. Geese are not immune and these include: greylag, Canada, pink-footed and white-fronted geese.

Coot, moorhen and golden plover are also listed as game.

There are certain birds that can be killed under licence. This may be because they are a nuisance or because their sheer numbers cause an imbalance.

Among these are members of the crow and gull family, pigeons, and surprisingly starlings and house sparrows which are now supposedly on the decline.

Taking things a step further there are set lists of birds that may be sold alive at any time if ringed and bred in captivity. These include pretty birds for cages like finches, brambling and yellowhammers, but surprises include the likes of barn owls and jays.

The same applies to birds that are sold dead during a certain time of the year. The wood pigeon is the only bird that can be sold dead all year round.

Of course, many birds such as grouse, pheasant and partridge are bred to be shot and so their numbers remain evenly balanced. Love it or hate it there is very little proof that it actually does any harm to the species mentioned.

Gerry Urch