By Felix Meister, D.Phil., Advisor Scotland
On Wednesday 9 October, Scottish Government signed off the training materials for the new Corvid Trapping and Spring Trapping courses. Attendance at these courses is a necessary condition for obtaining a Wildlife Trap Licence, which is required to operate corvid traps and spring traps in Scotland under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. The sign-off is an important step towards ensuring that land managers in Scotland can continue carrying out legal predator control for the benefit of game and wildlife.
The government-approved courses were previously agreed by a working group convened by NatureScot and involving all relevant stakeholders. The GWCT was tasked with the development of the courses, and the new materials were based on existing GWCT material. Our leading role in this process is a reflection of our unique expertise in this area. For more than 30 years, the GWCT was the only organisation offering training in corvid trapping and spring trapping in Scotland.
However, previous training will not be recognised under the new legislation. The new GWCT courses will begin in mid-October, with locations in the Scottish Borders, Perthshire, Angus and Inverness-shire. Places can still be booked here.