Each year, millions of pheasants are released in the UK for game shooting, yet around 60% die before the season begins. Most fall victim to predators, disease, starvation, or dispersal—largely because they’re unprepared for the wild after captivity. This raises serious concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, and economic waste.
Research shows that improving early-life care and pre-release conditioning—like exposing birds to natural settings and teaching survival skills—can significantly boost survival rates. Even a 1% increase could save 350,000 birds annually.
Other effective strategies include better habitat management, disease control, responsible predator management, and smarter release practices. These efforts reduce unnecessary losses, lower costs, and make gamebird shooting more ethical and sustainable.
By adopting these changes, the hunting community can preserve tradition while promoting responsible wildlife stewardship.
