Home / Environment / Falcons Reclaim Ancient Hunting Rights in Scotland
Falcons Reclaim Ancient Hunting Rights in Scotland
23 Mar
Summary
- Falconers can now apply for licenses to hunt wild game.
- Legislation originally banned hunting wild game with trained birds.
- The change restores a 4,000-year-old heritage art.
Falconry, a heritage art recognized by Unesco, has seen its practice restored in Scotland. New protections under the Animals and Wildlife Act 2020 had inadvertently made it illegal for falconers to allow their trained birds of prey to hunt wild game, such as mountain hares. This meant falconers faced prosecution, despite the practice being a sustainable and legitimate activity with a history spanning at least 4,000 years.
A petition lodged in 2021, gathering over 9,000 signatures, highlighted the perceived flaws in the legislation. The petitioner argued that falconry was an unintended consequence, a "travesty" from conservation, animal welfare, and democratic perspectives.
Following amendments to the Natural Environment Bill, Scottish falconers can now apply for specific licenses to hunt mountain hares. This legislative change has been welcomed, with advocates stating that a "quality of life" has been returned to the birds of prey.
