Bite the bullet: Pheasant shooting season in Kilkenny put on hold
Game hunters in Kilkenny are being asked to keep their powder dry this year.
The season for the popular country pursuit was due to open tomorrow and would usually have seen a scramble to the countryside in search of the longest cock. But gardai are now telling shooters the sport is prohibited under the current Covid regulations.
They have urged game shooters to adhere to the 5km rule and not to gather in groups, two rules which make it almost participate in shooting, being a countryside pursuit.
A garda spokesperson said: “Pheasant shooting season begins on Sunday 1st November. This normally involves shooting club members travelling to pheasant shoots around the country, frequently in groups, and is regarded as sport shooting.
“Under the current regulations sporting events must be organised under the structure/licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland.
“As such, sport shooting is prohibited in any other circumstances. Shooting of vermin on farmlands is permissible as an essential support service to farming/agriculture,” the spokesperson added.