Shooting ban signs go up on council-owned land at Findhorn Bay

In addition to permit restrictions, Moray Council has reaffirmed its position that shooting will not be permitted on any land owner by the Local Authority.

The law states that in any event shooting should not take place above the Mean High Water Mark.

Anyone shooting in this area is committing a criminal offence and should be reported to Police Scotland.

It follows the decision by Moray Council’s Economic Development and Services Committee on the 5th of September to support the voluntary wildfowling scheme proposed by the Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve Management Committee.

Access to permissible shooting areas across this land is allowed, however Chair of the Economic Development and Services Committee, Cllr John Cowe, said he hoped the wildfowlers will respect the council’s position the same as they would any other landowner.

“The exclusion of our land from wildfowling still leaves a large area of foreshore, between high and low water marks, for legitimate activity,” he said.

The wildfowling season started on the 1st of September 1st and lasts until the 20th of February.

The voluntary permit system introduced for this season will be reviewed after February to assess its effectiveness.

Permits were introduced following protests about wildfowling from a group called Friends of Findhorn Bay.

Leader of Moray Council, Cllr George Alexander, has urged wildfowlers to get behind the scheme.

Speaking to MFR News he said, “It is in the interests of all those who enjoy the Findhorn Bay to ensure that this voluntary system works”

"Especially as the area grows there are others who want to enjoy the land for things other than shooting"

“There should be reasonable agreement for all without having to resort to the law”

"Over recent years we have noticed more and more people coming from further afield who are not necessarily aware of the laws - and some of the behaviour - has been regrettable"