Scotland – the Blue or Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus)

As you will be aware over the summer a vote was taken in the Scottish Assembly that will lead to legislation that will ban the hunting of the Blue or Mountain Hare in Scotland. This came about through a late intervention by the Scottish Green Party and there was no consultation on, nor advance warning of, this move. Until the legislation is brought forward the status quo applies and the Blue Hare remains legal quarry, but sometime in 2021 it is likely that it will become illegal to hunt it. Natural Heritage Scotland have confirmed that a stakeholder group is going to be set up in the near future. We have made representation and expect to have both a member of the Scottish Hawk Board and the Hawk Board as part of this body. We will report back as appropriate.

Dr Gordon Mellor The Hawk Board Falconry – Inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind