Riverside residents have accused hunting groups of shooting ‘bagfuls’ of birds on private land along the Dysynni.

Neighbours Bob Allen and Margaret Turner, who live on the banks of the Dysynni River near Tywyn, have been embroiled in discussion with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Crown Estate and others after witnessing wildfowlers shooting on their land without consultation or permission.

Part of the Dysynni River and Broadwater is owned by the Crown Estate and the area is used by local shooting group Dyfi Mawddach and Dysynni Wildfowling Association (DMDWA), which is affiliated with and operates under the guidance of BASC.

Margaret said wildfowlers were roaming their marsh landscape day and night, regularly shooting “bagfuls” of birds.

She said: “The waterfowl numbers have plummeted... we don’t know how many of what have been killed.

“I am a rural veterinary surgeon with no problem at all with ethical and responsible shooting, so taking a stand on this unsustainable shooting was not difficult but we’ve had a very stressful few months.”

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said: “In light of the concerns raised recently by an adjoining landowner, we have requested that wildfowling activity in the area be suspended and that the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) undertake a consultation regarding the matter.”

James Green, BASC’s head of wildfowling, added: “We have made contact with the lady concerned on behalf of our affiliated wildfowling club, Dyfi Mawddach and Dysynni Wildfowlers Association.

“We would like to work together to resolve the issue and have requested a meeting to explore the situation fully. The wildfowlers suspended shooting on the site as soon as the issue was raised.”

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