Gamekeeper Sentenced for Killing Protected Goshawk and Illegally Storing Ammunition
Introduction
On February 12, 2024, Russell Mason, a 49-year-old gamekeeper, killed a goshawk—a rare protected bird of prey—by trapping it and hitting it several times with a cosh on Cochrage Moor, Perthshire. He was later taken to Perth Sheriff Court for the killing and for failing to store ammunition securely. The court ordered a community payback order and fines.
Main Body
The incident happened when a goshawk entered a crow cage trap on the estate where Mason worked. RSPB investigators had set up a static camera to watch the trap. The footage showed Mason entering the trap, catching the goshawk with a hand-held net, and then hitting it six times with a cosh. He put the bird in a bag and left. A veterinary expert later stated that the bird did not die instantly and likely suffered painful fractures before death. The goshawk is a species that was hunted to extinction in Scotland in the last century but has been reintroduced. There are now about 100 breeding pairs. Mason admitted that he intentionally or recklessly killed the goshawk and broke his firearms certificate by keeping 195 rounds of live ammunition unsecured in his bedroom and vehicle. Sheriff Mark Thorley expressed confusion about the act, noting that Mason could have simply opened the door to release the bird. He imposed a 200-hour community payback order for the killing. For the ammunition offence, the court fined Mason; reports mention a fine of £850 for one charge and a separate fine of £890 for the ammunition charge. As a result of the case, Mason had already lost his job as estate gamekeeper, his tied cottage, and his shotgun licence. The RSPB, which provided the video evidence, welcomed the conviction but criticized the penalty, arguing that it would have little deterrent effect. Ian Thomson, RSPB investigations manager, claimed that the case shows how cage traps are not selective and called for more controlled methods. He emphasized that such traps pose a serious threat to protected species and that licensing authorities have been warned about these issues for over thirty years. Prosecutor Iain Batho of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service stressed the importance of protecting Scotland's natural heritage and stated that raptor persecution is taken seriously. Defense solicitor Paul Anderson explained that Mason acted out of frustration because the goshawk had entered the trap four times before, and that he showed significant remorse. The court also heard that Mason had a previous conviction for public indecency, which placed him on the sex offenders register. A search of his property found clothing matching that in the footage, and the bag used contained goshawk DNA. The ammunition was found unsecured in his bedroom and vehicle, breaking his firearms certificate.
Conclusion
The case ends with Mason no longer working as a gamekeeper and having lost his firearms license. The sentencing has received mixed reactions, with conservation groups pointing out the need for reform in trap licensing and enforcement to prevent future cases of raptor persecution.