Commercial shoots have been affected by the recession - many are putting down fewer birds, expecting to sell fewer let days and anticipating that income will fall - according to the survey of lowland and upland shoots by Smiths Gore's research department.

"Commercial shoots are under more financial pressure than non-commercial ones," says David Steel, Smiths Gore's head of sporting. "They are less optimistic about this shooting season than the shoots run on a non-commercial basis and this fall in optimism has fed through into what they are doing on the ground. The survey found that just under half expected to sell fewer let days and they reported having fewer confirmed bookings than last year.

"Given this, almost 6 out of ten shoots expect their income to fall. They had responded to this by putting down fewer birds and about a quarter of the shoots are offering days with smaller bags where fewer birds can be shot to reduce the cost of the day to their clients."

The survey reinforces Smiths Gore's view that the recession is reaching most parts of the country and lots of different business sectors. "Commercial shoots have been more affected than those run as a hobby for family and friends, although they too have been affected", says Rupert Clark, Head of Rural Practice.

There may also be knock on effects on wildlife. Most shoots think that there would be less wildlife without the habitat management that shoots currently carry out and there is plenty of scientific evidence to support this view. The survey found a number of shoots either ceasing altogether or reducing the amount of time they spend on habitat management.

The survey of 88 upland and lowland shoots was carried out by our Research Department in August 2009 and includes shoots from England, Scotland and Wales.