Scotland’s general licences are under review, and for once this is a consultation where the shooting community can shape the outcome rather than simply brace for it. NatureScot, the Scottish Government’s nature agency, has opened the first phase of its review of the general licences that authorise the control of certain wild birds. It covers the 16 general licences proposed for 2027, and there is a broader survey running alongside it that asks how general licensing should work in the years ahead. For anyone who relies on the general licences, this is the moment to have your say. The general licences underpin everyday wildlife management across Scotland.