Expert opinion during the HPAI H5N8 epizootic of 2016/2017 was that wildfowling, or more general shooting of ducks and geese, would not significantly increase the risk for immediate long distance spread of avian influenza infected wild birds, due to the low number of guns. Driven game shoots are considered a lower risk due to the usual location and limited dispersal of managed wild game. Shooting woodpigeon under a general licence is considered to be lower still, as the general licence only authorises shooting in England around crops, fruit and vegetables, and around livestock foodstuffs in order to prevent serious damage. (APHA)