The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Wales Team was delighted to exhibit at The Stalking Show 2025, held at Staffordshire County Showground this past weekend. The event proved to be a valuable opportunity to engage with the wider deer stalking and land management community, and to showcase the breadth of our scientific and conservation work.
Our stand attracted a great deal of interest throughout the two-day event, with visitors keen to learn more about how science underpins effective wildlife management. From practitioners on the ground to those simply interested in conservation, it was encouraging to see such widespread enthusiasm for the role of evidence-based research in shaping sustainable countryside practices.
Highlighting Innovation in Conservation
A particular highlight of our exhibit this year was our work using thermal drone technology — a major focus of conversations across the weekend.
These drones, equipped with advanced thermal imaging cameras, allow us to survey wildlife with minimal disturbance. Visitors were especially interested in how we use this technology to monitor deer populations, as well as ground-nesting birds such as curlew and terns. In challenging environments where traditional survey methods are limited, thermal drones provide an efficient, accurate, and non-invasive alternative.
This work forms part of our wider commitment to combining innovation with ecological understanding to inform practical conservation solutions. Our team were on hand to explain how the data gathered via drone surveys supports both research and on-the-ground decision-making.
Engaging with Stakeholders
One of the most rewarding aspects of the show was the opportunity to meet with a broad range of stakeholders—gamekeepers, landowners, stalkers, conservationists, students, and members of the public. These conversations are invaluable for building partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and ensuring that our research continues to meet the needs of those working to manage and protect the British countryside.
We were particularly pleased by the level of interest shown by young people in the fields of ecology, land management, and conservation science. Encouraging the next generation of scientists and practitioners is central to the Trust’s mission, and events such as The Stalking Show play an important role in fostering that engagement.
Looking Ahead
Our sincere thanks go to everyone who visited the GWCT stand, engaged with our team, and showed such genuine interest in our work. We are proud to be part of a community that values both the tradition of deer management and the importance of evolving scientific methods to support wildlife and habitats for the future.
We look forward to continuing these important conversations—and to returning to The Stalking Show in 2026.
