National Trust deploys air rifle volunteers for grey squirrel control

The National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in Somerset has implemented a new common sense approach to grey squirrel control, using trained volunteers equipped with air rifles.

The 5,059-hectare estate, which spans part of Exmoor National Park, faces significant tree damage from grey squirrels that strip bark from both young and mature trees. In severely affected areas, the rodents can remove up to 70% of bark, weakening trees and making them vulnerable to wind damage.

Traditional lethal trapping methods were abandoned after pine martens were discovered on the estate, as traps posed risks to these protected predators. Live trapping proved impractical due to the estate’s size and resource requirements.

Instead, trained volunteers operate from fixed bait stations using air rifles to target grey squirrels. Between October 2024 and June 2025, approximately 150 grey squirrels were removed from badly damaged areas.

The estate is currently working with neighbouring landowners to establish a syndicate of trained volunteers across Exmoor National Park, demonstrating how air rifles can provide effective grey squirrel control solutions — even in sensitive public environments.

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