# Hampshire drone scheme helps police identify pheasant poaching suspect

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/moment-pheasant-poachers-are-caught-by-drone-firing-catapults-at-the-birds-in-first-of-its-kind-police-operation/
- Published: 2026-10-21T12:22:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T12:39:29+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16226297/pheasant-poachers-drone-firing-catapults-birds.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Drone volunteers filmed men firing catapults at pheasants.
- Footage helped police identify the car’s 29-year-old driver.
- He received a victim awareness course requirement and a warning.

## Summary

Police drone volunteers in Hampshire filmed three men firing catapults at pheasants from a car on private farmland, helping officers identify the driver. The incident highlights how a new volunteer scheme is being used to detect rural crime and gather evidence.

The footage was recorded near Linkenholt on 7 October after the men trespassed in a Honda CR-V; it showed a pheasant being injured and the vehicle damaging a crop field as it drove away. A 29-year-old man from Dibden Purlieu admitted involvement and received a Community Resolution requiring a victim awareness course, as well as a warning about his behaviour. The scheme is funded by Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes and the police and crime commissioner.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.