Crunch talks between a group of Moray wildfowlers and campaigners seeking to ban the shooting of geese at a beauty spot will be held today.
The two opposing factions will square off at Moray Council’s headquarters in Elgin, after both sides presented the authority with petitions backing their cause.
The Friends of Findhorn Bay group is imploring the council to outlaw hunting on the stretch of shore between the coastal village and Forres.
Members presented the local authority with a petition in favour of a ban, which had been signed by 811 residents.
But, huntsmen determined to ensure the pastime’s future rallied and launched a counter-petition online – which has been backed by 1,400 people.
This afternoon, leading representatives from both groups will attend a summit, during which the council hopes to thrash out a compromise.
Last month, Forres councillor Anne Skene said the debate had become “an emotive and highly-charged issue”.
She suggested an existing “no shooting zone” be extended to direct the activities away from residential areas.
But last night, pro-wildfowling campaigner Martin Gauld refused to support such a move.
Mr Gauld said: “That would be as good as banning it altogether, where we shoot just now is safe and works well for the flight path of the geese.
“People know where to go, and it would not make sense to take that away.
“However, we still want to work out some sort of a compromise over this, without any bawling and shouting or fighting.
“Whatever the outcome, I want both sides to feel they have achieved something.”
Campaigners in favour of the practice have hailed the economic benefits it brings to Moray, and describe the shooting of geese and other birds as a valued tradition.
The Friends of Findhorn Bay group says allowing shooters to kill birds as they fly overhead near Kinloss is at odds with the area’s image as a nature reserve.
Lead campaigner Lisa Mead has urged the council to “end the insanity” of the practice by imposing sanctions against it.
Council officers said the legal formalities involved with creating a byelaw could cost the authority £15,000 and a further £20,000 if the request was to go before a public inquiry.