Country sports in Galloway are facing a bleak future after the renewed lockdown wiped out the remainder of the shooting season.
The industry had already been grappling with financial uncertainty before the latest restrictions hit.
Now gamekeepers and others are losing their jobs as estates count the cost of lost income from big-spending shooting parties.
Many invested five-figure sums in buying in pheasant chicks and eggs and bringing the birds to maturity.
But Covid has shot down hopes that the season could be salvaged.
Haugh of Urr businessman Andrew Case told the News the industry was “on its knees” – and warned pubs and hotels would feel the draught in the year ahead.
Mr Case, who runs hunting, shooting and fishing business Case Sports, said: “The last chance to rescue something has now been crushed.
“The season ends at the end of January leaving no further opportunities to recover.
“Those that did now face huge financial losses and already jobs have been lost.
“Under-keepers have been the first to be let go but full-time game keepers are losing their jobs already.
“Then there’s the beaters, the pickers-up, caterers not to mention local hospitality.
“People think it is the shooting world that will be affected.
“But truth be known the hospitality industry will suffer most.”
Mr Case said the premature end to the 2021 shooting season is likely to have a massive impact on the sport.
Many shooting estates opted not to risk investing thousands of pounds early last year due to Covid restrictions.
Now, according to Mr Case, the longer-term implications are even more concerning – and not just for shooting.
He said: “Whether it’s small syndicates releasing 500 birds to estates releasing 15,000 to 20,000, the costs can be in the tens of thousands of pounds.
“What people do not appreciate is the chain and the timing.
“It is now that estates would normally make decisions on numbers of birds for the following season.
“Normally 50 per cent of those costs would be paid by clients’ deposits by April.
“The uncertainty prevents commitment and without this the estates are unable to fund the operation.
“Clients are already nervous about 2021 and hesitant to commit. Thus we can already expect a similar situation to 2020.”
Mr Case added: “Once we reach some kind of normality, hospitality businesses will re-open with enthusiasm and in anticipation of better times ahead.
“But come next winter they will be left questioning where everyone is.
“That will be when the real effects of the virus will be truly realised – when our providers of the sport are no longer in operation and there’s nothing to offer.
“As the saying goes, you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone.”
