Releasing non native species to hunt

[BenBhoy]

As I think someone said above, that's basically what farming is...

Nothing at all like it.

 

[shakey jake]

I hope no one that want a lower population has kids?

 

[Demetrius]

I was being realistic....you need a minimum number to make a society work. Unless, of course, you want to live "off grid" permanently.

I don't. And I don't have kids.

D.

 

[Pedro]

Releasing an animal with the express purpose of then killing it has no justification.

And yes, this could apply to game birds that are reared in captivity and then released.

As opposed to animals that are not "released" but are killed such as sheep, cows and chickens perhaps, many species of which aren't native but are introduced or bred for food?

 

[BenBhoy]

but are introduced or bred for food?

But they are kept. Fenced in. You have a level of control (depending on the sheep breed!!) over where they are..you manage their grazing, their nutrition etc. There's thousands of differences between farming and just releasing some animals, giving them a headstart of, what, months, years? And then start shooting them ?? At the very least it's completely irresponsible to the existing biodiversity. People here are usually quick enough to condemn rewilding as "ecogreen nonsense".

 

[WW.]

Nothing at all like it.

I'm a big supporter of farming, particularly British farming, have shepherded and still have hens and am a bee farmer. But for any enterprise which keeps animals for food, it is the same principle- put animals on an area for the purpose of killing them. Farming affects biodiversity too, hence why certain methods are preferable, but the idea that reintroduction of formerly native species might be more harmful to the environment or pose greater welfare issues than certain, particularly intensive, farming systems is laughable.

 

[Demetrius]

A good point.......I suppose the only real difference between rearing farm animals for food, and rearing birds for "field sport" shooting, rather than humane killing, is the apparent delight some people take in the killing for sport aspect, as opposed to the sadness experienced by some farmers when the abbatoir lorry arrives.

And no, I'm not a vegan....I was for a few years, but I caved in when the dinner invites dried up....

D.

 

[BenBhoy]

I'm a big supporter of farming, particularly British farming, have shepherded and still have hens and am a bee farmer. But for any enterprise which keeps animals for food, it is the same principle- put animals on an area for the purpose of killing them. Farming affects biodiversity too, hence why certain methods are preferable, but the idea that reintroduction of formerly native species might be more harmful to the environment or pose greater welfare issues than certain, particularly intensive, farming systems is laughable.

Agree with some of that. Intensive farming, livestock & (more so) arable are no friends to biodiversity.

But not all the suggestions were previously native (someone said coyotes!!) which is more laughable.

 

[WW.]

Agree with some of that. Intensive farming, livestock & (more so) arable are no friends to biodiversity.

But not all the suggestions were previously native (someone said coyotes!!) which is more laughable.

Fair, I agree with you about non native species- I guess myself and others talking about reintroduction of former native species have ignored the title of the thread! Intensive arable in particular is a nightmare for wildlife... At least the vegan bandwagon seems to be losing its wheels a bit.

There's a reason traditional farming did things a certain way.

 

[BenBhoy]

I'm not opposed to releasing previously native species IF the relevant impacts are predicted beforehand & if it's being done for the right reason (e.g. to try to restore the countryside back to a balance of times gone by). But IMO, releasing them, just so people can satisfy their desires to kill something new... That just sounds wrong. Especially at a time when shooting in this country is under so much scrutiny & criticism. We are always trying to promote the reasons we carry out vermin control for greater good etc - but threads like this do us no favours in the eyes of Joe public who thinks all shooters just like killing stuff,.any stuff they can.

 

[Buchan]

Is that really that much different from free range farming, it all ends up as meat.

I understand that, but it is different. Welfare at slaughter being a huge aspect.

And I am uncomfortable with the prime reason for shooting something being my pleasure. Shooting moving birds is not the most humane means of gaining food. Hunting genuinely wild ones, I accept there is no other option, but releasing solely to be shot is just not right

 

[Tim.243]

A good point.......I suppose the only real difference between rearing farm animals for food, and rearing birds for "field sport" shooting, rather than humane killing, is the apparent delight some people take in the killing for sport aspect, as opposed to the sadness experienced by some farmers when the abbatoir lorry arrives.

And no, I'm not a vegan....I was for a few years, but I caved in when the dinner invites dried up....

D.

What was it like growing up as a child as rationing finished in 50's
Dad lived with Grandad on remote farms but there was enough to eat with a few chickens and what was shot ferreted snared poached.

 

[enfieldspares]

Haggis.

 

[Tim.243]

Haggis.

With a battered Mars Bar on the side..

 

[timbrayford]

But they are kept. Fenced in. You have a level of control (depending on the sheep breed!!) over where they are..you manage their grazing, their nutrition etc. There's thousands of differences between farming and just releasing some animals, giving them a headstart of, what, months, years? And then start shooting them ?? At the very least it's completely irresponsible to the existing biodiversity. People here are usually quick enough to condemn rewilding as "ecogreen nonsense".

Its still meat however you harvest it

I understand that, but it is different. Welfare at slaughter being a huge aspect.

And I am uncomfortable with the prime reason for shooting something being my pleasure. Shooting moving birds is not the most humane means of gaining food. Hunting genuinely wild ones, I accept there is no other option, but releasing solely to be shot is just not right

 

[BenBhoy]

Its still meat however you harvest it

That's a sad way to view animals, wildlife & livestock.

 

[tackb]

my personal preference would be pandas , useless lazy ****s that they are but then you said self sustaining so they are out as they are too lazy to even shag for the future of their species......

 

[WW.]

I understand that, but it is different. Welfare at slaughter being a huge aspect.

And I am uncomfortable with the prime reason for shooting something being my pleasure. Shooting moving birds is not the most humane means of gaining food. Hunting genuinely wild ones, I accept there is no other option, but releasing solely to be shot is just not right

I would like game shooting to continue. Just not in a way where people who have no interest in eating their prey kill hundreds or more of birds in a day. There are clays for that. I don't think it's wrong to enjoy shooting but it cannot and must not be the only reason for which one kills.

 

[shakey jake]

my personal preference would be pandas , useless lazy ****s that they are but then you said self sustaining so they are out as they are too lazy to even shag for the future of their species......

Have you ever considered that maybe female pandas in captivity are the ugly ones?

 

[WW.]

That's a sad way to view animals, wildlife & livestock.

Is that not an honest way? They are meat. They are also not just meat.