You are right Jim, the timing is apt.
Doesn't the shooting fraternity not do the same, good news stories prior to the 12th and big up Moy and Scone.
In the past I'm sure many orgs have inadvertantly killed something by accident, but that is it , an accident.
Yes you can play with statistics, we all do.
At the end of the day poisoning is still happening and so is shooting of protected species, and it HAS to stop because that minority are f'in it up for all of us.
Poisoning has all but stopped but it only takes one bait and we're in the papers again, it's not wholely on keepers, crofting and farming are probably the main culprits on the West Coast, I lost my best ever deer dog to a bait laid on my ground by a neighbouring shepherd.
We all jump up and down when JMT LEGALLY kill and leave a few hinds on Nevis, but we are ready to defend those who if anyone will bring an end to game shooting.
If this programme is done well and shames some individuals, then good, because I am sick of all the hard work being done by SGA etc. being trashed by someone who is ready to shame a whole section of society for a few bl**dy grouse or pheasants. We are a hell of a lot more savvy nowadays and surely we are not still terrified of our bosses and there need for another 20% on the bag.
I'd rather pack shelves in Tesco's than run about as some idiots lachie breaking the law for someone who will happily see you go to jail.
What other profession will run the risk of jail, public humiliation, homelessness, depression, marrital breakdown, for minimum wage a tweed suit and a dog allowance?
As paying guns we will have to accept possibly smaller bags and higher prices for game shooting, think of it the next time you are moaning about 92 rather than the promised 100 and whether it is better for the buzzard to eat a few extra or the guy in tweed to get and extra £10 tip from you, remember if he is breaking the law it is for your pleasure not his, think of his wife when the cops kick in the door at 3am and rifle through her clothes drawers and empty the kitchen cupboards, think of his kids when the police are raking through their toybox while they are sitting terrified in their pj's in the back of a police car. These are the realities of an odd raptor getting topped, I've seen it and it ain't good, I've had the keeper on the phone at 3am , crying because his wife is going to leave because of the strain of a police investigation[which usually takes at least 2years] and he is thinking of ending it.
These are the realities of wildlife crime, it is not RSPB,SNH,BTO,PAWS or the police that are to blame , it is the shooters and owners who put on the pressure for big bags that are to blame