Tony you make a good point about using a pistol for dispatch, I was called out for the first time a cool weeks ago, I took a shotgun, it was 2000 muntjac with a broken back, his front half was very mobile, I wouldn't have fancied using a pistol and the PM was surprisedh quickly I got there.
Thank you gentlemen for a very interesting read
This thread has given me q good insight as i have been thinking about attending such a course - not interested in a hand gun myself!!!
I am not only quite a active deer stalker / i have worked with the local government as a road worker for 27 years and part of those duties is being on call after hours .
Part of those duties is dealing with RTCs involving deer!!!
My personal opinion is / if the person has the necessary insurance in place to go about such a duty and are trained or experienced - there is no reason for them ( with the police officers - land owners consent ) to carry it out!!
Now here is another key thing - first response!! to end the suffering of the animal as soon as possible , whether its the stalker / armed response or the Vet!!
I have seen the increase in Cornwall with RTCs involving deer grow in the last 3 years and for a Vet or a Police armed response team could take quite a while to get on site - having a insured /trained / experienced stalker nearby is a valuable asset to have , for those that are willing to give up their time to deal with such matters!!
Doing the course to just get a pistol seems foolhardy , doing the course to do your best to stop any unnecessary suffering to animals is the right way to think if you are prepared to do such a duty!!
I think we must be careful in our thoughts with this ( including police thoughts ) to those that carry this duty out - they are not paid and do it to stop any suffering to the animal as quick as humanely possible!!
And if these people stood back and said get on with it to the Police - with the Police"s money / time constraints , i can see alot more suffering when animals are involved with RTCs...
Thanks for reading ...