Hares….yay or nay?

[Jeebs]

I have recently been asked to reduce hare numbers on one of my permissions and to be quite honest I’m in two minds about it.

I have said I won’t even consider doing so until after the 31st of July.

At the moment it’s herbal ley (grant incentivised) that has been cut and bailed for haylage for horses. There’s nothing to be damaged. I’m unsure if he’s planning a second cut, but given that it’s July now I doubt he will be.

Part of their consideration is to avoid the land being used by “our friends in Mitsubishi shoguns with dogs”, their words not mine, for coursing, but I think barriers and sensible precautions would do a better job.

Ive sat for a few hours this week and each evening I have counted not less than 12 hares within an area of about 60 hectares. Which I believe puts their numbers about bang average.

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

I’m airing on the side of no at the moment but obviously don't want to upset the apple cart.

 

[jall55]

Doesnt sound many there IMHO

Many on here will say do as the landowner asks etc

I wouldn't but we are all different

 

[Mike1979]

Landowner wants them shot and considering the reason I would shoot every one that I could. If you dont want to do it then dont but I wouldnt then be upset if the farmer got someone else to do it.

Dont get me wrong, I like to see hares but if there was a risk of the same happening where I live and where I shoot I would wipe them out rather then the alternative.

 

[jall55]

Landowner wants them shot and considering the reason I would shoot every one that I could. If you dont want to do it then dont but I wouldnt then be upset if the farmer got someone else to do it.

Dont get me wrong, I like to see hares but if there was a risk of the same happening where I live and where I shoot I would wipe them out rather then the alternative.

How sad

 

[Mike1979]

How sad

Sad that illegal access to land and the associated damage makes me feel that way...fortunate not to find myself in that position.

 

[enfieldspares]

Yes. I would shoot them but do so with extreme regret. Justify it by rationalising that the hare is better killed dead by bullet and so without its sentient knowledge that by being killed dead by a dog after a painful lactic acid sustained chase.

And by clearing them out hares that are being pursued in neigbouring land by our Mitsubishi fraternity will be grateful that they can find respite by migrating into the area that you have culled. So you will have created a breathing space for neighbouring hares.

Nature abhors a vacuum the area will eventually repopulate as just said.

 

[Greenmist]

I've worked on two estates where they were removed to prevent coursing and the hassle that generated, when you say no damage is being done, three hares will eat the same as one sheep. I get no pleasure from shooting hares, however if you don't do as the farmer asks, someone will. In some areas, hares are a massive success and do need reducing, other not so much and need leaving.

 

[JMikeyH]

Yes. I would shoot them but do so with extreme regret.

Justify it by rationalising that the hare is better killed dead by bullet and so without its sentient knowledge that by being killed dead after a painful lactic acid sustained flight by a dog.

Steady on Mr Enfield! The hunt will be having a word with you otherwise for parallels

It's a tough one with hares, they are beautiful creatures but unfortunately their worth is put up against criminal damage and all else that comes along with that repulsive segment of society.

I can't even bring myself to eat hare, I find it fairly a unpleasant meat

 

[shakey jake]

I would get them shot, they are good eating or dog food

 

[Cyres]

Have you done a night time survey with a thermal. If you haven't then you might be in for a shock! Might be worth seeing if you can sell them to a game dealer or local outlet.
D

 

[NoIDeer]

Agree to shoot them only during January and/or February when they are easy to see and there is no chance of leaving young.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Haven’t shot hares in 40 years despite having been asked to. My heavy culling of foxes on one hillside has seen the re-emergence of them to both mine and the farmer’s delight.
Lovely beguiling creatures and it is well known that they are witches so just beware…..

 

[HonestJohn]

Absolutely not.

 

[Jeebs]

I know their numbers will be far higher than what I have counted.

Having read some of your responses I can see more reason to do so, but still have reservations. As some of you have said, a quick death via a bullet is better than being chased to exhaustion and ripped to death by a lurcher.

I find it quite hard to accept that wanting them gone to keep coursers away is a valid reason to shoot them. I know the damage they do and the problems they bring, but there are other means to address it. I also consider to some degree the affect they may have on yield is nullified by the fact that it’s an incentivised herbal ley, the heylage is a bonus. If it were wheat, barley or any other crop I would feel differently.

Voluntary restraint runs until the 31st anyway so I’ve said non until after then anyway.

Maybe I’m just being a bit idealistic and soft, which is quite unlike me!

 

[Mike1979]

I know their numbers will be far higher than what I have counted.

Having read some of your responses I can see more reason to do so, but still have reservations. As some of you have said, a quick death via a bullet is better than being chased to exhaustion and ripped to death by a lurcher.

I find it quite hard to accept that wanting them gone to keep coursers away is a valid reason to shoot them. I know the damage they do and the problems they bring, but there are other means to address it. I also consider to some degree the affect they may have on yield is nullified by the fact that it’s an incentivised herbal ley, the heylage is a bonus. If it were wheat, barley or any other crop I would feel differently.

Voluntary restraint runs until the 31st anyway so I’ve said non until after then anyway.

Maybe I’m just being a bit idealistic and soft, which is quite unlike me!

I think we all have a choice and as you arent being paid to do so I think morals should always come into it. There is nothing wrong with not doing it in the same way as many of us would feel less conflicted. I love hares but when they are doing damage, or in situations like yours, then they need to be dealt with.

I actually feel all of us who are honest are a bit soft and show both compassion and empathy. Ultimately if you dont want to shoo them then dont. I'm sure you have friends who would "do the deed" for you.

 

[Edd1987]

Was asked to cull some a few years back, I did it very reluctantly. I deliberately only shot 3 and made a point of showing them to the farmer. He was happy that some were gone and its never been mentioned again.

 

[Smellydog]

A couple of places of mine it's a yes and one a definite no.
I don't have an issue with it and the dog and I eat well from them.
I love watching them and have to be in the mood. Recently I was close enough to two boxing and I could hear their blows!
Truly beguiling as @Foxyboy43 says but.... sometimes needs must.
Just take a couple and send the farmer a photo. Might be satisfied then.

 

[Jeebs]

I'm sure you have friends who would "do the deed" for you.

I don’t actually, I’ve discussed it with friends who shoot and they share the same reservations as I do. Our area is very much cattle and sheep with little to no arable farming. To a degree we all share the same sentiment of how necessary it is.

Was asked to cull some a few years back, I did it very reluctantly. I deliberately only shot 3 and made a point of showing them to the farmer. He was happy that some were gone and its never been mentioned again.

I think this may be the way. It’s bizarre because he won’t let me take deer, because he likes seeing them but doesn’t share the same sentiment for hares. Arguably the deer are heavily over populated.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Absolutely detest shooting hares

I understand some have to be culled but to be honest I’d rather do it with a lurcher in January

 

[paulbshooting]

where I stalk in south hampshire, it was always agreed to leave the hares and take only rabbits. The hare population has since exploded so an annual light cull is done. Interestingly rabbit numbers have declined. Hares are magical creatures but get the need for balance.