MPs refute woodcock petition claims in parliamentary debate

[Pedro]

let me think about that ……. oh like the legal restraint not to shoot raptors …..

The shooting of raptors happens and it's pretty big news when it does and when someone gets caught it's catastrophic for them. There's a lot more alleged raptor shooting than actually happens. Whenever a bird of prey disappears or turns up dead, foul play is automatically assumed. Otherwise, of course they would live forever.

Crime and deterrents is a whole other subject though. One of the reasons for having the death penalty is for it's deterrent value. But most of those convicted for murder are as a result of domestic situations where someone has lost control in the moment and pretty much the rest are done by people who don't consider the deterrent because they think they won't be caught. The only real reason to have the death penalty that actually made sense was financial.

However, I'm wandering off the subject, so I apologise. Oh and I don't think, whatever the close season is, that someone should be hanged for shooting a woodcock out of season. Or a bird of prey.

 

[Scotty99]

It is a bit like the "plan" the Welsh lot in Cardiff Bay had on white fronted geese. They thought it would be good to ban shooting whitefronts in Wales only to find out (ignorant lot) that Welsh Wildfowling clubs had put a voluntary moratorium on shooting this species over 20 years earlier. Sort of keep up at the back time.

David.

That‘s a great example of shooting led conservation right there. I think that the wildlife and habitat in this country would be in a much better state than it is if it were conserved by the shooting and farming communities. Politicians and charities haven’t got a clue.

 

[Kevgun]

A lot of dead Raptors are mostly young ones who haven't learnt to Hunt, My friend keeps Raptors and he has said from experience that the young aren't very good hunters to start with and if they haven't made a kill with the first half a dozen times, then things start to go downhill for them, Obviously being captive it's a different story.

Also Woodcock our way for the last 8 years don't get shot, the rules on the 6 shoots that I help on is: if you want to shoot Woodcock, you can only shoot one and you must take it home and eat it, So most leave them alone, I see plenty at Night when I'm out Foxing, mostly on grassy meadows.

 

[willie_gunn]

Good to read some of the comments from MP's in the first link, though blaming the woodcock decline on the "out of control" deer population is not one I've heard before?

Coincidentally there was a report in the paper this morning that the Eurasian Woodcock has the brightest white feathers ever recorded of any bird:

Woodcocks have the brightest white feathers ever measured

The mainly brown woodcock uses its bright white tail feathers to communicate in semi-darkness.

www.techexplorist.com

Woodcocks have the brightest white feathers ever measured | Imperial News | Imperial College London

The mainly brown woodcock uses its bright white tail feathers to communicate in semi-darkness, reflecting 30% more light than any other known bird.

www.imperial.ac.uk

 

[kenbro]

You’re not wrong if you can’t eat it don’t shoot it . I cut my teeth as pigeon shooter , any chance for a nice pair .

Last Sunday , my first taste for 2023
View attachment 297182View attachment 297183

That floor looks clean enough to eat off

 

[timbrayford]

It's long overdue a review on the pheasant season , should be extended to include February when the birds are at their strongest.

If that was the case I'd voluntarily stop shooting them at the end of January anyway

 

[foxhunter]

If that was the case I'd voluntarily stop shooting them at the end of January anyway

Why ....best birds are in February

 

[timbrayford]

Good to read some of the comments from MP's in the first link, though blaming the woodcock decline on the "out of control" deer population is not one I've heard before?

That's just an excuse from the politicians to promote excessive deer culling that goes well beyond any reasonable attempt at deer management, as was evidenced by last year's consultation exercise.

 

[timbrayford]

Why ....best birds are in February

For the reason (allegedly) given by Col. Hawker when the Game Acts were drafted: to give the wildlife a break to settle down for the breeding season.

 

[baguio]

I stalk on thousands of acres of prime woodcock country where no shotgun shooting takes place. Woodcock spend the whole season living quite happily. Shooting will never be the reason that woodcock numbers rise or fall. Once again, this is quite simply an attack on shooting by Wild Justice and nothing to do with protecting birds.

 

[Apthorpe]

In my opinion, they went for the wrong target. What do people think about a ban on commercial shooting for wild, non-pest birds?
I don't mean e.g. rough or commercial pheasant shoots where the occasional other species might be shot. I mean people whose business is taking money for e.g. woodcock or snipe shoot days?

 

[AGR]

It's long overdue a review on the pheasant season , should be extended to include February when the birds are at their strongest.

I'm not sure how much support there would be from keepers if it extended much into February. Maybe knock a couple of weeks off the start and stick on the end.
When you live it every day, the season is long enough!

 

[baguio]

In my opinion, they went for the wrong target. What do people think about a ban on commercial shooting for wild, non-pest birds?
I don't mean e.g. rough or commercial pheasant shoots where the occasional other species might be shot. I mean people whose business is taking money for e.g. woodcock or snipe shoot days?

I don’t think much of that idea at all. If someone makes their land so attractive to something that they can sell a few days to pay towards it, then good on them. That what shooting and conservation stands for.
I guess that you would therefore support a ban on grouse shooting?

 

[foxhunter]

I'm not sure how much support there would be from keepers if it extended much into February. Maybe knock a couple of weeks off the start and stick on the end.
When you live it every day, the season is long enough!

That's what I meant , scrap October and add February.

 

[Apthorpe]

I don’t think much of that idea at all. If someone makes their land so attractive to something that they can sell a few days to pay towards it, then good on them. That what shooting and conservation stands for.
I guess that you would therefore support a ban on grouse shooting?

A very good point which I hadn't thought of. I was thinking more of a certain few people who take leases from landowners and run shoot days for snipe and woodcock exploiting the natural population and doing precisely no conservation work at all.

 

[opticron1]

I stalk on thousands of acres of prime woodcock country where no shotgun shooting takes place. Woodcock spend the whole season living quite happily. Shooting will never be the reason that woodcock numbers rise or fall. Once again, this is quite simply an attack on shooting by Wild Justice and nothing to do with protecting birds.

And that sums up the whole issue nicely..... the whole petition to Parliament has absolutely nothing to do with Woodcock. It was another attempt by the idiots in wild justice to get another restriction introduced in the shooting world in their endless battle to get shooting in any form banned. Most of the usual "useful idiots" who signed the petition (via their keyboards obviously) wouldn't have a clue what a Woodcock looked like, but just follow Packham and the other nasty little pieces of work in wild justice in whatever campaign is flavour of the month.
They'll be trying to find a different approach now they've been sent away without the hoped for response, we've had similar rubbish up here and the SNP/Greens fall for it every time....thankfully Westminster (and it pains me to say it) has some MP's who still look and listen to evidence rather than go on emotional clap trap!

 

[baguio]

A very good point which I hadn't thought of. I was thinking more of a certain few people who take leases from landowners and run shoot days for snipe and woodcock exploiting the natural population and doing precisely no conservation work at all.

Do you know of any at all that fit your description? It doesn't sound like a common problem to me.

 

[Apthorpe]

Do you know of any at all that fit your description? It doesn't sound like a common problem to me.

Yes, I do, including from firsthand experience. I'd agree that there probably aren't that many people operating on such a model, but there don't need to be many. When they're running 60-80 odd days per year, it adds up to quite heavy pressure across large areas.

I'm more thinking aloud, and I agree you'd need to be extremely careful in defining the problem not to have unintended consequences on beneficial shoots like grouse moors and so on.

 

[Alces Alces]

Imagine!? Politicians, especially those on the "Celtic Fringe" being out of touch with reality - who would have thunk it?

Kim Young-un Drakeford what an inspirational leader, would you follow that man in a fixed bayonet charge towards the enemy?

 

[mudman]

In my opinion, they went for the wrong target. What do people think about a ban on commercial shooting for wild, non-pest birds?
I don't mean e.g. rough or commercial pheasant shoots where the occasional other species might be shot. I mean people whose business is taking money for e.g. woodcock or snipe shoot days?

Or commercial shooting of wild duck? Birds which breed thousands of miles away, lured into flight ponds with copious amounts of barley purely so someone can make money. No crop protection excuse, no conservation angle, just a business exploiting birds which breed in someone else’s country.