Natural England Pilot Sussex Woods Landscape Deer Management Initiative

[bottletopbill]

Does not matter who shoots deer every one counts and a lot of wannabes put a lot of effort in and travel a long distance and keep stalkers busy.
So every one helping each other and both win and the deer losses.

 

[User00053]

I remember back many years when there was articles in the papers about the number of deer in Scotland. There were southern towny stalkers who said, If only they would let us stalk/ cull the deer, there would be no deer problem. Problem was that most of them would get lost in a three acre Sussex wood let alone the wilds of Scotland.
There are a few down south who are culling large numbers of deer and plenty of wonnabes shooting a small number every year. The wannabes are never going to get the cull that is needed sorted while they are worrying about the cost of diesel, game dealer prices or their family comittments have not allined with the stars etc.

Be interesting to see if the plan involves kick starting with some contract work then re-educating and assisting where needed given the state of play and failures to date for whatever reasons which going forwards don’t matter.
You would hope funding would be made available in the future as with rabbits if the problem is that serious as for sure if it’s ssi country ne will not be shy, just wonder what possible incentive if any for the rest of land owners.

 

[Tim.243]

One day we might learn from our European neighbours whereby multiple neighbouring landholdings, hunting areas will organise large shoots whereby you have 20 perhaps 30 rifles dotted over a good area. You then have teams of beaters who quietly stir up all the bits of cover.

Such hunts happen once or perhaps twice a year and you can achieve a heavy cull in a short space of time. And probably with much less stress than constantly chasing them with lamps etc.

One day we might learn from our European neighbours whereby multiple neighbouring landholdings, hunting areas will organise large shoots whereby you have 20 perhaps 30 rifles dotted over a good area. You then have teams of beaters who quietly stir up all the bits of cover.

Since 2000, there have been 3,325 hunting accidents in France, of which 421 were fatal, figures from l'Office français de la biodiversité and la Fédération nationale de la chasse show.

 

[Jagare]

Be interesting to see if the plan involves kick starting with some contract work then re-educating and assisting where needed given the state of play and failures to date for whatever reasons which going forwards don’t matter.
You would hope funding would be made available in the future as with rabbits if the problem is that serious as for sure if it’s ssi country ne will not be shy, just wonder what possible incentive if any for the rest of land owners.

As I understand it there is something afoot with a group of land owners and other stake holders. It will be interesting how this pans out, or even if it does.
Having spoken to some "stalkers" over the past few years its struck me how little they understand about the Etiquette of the countryside or field craft. Land owner and farmers are a special breed and can see through those who don't understand the Etiquette and rules. Waveing a Dsc under their nose with a over blown sence of your stalking skills will not fool many.

 

[Heym SR20]

Since 2000, there have been 3,325 hunting accidents in France, of which 421 were fatal, figures from l'Office français de la biodiversité and la Fédération nationale de la chasse show.

I think you will find that in other parts of Europe the accident rate is ver very much lower. It comes down to proper organisation and very good discipline. So for example of the typical German hunts that I have been on, which are not big commercial ones for hunting tourists, rather the sorts of farmers hunts organised primarily as culling exercises, the discipline and safety has been of a very high standard. You are only allowed to shoot in a clearly marked area. Any sign of a bullet going elsewhere you will be fined and loose your hunting licence. And the Forstmeister running things does check.

The only injures that occur are wild boar related where a boar attacks dogs, beaters or a hunter.

 

[Heym SR20]

Since 2000, there have been 3,325 hunting accidents in France, of which 421 were fatal, figures from l'Office français de la biodiversité and la Fédération nationale de la chasse show.

And have you actually ever participated in a driven hunt on the continent?

 

[User00053]

As I understand it there is something afoot with a group of land owners and other stake holders. It will be interesting how this pans out, or even if it does.
Having spoken to some "stalkers" over the past few years its struck me how little they understand about the Etiquette of the countryside or field craft. Land owner and farmers are a special breed and can see through those who don't understand the Etiquette and rules. Waveing a Dsc under their nose with a over blown sence of your stalking skills will not fool many.

Guess land owners actually view ( or enough to matter) deer as a problem or nothing much will happen bar isolated pockets of excellence fire fighting the mongol hordes.
Could not personally see any serious land owners taking well intentioned recreational stalkers seriously as a job of work on industrial scale faces some it would seem.
At least in the north of Scotland larger areas of ground were owned by fewer people which had a substantial influence on deer populations.
Hope situation creates full time employment for some along the way

 

[bottletopbill]

What will happen to all the carcass if this becomes a full time job who will take them.
With the average shooter being given a chance to hunt more they can fill there freezers and feed others nothing wasted .
So might stop the antis moaning a little

 

[User00053]

Knacker man or big hole in ground, game dealer would be nice in perfect world all to be arranged by........?

 

[Tim.243]

And have you actually ever participated in a driven hunt on the continent?

Not a chance...all that blowing of horns, placing a twig in your cap while giving the last rights to one of the beaters dogs with a hole in it while dressed up like....
or


While we are asking questions have you ever participated on a 300+ crop protection day?

 

[Jagare]

Knacker man or big hole in ground, game dealer would be nice in perfect world all to be arranged by........?

Or dog food. Too many worrying about what the game dealer is paying.

 

[bottletopbill]

But professional stalkers have to earn a living and also pay numerous other cost fuel ammo insurance cover.
This is why the average stalker needs to shoot more and use the meat for others and pets rather than waste it .
But we need to support every stalker and shooter and guides.

 

[big ears]

Lots of large estates around Wadhurst love bambi on there land and do not want them shot

So get them to pay for the privilege of protecting Bambi. They can recompense the farmers for the damage caused.
They might then change their mind.

 

[Heym SR20]

Not a chance...all that blowing of horns, placing a twig in your cap while giving the last rights to one of the beaters dogs with a hole in it while dressed up like....
or


While we are asking questions have you ever participated on a 300+ crop protection day?
View attachment 310979

No I haven’t shot many pigeons over decoys - so I won’t make stupid comments about about sitting in a hide shooting pigeons dressed a real tree camouflaged underpants.

 

[User00053]

Would hope there plenty of people who would enjoy free venison if available to them as some members are busy demonstrating, criminal what goes into the ground as past sell by date which to me says something very wrong

 

[User00053]

No I haven’t shot many pigeons over decoys - so I won’t make stupid comments about about sitting in a hide shooting pigeons dressed a real tree camouflaged underpants.

Thong please, got to suffer for style.

 

[Tim.243]

No I haven’t shot many pigeons over decoys - so I won’t make stupid comments about about sitting in a hide shooting pigeons dressed a real tree camouflaged underpants.

You don't have to as they wear them blowing horns




Asda boxers if I remember...

 

[bottletopbill]