We need an Pro Active Hunting Association and we need to support it.

[kes]

Getting people to do what we do with a camera initially may be the start of them learning about why numbers need controlling. Making the tree planting/cover crops/conservation work we all do a little more prominent would be a large plus. Maybe we cannot convince a simple majority to support shooting but I suggest we can justify the 86% (in the RSPB survey) thinking shooting is anodyne, even with its conservation benefits, a positive and needed pastime.
We are perhaps missing the fact that we are part of the public, its not impossible by reasoned argument and self-control to ensure the rest of the public don't see us as killing furry animals for "fun" but shooting to control numbers and supporting other species and habitats in general. To do this well we need to challenge the fanatics and show, scientifically that they are wrong. Without evidence we are lost, expecting others to accept our viewpoint without meeting their needs to do so will result in failure.
There is much to "sell" and something convinced us all that what we do is virtuous and beneficial - I am still of that mind.

All shooting people are conservationist because we, at absolute worst, wish to see quarry survive in reproducible numbers, at best, love and wish to maintain the wild, untrodden places.

 

[25 Sharps]

There’s that word again, harvest, so unacceptable to the antis that we cull that we’ve adopted softer more acceptable terminology

 

[25 Sharps]

All shooting people are conservationist because we, at absolute worst, wish to see quarry survive in reproducible numbers, at best, love and wish to maintain the wild, untrodden places.

I’m sorry but that first word is tosh, plenty of foxers out there who just want to shoot as many as they can so they can gloat about it on Facebook. Then there’s the large commercial game shoots, very much the same just in different circles.

If we want to be any better received we need to be honest about some of the less acceptable arms of the sport that do us no favours

 

[25 Sharps]

Getting people to do what we do with a camera initially may be the start of them learning about why numbers need controlling. Making the tree planting/cover crops/conservation work we all do a little more prominent would be a large plus. Maybe we cannot convince a simple majority to support shooting but I suggest we can justify the 86% (in the RSPB survey) thinking shooting is anodyne, even with its conservation benefits, a positive and needed pastime.
We are perhaps missing the fact that we are part of the public, its not impossible by reasoned argument and self-control to ensure the rest of the public don't see us as killing furry animals for "fun" but shooting to control numbers and supporting other species and habitats in general. To do this well we need to challenge the fanatics and show, scientifically that they are wrong. Without evidence we are lost, expecting others to accept our viewpoint without meeting their needs to do so will result in failure.
There is much to "sell" and something convinced us all that what we do is virtuous and beneficial - I am still of that mind.

All shooting people are conservationist because we, at absolute worst, wish to see quarry survive in reproducible numbers, at best, love and wish to maintain the wild, untrodden places.
[/QUOTE]

Too defeatist guys. People want ethically sourced food. They want to do what we do we just need to push them to see we are not cruel, but thoughtful. Show people that the antis are wrong demonstrate it. The politicians will do what gets them votes

a tiny majority do, the rest don’t give a sh*t so long as it’s cheap and tastes ok