What wouldn’t you shoot?

[Leglas]

I was holidaying on a Greek island recently when my daughter (7) and I stumbled upon a chicken coop not far from the villa. Hung up above the coop were two eagles, they’d been shot and strung up as deterrents.
My instant reaction was one of anger, and when we got back to the holiday home I wanted to report the owners of the house. My daughter isn’t a fan of me shooting and pointed out my obvious double standards. My wife pointed out that the same is done in the UK with crows, which are more intelligent birds.
The whole thing got me thinking. I’ve often felt a little like an imposter in the shooting community. I remember waiting in a gun shop and the chap in front relayed a story of how he opened his kitchen door and shot a load of garden birds and a squirrel in one go that morning, and I just stood there thinking that was pretty off.
There’s very little I’d rather be doing than stalking deer or shooting rabbits, and when we’ve livestock that needs to be slaughtered I do it myself, so I’m not anti-hunting, but I’ve always had a mental list of animals I’m comfortable killing and those I’m not. Probably based on how common they are and if I can eat them.
There’s something about hunting trips to Africa which make me feel uncomfortable. I certainly wouldn’t want to shoot big game.
But, I’m in no way blind to my double standards. I have a line I’m comfortable with, and I’d guess everyone does - except Buddhists perhaps.

I was just curious; are there any animals you wouldn’t shoot?

 

[IBD]

No, I’d shoot most things I think. Nothing has turned me and I’m lucky and have hunted various places and species.
Some hunts have been incredibly boring hence a reluctance to go back.
Other hunts the expense restricts me from doing it.
If money was no object I’d be doing loads of things around the globe

 

[Lloyd90]

Yes, sometimes I don’t see the point in shooting certain things.

I remember back when I first started shooting, I can (ashamedly) say I would shoot at anything pretty much legal, the keenness to shoot something took precedence over sporting shots.


These days, after having more experience and having shot a fair few head of game over the years, I am more than happy to let birds fly over without raising the gun, or at times even fire and miss but think what a great flush and fair play to the bird for getting away.


Shooting walked up wild birds over my spaniel is about some of the best sport I have had so far, but finding the right ground / permission to do it is getting harder and harder.






Your story of someone flinging open their back door and blowing away a bunch of garden birds is something I also would find off putting (assuming you mean sing birds etc).

I wouldn't have a problem with someone shooting magpies or corvids in the garden though .


Similar with foxes, if I see any on the farm / shoot then they are getting whacked.

If I am out for a walk with the wife and see a fox / cubs in our urban area which don’t appear to be doing any harm then we leave them be and enjoy seeing them go about their business.

 

[Pedro]

One tends to get more selective with age I find.

 

[enfieldspares]

In the UK cats even feral cats. With the exception of one that was badly injured and needed immediate relief toots suffering I would never shoot a cat. Which gamekeepers here I know will condemn. And I've been out with a gamekeepers when we have seen a feral cat and, yes, he shot it. But it's not for me not in the UK.

 

[Magnificent 7]

Monkeys and that’s about it providing it was legal

 

[Stalker62]

Why would you?

 

[samdk]

In the UK cats even feral cats. With the exception of one that was badly injured and needed immediate relief toots suffering I would never shoot a cat. Which gamekeepers here I know will condemn. And I've been out with a gamekeepers when we have seen a feral cat and, yes, he shot it. But it's not for me not in the UK.

Considering the millions of wild birds they eat I have no issue shooting them!

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Monkeys and that’s about it providing it was legal

Try farming maize in Africa and the troops of baboon turn up to share your crops with you!
I personally think it depends on where you live, then your view of quarry is different. Bear in mind Australia looks upon feral dogs as a pest. Can't see too many people here in UK shooting dogs.
As a keeper anything I consider vermin and legally quarry will get shot. However, I won't let anyone shoot pigeons on this estate over stubble. Why would you protect stubble? Drilling and growing crops no problems,on stubble they're clearing up so less volunteer regrowth to spray off.
So even I draw a line somewhere,we all have our own outlook on things.

 

[JohnSmith]

I’m not overly selective about what I shoot, but there has to be a reason for shooting it, whether it be for food, conservation (overpopulation of wolves, etc), invasive species control or protecting livestock. I won’t kill an animal just for the sake of killing it.

Try farming maize in Africa and the troops of baboon turn up to share your crops with you!
I personally think it depends on where you live, then your view of quarry is different. Bear in mind Australia looks upon feral dogs as a pest. Can't see too many people here in UK shooting dogs.

Bang on here, different places in the world have unique issues. I’ve lived in an area where dogs pack up and become feral, attacking small kids and eating smaller dogs. I’ve had to shoot many dogs due to aggression, mange, rabies etc.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Interesting post. Like many others I have transcended the “gotta be a big bag” approach and now get so much more enjoyment out of just being in the countryside - almost certainly this comes with age. Sooo in my case my “target species” list has shrunk dramatically to just a very occasional well-presented pheasant for the pot or for crop/livestock protection purposes only I.e. corvids and misbehaving foxes. As with a more recent thread I do not understand or agree with shooting foxes just for the sake of shooting - if they are not causing a problem they are a delight to lie and watch on a bright sunny morning. The countryside would be a poorer place without them.

 

[VSS]

In the UK, Woodcock.
Abroad I don't know, I've never been there.

 

[Stalker62]

As with a more recent thread I do not understand or agree with shooting foxes just for the sake of shooting - if they are not causing a problem they are a delight to lie and watch on a bright sunny morning. The countryside would be a poorer place without them.

I am teased mercilessly for my reluctance to shoot foxes on our little shoot, on which I "Keeper".

Love a fox.

 

[gixer1]

As years have gone on I think I have become more reluctant.

I couldn’t shoot an elephant, giraffe, big cats, crocs. Dogs….unless there was a specific requirement…Where I shoot now has no need to shoot foxes as they are probably helping more than hindering and I enjoy watching them now.

And I don’t really do any driven game shooting now and don’t care too….I have no problem with others doing the above but I just don’t need to.

I shoot rabbits and deer as it’s a requirement now.

Oddly enough if it was legal I’d have no problem shooting badgers as the numbers here are ridiculous. 12 observed within 1 mile the other night, PC gone mad and they are wiping out everything else.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[jall55]

I get the point about foxes but as custodians of the countryside i believe we almost have a duty to reduce their numbers
Once you get a thermal and get out after them you soon realise those 1 or 2 foxes you think are about are actually many times more than that.
I watch them hunt hedges mercilessly and as such have zero tolerance for them on our shoot.
As above Gixer we are plagued by badgers and it is sad to see the damage they do nightly but one can only stand by and watch.

As for what i wouldnt shoot - these days its more what i would
Corvids
Pigeons - sometimes
Pheasants and partridge
Fox
Rabbit where numbers allow
And the odd deer

 

[pjkaz]

Anything i had no intention of eating.

 

[Tim.243]

View attachment 257824

Why would you?

Where do you think the long pieces of leather come from for all the fat stalkers belts... or the reins for the 6/8 in hand come from

 

[shakey jake]

Where do you think the long pieces of leather come from for all the fat stalkers belts... or the reins for the 6/8 in hand come from View attachment 257841

would that image count as driven game?

 

[Woodsmoke]

I don't shoot foxes. Absolutely no problem with anyone who does, and it's not through affection for them. The sole reason I don't shoot foxes is that I have no need to. We have them here, and often see them passing close by our yard. Up until now, none have shown any interest whatsoever in our hens, and as long as it stays that way they get a free pass.

I also won't shoot hares, and haven't for around 30 years now. Again, no problem with anyone who does, and I love eating hare. Pheasants are off the list too these days. No other reason than a couple of bad experiences with game syndicates, and the fact I find them less and less palatable these days

 

[Magnificent 7]

Try farming maize in Africa and the troops of baboon turn up to share your crops with you!
I personally think it depends on where you live, then your view of quarry is different. Bear in mind Australia looks upon feral dogs as a pest. Can't see too many people here in UK shooting dogs.
As a keeper anything I consider vermin and legally quarry will get shot. However, I won't let anyone shoot pigeons on this estate over stubble. Why would you protect stubble? Drilling and growing crops no problems,on stubble they're clearing up so less volunteer regrowth to spray off.
So even I draw a line somewhere,we all have our own outlook on things.

Agree with baboon tbh I didn’t include those in my monkey quote I’d say if monekys had a choice they’d think the same too