foxdropper
Well-Known Member
It’s a given mate .That fenn is a patient creature 
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What wouldn’t you shoot?
- Thread starter Leglas
- Start date
I will always shoot a fox if I can on the stalking ground, as there’s a commercial shoot there. I have to say that I admire them at the same time though.
They are a beautiful animal and a worthy quarry.
They are a beautiful animal and a worthy quarry.
i have not enjoyed the act of killing for many many years. Its the Hunt is the enjoyment
Sheprador1973
Well-Known Member
Fair enough mate, understood.
Sheprador1973
Well-Known Member
I have to agree to the admiration...but for me that means I don't put them in the crosshairs or pull. I guess a worthy quarry for one is different to another's version of worthy dependent upon circumstances. If my landowner asked me to shoot them I would to keep the land, albeit reluctantly, but don't think I would enjoy a second. Each to their own of course, and that's fine by me.
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Choice is the key word here I think .
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
It survives better because in this homocentric world when things get tough it will find a farmyard and mingle with the feral moggies. It may even beget a few more mongrels infused with hybrid vigour while its there.
Sheprador1973
Well-Known Member
Agreed. And I have not and would not directly challenge anyone on here as to what they choose to shoot for whatever reason. I think we've all answered the OPs question coming from from different places. And disagreeing is still fine yeah? No harm meant or done
lincolnjefferies
Well-Known Member
Its not a problem if you need the meat or its a matter of conservation or predator control. But I probably won't ever be shooting snipe or woodcock or bowling over hares again. Or only in the unlikely event of them ever becoming numerous. The pressure on habitat and biodiversity in my region, makes the remaining declining populations of habitat specific wild creatures, just too precious to shoot and eat.
I don't really understand the objection to canned hunting in Africa - if it wasn't for western hunters, those animal populations and habitat would very likely be lost. And there will be some benefit to the local economy.
You can shoot whatever you like, but know your quarry, don't destroy habitat and support conservation and green issues.
I don't really understand the objection to canned hunting in Africa - if it wasn't for western hunters, those animal populations and habitat would very likely be lost. And there will be some benefit to the local economy.
You can shoot whatever you like, but know your quarry, don't destroy habitat and support conservation and green issues.
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From reading your original post, it's hard to knock you as a hunter. Your heart seems in the right place, and in a similar place to mine. There should be a reason to shoot things. We shouldn't just do it for the fun of it, but...
What you have to keep in mind is what these animals mean to the people around them. You say you don't really like the idea of hunting Africa - why? Sure, when you sit here and look at those big animals they're pretty grand, but they also destroy crops and at the very worst, kill people. I wonder if you'd feel the same way about lions if they'd eaten one of your family? Or elephants if they'd trashed every fence on your farm and ruined your crop. There's no Tesco out there, that crop is life. Chances are if we lived in their world we'd want to shoot every single one of the bloody things! We need to respect that and give those animals a value, a reason to be there (make them a good source of income for the locals). Those eagles are the same - I suspect they were causing bother.
My thoughts have developed hugely over the years. My take on it now is that if animals need to be culled, it doesn't matter what they are. What matters more is why. I've more problem with shooting a fox that's minding its own business on an arable farm than I do with shooting a lion or elephant that's causing bother. Everything eats, sleeps and breathes just like we do and we need a damned good reason to take that away. Nothing should be put on pedestal and nothing should be treated with contempt.
What you have to keep in mind is what these animals mean to the people around them. You say you don't really like the idea of hunting Africa - why? Sure, when you sit here and look at those big animals they're pretty grand, but they also destroy crops and at the very worst, kill people. I wonder if you'd feel the same way about lions if they'd eaten one of your family? Or elephants if they'd trashed every fence on your farm and ruined your crop. There's no Tesco out there, that crop is life. Chances are if we lived in their world we'd want to shoot every single one of the bloody things! We need to respect that and give those animals a value, a reason to be there (make them a good source of income for the locals). Those eagles are the same - I suspect they were causing bother.
My thoughts have developed hugely over the years. My take on it now is that if animals need to be culled, it doesn't matter what they are. What matters more is why. I've more problem with shooting a fox that's minding its own business on an arable farm than I do with shooting a lion or elephant that's causing bother. Everything eats, sleeps and breathes just like we do and we need a damned good reason to take that away. Nothing should be put on pedestal and nothing should be treated with contempt.
Some confusion there, lincolnjefferies. Most hunting in Africa is very far from the reviled "canned hunting", and this is what preserves species and habitats by giving wild animals value and putting money into the local economies.Perversely to some, it is the "big ticket" animals which produce most income. It's a big topic and you might start by checking out Conservation Namibia and Lion Landscapes for example if you want to know more.
levigsp
Well-Known Member
I would say the ones that need therapy are the ones that hunt in any form from mice to elephants and don't enjoy it. We we put on this earth to do one thing like all animals and that is to procreate. to do so we like all other animals need to feed and survive. Now all animals evolved differently in what they eat and where they live etc, however the great apes like us were set apart to be different to the norm, we were granted the the brains to enjoy what we should do naturally. We need to procreate and most enjoy a good rut. We need to eat and most enjoy a good meal. We hunt to eat or protection of ourselves or our goods etc and in truth most enjoy it. I am not going to be swayed by lily livered snow flakes especially those on hunting site. I am extremely proud that I abide by my god given right to enjoy the things I was put on this earth to do, yes I hunt because I enjoy it but I only hunt things that need to be killed. The true nutter are those that kill or torture animals for other reason and get enjoyment from doing so, eg the kids that use a hedgehog as a football, the lab worker torturing a rat or dog etc.
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Monty2011
Well-Known Member
The one thing I’d love to be able to shoot would have to be Sea Guls!!!
I can’t stand them! They are aggressive noisy and I’m sure wait till either the wife has hung the washing out or I’ve just washed the car to release it’s load
I’ve had them take a pasty out of my hand and taken a bag of chips of my boy!
I can’t stand them! They are aggressive noisy and I’m sure wait till either the wife has hung the washing out or I’ve just washed the car to release it’s load
I’ve had them take a pasty out of my hand and taken a bag of chips of my boy!
They did die like that in 53 from Mxymatosis and several times since. Govt have a lot to answer for, the suffering they caused to rabbits being one with mxy and vhd. And the same creatures tell us we can't hunt with dogs.
Munties had moved sixty miles by 1939, so after that no point in trying to be Dahliks.
Interesting thread.
For me there is a series of questions to answer (what I have heard termed a matrix of justification) regarding legality, if it is a part of a sustainable cull, ecological impact of the species, damage/pest status, landowners wishes, use of meat, and many other factors.
Fundamentally if the questions are answered to a satisfactory standard then it’s a ‘yes’ from me, how pretty something is certainly isn’t an issue. I find it a bit odd when I hear folks who watch roe kids all year, then shoot them in December, talk about shooting elephants or monkeys with distain.
What I’ll generally leave is very large stags (and yes, I have shot them in the past) and truly exceptional bucks. Too many others shooting them sadly so unless they make a home in vulnerable restock they get a pass.
For me there is a series of questions to answer (what I have heard termed a matrix of justification) regarding legality, if it is a part of a sustainable cull, ecological impact of the species, damage/pest status, landowners wishes, use of meat, and many other factors.
Fundamentally if the questions are answered to a satisfactory standard then it’s a ‘yes’ from me, how pretty something is certainly isn’t an issue. I find it a bit odd when I hear folks who watch roe kids all year, then shoot them in December, talk about shooting elephants or monkeys with distain.
What I’ll generally leave is very large stags (and yes, I have shot them in the past) and truly exceptional bucks. Too many others shooting them sadly so unless they make a home in vulnerable restock they get a pass.
DevonRifle
Well-Known Member
Young animals I have an issue with. I don’t like shooting rabbits in summer and leaving dependent young and I don’t like to shoot roe does in November and March.
This little fella was orphaned and found on the farm we live on. He is so tiny and hasn’t changed colour yet. He was wondering for days on his own.
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