Sako Hunter
Well-Known Member
Last year I acquired some new ground between Bristol and Bath, only a small patch with a handful of Roe on it. The farmer had planted a belt of new saplings and asked if i'd keep the numbers in check, monitor damage and take the odd one out as he likes to see them about. on previous stalks I'd seen one or two animals, but never the right sex or in a safe position for a shot. However the farmer was happy with this approach, as he said he likes to see them on the land. The land isn't on my doorstep so I can only get there a handful of times per year.
On my last visit, I asked if he'd seen many about, no he said, however "this chap will" pointing to a guy with a shotgun just coming back into the farmyard after shooting the odd crow. On talking to this chap in question, he said he'd brought a mate in with a deer caliber rifle, and they had shot them all to protect the farmers trees. "Nice animals they were too he said, shot four one morning as they had never really been shot at before and just stood there" he showed me a few few pics of the animals they had taken. Not wanting to cause a scene I said I'll see you about and went for a walk about the farm with the binos, needless to say I saw nothing that evening or the next morning.
Over a brew with the farmer he said his brother had asked the chap to shoot the deer, fearing they would damage the saplings, the farmer was about as impressed as I was, but being a joint owner of the farm, there isn't alot I can say about it.
We all know that most farmers want everything off their land, but why do some people have to shoot everything they see? I thought it was about managing a species, and taking a sustainable surplus, or is it just me?????
On my last visit, I asked if he'd seen many about, no he said, however "this chap will" pointing to a guy with a shotgun just coming back into the farmyard after shooting the odd crow. On talking to this chap in question, he said he'd brought a mate in with a deer caliber rifle, and they had shot them all to protect the farmers trees. "Nice animals they were too he said, shot four one morning as they had never really been shot at before and just stood there" he showed me a few few pics of the animals they had taken. Not wanting to cause a scene I said I'll see you about and went for a walk about the farm with the binos, needless to say I saw nothing that evening or the next morning.
Over a brew with the farmer he said his brother had asked the chap to shoot the deer, fearing they would damage the saplings, the farmer was about as impressed as I was, but being a joint owner of the farm, there isn't alot I can say about it.
We all know that most farmers want everything off their land, but why do some people have to shoot everything they see? I thought it was about managing a species, and taking a sustainable surplus, or is it just me?????