Deer Stalking… reliable word of mouth recommendation from someone you know has undertaken such stalking being offered by a specific syndicate is best. Like other walks of life, stalking has its scammers. E.G., make sure there is deer, of the species sought, on the land being made available; that appropriate insurance is in place; that there is recourse for recompense if it all goes wrong. In addition, obtain and understand terms and conditions; consider the implications of allowing a syndicate leader to be a FAC mentor; make sure ‘coaches’ are suitably qualified; consider the quality of deer management, the construction & execution of a shooting plan and safety; determine if the land is over-shot.
Chuck wrote:Well I'd say YES it SHOULD continue if it would let me.
If it's for the pot then fine, if left to rot then NO. Since I assume most grouse are eaten what's the problem. Don't tell me it's cruel, that's just bollox. CRUEL is slitting an animals throat while someone says a prayer over it, having animals in pens waiting to be killed in the next room or dragging chickens through electrified baths to "stun" them before they hit the machines - not always successful.
I think if people are worried about animal welfare then fine, but get into reality mode and stop picking on a sector that DOES ultimately affect other shooters.
As an aside, I wish to hell those who have a pop at other shooting sport disciplines because THEY do not like it would STFU and think how asking the government to ONCE AGAIN interfere in our sport and ways of life can only have bad and unintended consequences.!
clapclap Well said! Don't tell me that the majority of the meat in our food chain has a better life than a wild grouse or duck or stag and so forth...Then not to mention how other nations treat animals. I am all for responsible management of game but (I'm not accusing anyone here) the ignorance of people to those who shoot for the pot and judge them bl**dy irks me! If you can't generate an informed opinion (or just to lazy to bother) don't wade in
Dougan wrote:Difficult one this - as much as I dislike large organised shoots, I'm not sure I can vote to ban grouse shooting altogether...where could that lead with respect to other game shooters and hunters...?
What I would like to see is far more serious controls by the Environment Agency and DEFRA (yes I know that's laughable) to ensure that the management of such estates doesn't impact severely on the rest of the environment; including prosecutions for killing protected species, and the possible introduction of non-toxic shot (people who can afford grouse shooting can afford it)...
...it would reduce the number of grouse bred, and therefore the estates prospects of revenue.....but tough s***!
Not to mention that the management of grouse moors have resulted in increased biodiversity compared to unmanaged moorland.
I think 'have' is the operative word there...
I agree that good estate management can be beneficial to the environment...we have an estate down here that breeds pheasants for shooting, which I don't like, but have to concede that the land is some of the most bio-diverse I've seen in the UK...
...however if an estate's management includes killing every mammal, bird and reptile that may pose a threat to their 'golden grouse'...then that's not exactly great for biodiversity...