We live in SW Scotland and come across groups of wildfowlers from time to time, who all share a completely baffling enthusiasm for blasting beautiful wild fowl from the skies.
I'm aware that the Scottish Parliament have placed a temporary suspension on these activites (until Friday at worst) due to the current wintry conditions, however how does wildfowling actually sit in terms of wild bird management and conservation (as per B.A.S.C.) ?
SW Scotland suffers hugely from lack of tourism, however this 'sport' seems almost barbaric.
Is there something I'm missing here ?
Thoughts on this one would be greatly appreciated
That a very diplomatic reply kat, andgood morning hope you are ok. best regards mac
Compulsive1 said: Thanks for the welcome KatTai From a RSPB perspective, it just seems a wee bit out of kilter with wild bird protection. I suppose like any traditional hunting & shoooting activity, modern values will gradually take hold. Maybe I'm being too sentimental - I'm currently feeding the ducks on the local frozen lochs hoping they don't stray into war zone areas. Have a great Christmas
Thanks for the welcome KatTai
From a RSPB perspective, it just seems a wee bit out of kilter with wild bird protection. I suppose like any traditional hunting & shoooting activity, modern values will gradually take hold.
Maybe I'm being too sentimental - I'm currently feeding the ducks on the local frozen lochs hoping they don't stray into war zone areas.
Have a great Christmas
You're welcome.
I think it is a welfare v conservation issue - the RSPB isn't a welfare charity but a conservation one and when it comes to conservation, for the most part the shooting of game and wildfowl isn't having a negative conservation impact and can be beneficial to other species (if you haven't already, I would suggest watching the Natural World episode on butterflies as there was a game keeper on there who was having a tremendous benificial impact on the UK's native butterflies tro show you an example of how shooting estates can benefit wildlife). Where the lines cross is when it comes to the illegal persecution of other species such as birds of prey - and this is where some shooting estates have a very negative impact on certain species such as hen harriers and golden eagles. But this is a seperate issue and all game/wildfowl shoots can't all be thrown in the same pot and all of them condemned for the illegal actions of a minority.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi Compulsive1
I hope that you do not mind what I said in my last post. Things are not always sweet and fluffy and as I said I prefer to stay out of this thread.
Kat, I take what you have said on board too. I have read and replied to many posts like this one over the past 4-5 years on my bird Forums and have learned a lot from the experience.
Compulsive1: I look forward plenty of chats with you on other threads
You have a great Xmas too and stay warm too!!
Regards
Kathy and Dave