Ravenwood
Well-Known Member
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Oh please. Straightforward question and everyone is entitled to an opinion. But hunting live animals for the fun of seeing them run away and hopefully kill them later? No thanks. It's barbaric. I've asked this before and no-one has ever offered a valid and considered answer.
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I have shamelessly copied this as a reply I have used many times but I hope it answers your request for a valid and considered answer............
You have to remember that there is not a single inch of natural land in the UK - every little bit of the countryside that you see is man made, managed by man etc. Even here on Exmoor where tourists would consider this a wilderness, infact it has been completely reshaped by Man over the centuries.
Obviously this then has an impact on the ecology, natural food chain and wildlife.
It is also very important to remember that these large areas of rurality are only in existence because of the gain to the local people who shaped them over the years - lets not forget that authorities such as the National Parks and National Trust are extremely young in the timescale of our being here on earth! If it were not for the farmers/small holders/crofters of centuries back who maintained this countryside - it would not exist now for the Government to take over and control with their subsidies, planning etc.
In conclusion it has now come about that foxes and other wildlife have to be culled by human resources in order to keep a healthy balance - ie that is how we have made it. To people who work and farm the countryside that you so enjoy, vermin control has to be carried out by ourselves.
The argument for and against hunting then comes down to whether you feel that vermin control could be carried out in a more appeasing manner than hunting. Currently we have the alternative options of snares, shooting or poison.
Which would you choose?
Have you ever heard a litter of fox pups crying night after night because the vixen has been shot? Probably not, but at least hunting is done within a closed season and prevents this. Have you ever come across an animal caught in a snare? I assure you it is not pleasant.
So, unless an alternative to hunting can be found - in my mind, the traditional way wins hands down. It really doesn't matter who follows and for what reasons if you have the quarry's welfare at heart.
Oh please. Straightforward question and everyone is entitled to an opinion. But hunting live animals for the fun of seeing them run away and hopefully kill them later? No thanks. It's barbaric. I've asked this before and no-one has ever offered a valid and considered answer.
[/ QUOTE ]
I have shamelessly copied this as a reply I have used many times but I hope it answers your request for a valid and considered answer............
You have to remember that there is not a single inch of natural land in the UK - every little bit of the countryside that you see is man made, managed by man etc. Even here on Exmoor where tourists would consider this a wilderness, infact it has been completely reshaped by Man over the centuries.
Obviously this then has an impact on the ecology, natural food chain and wildlife.
It is also very important to remember that these large areas of rurality are only in existence because of the gain to the local people who shaped them over the years - lets not forget that authorities such as the National Parks and National Trust are extremely young in the timescale of our being here on earth! If it were not for the farmers/small holders/crofters of centuries back who maintained this countryside - it would not exist now for the Government to take over and control with their subsidies, planning etc.
In conclusion it has now come about that foxes and other wildlife have to be culled by human resources in order to keep a healthy balance - ie that is how we have made it. To people who work and farm the countryside that you so enjoy, vermin control has to be carried out by ourselves.
The argument for and against hunting then comes down to whether you feel that vermin control could be carried out in a more appeasing manner than hunting. Currently we have the alternative options of snares, shooting or poison.
Which would you choose?
Have you ever heard a litter of fox pups crying night after night because the vixen has been shot? Probably not, but at least hunting is done within a closed season and prevents this. Have you ever come across an animal caught in a snare? I assure you it is not pleasant.
So, unless an alternative to hunting can be found - in my mind, the traditional way wins hands down. It really doesn't matter who follows and for what reasons if you have the quarry's welfare at heart.
