Given that these species have existed for millennia before grouse shooting was a thing (and continue to exist across Eurasia where grouse shooting is still not a thing), though, it's clearly far from the only management system/environment in which they can exist
In an ideal world I'd like to see all sport and large-scale commercial fishing banned. The latter on both welfare and environmental grounds. As far as sport fishing is concerned it's complicated by the fact that sport anglers are a big pressure group in favour of clean river/marine environments (not that that seems to be helping with the current sewage situation), but I wish people could find pleasure in the clean and thriving environment for its own sake, not because they like doing the fish equivalent of waterboarding their victims.
So sport fishing is possibly OK because of conservation, but the same cannot be said of hunting and shooting, although there is evidence that both can benefit conservation programmes?
Oh where to start. One pheasants are not a native species. Two I very much doubt every bird does in reality get eaten. Three birds will suffer as not often killed instantly. Four Is it really ethical to breed birds to just to release in to the country side simply to shoot? I do not know a great deal about shooting but to me as a outsider it seems cruel and pointless.
Possibly but some animals are at risk both in the UK and the rest of the world due to a loss of habitat and higher numbers of predators.
I wouldn’t necessarily disagree that elements of the human race are disgusting, but to me hunting of other animals is not one of these things. Many animals in this world are involved in hunting one way or another and I don’t find their need to hunt disgusting. It is a part of the natural world that you suggest we enjoy.
Do you seriously believe that animals have those thought processes and fears?
No I am not, however I do question your highly anthropomorphic and presumably intentionally ridiculously emotive, statements.
Question away, I turned the tables on what we do to animals in the name of “sport” perhaps you find the analogy uncomfortable.
There are animals out there that kill for reasons other than food or survival.
Is hunting not a natural behaviour of humans ?
Fox hunting and shooting are predominantly for pleasure. There are not many people that shoot to survive these days. You can hardly compare a animal hunting for food to a organised shoot, The only animal I can think of that kills for fun is the domestic cat.
Yes, I do, and have done for years.
Obviously I can’t speak for YG, but on the basis that I agree with most of what she has posted on this thread , then no I don’t find it uncomfortable . I find the assigning of human emotions to animals a bit of a pointless exercise.
Try the fox as well.
