Never seen anything like it..

[Fairynuff]

in my life! The region of Piemonte gave the go ahead to cull the roe deer population about a month ago. Hunting was to start today but after public outcry was withdrawn. Some crazy number was mentioned with the honour of killing bucks at the modest sum of 120 euro, hinds about 100 and fawns 40 (if I remember rightly).Many other regions in Italy offered to take the excess numbers and release them in thier areas. All seemed to be going to plan till 6 30am when the first buck was shot about a mile from me. There are hundreds of protesters in the woods shouting, blowing horns, using rattles and car horns.People have stood in front of these Italian hunters who are brandishing carabines and shooting at anything that moves. I think that they are either a, very brave, or b, very stupid. I also think that allowing idiots with carabines loose in the woods is highly dangerous-you could shoot some poor bugger watering his garden 100dreds of yards away without realising.I find all of this repulsive and highly dangerous for all concerned. And the antis thought they had problems re fox hunting? Im not too keen on going outside or turning my horses out on MY land-too bloody risky.We are all stuck indoors till the hunting ends or the region backs down but.....too much dosh involved! Theyve mentioned 50,000 deer in the north of Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think yourselves lucky. Mairi.

 

[Hercules]

What is your point exactly?

Are you annoyed at the hunters going about their legitimate business, or upset by the illegal and irresponsible behaviour shown by the Animal Rights fantasists?

 

[Fairynuff]

Im annoyed with the hunters seeing as it was them who introduced the roe deer for their "SPORT" and failed to see or chose to ignore the outcome. This is not hunting, this is killing due to human arrogance and failure to manage the situation,created falsely, in an area where there shouldnt be deer nor boar(hunting starts in September). Some lynx have been re introduced to help keep numbers down but I dont think they will last long enough to make an impact.Im sorry if you cant grasp the stupidity surrounding this situation. M.

 

[Ereiam_jh]

Using Lynx to keep the numbers down sounds pretty cool.

I'm all for a bit of predation to keep things in balanced.

That's whats so good about fox hunting.

 

[Hercules]

If you are annoyed at the hunters who have let the roe population spiral out of control, why are you now upset at them attempting (and being rudely interrupted) to rectify the situation?

At least it seems that those who caused the problem seem to be doing something about it. Unlike in UK where the Animal Rights goons released mink into the wild and continue to release wild boar from farms. The resultant mess then has to be cleaned up by responsible parties in the form of mink hunts.

 

[Fairynuff]

God, youre looking for the hair in the egg. You seem to be deliberately trying to antagonise me. For your information I have nothing against natural predation, the lynx will be welcome as far as Im concerned. The twats who are armed with carabine are not hunters with experience, any eedjit can get a permit here-doesnt mean he knows how to shoot. What is involved here is the amount of money that the region will take and the amount of suffering the roe will have to suffer. If it was a serious cull using hunters with experience and a knowledge of the animals concerned then so be it. As it is today-its legal carnage with the monetry interests at the fore. Hunters should be on the ball and NOT allow their sport to become a blood bath in general. This is disgusting. Im sure you will find a very cheap ticket with Ryan Air. M:

 

[Hercules]

And there was me thinking that the Animal Rights goons believed that shooting was a humane form of pest control.

I think that I have just found the hair in that egg??!!!

 

[Fairynuff]

Well, you will pleased to know that 150 roe have been shot(?) today within a 8 mile radius and they have now to account for 5000-150= a lot of lives.I am not a "Goon" but cannot swallow the sheer stupidity of the human race. Youve still got time for a RA ticket. M.

 

[Fairynuff]

I agree, but predators unlike hounds dont chase their prey for an hour or so-too much a waste of valuable energy for little return. M.

 

[Hercules]

I would imagine that venison will be fairly cheap in your parts. Consider yourself lucky.

My shooting season doesn't start for another few weeks when the partridges start flying.

I prefer to channel my enthusiasm for conservation and wildlife management into the glorious British countryside, so I will be giving Italy a miss this year. Thanks anyway.

 

[jerryboy]

Factory farmed partridges I assume?

You are indeed a conservationist.

 

[Ereiam_jh]

Fox hunts don't chase foxes for an hour or so. Foxes don't run for one stretch. Nor do deer.

Generally the deer outrun the hounds the mistake they make is that they then stop and let the hounds catch up, eventually they stand at bay and the hunt shoots them.

I would agree with you however that predation is better than shooting.

If we are to control wild animals then using a more powerful predator to do it is a good way to do it. In a natural ecosystem where natural predators are present they have a benificial ecological effect on the prey species.

Of all the methods of pest control that are available to us using a predator to control a species is the best from an ecological and species health point of view.

The chase is an important part of it with respect to deer and foxes. Deer are flight animals it is entirely natural for them to run away, it is there first instinct. From the point of view of natural selection the chase is a large part of what ensures that the superior specimens survive.

In a balanced ecosystem there are very very few sick or injured animals, they get caught and eaten. That is the most humane death that they can reasonably expect.

The times I've hunted hares with dogs a single chase has only ever lasted a few minutes and generally the hares survive.

 

[Ereiam_jh]

I do agree with you about mass shooting though Mairi, it'[s a nasty business.

That's why I'm so opposed to LACS insisting a line or lines of guns are used to dispatch foxes to stop them escaping the hounds.

 

[Doreys_Mum]

Mairi - they probably paid a larger sum to shoot the lynx, knowing what your lot are like...

sounds like it's a good idea it's over there... I don't mind culling and conservation, and I do think the deer numbers should be looked into or else the land there will be poached - but not in this fashion at all!!!

Good luck to all, and I do hope no one is shot!!

 

[buckybee]

That sounds horrid!! You have my sympathies, i wouldn't want my pony at risk of being shot, and hate people who are money and shot happy - think it's something to do with li**le w***y syndrome! never mnd those nasty boys! - they sound ike boys?! - i hope, or my li**le w***y syndrome theory goes out of the window!

 

[LACS]

"Generally the deer outrun the hounds the mistake they make is that they then stop and let the hounds catch up, eventually they stand at bay and the hunt shoots them."

This can last up to eight hours.
The deer stops because it's "exhausted" (Tom's word).
It's "cruel" (Tom's word).
You support this activity.

 

[Fairynuff]

For the first time in my life I went sabbing today! I hauled an old stereo out into a field and blasted Led Zep as loud as I could into the woods: My aim was to send my local population further into the refuge which is strictly UNHUNTABLE. Ive now got a herd of roe going around humming "Smoke on the Water" and passing joints back and forth. Does this count as sabbing? Mairi.

 

[LACS]

Have you got any chocolate ready in case they overdo it?

 

[Fairynuff]

What, you mean if they get the "munchies"? No, thought Id serve up some toast and honey and put "Dark Side of the Moon" on-always worked for me! M.

 

[Hercules]

You clearly understand and have experince of the effects of narcotics. That is perhaps why you don't understand what I have been saying.

I will add drug abuse to my list of criminal activites undertaken by the Animal Rights fraternity.

 

[Clodagh]

Oh dear, I'm a pro and I have smoked dope...but promise I didn't inhale!! lol!!

 

[Fairynuff]

I would say that the majority op people have had a toke or two in their lifetime. Nought wrong with it and a damn sight healthier than half a bottle of whiskey before elevenses.Did you know that it was made illegal in the 1920s due to racism?The white kids were smoking with the BLACK kids which just wasnt on,so, it was banned to keep them segregated!!! :crazy:The original banning had nothing to do with dependency or health issues-all down to keeping the blacks in their place.I use the word "black" as that was how it was in America (and still is).I am not using it in derogatory terms before someone jumps on my white back.
Go on, Im sure the pros can conjure up a paragon! Love you all , man!! Mairi.

 

[CARREG]

Isnt it strange how things are banned not for the good of the country or its people as a whole but to keep the small minded bigots happy.................Carreg

 

[Fairynuff]

BINGO!!! ( I knew it!)

 

[CARREG]

Am I wrong then............Carreg

 

[Fairynuff]

Cant say you are 100% wrong-that would be an injustice in itself. Dont get carried away with yourself though. M.

 

[CARREG]

I dont get carried away........Carreg