Todays hangover cure (dead stuff pics)

[Dougster]

There's a shame. Last time I'll do posts like these then eh?

I want to shoot deer. The land has grants on it for the special breeds of bats (13 of the 18 UK species) and rare butterfly areas. Both of these animals are affected by the deer. Lucky me, I get to eat one of my favourite, leanest meats knowing the animal had a good life until the moment I took it.

The only way the area can sustainably afford to look after the rare breeds is to manage the land in a way which supports the funding of said land without intensive farming methods.

As a consequence of getting to take my lunch I have to do a favour I was not entirely happy with. Something that was going to be done and I ensured was done as swiftly and painlessly as possible.

I am not going to apologise for these people or the way they choose to spend their money, I enjoyed their company and would love to join them on a driven shoot but cannot afford it, and I'm not anti them because they have what I don't.

I will be there again, I will kill things again, always doing my level best to ensure it's quick and painless end. I am a little sad I won't feel confident sharing beautiful mornings, delicious meals and humbling experiences, but hey, I am not going to lose sleep over it.

 

[Totumpole]

Nice wee story and pics Rich. Beautiful looking animal, shame it had to go, but at least it was quick and clean.

 

[Harvestman]

There's a shame. Last time I'll do posts like these then eh?

I want to shoot deer. The land has grants on it for the special breeds of bats (13 of the 18 UK species) and rare butterfly areas. Both of these animals are affected by the deer. Lucky me, I get to eat one of my favourite, leanest meats knowing the animal had a good life until the moment I took it.

The only way the area can sustainably afford to look after the rare breeds is to manage the land in a way which supports the funding of said land without intensive farming methods.

As a consequence of getting to take my lunch I have to do a favour I was not entirely happy with. Something that was going to be done and I ensured was done as swiftly and painlessly as possible.

I am not going to apologise for these people or the way they choose to spend their money, I enjoyed their company and would love to join them on a driven shoot but cannot afford it, and I'm not anti them because they have what I don't.

I will be there again, I will kill things again, always doing my level best to ensure it's quick and painless end. I am a little sad I won't feel confident sharing beautiful mornings, delicious meals and humbling experiences, but hey, I am not going to lose sleep over it.

That's probably the best single post I have read on this site.

Like everything else, the countryside, living in it, and managing it, is about compromises. Only a heartless person would enjoy killing, but sometimes things like this have to be done, whether it is fox, deer, or anything else.

Please continue to post, Dougster. Those who don't like it don't have to read it, and don't have to reply. I never comment on military threads, because my opinions would upset some, and there's no point in starting an argument.

 

[nuggets]

Thats whats wrong with this country these days ........... one person objects .........and we all have to bend over to accommodate them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!............... NO !!

Keep hunting ,Keep shooting , an Keep posting !

 

[Silverback 1]

No reply from Ged since post #8, don't wish for this to turn into a witch hunt but hopefully if he reads the rest of this thread he may realise that not all people who venture

into the wilderness with legally held firearms are not all murdering bloodthirsty killers, the joy of hunting/stalking/fishing is not the taking of life and pulling on the trigger,

there is more to it than that.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I really enjoyed your post matey, please don't be swayed by a negative comment.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Keep up the good work Dougster you cant be put off making a post of this nature because someone who doesnt know any better disagrees with you!!

There is more conservation goes into pheasant shooting than the shooting itself, we have 10 shoot days over three months, but we maintain our forest and grounds all year round, which makes a fantastic environment for all manner of other species. Last year during the hard winter i think our bird feeders fed half of the Scottish wild life, allot of blood sweat and tears(mines mainly) went into keeping the feeders topped up!!

 

[British Red]

Keep it up Dougster. Silly people who don't understand land management should stick to reading the Guardian and posting from Starbucks with a skinny latte in hand!

Nice to see a proper post for a change!

 

[Silverback 1]

Keep it up Dougster. Silly people who don't understand land management should stick to reading the Guardian and posting from Starbucks with a skinny latte in hand!

Nice to see a proper post for a change!

Quality.

Please don't hold back next time you wish to put someone in their place.

 

[beachlover]

Fantastic day by the look of it Rich and great Pics too.
I am green with envy mate.
If it weren't for fieldsports what's left of our countryside wouldn't be worth having for many of our flora and fauna.

 

[salan]

Having seen the death and suffering a fox can do, I have not trouble in one causing a problem being shot. A far less painfull death ten the hens etc the fox kills!
I try to 'live and let live', but I eat meat and enjoy it. Therefore I must accept that it was once a living animal. I just try to make sure it has a good life and a quick and minimum pain death as pos.
Must admit as Red said. The biggest 'moaners' I have come across still eat meat and want there cereal. BTW I came across a stat for the number of cows killed by rabbits! Yes from them falling down the rabbit holes and breaking a leg. I must admit I hadn't even though of that! but its a big bill per year!!
Alan
P.S. good original post.

 

[JonathanD]

Unfortunately the UK has a eco system that is so messed up that it can only survive through management by humans, as long as humans are here. Yes, it is a shame that a beautiful animal has to die so a non-native Asian bunch of feathers can live and die by human hands. But a lot of woodland would not be here today if it wasn't for the pheasant, and indeed, the fox itself would be far more scarce if it didn't have such readily available prey items. I'd rather that fox died by the hand of someone who respected that animal in life and regretted the action in part, than it suffer in some trap or snare or be taken by a callous person with no respect for a clean kill.

I had a long debate with someone the other day about deer hunting. They thought anyone involved in it, should also be shot dead. It really surprised them, when they found out that I, as a fellow full time naturalist and conservationist, did just that. As much as I tried to get through to them that genetic diversity would not exist without a deer cull, and all deer would eventually derive abnormalities and genetic degredation due to inbreeding if we didn't prevent inter-family mating through culls. I still couldn't make them understand. Amazingly though, they would happily have wolves introduced to do the job we are now doing for them in a far less savage and cruel, yet unnatural way... Fine. But the thing that really narked me, was when they stamped on two house spiders that same day and admitted to killing wasps en masse. I asked her exactly what placed the lives of deer above spiders and wasps. I'm still waiting for that answer.

 

[spoony]

Great post from a fellow stalker thumbs up

 

[m.durston]

another interesting thread on the moralities of a cull.

my humble opinion is that the cull of a fox is unfortunately a necessary evil when trying to run any type of business that involves your profits being of the feathered kind.

also dougster i must say being a keen shot myself i am impressed with your marksmanship in taking down the vixen with such a no fuss clean shot. well done

 

[bb07]

150 yards? Good shot!

 

[Samon]

Well said JonathanD.

It is a shame the fox died but I can appreciate the balance that we have to uphold in our island.

I'm glad you are such a fine shot and ended the beasts life so fluently and would love to hear of you using the foxes fur for something special and as not to let it go to waste!

Good post though mate, keep them coming!

 

[Chris the Cat]

Keep it up Dougster. Silly people who don't understand land management should stick to reading the Guardian and posting from Starbucks with a skinny latte in hand!

Nice to see a proper post for a change!

What a poinless comment that is Red !I would have thought such sloppy generalizations beneath you.

Chris

 

[Thenihilist]

I can understand the need for land management etc etc.

But "Today's hangover cure" try coffee next time or just don't drink?
Why the need for a pic of a gun next to it? Take a pic okay but the gun right next to it isn't cool.

I hope your going to use as much of it as possible.

 

[Thenihilist]

Oh and nice shot!

 

[JonathanD]

Why the need for a pic of a gun next to it? Take a pic okay but the gun right next to it isn't cool.

Some people like to see what tool was used that's all. I've done the same with a knife in the past when writing tutorials on how to prepare bunny.