What can one shoot?

[Angelfishsolo]

There was something about this on the box a few weeks ago. IIRC, the research concluded that if the magpie kills eggs/young the other birds just lay more eggs and extend the breeding season - or something like that. The overall bird population was unchanged.

Thus showing nature will regulate itself.

 

[funnymummy]

Am I the only one who find this thread repugnant?

Repugnant isn't a strong enough word

 

[Angelfishsolo]

But lets keep this in the parameters of Magpies v Songbirds, for millennia they have found their own natural balance, there ain't anything broken so lets not try and fix it.
I have nothing but utter contempt for those who create some sort of pseudo environmental excuse for killing things with guns.
Was that wind up merchant Clarkson not encouraging the shooting of Magpies on top gear a while back, sort of sums it all up really.

I am feeling less alone here.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Repugnant isn't a strong enough word

Long legs and a great set of morals. I like you more and more

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

The greatest vermin on this planet are human beings. We are the only species that do not live in harmony with our environment. To paraphrase a line from the Matrix - We are more like a Virus than a Mammal.

That's what I've said on this forum before and someone said that he thought that I needed Psychiatric help

Usually only the dangerous or sick ones though.

Wait until Christmas time when the yearly F*ckwitfest does the rounds though....

Yes, but short of exterminating all humans

Regarding what I have said in the past and what has been said above, that wouldn't be a bad thing really. That said, I'd opt for keeping a selected few who will tidy it all up, but then again, think of the logistics!

So, Where is there a decent plague when you need one?

Having caused these problems, we have a duty to ameliorate them when we can.

Indeed - if we all lived in tune with nature instead of fighting against it, we all would be a LOT more well off, and what's more, we'd know what to do about Magpies (if anything), therefore negating this thread

 

[asterix]

I am feeling less alone here.

I agree with you on this. When very young I learnt to shoot, 4.10 mostly although I did use a 12 bore now and then. However, I only shot one thing - a wood pigeon - the rest was just targets. The feeling of achievement lasted only until I saw the lifeless bird and realised that I was responsible for its destruction. We did later eat it but I have never shot anything since.

In the case of some creatures (e.g. deer in the highlands) who have no predators, shooting is a solution to massive over-population and starvation. But it is not a sport and is best left to the professionals.

 

[yello]

The feeling of achievement lasted only until I saw the lifeless bird and realised that I was responsible for its destruction.

Similar thing here. I shot a sparrow with an air gun. I felt bloody awful.

A club mate was telling me how he used to hunt (it's rural France, many blokes do). Most of the time it's about standing around talking, or walking through the forest playing pretend soldiers (kind of like paintball I guess) and then rushing around as the dogs start. It actually sounds quite social and fun - well, that part does. Kind of like a round of golf without the slaughtering. Anyway, the first time he saw an actual doe in the forest he couldn't bring himself to shoot. He never went hunting again. Just cycles and keeps bees. He tends to pull his shorts up a tad too far, with his portly figure he looks like the only gay in the village... but that's another story.

 

[Panter]

Am I the only one who find this thread repugnant?

Nope, me too.

Magpies are birds too, the idea that the wannabe shooter wants to kill them because they're killing birds is more than slightly ironic.

 

[buddha]

Strangely enough, I haven't seen so many magpie's in my garden this year. Just a single pair.

 

[mr Mag00]

pheasants are fair game though

and what does that woman have in her shorts ?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Cards on the table. Those who can kill and feel no remorse, those who use some half baked defence to kill, those who get pleasure from it - All are laking a little thing called humanity. Also they are evil, twisted bastards.

 

[XmisterIS]

AFAIK, you're allowed to shoot anyone you like, so long as you eat them afterwards.*


(*Written from my padded cell)

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

Cards on the table. Those who can kill and feel no remorse, those who use some half baked defence to kill, those who get pleasure from it - All are laking a little thing called humanity. Also they are evil, twisted bastards.

I take it that you are a principled vegan who has never killed a wasp?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Cards on the table. Those who can kill and feel no remorse, those who use some half baked defence to kill, those who get pleasure from it - All are laking a little thing called humanity. Also they are evil, twisted bastards.

I've killed fish.
I've killed insects
I've eaten animals killed by others
I've killed mice.

 

[numbnuts]

When I was in Australia I shot a wild pig it was very nice