It seems that some people – would they be shooters? — have misinterpreted my piece in yesterday’s Independent on Sunday. They imply that I am opposed to all shooting of any kind.
I am not. A well-managed estate that shoots can do good work in conservation.
But the illegal killing of birds of prey is not part of good management.
I am not against shooting. I am against breaking the law.
Is that clear enough? I’ll have another crack at it if anyone’s still in doubt…
It’s the lead in their diet that does it, you know!
Your article was perfectly clear and needed saying Simon, thank you for standing up for nature !
Stick with it, Simon. Your voice is needed. As in the USA, the gun lobby is very powerful. You have made it very clear where you stand. keep it legal and all will be well.
Bob Reeves
Simon. Your piece was clear but I fear that the ‘looking glass’ for many is not. Those out there shooting pigeons, wildlfowling or hunting hedgerows for an old cock pheasant feel alienated by the polarised debate based on some poor practices that do need to change.
I stand up for nature (the odd piece in your old column slot), I shoot – the Richard ‘gamekeeper’ Jefferies piece in British Wildlife had as much resonance to nature as your piece in the same edition.
Alas, fewer of us, as we drift further from our nature ‘tap root’, can see this any longer.
best
Only found your article on-line just now. Thank you very much for standing up, Simon. You have been more than clear about the law. Love your article.
I’m amazed that people misinterpreted your piece, Simon – you made it perfectly clear that you are not opposed to shooting!
I could make a derogatory comment about the intelligence of the shooting fraternity, but I’ll refrain. They do a good enough job of making themselves look foolish without me pointing it out.
Simon. Well done for keeping the campaign going and in the news. Can you not set up an e-petition & get people signing it – in the hope large numbers sign – and force change. Word needs to spread.
Mike
Mike,
What about this petition? It has 20,000 signatures already and it only seeks to ban driven grouse shooting not all shooting:-
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627
Tony