It could be said that the photo ‘says it all’ and in some respects that would be enough, but for me it will never be enough. Legal Justice in their newsletter took this photograph from The Shooting Times & Country Magazine of 30th January. Details of the days bag is listed on bottom right.
The ‘aim’ and ‘target’ for the event was 10 in 10 hours. Ten dead species that are there for all of us but instead are dead. Killed because someone set out to reach his target of 10 in 10 hours. A man with a gun against birds and animals whose only defense would be to move fast or stay hidden. I pause to think about what he missed or worse what did he injure and leave to die?
This is the mindset that many of us consider criminal and morally reprehensible. It belongs to a culture that has existed through the centuries of those that had the power to impose their will not only upon the natural but upon people as well.
My two previous blogs of 23rd and of 27th say more about my feelings. The latter was headed ‘Another take on Feudality and the Status Quo’ where I published my poem, Heritage, which contained these lines:
‘it’s the tradition that’s
etched into the mind
that subdues’
Culture along with tradition seems to be the mantra to go out and kill what you can as in the case published by The Shooting Times & Country Magazine. The ethos seems to be a country for the shooter. But there is a change happening and even though it is not fast enough for me but it is happening. There are organisations and individuals who oppose these so called ‘country sports’. More of us need to speak more, speak more loudly and be more determined to ensure change.
Putting it simply there has to be change in the mind. The ‘mind-set’ has to change. Yesterday evening on Gardiner’s World the subject of the use of peat was discussed in bags of compost. We need our bogs but for one person it was the price of compost that decided what she would buy and not the content. Ignorance is out there but it should never be an excuse. So peoples’ minds need to be changed for the benefit of everyone and everything.
Now back to that list of ten in ten hours. What can justify that killing?
Reynard the red fox with a bad name of centuries old
Rabbit and for many years the poor man’s chicken until Myxomatosis came along
Red-legged Partridge just another species imported for the shooters
Carrion Crow where the name suggests it’s food source
Woodcock that flighty bird of the woods
Wood Pigeon no longer a one of the woods but a hungry bird over the corn
Pheasant like the Partridge bred for the rich-man’s shooting
Jay the corvid family member among the trees
Mallard an easy shot on the water and one that is a multiple success story
Teal is a beauty to behold and better left alive
We need - must - change the mindset. Wanton killing such as this should never be sanctioned.
Another well done to Legal Justice and Raptor Persecution who make every effort to keep us informed and to fight for our wildlife.
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