News3 mins ago
How Will The Government Recruit All The Gunmen Necessary For The Badger Cull?
35 Answers
With thousands of badgers to be shot they're going to need a lot of marksmen. And as they're targeting nocturnal animals will lamping come into play?
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by sandyRoe. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Not from me, shoota. I just do not think the method of the proposed cull is the most efficient or humane method. Nor do I think that the science and the evidence supports a cull of badgers as an effective method of reduction of the incidence of TB in cattle.
And, although I an not against people who like shooting - I have done some target shooting and clay pidgeon shooting in my time - I would tend to agree somewhat with Sandys sentiments that there is something odd about people who shoot to kill for sport, rather than for subsistence....
And, although I an not against people who like shooting - I have done some target shooting and clay pidgeon shooting in my time - I would tend to agree somewhat with Sandys sentiments that there is something odd about people who shoot to kill for sport, rather than for subsistence....
Glad you're on the up, Sandy.....enjoy the sun....x
Shoota...I went for a day's clay and a day's target shooting. By some sheer fluke it became clear that I am a really good shot. The men who tolerated our presence suddenly became very interested in a potential new member for their club. And any joking you may come up with aside...it was for my ability to shoot really well. Lunch and a few hours in their company decided me that they were the last people I wanted to socialise with.....I know you shoot and you are lovely.....they shoot and were not.
Would you join those signing up to shoot badgers?
Shoota...I went for a day's clay and a day's target shooting. By some sheer fluke it became clear that I am a really good shot. The men who tolerated our presence suddenly became very interested in a potential new member for their club. And any joking you may come up with aside...it was for my ability to shoot really well. Lunch and a few hours in their company decided me that they were the last people I wanted to socialise with.....I know you shoot and you are lovely.....they shoot and were not.
Would you join those signing up to shoot badgers?
I wasn't aware that they were recruiting G so I hadn't given it a thought.
I do cull foxes and grey squirrels for farmers so I can't claim that everything I shoot is for food so I suppose in theory I have the required mindset. (Is there a difference between a fox and a badger for this purpose?)
It all boils down to whether you regard the badger as a cuddly, fluffy, pretty thing that is sacrosanct or a stinking, smelly, disease and flea ridden abomination.
I think the split would be broadly along town/country lines. As I have been very close to a badger (I released one from a fox snare and almost got my hand taken off in thanks) I know that cuddly they most certainly ain't.
I think the cull is justified.
I think that there is a fundamental flaw with all 'protected' species legislation and that is that once it is in place the situation eventually comes full circle to a point where the protected species is too abundant, overpopulated and it becomes a problem, not only to man, but to itself especially if it has no 'natural' predators to keep it's numbers in check.
I do cull foxes and grey squirrels for farmers so I can't claim that everything I shoot is for food so I suppose in theory I have the required mindset. (Is there a difference between a fox and a badger for this purpose?)
It all boils down to whether you regard the badger as a cuddly, fluffy, pretty thing that is sacrosanct or a stinking, smelly, disease and flea ridden abomination.
I think the split would be broadly along town/country lines. As I have been very close to a badger (I released one from a fox snare and almost got my hand taken off in thanks) I know that cuddly they most certainly ain't.
I think the cull is justified.
I think that there is a fundamental flaw with all 'protected' species legislation and that is that once it is in place the situation eventually comes full circle to a point where the protected species is too abundant, overpopulated and it becomes a problem, not only to man, but to itself especially if it has no 'natural' predators to keep it's numbers in check.
I am a country boy, Shoota. Been around guns, and hunting, and riding and farming and all of that for most of my formative years, and now in later years too :)
I misspoke somewhat in my last post-apologies for the confusion. I would include shooting vermin as a legitimate and morally acceptable means of pest control, as acceptable as killing for subsistence etc, or even self-defence. Its killing for sport that I do not personally agree with.
I misspoke somewhat in my last post-apologies for the confusion. I would include shooting vermin as a legitimate and morally acceptable means of pest control, as acceptable as killing for subsistence etc, or even self-defence. Its killing for sport that I do not personally agree with.
In certain circumstance and given all the correct facts and reasons I am not against animal culling.
Neither of the descriptions you have posted fits my view of the badger. I don't know anyone who knows about badgers who thinks they are pretty, fluffy or cuddly.
My opposition to this cull is that it is so obviously not going to work...it's a sop to the farming community....an excuse for those who love to kill living targets to do so.
For it to be effective...if indeed badgers do spread disease..we have to kill every badger. A percentage is...well, idiotic really.
Anyone who cares to research will know there are, or will be, other methods of control....more expensive of course and much less fun.....:-( x
Neither of the descriptions you have posted fits my view of the badger. I don't know anyone who knows about badgers who thinks they are pretty, fluffy or cuddly.
My opposition to this cull is that it is so obviously not going to work...it's a sop to the farming community....an excuse for those who love to kill living targets to do so.
For it to be effective...if indeed badgers do spread disease..we have to kill every badger. A percentage is...well, idiotic really.
Anyone who cares to research will know there are, or will be, other methods of control....more expensive of course and much less fun.....:-( x
I'm in agreement to a certain extent with you LG.
I don't have a problem with a group of friends getting together for an organised 'harvesting' of gamebirds reared on a free range basis as both a functional and sporting occsion. I do regard commercial large scale shoots organised as corporate entertainment for people who have no real affinity with rural ways with some distaste.
I don't have a problem with a group of friends getting together for an organised 'harvesting' of gamebirds reared on a free range basis as both a functional and sporting occsion. I do regard commercial large scale shoots organised as corporate entertainment for people who have no real affinity with rural ways with some distaste.
It has been shown to work G.:
Smith, G. C. and C. L. Cheeseman (2007). "Efficacy of trapping during the initial proactive
culls in the randomised badger culling trial." Veterinary Record 160(21): 723-725.
The randomised badger culling trial (RBCT) has shown that widespread badger culling in
predefined areas of approximately 100 km2 led to a reduction in the number of cattle herds testing
positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB) (`herd breakdowns'), but was associated with an increase in
cattle TB in surrounding areas. This study has tried to estimate the trapping efficacy and the level
of reduction of the badger population during the initial proactive culls in the RBCT. For seven
triplets trapping efficacy was estimated between 71 per cent and 85 per cent, and for three triplets
between 35 per cent and 46 per cent. Two of the latter triplets had trapping coinciding with harsh
climatic conditions. Badger population removal was estimated at 64 per cent to 77 per cent in the
former and 32 per cent to 39 per cent in the latter triplets. In most of the treatment areas there was
therefore a consistent and substantial reduction in the number of badgers at the end of the initial
cull. All the proactive treatment areas were subjected to further culls, and it is therefore likely that
greater reductions would have occurred by the end of 2005, when the analysis of cattle herd
breakdowns took place.
I havn't got very far with researching the latest developements but I have discovered that shooters will be trained, licenced, have guidelines to follow and population levels will be maintained at a reasonable level.
I don't think that the booze fuelled, apres pub, indiscriminate slaughter envisaged by some will occur.
Without exception the shooters I know are lovers of nature, the countryside and the animals within. But, as I mentioned before, sometimes there just gets to be too many critters......
Smith, G. C. and C. L. Cheeseman (2007). "Efficacy of trapping during the initial proactive
culls in the randomised badger culling trial." Veterinary Record 160(21): 723-725.
The randomised badger culling trial (RBCT) has shown that widespread badger culling in
predefined areas of approximately 100 km2 led to a reduction in the number of cattle herds testing
positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB) (`herd breakdowns'), but was associated with an increase in
cattle TB in surrounding areas. This study has tried to estimate the trapping efficacy and the level
of reduction of the badger population during the initial proactive culls in the RBCT. For seven
triplets trapping efficacy was estimated between 71 per cent and 85 per cent, and for three triplets
between 35 per cent and 46 per cent. Two of the latter triplets had trapping coinciding with harsh
climatic conditions. Badger population removal was estimated at 64 per cent to 77 per cent in the
former and 32 per cent to 39 per cent in the latter triplets. In most of the treatment areas there was
therefore a consistent and substantial reduction in the number of badgers at the end of the initial
cull. All the proactive treatment areas were subjected to further culls, and it is therefore likely that
greater reductions would have occurred by the end of 2005, when the analysis of cattle herd
breakdowns took place.
I havn't got very far with researching the latest developements but I have discovered that shooters will be trained, licenced, have guidelines to follow and population levels will be maintained at a reasonable level.
I don't think that the booze fuelled, apres pub, indiscriminate slaughter envisaged by some will occur.
Without exception the shooters I know are lovers of nature, the countryside and the animals within. But, as I mentioned before, sometimes there just gets to be too many critters......
@Shoota
Ben Goldacre. writing in the Guardian in 2011, sums up the situation perfectly and I would concur with his observations. Despite what some might try and tell you, the evidence is simply not conclusive.
http://
Ben Goldacre. writing in the Guardian in 2011, sums up the situation perfectly and I would concur with his observations. Despite what some might try and tell you, the evidence is simply not conclusive.
http://
Given that we have always been told that "field sports" are so terribly popular in Britain, I would have thought we would have been awash with people in fancy dress wanting to take part. I'm not sure if horses can be involved but I am sure it might be fun nevertheless.
Didn't Oscar Wilde say some thing about the "unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible" ?
Didn't Oscar Wilde say some thing about the "unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible" ?
Latest Posts
News5 mins ago
ChatterBank20 mins ago
Will Starmer - If He Wins - Be A Part...
News22 mins ago
Related Questions
Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.