Sanctuaries

deeksofdoom

Just wondering what your thoughts were on sanctuaries, we have a few sanctuaries here in the club, which are only sanctuaries in name as there is absolutely nothing done with them, no vermin control being done on them and no feeders out on them. Releasing birds into the sanctuary is the same as releasing birds anywhere else in the club. The only difference is that there is no shooting in the sanctuary. Also the sanctuary is right beside the main road so the birds that aren’t being shot or taken by predators are being knocked down. A local wildlife ranger is of the opinion that sanctuaries are a waste of time they are a magnet for predation if you are releasing birds into them.

I am trying to boot the club into shape and get the members to spend a bit of money and get up off their lazy holes and do a bit of vermin control. But failing this what’s the point of having a sanctuary anyway?

Vegeta

Well I think you've answered your own questions there haven't you.

Unless the work is going in on the sanctuary, what purpose does it serve? None really

iwsf

loads of signs "sanctuary" arround here.
There were put there by the local farmer on all his plots of land, he is against hunting big time and spend his days between vovember and january patroling the area in his jeep.
This is more like a "no shooting" area than a bird sacntuary.

sikastag

Have been releasing birds for a few years into an area, its not shot and provided you keep fred and his hungry friends at bay it should be worthwhile. Its quite rewarding when you hear farmer etc tell you that he has come across hens with offspring in tow!

EPointer=Birdss

We have a square that we don't shoot, with hoppers & a wood & we only hunt the egdes of it until mid Jan. Every bird you meet before that flies back in there as they learn it's safe... 2 fox cages a few larson traps etc keeps it fairly safe...
Come mid Jan the cull begins & you great great sport in a traditionally lean time of year...

homerhop

Personally I am in favour of them. Not every club sets a bag limit on birds or has a release programme and it gives the birds in an area a chance. For me it’s nice to know during the season there will be a bird or two that will give you the slip and it gives me something to yak on about knowing that the following Sunday I am going to have to try a different approach to the area that he is in.
Some farmers will ask for certain parts of their lands left closed and as was stated earlier I have yet to meet one who wont say isn’t it grand to see a few birds around the place still at the end of the season.
Then there is the advantages of the birds knowing that a certain area is a safe zone, it always amazes me that a week or two into the season they all seem to be aware of it and will do their best to get to that area. I find it an advantage because the birds will hang around this all year round and it’s a good spot to give the dog a quick rise or somewhere to bring a pup and get him on a scent. Our club has quiet a few little sanctuaries. A few of them are small groves of trees about an acre in size and hold a nice few birds in and out of the season. Nothing nicer on a summers evening than bringing the dog down and giving him the run of the grove and hearing the sharp yap followed by the beating of wings and crowing of a cock. Keeps the dog keen until he looks at you wondering why the hell ya didn’t shoot the bird