Winter 2011/12

blackstairsboy

I know it is a bit premature but I have been reading up a bit on the long range forecasts for the coming Winter and there seems to be a general consensus that we are in for a harsh winter. Now whether it will be as bad as the previous two years is open to speculation. I am just wondering what new precautions your clubs are making to ensure that gamebirds and wildfowl will not suffer if we do have a covering of snow for a few weeks. Our club has much more feed hoppers out and that are filled the whole time in the hope pheasants will return to them in times of harsh weather. We also have straw sourced in the case of prolonged snow straw rides will be set up that will hopefully feed wild pheasant and partridge but also songbirds. I for one hope we will have an ordinary winter but we do not want to be caught napping at the same time.
On a different note does anybody know if the NARGC and the NPWS have come to an agreement on regional shooting bans other than a blanket ban and also the policy to be followed in putting in place a cold weather ban. Adding an extra month to the end of the season is in my opinion a quick fix and is of no real benefit to the shooting community as a whole.

moby30

Is that the same forecast that told us there would be a scorcher of a summer:) we had a problem last year with members of a neighbouring club shooting our pheasants at a feeder we had set up despite the fact there was a full ban on shooting game. And then the season was extended- which I think was a disgrace. All the clubs in our region chose not to shoot during this time except our friends that were shootin the birds we were feeding. Leaves you a bit disillusioned really- anyway I feel anyone who knows anything about wildlife should understand and object to any sort of extension of the shooting season if it is another hard one.

ace86

I heard that this winter could be harsher then last year and could start as early as october so it could be alot harder on all wildfowl this year.I think there is going to be some agreement between the N.A.R.G.C and the NPWS that when the temperature and the soil temperature goes to a certain level an automatic ban on shooting game birds is activated, but nothing as been clarified to the best of my beleif. it is bad form to be out hunting birds especially ones that are eating out of feeders to survive and after fellows put so much time into rearing them. Hopefuly the winter wont be as bad as they say and we will have a good season.

declan1980

What they were saying at the north tipp county meetings is that bans will be justified by the temperature in the region instead of an all out national ban, because not all areas in the country were affected as badly as others.

cavan shooter

blackstairsboy wrote: »

I know it is a bit premature but I have been reading up a bit on the long range forecasts for the coming Winter and there seems to be a general consensus that we are in for a harsh winter. Now whether it will be as bad as the previous two years is open to speculation. I am just wondering what new precautions your clubs are making to ensure that gamebirds and wildfowl will not suffer if we do have a covering of snow for a few weeks. Our club has much more feed hoppers out and that are filled the whole time in the hope pheasants will return to them in times of harsh weather. We also have straw sourced in the case of prolonged snow straw rides will be set up that will hopefully feed wild pheasant and partridge but also songbirds. I for one hope we will have an ordinary winter but we do not want to be caught napping at the same time.
On a different note does anybody know if the NARGC and the NPWS have come to an agreement on regional shooting bans other than a blanket ban and also the policy to be followed in putting in place a cold weather ban. Adding an extra month to the end of the season is in my opinion a quick fix and is of no real benefit to the shooting community as a whole.

Thats all sorted they have a wee formula in place, I believe its based on ground temperatures at different locations over a set number of days. At least it is a bit more scientific now. If the weather is cold ,so be it, you have to take the ups and the downs in live:)

Alchemist2

Good idea blackstairs with the straw... i believe that's the kind of thinking that is badly needed.. controversial it may be to alot of guys here, but setting out bans due to temps etc is madness.. these are conditions that are experienced throughout europe annually and they aren't deterred by them. The areas i shoot i found alot of birds still on the ground after the season and there were only a few feeders out on some of the ground.. these birds if still alive will be hardy and able for whatever nature throws at them weather wise and same will be said for survivors of birds released this year.. and as was said stickin on an extra month at tail end of season is not the solution....