Shooting game and not interested in consuming it, your views appreciated.

CountryLife

Hello all, new to boards but been shooting for years now.

Just noticed in my area a number of people getting issued gun licences for hunting. These people go out regularly and shoot game i.e snipe, woodcock, pheasant, duck and have no interest in shooting for the pot or to give the kill to someone that would make use of it and enjoy a good meal from the meat.

I have shot with these people, I stated "Why are you shooting quality game if you've no interest in eating it?" the reply was just a shrug of the shoulders and walk on. Two of these lads are thinking of going into deer shooting. For what may I ask!? since neither of them like gamey meet and wouldn't have the stomach to clean out there own deer, bird or rabbit. I have stopped shooting with them as I think its an irresponsible mind frame.

I can only imagine that there are many other people that have guns and shoot game and have no real reason to do it. In all the years I've been shooting it was only for the pot.
I'm not discriminating and saying they shouldn't be given a gun, as these lads are handy with vermin control, I think its a pity that if you give the Firearms Officer a good enough reason you can get a gun and hunt in such an easy manner. This type of folk would be the type the shoot deer (if they get their deer licences) and have no interest in shooting for their pot but to sell to game dealers and get a few pound.

This frame of mind does shooting no favours, as it has no management structure behind. All it does is "Ah I shoot for the craic!" Im sure they would leave a Pheasant dead in a ditch somewhere after being shot. The day I was with them I took the birds out of their hands.

Is there anything that can educate these folk? is there some onus on the law that these people shoot and make no use of perfect wild animals that can be eaten.

Please discuss.

sako75 hunter

I think alot of lads like the lads your talking about like to have guns not because they want to be out in the country shooting game for the table, they have guns because they can brag to there friends saying " i was out shooting today and shot 47 phesants, 64 mallard, 390 pigeon and shot a rabbit running at 200yards with me shotgun"!!!! Pure fools and would be better of shooting cans of a wall!

CountryLife

sako75 hunter wrote: »

I think alot of lads like the lads your talking about like to have guns not because they want to be out in the country shooting game for the table, they have guns because they can brag to there friends saying " i was out shooting today and shot 47 phesants, 64 mallard, 390 pigeon and shot a rabbit running at 200yards with me shotgun"!!!! Pure fools and would be better of shooting cans of a wall!

Exactly.
Not trying to dramatise it more or make a big deal out of it but wouldn't these people be classed as poachers. Shooting for financial gain with regards to deer and ego gain with regards to birds and the likes.
As in my eyes a poacher is not only someone that goes onto land illegally but also shoots miles more then he or she needs and I'm excluding driven shoots here.

cavan shooter

Why kill an animal for the sake of killing.

Take up photography...there is something wrong with someone who has no problem shooting a bird or a animal but actually couldn't be bothered eating it.

Taking a surplus deer to a game dealer is one thing. Advocating shooting wild pheasants and ducks that aren't replenished in vast numbers like on a driven shoot and supplying them to game dealers will lead to no wild birds in an area. Modern Farming techniques do nothing for pheasants and the release of birds by individuals and clubs is what is putting birds out there.

Where is the respect for the quarry which is such a big part of shooting. Sorry but that's my view. Shooting game and not consuming it I just don't get.

muff munch

i dont see the point in it my self.my own view is if im not going to eat it i wont shoot it.its a waste of an animal

browning 12 bore

if they have permision on farmers land they can shoot as many birds rebbits and the like all they want there not really poachers in that aspect there only doing them selves no favours as in shortly they will have nothing to shoot shortly, and as in deer aspect they should learn to clean out deer and bring them to there local dealer providing food for the local food industrie also providing irish jobs in my eyes any way also get to know polish lads oh my god there always at me to bring home a lot of panch to them they want to make soup so not much of deer goes to waist at all in my eyes any way

Constab2

Unfortunate but true,have experienced the very same thing myself,game birds especially.As for rabbits I know of cases of 80-100 being shot over two days & left to rot.Where as a lot of relations & colleagues of mine would be constantly looking for them from me.
The deer is an expensive side of shooting so someone getting started into that side of things depending on equipment(Rifle,scope,binos,sticks,etc)is shelling out €1000-€3000 & that is second hand.Cannot see too many individuals nowadays doing that lightly outside of lads making money from it.Personally see nothing wrong with anyone selling surplus Venison to Game Dealer but not on a commercial basis,Some of these lads genuinely I find anyway do not understand the power of the gear they purchase ,My fear is a negligent discharge of a firearm either at night or daylight will result in injury or god forbid a death.Have personally scolded lads for taking unsafe & wreck less shots.Thought my son to respect all wildlife & firearms,sadly not all have the same morals or ethics.

CountryLife

browning 12 bore wrote: »

and as in deer aspect they should learn to clean out deer and bring them to there local dealer providing food for the local food industrie also providing irish jobs in my eyes

But that is another point, why would you go shooting just primary aim to provide for the game dealer. Wouldn't that mean your going down the route of being a professional deer hunter? Providing Irish Jobs is one thing, killing all deer to financial gain and just for the sake of shooting is another thing!
I personally cannot see the logic in going into deer shooting legally if you dont shoot for the love of the sport and use the rewards as fine food for yourself and family/friends.

That is not responsible management of deer and birds as it would lead to greed (as it already is)