Cranfield Posted September 22, 2002 Report Share Posted September 22, 2002 Its been written about in the Shooting Press and mentioned on here. Do you consider Woodpigeon shooting a "sport" or "pest control" and why ? Don,t forget, its your opinion and so you can,t be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted September 22, 2002 Report Share Posted September 22, 2002 I see it as both. The only real reason I do it is because I cant afford Game Shooting but I enjoy doing it and It helps the farmer and puts food on the table. + Its somthing for mum to cook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 22, 2002 Report Share Posted September 22, 2002 As with the other guys, I believe it's both. I have seen fields ravaged by pigeons and received pleas from farmers to help rid fields of the problem. No one doubts they are a pest. However, fruit farmers may be plagued by greenfly ruining their crop but you won't find me out at the weekend with a sprayer full of insecticide! I shoot pigeons because I enjoy it. It's nice to be able to discuss the sport with fellow shooters without prejudice. Many of my work colleagues and friends know that I shoot clays and pigeons. They accept the clay shooting as a sport but some frown upon the pigeon shooting. I often find myself offering excuses of crop protection and the likes to vindicate myself. Why do I do that? Maybe to keep the peace in the eyes of non shooters as they do not support the thinking that shooting pigeons is a sport under any circumstance. That's part of what the march was about today – awareness. Sorry to get ‘political’ over a simple question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin15 Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 First and formost it is a sport which i enjoy, however there is no question that i am indeed carring out pest control from the farmers point of view. I have no problem with the fact that i gain great plesure from shooting and also believe the i have more respect than most for the countryside as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveman Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 It is undoubtedly both, but in the end we do it becuase we enjoy it. And Tony- don't feel you have to justify yourself to those people who will try and make you feel guilty about enjoying it. There is no more need to justify participation in this sport than there is in playing football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 Tony, nicely put, your posting said it all, but if people think pigeon shooting is cruel, offer to take them out for a day. Those who accept always come away enlightened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 23, 2002 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 I,m glad to see that many recognise it as both a sport and a method of pest control. The "pest control" element is very important, this is what enables us to shoot them 12 months of the year. In parts of Europe there is a season for woodpigeon, in USA there are seasons for dove shooting. We should be alert for "thin ends of wedges", a season, could be the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 Yes i agree definatly both,the way i look at it is vermin control is a necessary part of life in order to keep a healthy balance,but as has already been said if i do it because i enjoy doing it the same as any other hobby/sport i may wish to do.I have no problems justifing myself as what i shoot i eat o sell for others to eat,and what i cannot eat i only shoot when necesary.People may say it is cruel but then that is just the way of the world,what is more cruel controling a pest species or letting that pest put people out of busness?I think thats where alot of the antis start contradicting themselves,i say wait til they have got a bees nest in the chimney or rats and tell them to live in the coalshed until those other creatures which have equal rights decide to leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 It's good to see that we are all on he same wavelength. I think our views can be summed up by saying the pest control element of pigeon shooting is clearly evident when crop protecting where as the sporting side comes to the fore when there is no obvious benefit to the farmer other than reducing the local woodie population such as flighting or shooting over stubble. Either way, it's the enjoyment of the sport that gets me up at the crack of dawn in the depth of winter (and they ain't so far away!) :love: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 24, 2002 Report Share Posted September 24, 2002 Who is Dawn?........and is she good looking?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted September 24, 2002 Report Share Posted September 24, 2002 :laugh: :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveman Posted September 24, 2002 Report Share Posted September 24, 2002 BigDave- your new signature for your posts is BRILLIANT! And may I say our good it is to see the youngsters on this site who are interested in country pursuits and not sitting in front of the tv all the time. And they're experts too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 24, 2002 Report Share Posted September 24, 2002 Deako, you are a bad man! I can see that I'll have to tread carefully in his forum. ......and no, she aint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstopper Posted September 25, 2002 Report Share Posted September 25, 2002 I also agree with it being both sport and pest control, as we are doing the farmer a great favour and most are greatfull, also at the same time we are enjoying ourselfs with some great sports and pigeons are some of the best sport around IMO James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeVeTaS Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 Indeed, Sport for us, Contol for the farmer. Best of both worlds. :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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