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Gamekeeper found guilty


marsh man
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Just been reading in the Eastern Daily Press about a gamekeeper found guilty of killing 10 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk and being in possession of illegal poisons and pesticides and is now awaiting sentence . It don't look good for him as there is a photo of a R S P B inspector holding up a dead Buzzard.

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Good that he was caught, but let's not forget that it is very hard to police the laws around raptors because evidence can easily be hidden and it can be hard to prove sometimes. For every gamekeeper found guilty there will be a few who get away with similar or worse crimes. A lot more resources need to be put into efforts to tackle wildlife crime including raptor persecution.

 

Idiots like him will result in more restrictions placed on shooting unless more is done about the issue.

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idiot-jail time awaiting

 

Just out of interest, what are you meant to do and what would happen if you accidently shot a bird of prey? I recall about 40 years ago when I was a teenager and out shooting with a mate and he shot, what we both thought in the blink of an eye was a pigeon, but turned out it was a sparrow hawk. Ive also seen an owl being shot at by mistake when sitting on a duck pond at the darkening-thankfully the guy missed but again it was completely innocent mistake.

 

I know we should all be up to speed with quarry identification BUT reaction shots can be taken so quickly that sometimes mistakes like above do happen, especially in varying light conditions.

RTR

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idiot-jail time awaiting

 

Just out of interest, what are you meant to do and what would happen if you accidently shot a bird of prey? I recall about 40 years ago when I was a teenager and out shooting with a mate and he shot, what we both thought in the blink of an eye was a pigeon, but turned out it was a sparrow hawk. Ive also seen an owl being shot at by mistake when sitting on a duck pond at the darkening-thankfully the guy missed but again it was completely innocent mistake.

 

I know we should all be up to speed with quarry identification BUT reaction shots can be taken so quickly that sometimes mistakes like above do happen, especially in varying light conditions.

RTR

Don't do reaction shots unless 100% on the quarry you are shooting at?

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I don't these days but in my youth I certainly did and you see it all the time-just wondered if there was a BASC protocol or similar.

slightly different than a game bag full.......however in law still just as guilty as not identifying quarry is no defence as the shooter is rightly held responsible for what is shot.

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I am not in any way excusing what this gamekeeper is alleged to have done nor am I supporting the killing of Raptors. However, being a Gamekeeper myself, I can testify to the problems that Buzzards can cause. A neighbouring shoot lost hundreds of birds last season because the Buzzards were perching on the release pens and stressing the birds, keeping them away from drinkers and feeders.

 

We have dozens of Buzzards and Red Kites over our land and covers. There is always tremendous pressure on Gamekeepers to ensure there's birds for the guns who pay vast sums of money.

I've tried diversionary feeding and all it did was cause a massive increase in the numbers of Buzzards.

 

As I say, I do not support the persection of Raptors but I do think there should be responsibility on both sides. RSPB and other groups are great at re-introducing species but the numbers are rising fast and causing real problems yet they never take any responsibility for how numbers may be controlled or the damage they cause.

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I am not in any way excusing what this gamekeeper is alleged to have done nor am I supporting the killing of Raptors. However, being a Gamekeeper myself, I can testify to the problems that Buzzards can cause. A neighbouring shoot lost hundreds of birds last season because the Buzzards were perching on the release pens and stressing the birds, keeping them away from drinkers and feeders.

 

We have dozens of Buzzards and Red Kites over our land and covers. There is always tremendous pressure on Gamekeepers to ensure there's birds for the guns who pay vast sums of money.

I've tried diversionary feeding and all it did was cause a massive increase in the numbers of Buzzards.

 

As I say, I do not support the persection of Raptors but I do think there should be responsibility on both sides. RSPB and other groups are great at re-introducing species but the numbers are rising fast and causing real problems yet they never take any responsibility for how numbers may be controlled or the damage they cause.

 

There is a lot in what you say KFC. The increase in Buzzards in Norfolk over the last ten years has been nothing short of spectacular. Twenty years ago the was more chance of seeing a Honey Buzzard than a Common Buzzard in this area now the Common Buzzard is everywhere in big numbers. The pressure some of the keepers are under is immense, they are expected to show lots of birds and provide good sport at all times otherwise they'll be out of a job.

What Mr Lambert did is inexcusable but what pressure was he under? There is a big problem in here and ignoring it isn't the solution as it can only get worse.

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idiot-jail time awaiting

 

Just out of interest, what are you meant to do and what would happen if you accidently shot a bird of prey? I recall about 40 years ago when I was a teenager and out shooting with a mate and he shot, what we both thought in the blink of an eye was a pigeon, but turned out it was a sparrow hawk. Ive also seen an owl being shot at by mistake when sitting on a duck pond at the darkening-thankfully the guy missed but again it was completely innocent mistake.

 

I know we should all be up to speed with quarry identification BUT reaction shots can be taken so quickly that sometimes mistakes like above do happen, especially in varying light conditions.

RTR

You would have committed a criminal act and would be prosecuted if caught.

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Normally I can synthesize with a person who has made a mistake , but this is in different league a person who is 65 and with a lot of experience behind him should not have dumped birds of prey in the woods and have a bag full in his motor ,and banned poisons in an unlock shed so he have only himself to blame. Sentencing is November 6th and if I was him I wouldn't be inviting to many round for Christmas dinner.

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There is a lot in what you say KFC. The increase in Buzzards in Norfolk over the last ten years has been nothing short of spectacular. Twenty years ago the was more chance of seeing a Honey Buzzard than a Common Buzzard in this area now the Common Buzzard is everywhere in big numbers. The pressure some of the keepers are under is immense, they are expected to show lots of birds and provide good sport at all times otherwise they'll be out of a job.

What Mr Lambert did is inexcusable but what pressure was he under? There is a big problem in here and ignoring it isn't the solution as it can only get worse.

Again, not condoning breaking the law but I find it strange that we can take measures to control Fox, Weasel, Stoat, Mink, Squirrel, Rat etc but if we even look wrong at a Buzzard then it's "Mind your fingers!!!! Clang"!!!

 

I'm talking about control, not eradicate and certainly not poison bait.

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I understand the frustration of not being able to gain a special licence even with clear evidence and all the other stuff being in place to prevent damage and loss of income, even though we are supposed to be able it just don't happen. I have seen areas were Buzzards are more common than you might reasonably expect crows to be . THAT SAID we just cannot do this every time someone does it has too big a repercussion and reflection on all of us and a massive publicity event for our enemies.

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Literally caught red handed with a game bag of 9 birds of prey in... crikey, he couldn't have picked a worse time to bump into an RSPB inspector.

 

His defence is patchy at best when reading the story, I would reckon they make an example of him.

So Why did he open his bag to show this supposed inspector they are not the police and have no more powers than a member of the public I do agree that he is a plank.

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Stupid criminal. Did he apply for a licence to cull? Did he set up diversionary feeding ?

No employer can force an employee to break the law.

All shooting orgs should state publicly that anyone destroying birds of prey illegally, will be banned for life. Especially the NGO.

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Again, not condoning breaking the law but I find it strange that we can take measures to control Fox, Weasel, Stoat, Mink, Squirrel, Rat etc but if we even look wrong at a Buzzard then it's "Mind your fingers!!!! Clang"!!!

 

I'm talking about control, not eradicate and certainly not poison bait.

What reason would you give for controlling raptors ? To protect game birds reared for shooting . I don't think that would work or gain any support from the vast numbers of non shooters in this country .

 

Harnser

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