lspencer Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Just bringing this E-Potition to everyones attention. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/21058 If like myself, you support this potition make your opinion heard! Closing Date: 02/11/2012 A COMPLETE NATIONWIDE CULL OF GREY SQUIRRELS Responsible department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs THE GREY SQUIRREL IS AN INTRODUCED VERMIN AND ONE THAT THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT NEED. IT IS ONE OF THE DANGERS TO OUR NATIVE RED SQUIRREL. WHILST NOT THE ONLY DANGER TO THE REDS, IT IS THE EASIEST TO REMOVE. THEY ARE MORE AGGRESSIVE, REMOVE THE FOOD SOURCES AND OVER-RUN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF OUR NATIVE SQUIRRELS. THEY ALSO SPREAD DISEASE TO THE REDS WHICH HAVE NO IMMUNITY. WITHOUT THE GREYS, OUT NATIVE RED SQUIRREL WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit_stu Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 signed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 When isn't there a cull on greys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bi9johnny Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 When isn't there a cull on greys? exactly all year round war on the little blighters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Why do people do these things in block capitals?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 signed, dont think we'll get enough though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattslaptop247 Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Signed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philm Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 if it gets over 1000 i will be surprised..... as an invasive species they are legal quarry and it is illegal to release trapped ones (unless you are the RSPCA!) what else can be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprinter Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Ok, i ticked yes on here, but im damned if i'll put my name to something on a government website that would probably have a greater impact if it was to be filled in in crayon. *** come on! Yeah yeah i know, no need to flame me. But surely someone with english as a first language could've made a better fist of it? Just portrays the entire countryside population as illiterate bumpkins. For the record, i'll do for any grey squirrel i see - be that trapped, shot or run over. I have never been lucky enough to see a red squirrel on the wild, but know well enough how much feed a grey squirrel eats a year. Let alone the damage to trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 I've signed it, and am about to email a link to a number of friends requesting that they also sign. Other PW members may wish to adopt this tactic also. One problem is that there are numerous woods owned by people who like to see the grey squirrel, and refuse access to anyone who approaches them with a request to control the greys. Maybe in the future (if we have so long), legislation could be introduced to require land owners to take all reasonable steps to erradicate Grey Squirrels from their woods. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 Ok, i ticked yes on here, but im damned if i'll put my name to something on a government website that would probably have a greater impact if it was to be filled in in crayon. *** come on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 I've signed it, and am about to email a link to a number of friends requesting that they also sign. Other PW members may wish to adopt this tactic also. One problem is that there are numerous woods owned by people who like to see the grey squirrel, and refuse access to anyone who approaches them with a request to control the greys. Maybe in the future (if we have so long), legislation could be introduced to require land owners to take all reasonable steps to erradicate Grey Squirrels from their woods. webber LOL, it didn't work for the cuddly wubbly rabbit problems some people love to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 LOL, it didn't work for the cuddly wubbly rabbit problems some people love to see. Thats very true; but the rabbit is not in danger of wiping oput one of our native species as is the case with the Grey Squirrel which will lead to the loss of our native Red Squirrel if urgent action is not taken. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 Well, I think it would be a good idea - except that there will be far too many people who want to cuddle them as they run round their gardens who will kick up such a fuss if a cull were introduced that it simply would never happen. Add in the fact that I think most people who shoot already knock them off as and when they see them, I know we could do more, and trap them etc but there are limits to what can be achieved, there are lots of them and they can be very cunning. And finally so far the petition has a grand total of 17 signatures on it - the government isn't going to listen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 I always shoot them and trap them anyway and what more can you do really. I actively search them out and pick them off but I never seem to get the last one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 Constant ongoing operation. Signed. (Can we also have a petition that all persons starting them should attend a relevant course of instruction first?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 (edited) Better idea to introduce a bounty per tail, after making it a landowners obligation to control greys on their land. History of Control 1931 - A national anti-grey squirrel campaign is formed to combat the spread of grey squirrels. 1933 - The Destructive Imported Animals Act makes it illegal to import, release, or keep captive grey squirrels without a licence. 1944 - County War Agricultural Executive Committees issues free shotgun cartridges to registered clubs to reduce grey squirrel numbers. By the end of 1947 450 Grey Squirrel Shooting Clubs had killed 100,000 grey squirrels. Grey squirrels continued to spread. 1952 - Around 7,000 Grey Squirrel Shooting Clubs in existence but issue of free cartridges much abused. Forestry Commission argues for greater effort to control greys through national tail bounty. 1953 - First anti-grey squirrel propaganda on Radio 4’s The Archers. An experimental bonus system introduced to complement squirrel clubs; one shilling or two free cartridges paid per grey squirrel tail. The bounty is raised to two shillings in 1956. 1,520,304 grey squirrel bounties paid in five years with no effect on grey squirrel numbers. The system is abandoned in 1958. 1958 - Trapping shown to be more efficient than shooting grey squirrels. 1973 - The Squirrels order makes it legal to poison grey squirrels with warfarin in areas with no red squirrels. 2009 - Grey squirrel numbers on mainland Britain continue to rise From: Here Edited March 13, 2012 by Greymaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strongski Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 im in. ******* grays kill them all. then eat the little ******* on a bar b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbust Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 I am and always have been at war with the Grey's and I believe most shooters are of the same ilk. I must shoot hundreds each year, indeed my count so far this year is 78 and that is only in a small 10 acre area. Have to admit there are still loads more to be destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Better idea to introduce a bounty per tail, after making it a landowners obligation to control greys on their land. History of Control 1931 - A national anti-grey squirrel campaign is formed to combat the spread of grey squirrels. 1933 - The Destructive Imported Animals Act makes it illegal to import, release, or keep captive grey squirrels without a licence. 1944 - County War Agricultural Executive Committees issues free shotgun cartridges to registered clubs to reduce grey squirrel numbers. By the end of 1947 450 Grey Squirrel Shooting Clubs had killed 100,000 grey squirrels. Grey squirrels continued to spread. 1952 - Around 7,000 Grey Squirrel Shooting Clubs in existence but issue of free cartridges much abused. Forestry Commission argues for greater effort to control greys through national tail bounty. 1953 - First anti-grey squirrel propaganda on Radio 4’s The Archers. An experimental bonus system introduced to complement squirrel clubs; one shilling or two free cartridges paid per grey squirrel tail. The bounty is raised to two shillings in 1956. 1,520,304 grey squirrel bounties paid in five years with no effect on grey squirrel numbers. The system is abandoned in 1958. 1958 - Trapping shown to be more efficient than shooting grey squirrels. 1973 - The Squirrels order makes it legal to poison grey squirrels with warfarin in areas with no red squirrels. 2009 - Grey squirrel numbers on mainland Britain continue to rise From: Here :o :o :o Are they becoming more urban? So even if an area is cleared of grays the urbanites will just move outwards so until they can be controlled it's a lost cause to shoot? Government issuing free cartridges well i never! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter.123 Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Come on own up who voted no??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 only 41 sigs so far I fear Mr Nutkins is smugly safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topshunt Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 signed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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