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U-Know! Forum » Hunting Enquiry Report |
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RiotGibbon 1527 posts |
Jun 13, 2000, 12:02
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it's all here http://www.huntinginquiry.gov.uk/ it's brilliant ... all the research data, all the submissions, the lot my fave bit so far ... http://www.huntinginquiry.gov.uk/mainsections/research/macdonald/macdonaldfinal.htm "If reducing numbers with the intention of protecting a game, agricultural or fisheries interest is a prominent aim, all the strands of our data suggest that hunting with dogs is generally less effective than the alternative methods, for all the species considered. "
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Shrimp 1115 posts |
Jun 13, 2000, 19:44
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Here's a small part of the report: Chapter 2 HUNTING 4 Hunting with dogs is a diverse activity. 5 There are about 200 registered packs of hounds (mainly foxhounds but also some harriers) in England and Wales which hunt foxes, plus a number of unregistered packs in Wales. Most packs have mounted followers but a number, including the Fell packs in Cumbria and the footpacks in Wales, are followed on foot only. The Welsh gunpacks use dogs to flush foxes to waiting guns. 6 The registered packs are estimated to kill some 21,000-25,000 foxes a year. About 40% of the foxes killed by the registered packs are killed in the autumn/cub hunting season. In Wales and other upland areas, a high proportion of foxes are dug out, using terriers, and shot. Outside the registered packs, many more foxes are dug out and shot or are killed by people using lurchers or other "long dogs". Some of these activities are carried out by farmers, landowners and gamekeepers. Others involve trespass. 7 There are three registered staghound packs in the Devon and Somerset area. They kill about 160 red deer a year in total, excluding injured deer which they dispatch. This probably represents about 15% of the numbers which need to be culled in the area to maintain a stable population. 8 There are about a hundred registered packs of hounds (beagles, bassets and harriers) which hunt hares. They kill about 1,650 hares a season, a very small percentage of the number killed by shooting.9 There are some 24 registered hare coursing clubs, which kill about 250 hares a year in total, and a small number of other unregistered clubs. But there is a good deal of illegal hunting/coursing in some areas. 10 The 20 minkhound packs kill somewhere between 400 - 1,400 mink a season. The number is thought to be considerably smaller than that killed by trapping and shooting.
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Shrimp 1115 posts |
Jun 13, 2000, 19:47
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And another bit: Foxes 54 The three main aspects of foxhunting which give rise to concern on welfare grounds are: the chase; the "kill" by the hounds above ground; and digging-out/ terrierwork. 55 There is a lack of scientific evidence about the welfare implications of hunting, although some post mortem reports have been received. The welfare implications of hunting need to be compared with those which arise from other methods such as shooting, and snaring. 56 The evidence which we have seen suggests that, in the case of the killing of a fox by hounds above ground, death is not always effected by a single bite to the neck or shoulders by the leading hound resulting in the dislocation of the cervical vertebrae. In a proportion of cases it results from massive injuries to the chest and vital organs, although insensibility and death will normally follow within a matter of seconds once the fox is caught. There is a lack of firm scientific evidence about the effect on the welfare of a fox of being closely pursued, caught and killed above ground by hounds. We are satisfied, nevertheless, that this experience seriously compromises the welfare of the fox. (Paragraph 6.49) 57 Although there is no firm scientific evidence, we are satisfied that the activity of digging out and shooting a fox involves a serious compromise of its welfare, bearing in mind the often protracted nature of the process and the fact that the fox is prevented from escaping. (Paragraph 6.52) 58 It is likely that, in the event of a ban on hunting, many farmers and landowners would resort to a greater degree than at present to other methods to control the numbers of foxes. We cannot say if this would lead to more, or fewer, foxes being killed than at present. (Paragraph 6.58) 59 None of the legal methods of fox control is without difficulty from an animal welfare perspective. Both snaring and shooting can have serious adverse welfare implications. (Paragraph 6.59) 60 Our tentative conclusion is that lamping using rifles, if carried out properly and in appropriate circumstances, has fewer adverse welfare implications than hunting, including digging-out. However, in areas where lamping is not feasible or safe, there would be a greater use of other methods. We are less confident that the use of shotguns, particularly in daylight, is preferable to hunting from a welfare perspective. We consider that the use of snaring is a particular cause for concern. (Paragraph 6.60) 61 In practice, it is likely that some mixture of all of these methods would be used. In the event of a ban on hunting, it is possible that the welfare of foxes in upland areas could be affected adversely, unless dogs could be used, at least to flush foxes from cover. (Paragraph 6.61)
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markybov 24 posts |
Jun 14, 2000, 08:03
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Thanks for that, Monsieur Gibbon, interesting reading indeed! Here's my favorite bit: "The Countryside Alliance and others also drew our attention to the contribution which hunting has made to literature, art, music and architecture. This is perhaps best known through the work of Stubbs and, more popularly, the work of numerous other artists who have made, and continue to make, paintings, pictures and prints focusing on hunting scenes. Many of these adorn the walls of pubs and restaurants in rural areas. Hunting has also featured in literature through the centuries." - Yeah man - my local pub, "The Old Bear" has a painting of a bear-baiting session as it's signboard outside - let's bring that back as well!
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Shrimp 1115 posts |
Jun 14, 2000, 12:52
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We all should know that the whole thing is an evil practice which should be banned forthwith but if you give the report a bit of a read then you can be armed with a few more points which you can debate with the arseholes.
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Shrimp 1115 posts |
Jun 14, 2000, 22:51
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The Countryside Alliance Overall Response:Hunting provides the social glue in many communities because it provides a valid purpose for socialising. So there you have it!
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