An article printed in a daily newspaper revealed the plight of the people on Rousay Island. They were overrun with rabbits, to the extent that they were unable to keep good grazing land for their stock of sheep and cattle. This interested a certain Alan Smith, to the point where he contacted the reporter of the story to find out some more information about how they had been allowed to freely breed to such a great number, and what methods were being used to clear them.
The reporter put him in touch with the council, who introduced Alan to a member of the Rousay Island Rabbit Clearance Society, Chris Soames.
Chris told him that the methods they were using at present were primarily gassing, and the farmers had used their guns at night with lamps in order to cut the numbers down. But these methods were not successful enough to make any great difference to their problem.
Alan offered his help, along with that of his companions, who spent most of their spare time helping to clear vermin from farms around the Surrey area. The offer of help was put to the society at the next meeting, and it sent back some information on what life is like on the island, the number of rabbits to be dealt with and how they had been affecting the islander way of life.
After discussing this information, we decided on what methods we would propose to use. Our group consisted of Alan and his brother Jim, John Cefal, Martin White, Duane Lockyer and myself.
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の May 31, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の May 31, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside