Irish Extra June 2021
Keeping up appearances
While Ireland is very gradually moving out of lock down and restrictions are beginning to ease, its great to see life return to normal. Many events and dog shows are returning across the country and I am looking forward to getting out and about to a few of them. I have never really been a showing person, preferring to attend the odd one really for the “craic” and to meet up with a few friends. Occasionally over the years I have had the privilege to be invited as a judge at some events and it is if I am totally honest, an invite I often welcome. The opportunity to view & handle sometimes dozens upon dozens of specimen running dogs under (sometimes) a warm sun is not to be sniffed at. The opportunity to talk dogs with likeminded Lurcher enthusiasts is a pleasure. Judging is a word however I am not fond of! It is in all essence, a beauty contest, as my friend John often says and he is very correct “Handsome is as handsome does” really does apply to the working Lurcher. If we are honest there are many dogs brough to shows that are outstanding in beauty, the runway models of the canine world but have never saw the scut of a rabbit! On the other hand, there are some right clumpy hock legged brutes that walk the walk and have filled the freezer for their master many times over but would win no more than third prize in a three dog show like my own hounds. It matters little, we are all enthusiasts and if your own dog pleases you then that’s all that really matters.
Summer is a time when rabbit populations rise, and more often than not farmers and land owners are keen to keep the numbers down where it is required. Summer time ferreting for me personally is something I try to avoid where possible. The temperature is a little warmer, the grass is high and there are young rabbits everywhere. However in the case of my work as a rabbit controller there are times when I simply cannot avoid it either by request or we are left with no other option then needs must. My home turf is coastal and summer ferreting is never as bad on these areas, however when we get a little inland among the gorse and bramble, summer ferreting really can be depressing. I have a local area of permission where the numbers rise quite dramatically in summer, I don’t carry out any work here, its simply a permission and due to its nature and rough cover with rushes and reeds is a fantastic area to educate young Teckels and learn them to hunt up and use their voice. However the landowner does get quite emotional about the annual “Boom” and if I wasn’t careful, I could find the rabbits drastically reduced by someone else! These are the sort of places one must “Keep up appearances” and quite often simply being on the ground for a few hours here and there and keeping the numbers in check is enough. Over the last two weeks or so I have taken one or more Teckels along to areas like these I have permission and shot a few flushed rabbits and give them the opportunity to find and retrieve the animals. It is essentially a training exercise but it works well for everyone.
007 Vom Alten Friedrich at Eichenblatt (Remy)
Who are F.A.C.E?
Recently, I was asked a question by a reader in Ireland who had heard of an organisation within Europe working on behalf of sustainable hunting in Europe, with many Irish member organisations. So I decided for anyone who hasn’t heard of FACE to do a break down on FACE and what they do.
In their owns words, Established in 1977, FACE represents the interests of Europe’s 7 million hunters as an international non-profit-making non-governmental organisation (INGO). This makes FACE the largest democratically representative body for hunters in the world and probably one of the largest European civil society organisations.
The Voice of European Hunters
FACE is made up of its Members: national hunters’ associations from 37 European countries including the EU-28. FACE also has 7 Associate Members and has its Secretariat in Brussels.
FACE upholds the principle of sustainable use and has been a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1987. FACE works with its partners on a range of hunting-related matters, from international conservation agreements to local implementation issues with the aim of sustaining hunting across Europe.
FACE is an evidence-based organisation. Providing technical expertise and insights to both hunters and policy makers is at the core of FACE’s work.
The FACE Members meet regularly at technical meetings, regional gatherings, as well as at the annual Spring FACE Members’ Meeting and Autumn General Assembly. These meetings centre around a fully-packed agenda.
Members discuss and agree on actions to be taken regarding topics to be addressed, in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity.
The FACE Team is based in Brussels and makes up the Secretariat, representing the interests of its Members and of the 7 million hunters in Europe.
The Secretariat provides a central information point for both hunters and policy makers.
The FACE team combines a passion for hunting and conservation with expertise in a range of key areas to best ensure hunting is facilitated and sustainable, right across Europe.
FACE Ireland have a large membership of organisations and recently held an AGM which involved the election of officers & also committee who will in turn hold their own meeting which in a statement said “ One of the main items on the agenda will be the formation of a very powerful single voice for the preservation and development of Field Sports in Ireland. All associations committed to working much more closely on this very subject. FACE Ireland are already working closely with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in this area this year. They have agreed to meet on a regular basis with two meetings already this year and two more planned. Both the Minister and FACE found the meetings very beneficial” This move to a “Single voice” I think is a positive move for Irish Country Sports and I will look forward to seeing how it develops.
Well done this month to Daniel Ryan, who hooked a beautiful 9lb Spring Salmon on a crankbait on the River Boyne. It was a fantastic fish and I think Daniels dad John was as pleased as his him. Well done Daniel and tight lines for the future.
Daniel Ryan
Until next time…Good Hunting!