Irish Extra June 2020
Attempted Restrictions on Irish Shooters
If you look at the legislation and law around shooting sports in Ireland it is fairly restrictive. From the outset, it appears that this is not case and the general consensus is the law is much the same as Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, however this is not the case. I have written many times before at my constant bewilderment at the legislation around various aspects of not only shooting sports but vermin control. Snaring of both rabbits and foxes differs from Northern Ireland and United Kingdom law and the complications are such that upon setting out to clarify the matters some years back and ringing multiple government departments, the Gardai and the National Parks and Wildlife Service I could not get a clear-cut answer on the legislation.
That aside, the season also differs slightly and for some species are quite unusual. Take for example Geese, which can be shot in Northern Ireland from 1st September – 31st January and then Wood Pigeon which in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom has no close season. The same species open season varies greatly in the Republic Of Ireland with the Canada & Greylag Goose season from 1st September – 15th October countrywide, with a separate season running from 16th October to 31st January in specific areas. The Woodpigeon (Contrary to a report by Field Sports Channel) was always from November 1st – January 31st with an exemption being granted for crop protection during the closed season, this was however over standing crop only and not stubble.
The current situation wasn’t great but it was what we had and many shooters learned to work with it, however recently Ms. Josepha Madigan, T.D., in her capacity as Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht on the advice of the NPWS, has excluded the shooting of Wood Pigeon for the months of June, July, and August. This decision, they say, has been based on “professional objective scientific advice”. So, this means that the crop protection exemption was removed entirely with no regard or consultation with Agriculture or shooters who operate on their behalf.
We have shooting & Country Sports organisations in Ireland who we subscribe to work on behalf of shooters and protect our sport and rights, and they all moved swiftly against the move.
Countryside Alliance Ireland
On Friday CAI wrote to Minister Josepha Madigan on her decision to stop pigeon control during June, July and August for crop protection.
CAI are working with other stakeholders to get the matter resolved and welcome Matt Carthy’s calls that consultation is required and any new evidence should be produced.
NARGC (Excerpt from Press release)
Naturally the NARGC is doing all it can, in conjunction with the IFA and other interested parties, to have this decision reversed. Representations have been made to the Minister, to Politicians and parliamentary questions have been set down. In different times, perhaps more open and strategic
measures could have been undertaken but right now, what with Covid-19, we are hamstrung. We have received hundreds of telephone calls from concerned hunters all over Ireland and your anger and sense of disbelief are shared and well understood. We will lobby tooth and nail on your behalf in the days and weeks ahead and sincerely hope that the status quo can be reinstated in good time before June 1st .
Country Sports Ireland (Excerpt from Press Release)
Country Sports Ireland is disappointed that the minister has departed from this long established position without any explanation or justification and removed the most effective means of wood pigeon control at the time of year when it is most important.
We have written to the minister to ask that she reconsiders this unnecessary restriction. In the meantime landowners who are suffering damage to crops by wood pigeon should consider submitting a Section 42 licence application to National Parks & Wildlife Service (attached) which, if granted would allow them to control wood pigeons on their lands or nominate a shooter to do it for them.
In a drastic turnaround, just as I finished this piece this afternoon, the move was overturned by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan to reverse her decision and allow the control of Wood Pigeons for crop protection during June, July and August. I have no doubt that this decision was down to the swift action of not only our organisations but the many thousands of members behind them. I have said it many times before and always will, any moves against country sports from a political stand point are always small and aim to “Chip away” at the bigger picture, in this way it is perceived that it does not effect the greater community when in fact several years down the line it well. A move against licensing sub 12ft lb air rifles in Scotland looked like it should not have been a concern to “Blaser” a manufacturer and distributor of full Bore rifles but they saw an attack on air rifles as an “Attack on the entire gun community” and I thought it said a lot about them as a company to speak in such a way, it may be air rifles today but it would be full bore rifles in the future. So if you fish, shoot foxes, hunt rabbits or follow hounds – We are all in it together, support each other even if it’s not your sport.
Busy Spring!
On a lighter note it is and has been a busy spring in many regards. I have had my nose firmly to the grind stone controlling rabbits and while the country was “Locked Down” I have been as busy as I have ever been over the last month and added some new work to an already busy schedule. I usually travel very early or very late depending on what way you look at it and the roads then are typically quiet anyway. However, the last 8 weeks or so they have been almost ghost like and I have certainly noticed an increase in wildlife activity while driving and going about my daily rounds. Particularly foxes which I meet on the back roads quite often, are either a lot more active or up in numbers and I have saw many, both while driving and also while trapping rabbits on an ongoing job. Birds too seem to be either more active or perhaps a lack of human activity in certain areas has just gave them more freedom! Whatever it is and whatever we think of the certain situation it has been for me an eye opener in many ways and I have actually enjoyed the dip in activity that has set over the country, perhaps it is time for us all to slow down a little.
Last night I took my Harris to his mews, checked the Teckels and Lurchers and heard some faint squeaking from the ferrets enclosure. I had a heavily pregnant Jill placed alone since the week before but didn’t expect her to give birth until at least next week. But as soon as I heard the sound I knew what was going on! I had checked her earlier in the day and she was busy eating and drinking and keeping busy round her enclosure with no signs of oncoming labour, 8 hours later and we have 11 kits born from my oldest ferrets, all of which I plan to keep. This is my second year breeding my ferrets for a long time but now I find I have no choice but to breed to be sure of getting the best chance of getting quality stock, as every year that slips a little further away.
Until next time – Good Hunting.