Wolfgang in his post of 14 Oct 03 fully answered the question initiating this thread. Interesting point - look at the example target question asked:

The target question (one of many different) has been:
"And to what extent would you support or oppose a ban on hunting with dogs in Britain?"
Those responding "tend to oppose" (14%) and "strongly oppose" (45%) add up to 59%.

I am surprised that the figures given for those opposed to this ban are not much higher considering the number of dog owners in the UK. Note the question does not mention fox hunting, stag, otter, hare or rabbit - just a ban on hunting with dogs. Unfortunately for their owners - all dogs hunt, it is in their nature. A Jack Russell is one of the most efficient slayers of rats one can find - should that be proscribed - it would under the legislation proposed. What happens if Mr & Mrs Bloggs take the two Scottie dogs out for a walk and they start to chase the neighbourhood cat - the dogs are hunting and Mr & Mrs Bloggs could find themselves in the dock and their dogs destroyed by Court Order.

Don't know about Austria and Germany, Akenaton - in Norway to hunt large game (Elk; Raindeer; Red Deer and Roe Deer) you have to have undertaken the approved courses, have certified evidence of having shot a stated number of practice rounds on a target range under supervision before you are allowed to sit the test that must be passed before you can get your licence which only holds good for the specific rifle you fired and for that particular season.

I now only shoot what I can eat - in years past I did use to shoot at those who shot at me, or wanted to shoot at me. I have and had no qualms about either.

Rapaire makes much sense regarding safe gun practice.

On our hunts:
- Each hunter has a designated position and arc of fire. He is not allowed to move from that position without permission of the hunt leader.
- Each hunter has a radio for which he/she must carry a spare battery, all checked before moving out.
- Guns are always carried unloaded, with bolts and magazines removed
- Guns, even in the condition described above, are never pointed at anyone.
- Only when all guns are at their designated positions are the guns made ready to fire, the hunt leader will advise over the radio when this can be done.
- Anyone new to a particular hunting ground will be supervised, i.e. you will have an experienced local with you at all times to ensure that you don't make any any mistakes. The golden rule is don't shoot unless you are 100% sure of your target and line of fire to ensure a kill, fire, reload, observe, be ready to fire again.
- At midday break all guns are rendered safe before leaving the designated position and during the break they are all placed in one position where everyone can see them.

Conscription still exists in Norway, which means that the vast bulk of the population have received some form of weapons training. They are extremely serious about their hunting. A friend of mine who takes "foreigners" (and by that he means all non-locals) Red Deer hunting in Scotland says that the guides weigh up the hunters if they are the types you mention Akenaton, they will always be shown Red Deer but the gillies make sure that they are never in a position to make a shot.

Next year we are hoping to come across to Scotland to hunt Red Deer, some of the group have been before and have always been treated as responsible hunters. To put a musical note to this thread with regard to hunting, one tip given for transporting guns in hard gun cases where the guns will be checked in as hold luggage on aircraft - cover the gun cases with Hammond Organ stickers - luggage handlers suffering from BBES have been known to deliberately damage gun cases, others may deliberatley damage keyboard cases but it hasn't happened to date.