BS: UK Eagle Owl shot

Subject: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Flash Company
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 11:17 AM

The female of the UK's only known pair of breeding Eagle Owls has been found shot. It apparently died of starvation after being left injured.
Yhe birds were the subject of a BBC Wildlife show a few weeks ago during which a guy from the RSPB said 'They are not UK native and therefore not protected'. In other words 'Shoot them if you want to!'.
Glad I'm not a member of the RSPB any more!

FC

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 11:44 AM

Most of the birds of prey that die in this country are poisoned by gamekeepers who do it illegally to protect their stock of gamebirds. This of course is so that some prick with a gun can come and shoot at these often hand reared game birds.
The difference between me and those criminal gamekeepers is, they think the Hen Harrier, Red Kite and Golden Eagle are parasites. While I think the rich shooters, and the gamekeeper himself are the true parasites.
The killing of birds of prey is fairly common up here in Scotland where many so called "Shooting Estates" have their miserable existence. Most of these estates are owned by holding companies many of them registered in places like Lichtenstein for tax purposes, and many more being owned by people who do not live in Scotland, but in France Germany Denmark and England. Have a look at this site look at Sutherland my county and see how many estate owners live on their estates.
The only thing that makes me want to pick up a gun and shoot someone is this senseless killing of native wildlife for the benefit of foreign bastards.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:04 PM

I'm with you on that Giok.

It's long past time for our elected representatives to ban these bloodthirsty bastards from shooting anything other than themselves.

The latter, I'm sure, would lead to a considerable improvement in the gene pool quality of Homo (so called) Sapiens.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:23 PM

Thanks to a EEC ruling Eagle Owls are now protected.

If the chap referred to in the first was Roy Dennis - this is doing him a great injustice as his work was to try and ensure that they were admitted to the correct category of the British List and thus protected. I am also pretty sure that no one from the RSBP was encouraging anyone to go out and shoot Eagle Owls.

The British Ornithologists Union (BOU) was the one who was trying to maintain that because there was no records in the last few hundred years that the Eagal Owl was not a British Bird. A rather dodgy criteria to use when breeding bird populations can rise and fall in just a few years.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:36 PM

As I grow older and wiser, I tend to agree with anti-hunters, to an extent. As a matter of fact, this past hunting season, not only did I not take any game (even the Big Fellah that I had dead to rights for twenty seconds) but, I saved one deer from being shot by a hunting buddy who was drawing down on it... he would be pissed if he knew I fired each of three shots in order to scare the deer back into the woods. It was a medium sized buck. I decided he should live. And, I don't know why. It's not the way I was raised.

Oh, I agree that raising any animal for "hunting" is just plain wrong. When it comes to domesticated animals, better to ensure a quick clean kill by, say, shoving an electrode up a chicken's ass than risk having it wounded by a poor shot. And, ya can't beat an electric or hydraulic powered bolt hammer placed just above and between the eyes for killing large animals. Of course, all slaughterhouses will still have to keep a high powered rifle on hand for those times when one of the large animals decides it doesn't want to be next.

Gosh. I just don't know any more. I think my camera will get a lot more use in the future than my guns. But, I will never tell anyone else they can't hunt.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:51 PM

This explains the RSPB's position.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/policy/species/eagleowl/index.asp

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:53 PM

Me with you all. I kill house flies and mosquitos...that is about it. Makes me something of a hypocrite, because I eat meat. Killing just for 'sport' is just evil.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 02:01 PM

Although I don't do it myself, too squeamish, I'm not against hunting for the pot, it's a legitimate exercise feeding yourself and your family. I do strongly object to shooting for sport, it is usually indulged in by chinless wonders, and people who would never be superior to anybody or anything without a gun in their hand. We get them here every summer with their fat arses their plus fours, and their BMWs and Range Rovers. Many of them with refined Oxbridge accents and claiming to be Scottish. I think that it was the Duke of Wellington who said "Because a man is born in a stable it doeasn't make him a horse". Well the same is true of being born in Scotland, it doesn't make you a Scot if your schooling and your money earning is all done south of the border, and you sound like Brian Sewell.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 02:05 PM

I will hunt for food, fish for food, snare for food or trap for food. I will not do any of those things for sport. I like to think humans are better than that.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 02:22 PM

But... I don't need to take a partridge. I can stay home and buy a chicken at a lot less cost. Now... when I take a prtridge, I clean it and put all but the breast back in the woods... even though I could sell the feathers for about $100 or more. So... am I killing for sport? BTW, Birch Partridge (Ruffed Grouse) fried in butter is thousands better than chicken.

I was raised by a man who hunted and fished for food when he was a lad. Part of our "tradition" is that we go to the woods, hunt, and feast. Is this "sport"?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 02:42 PM

Shoot an eagle -- any eagle -- in the US and you've broken Federal law (with very limited exception, such as for Indian ceremonies). Even to possess the feathers of a raptor is illegal, and this includes hawks, falcons, gyrfalcons, owls, condors, and others. We currently have a Shoshone war bonnet on display at the Library, courtesy of the Shoban Tribal Museum -- about six feet of eagle feathers. The museum and the tribe can possess this, but don't even think of it as a non-Indian! Big fines, and big jail time.

As for hunting, I have hunted and I will hunt. I also differentiate between hunters and kill-crazy slobs. One follows a long, proud, ethical tradition, the other should not be allowed outside of the couch and the television. One might drink after the hunt, the other drinks before, during and after. One conserves, the other wastes. One can stalk an elk or deer for a couple hours, and when it is finally in the sights and a clean kill is certain pauses and says to her or his self, "I don't need the food right now" and quietly backs away; the other sits in a pickup and shoots at anything that moves. I like to consider myself and my family and friends in the first group.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:11 PM

The RSPB's position on the Eagle Owl is not as helpful as it could be but this conservation body's position on the poor Ruddy Duck is really less than sensible. Sanctioning as it does - the destruction of tens of thousands of individual Ruddy Ducks.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/policy/species/ruddyduck/rspb_position.asp

I hardly think that many of those who support and fund the RSPB as a registered charity agree or even understand this position.

The concern is that the specific nature of the native (to Europe) White-Headed Duck is threatened by breeding with the originally introduced Ruddy Duck from North America.

The ducks themselves cannot tell the difference so why should so many indidual birds be killed in an attempt by humans to maintain the 'purity' of a species? Especially when the concept of a 'species' is a man-made one and one which the ducks themselves obvious dispute by their actions.

It may be regretable that due to human iterferance the White-Headed Duck will become the Ruddy-White-Headed Duck but I do not feel this entitles us to interfere again and slaughter so many individual lives.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:30 PM

Rapaire - you may have misuderstood. The Eagle Owl is an owl, not an eagle. It seems that it did live in the UK until it was eradicated in the 19th century and then re-introduced about 10 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:31 PM

Bugger... meant to put this link in.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:33 PM

'I was raised by a man who hunted and fished for food when he was a lad. Part of our "tradition" is that we go to the woods, hunt, and feast. Is this "sport"?'

Not in my lexicon.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:37 PM

I didn't think so. It's not an easy question. I guess it's up to me.

And, in saying so, ergo... it's certainly not up to you.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:47 PM

I know that. What I said is that I too hunt for food, and in answer to your question, "Is this "sport"?'", I said that it is not sport in my lexicon. I am aware it's not up to me! Have a nice day.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:47 PM

Peace. You said, "I will hunt for food, fish for food, snare for food or trap for food."

Do you?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:49 PM

Larry, Curly and Moe--beautiful birds, IMO.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 04:59 PM

heheheh... even when we agree, it can sometimes get misinterpelated. We cross posted... okay? Have a nice day to you too.... LOL

You should get more sleep.... hehehehehe

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: fat B****rd
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 10:33 AM

As I mentioned in another thread my wife sponsors a Scopes Owlat a falconry centre . Would the c..t who shot the Eagle Owl last week like to go there and slaughter evreything in sight ?. Probably. I assume his mother loves him.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 01:00 PM

No, I didn't misunderstand LtS. You don't shoot ANYTHING living unless you're going to eat it or to save your life (a rare occurence if you're outdoor-wise). Owls are raptors, just like hawks and eagles -- and buzzards and vultures too, I believe.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Malc R
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 01:59 PM

To kill for food is survival, to kill for sport is mindless slaughter by those who lack morals (IMO)

However the b'stard that shot and wounded the Eagle Owl and left it to die a slow and lingering death by starvation is nothing more than a lowlife, and if caught should be prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering, irrespective of whether the Eagle Owl is protected or not.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 06:14 PM

Ah, OK, it just sounded like you did, and lots of people have made the same mistake..... fancy calling a bird after another bird... D'oh!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 02:03 PM

THE SILENT EARTH
               
IT ISN'T VERY PLEASANT AT THE PRESENT                  
BEING A PHEASANT      
AND IT'S A SORRY TALE IF YOU'RE A QUAIL                  
THERE'S MANY A SPENT CARTRIDGE   
HAS DONE FOR SOME POOR PARTRIDGE
BY BLASTING ALL THE FEATHERS FROM ITS TAIL                  
YOU'RE REALLY OUT OF LUCK
IF YOU'RE A FLYING DUCK         
AND ANY BANG YOU HEAR WILL TURN YOU PALE                     
FOR THEY JUST DON'T GIVE A SMIDGEON                     
IF YOU'RE PIGEON OR YOU'RE WIDGEON               
THEY'LL BAG YOU FOR THE TABLE WITHOUT FAIL

NOW THE FOX WAS ALL ELATION
WHEN WE PASSED THE LEGISLATION
TO CLOSE DOWN EVERY HUNT THROUGHOUT THE SHIRES
AND FOR ONE PRECIOUS MINUTE
IN THIS LAND, ALL CREATURES IN IT
THOUGHT THERE ARE SOME HUMAN BEINGS THAT ONE ADMIRES
BUT THE LOCAL LORD'S STILL FOR IT
CHIEF CONSTABLES IGNORE IT
AND POLITICIANS BOW DOWN TO THE SQUIRES
BUT AS THEY SHRUG THEIR SHOULDERS
THE LEGISLATION MOULDERS
AND THE FOX SCREAMS "I PROTEST" AS HE EXPIRES

THE WORLD MUST SEEM UNREAL
IF YOU'RE A BABY SEAL
CLUBBED TO KEEP A WEALTHY LADY WARM
AND WHALES ARE IN THE LURCH
FOR JAPANESE RESEARCH
WILL SEE THEM IN THE SUSHI, THAT'S THE NORM
THE TIGER IN BENGAL'S
NO BLOODY CHANCE AT ALL
AND THE RHINO'S IN THE COLD EYE OF THE STORM
FOR THEY'LL ALL BE HUNTED DOWN
BY BUSINESSMEN FROM TOWN
WHO SPEND THEIR LOOT DESTRUCTION TO PERFORM


IN CANADA THE BEAR IS GETTING RATHER RARE
A MOOSE OUT ON THE LOOSE IS EASY PREY
IF YOU'RE A MOUNTAIN GOAT
YOU'LL SOON BECOME A COAT
AND THERE'S SOME BOILING WATER FOR THE CRAY
FISH HAD BETTER LOOK
DAMNED HARD TO SEE THE HOOK
AND THUS BECOME THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
AND THO DEER ARE DEADLY DULL
STILL THEY FACE THE DEADLY CULL
THERE'LL BE JUST HUMANS LEFT SOME SUNNY DAY



NO GOOSE NO GREBE NO GANNETT
LEFT ON THIS EMPTY PLANET
JUST MEN WITH GUNS AND NOTHING LEFT TO KILL
SO FATHER SON AND BROTHER
WITH SLAUGHTER ONE ANOTHER
TO RECREATE THAT SPECIAL HUNTING THRILL
AND WHEN THE SEASON'S OVER
FROM TIMBUCTOO TO DOVER
THERE'LL BE NOTHING LEFT ALIVE
NO CREATURE WILL…
EVER WAKE TO SEE THE DAWN
BRING ANOTHER BRIGHT NEW MORN
TO A TURNING EARTH SO SILENT AND SO STILL

JUST THE GRASS, THE TREES, THE RAIN
THE SEA, THE HILL, THE PLAIN
AND A TURNING EARTH SO SILENT AND SO STILL

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 02:32 PM

Malc R said, ".... left it to die a slow and lingering death by starvation..." and, "should be prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering..."

You don't garner any support by such statements. Yes... the SOB who did this should be abashed and educated or punished. But, when you take to making claims which cannot be proven in order to add further vilification, you detract from your arguement and lose all credibility. Step back and think about what you said for just a moment. I should think it plausible that the subject asshole was a poor shot. No?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: Bizibod
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 05:40 PM

Guest , you're not Pam Ayres - are you? I could just hear her voice...

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From:
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 10:26 AM

Gnu

From the opening post,"....It apparently died of starvation after being left injured". If that is not unnecessary suffering then what is? Yes the SOB was a bad shot, he was also inhumane, so I stand by my statement. By punishing him we may educate others.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jan 06 - 10:47 AM

Malc R - "....It apparently died of starvation after being left injured."

Apparently, you have chosen to interpret "left injured" as a willful act by the shooter. Unless there is proof that this is the case, your statement that "... he was also inhumane,..." is not supportable. Punishment without proof is illegal where I come from. You know... innocent until proven guilty?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From:
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 07:44 AM

Gnu - are you inferring that the injuries that caused it to starve were not as a result of the shooting? i.e. was "found shot" There is little point in shooting a bird that has already died of starvation!

Subject: RE: BS: UK Eagle Owl shot
From: gnu
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 10:07 AM

Hehehe. You should be punished for trying to tease a poor dumb animal - me.

Inferring...? No. BTW, I see no point in shooting a dead bird.

And, I see no use in beating a dead horse. Sunset time.