Two important 'hunting' issues (1)

I'm neither a hunter nor an ornithologist. Therefore my contribution to the "shooting/trapping of birds" debate is only from the point of view of a lay person with limited knowledge of environmental science.

The issues of shooting and trapping should really be seen from two important points: 1) the safeguarding of biodiversity in the Maltese Islands; and 2) the safety of one and all in the process of shooting and its aftermath.

As for the first point, one must remember that the ultimate battle for human survival may not be a nuclear holocaust, but severe/total insect destruction of crops. And, ultimately, both reptiles and birds are indispensable in the process of keeping destructive insects in check.

Biodiversity also embellishes an environment. The drudgery of any one workday can be ignored or forgotten, when I see a beautiful lorikeet on a grevillea in the corner of my front yard; or half a dozen or so, pink breasted galahs, perched up high on the electricity line; or a wild duck, skimming over the surface of my backyard pool.

As for the second point, the lead contamination of soil, groundwater, etc., has been mentioned before; as have the frightening episodes experienced by visitors who are on walking tracks in "wild" terrains.

Maybe, just maybe, the real solution is to entice more shooters to participate in regulated clubs for clay pigeon shooting, if they must shoot; with game shooting being carried out only on special "shooting expeditions" in some European "outback". That is, if the rest of Europe will allow them.