Hunters' federation hits out at comments

Anthony Calleja

Apr 18th 2008, 07:14

What I cannot understand about this debate is this. Howcome this veritable crusade to ban hunting only in Malta? Do the hunters know that you can hunt LEGALLY anytime of the year in virtually any EU State? Lots of the condemnation local hunters receive is from the UK. Do people know that in Scotland you can hunt (stalk) stag and visiting tourists are actually offered this as a pastime? A license is not even needed as long as you are accompanied by the gamekeeper. Do people know that in Scotland hunters are actually PAID by local farmers to shoot at WILD GEESE because they are considered as pests and all year long at that?
There is indeed nothing wrong with hunting turtle dove and quail in spring time, 2 very common species in no risk of becoming extinct, as long as it is done in the way it should be done and as long as the hunters eat what they kill. I think its more humane to end a bird's life by pellets rather than mass producing them in confined space with a light bulb hanging infront of them only to be butchered at the right time.
The problem with hunting in Malta is not hunting per se but the indiscipline and law breaking that comes with it. Crank down on those who break the law and create "game keepers" and instill in them the true hunter spirit which is full of respect for nature's bounty.

Personally I no longer hunt in Malta but people who can't afford to do it abroad (and I am not talking about the Egyptian massacre trips which is really what the greens should be trying to ban) shouldn't have their right taken away from them especially if they practice it from their own land.

Michael Pace

Apr 17th 2008, 21:50

Since Edward Zammit, among others, doesn´t like foreigners, how about prohibiting foreign birds from coming to Malta. With no 'foreign' birds, what happens to birds in Malta becomes really "our internal affairs".

Fabian Borg

Apr 17th 2008, 21:37

Dear Carmel,
You mentioned that you are `reluctantly not totally against legal hunting`. This is clear statement and an altruistic one since many practices may not be favoured by all but at least accepted with the parameteres of the law. Most law abiding hunters come from generations of hunters and did not just buy a gun for the fun of killing birds. On the other hand there were genuine cases where one went out hunting with a friend and decided to take up the practice and decided to learn about it and about its history. Holding new licences thus killing the practice within 50 or 60 years will not solve illegalities as poachers will not be limited but will have more place where to roam as more time goes by. Also hunters who have been inheriting lands and traditional tools for the trade will not have the opportunity to teach their children on the beauty of the tradition as this would be dying with them.
I personally posses guns and cartridge loading tools that date back to the early 1900`s and all are in good working order and sometimes used. So should all these end up in a Hunting Museum when I die ?? I will show this world to my son and then it will be up to him whether to take up the practice or not to. Once he inherits everything anyway it will be up to him what to do with the stuff. There have been cases where the practice skips a generation where for example a family only generates females, who rarely turn out to be hunters, but then their same children turn out to love hunting.
The only way forward is to settle any disagreements with the EU, come to a definite set of rules which may remain unaltered for some time including season dates and huntable species. Implement these rules and ensure the law is observed. Offenders brought to justice like in all other irregularities.

J Oatmon

Apr 17th 2008, 21:08

Something to think about now Malta is part of Europe (and the world).

Why do the bird hunters keep hiding behind this 'false patriotism' (something like - Malta is only for the Maltese, and only the Maltese can possibly know what is right or wrong in Malta, no other person from anywhere else in the world can possibly be right).

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel".
Boswell tells us that Samuel Johnson made this famous pronouncement that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel on the evening of April 7, 1775. He doesn't provide any context for how the remark arose, so we don't really know for sure what was on Johnson's mind at the time.

However, Boswell assures us that Johnson was not indicting patriotism in general, only false patriotism.

For more of Samuel Johnson's thoughts on patriotism in general, go to the patriotism page.

Edward Zammit

Apr 17th 2008, 20:00

First of all these foreigners, EU citizens or not must stop interfering with our local & internal affairs, it's none of their business. And one more thing, why doesn't the EU stop the Fox Hunt in England ?

Carmel Serracino-Inglott

Apr 17th 2008, 16:32

I still do not see why I am deprieved of enjoying birdlife because of many hunters who have a hobby belonging to 'very old times' which are outdated . I reluctantly am not totally against legal hunting for present hunters but I am against new hunters. Let the present hunters exist BUT do not let new comers in the ring. I also suggest that the government helps clay pigeon shooters by allowing them and helping them financially to establish modern shooters' clubs. One regulation should be that the guns are left on the premises.

effie carbonaro

Apr 17th 2008, 16:26

for all those hunters and trappers who voted for europe, swallow all the words you heard before the eu entry.it is to late now the decision has been made and nobody can turn it back.birdlife is testing your nerves and is waiting for them to explode and destroy you once and for all.

Fabian Borg

Apr 17th 2008, 11:32

The level of frustration and depression occuring among legal hunters is running on sky high levels. ECJ is just delaying a sentence which based on level grounds should favour Malta but Birdlife`s secret weapon could be a long range one and a verdict will be known only when this comes out. Too bad that Dr.Gonzi, maybe not to influence the sentence, decided to play cool and relax and let Brussels decide what to do with his fellow compatriots. Th irony in all this is that ECJ is taking Malta to court on past seasons and not on the last or this one.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Apr 17th 2008, 11:32

That comment by Louis Borg was, of course, ludicrous. FKNK needn't get all hot under the collar though, there have been many equally ludicrous comments from people sympathetic to their position, a number of which were inciteful to violence and hatred.

What FKNK could try to do, if it wants to achieve a vestige of credibility, is eschew the jingoistic, parochial and quasi-racist undertones that pervade many of their public statements.

We are all citizens of the world, now, quite apart from being Europeans.