Call for end to rabbit hunting loophole

lgalea

Jun 2nd 2009, 10:03

Flying rabbits, flying cows. Have a look at flying pigs.
http://www.fpqrp.com/baconbits.php

Michael Neville Cassar

Jun 1st 2009, 22:54

What’s wrong with hunting for rabbits, I and many more like me love eating them why can’t you leave people alone to eat what they want? Don’t you know that in France they like eating birds too? How about the pigeons when did you all defend them from being starved to dead, and in hot summer left without water. One excuse after another and the next thing we will not be eating ducks and chickens. Live and let live do not over exaggerate to get your way.

Anna Maria Rosso

Jun 1st 2009, 20:58

Messrs Birdlife and all anties, at least please be honest in your dishonesty and unequivocally admit that what you are after is a TOTAL ban on hunting.

Kevin Francica

Jun 1st 2009, 19:42

I am sincerely interested to know to which rare species is Dr. Raine referring to be "pairing up in preparation for breeding"? I would voluntary abstain from going rabbit hunting should this rare species be nesting in the area I hunt.
I would like to congratulate whoever did the photo montage, he must be seasoned in this art!

Alfred Farrugia

Jun 1st 2009, 17:13

It is interesting that today’s caption refers to a “photomontage” and a whole explanation about what the “photo” represents. Yesterday, the “photo” was in colour and there were no explanations – simply a “Flying rabbit … Photo: Birdlife”! http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090531/local/birdlife-calls-for-end-to-rabbit-hunting-loophole If Birdlife manipulates its arguments in the same way that it manipulates photographs, it is no wonder that segments of the population do not empathize with its views. Has it occurred to Birdlife that it needs to be careful because it might drive itself into extinction? Once every kind of hunting is banned in Malta there will be no reason for it to exist! It may be that the day will come when rabbits will indeed have wings. Do members of Birdlife like buffalo wings? May I suggest that they visit the national festival in New York to keep themselves busy! http://www.buffalowing.com/

godfrey pisani

Jun 1st 2009, 14:09

it is ironic , to issue such statements about rabbit hunting , when firstly it is considered a pest , is hunted in most eu countries all the year round , and all migratory birds that pass over our island from march to may have long gone to there breeding grounds . also one must note that hunting with airguns is a very skillful stalk that requires you to get close to your quarry of less then 40 meters and have to hit your quarry with a single projectile , this usual nagging about loopholes is nothing more but to tarnish traditional practices held in all major eu countries .birdlife please grow up and work on conservation not eridication if you want to succeed .

marco meli

Jun 1st 2009, 13:14

"illegal hunting targeting malta's rare breeding birds" errr.....emmmm.....i got confused!!!! are they referring to the local sparrow??? or valletta's pigeons???? birds in migration DON'T stop to breed here!!! From where will they drink ? From buskett, chadwick, ghadira? all will be dried up by the begining of summer!!!! whom are you trying to FOOL!!!

Andrew Gatt

Jun 1st 2009, 12:46

Wow! X'kien! The rabbit season opens today, and lo and behold Birdlife pops up once again demanding this and that. Kif qazziztuna. Spring Hunting on hold. September afternoons closed. Sundays and Public holidays limited. Trapping banned. Pest species protected. No to parties here. No to parties there. No no no no.

Yet Birdlife wants more! Wonder why.........my guess is that, in spite of no spring hunting, in spite of greatly reduced illegalities, the MILLIONS of birds they claim migrate over Malta did not appear and DID NOT BREED. Remember the fuss and hype when 1 (ONE) pair of Coots nested in Ghadira reserve last year? Looks like this year their reserves were even emptier than usual. To cover up their misinformation and exaggeration, they are preparing the ground to blame rabbit hunting for the disappearance of birds that NEVER EXISTED - to save some face.

Just more false, cheap propoganda from the experts in deceit.

Alfred E. Zammit

Jun 1st 2009, 12:43

Yes, Dr Lawrence Gonzi should undertake a serious review of the current legislation on rabbit hunting. Rabbits are pests. Rabbits are pests everywhere. All countries regard them as pests. All countries shoot, trap and even poison rabbits. They are pests. Period.

The Maltese rabbits are no exception. They are pests as well, and how ! They do an enormous amount of damage to the farmers’ crops. Ask any farmer. For this reason they should be shot throughout the whole year, not just from 1st June as at present.

Dr Gonzi's revision of the relevant legislation should bring Malta in line with current practice in all EU countries, and allow the shooting of rabbits for the 12 months of the year. The Maltese rabbit shooter should have equal rights as the U.K. rabbit shooter.

Dr. Gonzi need not bother about the pathetic attempts of BirdLife Malta’s abolitionists to interfere with the shooting of rabbits, an issue which has nothing to do with the Birds Directive that BLM raises at every opportunity.

r sammut

Jun 1st 2009, 12:42

Dear Andre Raine,
Allow me to point out that given half a chance for rabbits to evolve wings as pictured, they too would disappear!!! Migrate that is, to a more hospitable land as all birds of migration do.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Jun 1st 2009, 12:36

There is only one way of replying to such cheek.

GET LOST.

If indeed any licensed rabbit hunter does shoot at any bird during the rabbit season, there are existing regulations that see to this. Apart from Rabbits being considered as pest to agriculture and consequently controlled. Rabbit hunting is one of Malta's most popular forms of "LEGAL HUNTING".

Recently in reply to one of my letters criticizing his credibility and that of Birdlife, Andrew Raine had the audacity to state that Birdlife are "not against legal hunting" (TOM May 15). Is this how he proves to be credible?

It's the perfect proof, that anything Birdlife Malta says is nothing but false.

If their full time biologist can only come up with this and other nonsense, it's time they get another one. He's contract has expired anyway?

n xuereb

Jun 1st 2009, 12:20

Why not call BLM "ban-shooting-forever"? You can only hunt rabbits on YOUR OWN private land. And what do birds have to do with rabbits. By the way, shooting rabbits with an airgun is a sport never seen before, and for me is more challanging than using a shotgun or nets, so now they also want this banned? Try shooting a flying dove with an airgun! Not even a flying pig can be hit let alone a dove. This is crazy.

Andrea Damato

Jun 1st 2009, 11:56

Birdlife once again confirming it's extremist, abolitionist and fundamentalist true goals i.e to ban all legal hunting and trapping from Malta. Shame on the government if once again Birdlife's ridiculous requests are accomodated !!!!!!!!!!!!

Good rabbit hunting to all fellow hunters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Jun 1st 2009, 10:45

Give us a break, BirdLife and Co!!! I urge you to substantiate your claims! And then you expect us to believe that BirdLife are not after a total ban on hunting and trapping!!!

I wish all hunters an enjoyable Rabbit Hunting Season within the parameters of the law!!

D.Caruana

Jun 1st 2009, 10:37

Ande Raine......
Have you no shame???
You have just deprived hunters from their main hunting season!! and now this??

Joe Camilleri

Jun 1st 2009, 10:29

@ Andrew Raine,
Just for your information, the hunting of rabbits is only allowed from PRIVATE land. So you must have been trespassing over PRIVATE land to see doves carrying out breeding displays.

Also could you please tell us why doves, hawhs, finches etc are not breeding at Buskett , since there surley no rabbit / bird hunting is allowed and the spring season has been closed for two years now.
Not to mention Commino, were no type hunting is allowed for the last couple of years.