Birdlife may be killing birds, insinuates boss of the hunters
Joe Perici Calascione
Birdlife members may be killing birds to make the hunting federation look bad, the hunters’ federation president insinuated to a BBC radio documentary aired Tuesday.
During the programme, a vet showed presenter Matthew Hill two protected cuckoos which had died of gunshot wounds in Malta. Mr Hill then asked FKNK president Joe Perici Calascione who would shoot such birds.
“I don’t know. I’m not going to say Birdlife are doing it to make us look bad, because I could easily say that,” Mr Perici Calascione told the documentary entitled Bird Wars on Malta.
When asked if he really believed Birdlife members would do such a thing, Mr Perici Calascione replied: “I believe everything. They (Birdlife) believe that we do a lot of things so I could believe that (Birdlife are killing birds) as well.
“Why is it that when Birdlife says it... it’s true, and because the hunting community says it it’s not true?” Mr Perici Calascione asked.
When Mr Hill put the suggestion to Birdlife conservation manager Nicholas Barbara that his organisation is killing birds, the bird conservationist dismissed it as “ridiculous”.
The documentary attempted to discover the truth about hunting in Malta, where conservation organisations such as Birdlife are often at loggerheads with the hunting community.
Malta applies a derogation to the EU Birds Directive to allow hunters to shoot a limited amount of turtle dove and quail under strict conditions during the spring breeding season, when hunting is banned.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a hunter told Mr Hill that many hunters act outside the terms of the derogation and do not care whether a species is protected or not.
“They just shoot because we don’t get a lot to shoot at, so they just shoot at anything,” he said, claiming most hunters are FKNK members. The 15 members reported by the FKNK for illegal hunting are “just the tip of the iceberg,” he added.
He went on to talk about a flourishing underground trade in stuffed rare birds, such as the great spotted cuckoo, saying it has become more lucrative since it was driven underground.
As for enforcement, the hunter said police “have to be pushed to do their job” and many of them know the hunters personally.
Also in the documentary, Inspector Ramon Mercieca, head of the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE), which tackles illegal hunting, told Mr Hill that one of his officers had registered to hunt in the last spring hunting season.
Inspector Mercieca described his hunting officer as “an asset”, as he helped to find illegal hunting hides and understood codes used by hunters.
The ALE chief also admitted that lots of his friends were “hunting fanatics”, but this would not prevent him from arresting them if he caught them.
Another part of the documentary focused on the infamous ‘drone’ used by the German Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) to find illegal trapping sites in the last spring hunting season.
CABS leader Axel Hirschfeld told Mr Hill that the ‘drone’ was in fact a model aircraft brought over by German TV channel RTL to film documentary footage, and no permit is required to fly a model aircraft weighing less than 7kg in Malta.
“The police were always with us, they watched live footage,” Mr Hirschfeld said, adding that CABS was planning to bring its own “eye in the sky” to monitor illegal hunting in autumn, if the police permitted it.
The use of the aircraft was angrily opposed by the FKNK, which accused CABS of “spying”. The aircraft was eventually shot down.
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
181 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 9th 2012, 09:00
That is up to you, Tim Micallef! FACTS ARE: HUNTING IS A LEGAL PASTIME! You are free to call it whatever you want!
Manuel Mangani
Aug 8th 2012, 21:27
Ms. Zarb Darmanin,
"Manuel Mangani, you are again quoting Mr Joe Perici Calascione out of context. This gentleman stated that it MIGHT BE and did not actually accuse as most antis have a habit of doing. Finally, you definitely have a right to comment BUT one would expect FACTUAL comments!"
Did you actually bother to read what I wrote, before scribbling an answer?
Tim Micallef
Aug 8th 2012, 19:11
No Ms Zarb Darmanin. For many hunting is a legal injustice, not a pastime.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 8th 2012, 08:59
Glenn Micallef, no wonder you invariably present weak arguments! I defend the CAUSE of hunting and not INDIVIDUAL commentators as the antis have a habit of doing! Where exactly is the "travu" then?! I do not call all those commenting on hunting as advocates BUT a group of individuals (wonder if they really exist) who defend each other personally. Is it so difficult for you to understand??!! Have you already forgotten that you jumped in defence of Victor Falzon?!
Manuel Mangani, you are again quoting Mr Joe Perici Calascione out of context. This gentleman stated that it MIGHT BE and did not actually accuse as most antis have a habit of doing. Finally, you definitely have a right to comment BUT one would expect FACTUAL comments!
Tim Micallef, what is the purpose of The Times Blog? It is there for every individual to air his views. If you take my comments as attacking "those who have different views", that is for you to decide. Am I to state that the antis attack me? Far from being polite, as you wrote, certain antis are really arrogant, shameful and uneducated. Well, readers will judge them. As for your previous comment, I consider it so banal that it does not deserve an answer!
Finally, a look at the comments below will show that my comments do irritate many antis, seeing the personal attacks which invariably follow my comments. Well, that indeed pleases me! Whether my comments are to your liking or not, I will persist in defending the LEGAL PASTIME OF HUNTING!! Pacenzja!!
R. Orland
Aug 8th 2012, 16:17
Ms. Zarb Darmanin,
I agree with you 100%!!
Tim Micallef
Aug 7th 2012, 20:47
Ms Zarb Darmanin,
It's evident that you just love to attack those who have different views than yours (thank goodness they exist) and keep at it FOREVER. Even if they are as polite as they come....
And you probably didn't even read my reply to one of your comments below...because you did not attack ..oops I meant answer me..with your usual politeness!
Manuel Mangani
Aug 7th 2012, 19:44
Ms. Zarb Darmanin,
"in life I NEVER POINT FINGERS AT ANYONE without having proof...."
Which, by your token, is more than the person you are defending does, for the whole point of this exchange is his decision to point fingers -not directly but clearly enough - at BLM for possibly killing protected birds.
In any case, this is not a court of law but an online newspaper comments board. As long as individuals' names are not tarnished one is free to comment. Which "someone" have I accused?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 7th 2012, 18:47
Glenn Micallef, then you are another one of those "advocates"! Welcome to their club! May I point out that I was always capable to fight my own battles with you antis, without having other pro-hunting individuals helping me out in my comments in reply to the antis' comments! Is this the "travu" and the "farka" you mention? Whatever has this Maltese saying to do with the situation? Wasn't Victor Falzon capable to answer to my comment without having G Caruana jump in his defence?! It is always the same with you antis, whether it is Carmelo Aquilina or yourself, or Victor Falzon, or G Caruana and the list of advocates keeps going on and on! I sometimes wonder whether a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL from you all is capable to defend himself without the help of others!
Glenn Micallef
Aug 7th 2012, 20:22
As usual you go round and round. The FACT is that you are the 'adovcate' of the hunters. The hunters are not capable to 'fight' their owwn battles? Do they need advocate Zarb Darmanin? That is the travu, madame. And apparently you still did not see it. I have always defended myself against your 'arguments' and will continue to do so, as I have just done. Enjoy.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 7th 2012, 11:04
Manuel Mangani, in life I NEVER POINT FINGERS AT ANYONE without having proof! Contrarily, you say that you "use God-given intelligence" and put the blame on someone without proof. Just try doing that in some Court of Law!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 7th 2012, 08:51
What a banal comment, Victor Falzon! These kids go out in the countryside, enjoy fresh air, exercise and practise their pastime. Should you prefer your kids (if you have any) to waste their time behind a computer, you are free to do so BUT you have no right whatsoever to impose your likes / dislikes on others! BTW, you are another one of those antis who enjoy playing the advocate for co-writers. I do wonder whether the many comments with different names come from the same person!!!!!!
G Caruana
Aug 7th 2012, 10:36
So it's all about fresh air now........ explains why the German Ambassador couldn't reply to fkn's email
Glenn Micallef
Aug 7th 2012, 15:12
"one of those antis who enjoy playing the advocate for co-writers". Very interesting Ms Zarb Darmanin, especially when it is coming from the you, a self declared 'common citizen' who speaks out for all hunters and their cause. Sewwa jghidu, hadt ma jara t-travu f ghajneh, imma jara il farka f ta haddiehor.....
Manuel Mangani
Aug 6th 2012, 22:54
Ms. Zarb Darmanin,
If I had proof, I would firstly go to the police and pass on the evidence to them. However, in the absence of proof I can use God-given intelligence and, on the basis of several instances of past experience, come to the conclusion that the most likely perpetrator/s would be members of a fraternity among whose members there are several with a penchant for blasting anything that flies irrespective of legal or environmental status. That would be by far the most plausible and honest hypothesis.
Of course If I wanted to be dishonest and beyond ridiculous, I could try and obfuscate the waters and point out that one cannot really completely rule out the fact that members of an organisation whose raison d'etre is actually the protection of these same birds could have been responsible for the deed, in order to tarnish the image of those poor, defenceless hunters who are really conservationists at heart and who like to carry a gun with them just for fun.
Now perhaps you could tell us what your theory about the death of the cuckoos is?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 6th 2012, 20:19
Steve Zammit, what I assure you that what I witnessed re CABS would disgrace you to defend them!!! You would definitely not be happy having such people around you! Meanwhile, you (and Manuel Mangani) might want to tell me who killed the cuckoo, obviously providing proof for what you say! You enjoy throwing accusations around without substantiating them! Therefore, please, I await proof. Meanwhile, Sir, try hard to provide serious arguments, and refrain from resorting to silly comments which ultimately portray you in a sorry state!
G Caruana, these UK kids do attend school. They practise hunting in their free time, instead of wasting their time behind a computer screen like most other kids!
Victor Falzon
Aug 6th 2012, 22:50
"They practise hunting in their free time, instead of wasting their time behind a computer screen like most other kids!"
Yeah right, so much better to waste birds than waste time.
Lawrence Anastasi
Aug 6th 2012, 13:57
I don't agree with hunting to any extent. However the allegation that Birdlife killed those birds in order to point the finger at the hunters is not out of order. Some may say the sacrifice of a few for the good of thousands may be worth it. So the allegation carries some weight. It is not unheard of.
Is anyone looking at the slaughter and slow killing of bulls in the bullfights in Spain, or is this OK with the EU? The running of the bull a cruel ritual which is mentally as well as physically damaging to bulls in Spain OK acceptable as well? I guess dog fights are OK in the EU as well. Pick on the small island EU!
Clayton Borg
Aug 6th 2012, 13:32
Quote: “They just shoot because we don’t get a lot to shoot at, so they just shoot at anything,” he said, claiming most hunters are FKNK members. The 15 members reported by the FKNK for illegal hunting are “just the tip of the iceberg,” he added. Unquote
So the above statement was done by a hunter? A hunter of what?? Of hunters?? When he used THEY???
I suggest that FKNK will trace this "hunter" to verify his claims. I think that this hunter is one of the BLM hunters that might do the dirty work for them. Thus JPC might be right in his claims....
Reading the above really made me sick, coming from a hunter BUT would not bother if it came from an ANTI..
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 6th 2012, 13:19
Manuel Mangani, YOU tell me who did, obviously providing proof.
Manuel Mangani
Aug 6th 2012, 12:35
Ms. Zarb Darmanin,
So, who killed those 2 cuckoos?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 6th 2012, 10:09
Fran Abela, so you try to deprive me of the concrete argument that you antis prefer others to do the dirty work so you can enjoy meat eh?! No, dear, I will continue pestering you with it. Hunters catch game which they consume. Far from the abolition of hunting, it may disappoint you to learn that in the UK there are 9 year-old / 12-year olds who practise hunting. So much for your dream of abolishing hunting! Therefore yes, dear, you have to bear with it!
Steve Zammit, what if I witness something really nasty coming from the antis/CABS' side, what would you have to say about it?! Meanwhile, do stop taking Mr J Perici Calascione's statement out of context, and instead, maybe, try to reply to the arguments brought forward by myself. Finally, do you also keep a secret ...something... in your backpack besides your binoculars (similar to what CABS carry)????!!!!!
Hugh Morris, actually I have exposed your unfounded, baseless and arrogant comment. Where is the apology? It appears that the shameful adjectives you used fit you perfectly. As the Maltese saying goes: "L-Ispizjar milli jkollu jaghtik"!
Carmelo Aquilina, I do not need to answer your question, especially if you are ignorant as to how you should address someone politely!! Do persist in your bad manners! How I pity you!
Steve Zammit
Aug 6th 2012, 13:22
What do you want to witness something nasty? sounds like a horror film....from CABS side, I can tell you what I witness ....protected birds being gunned down, and here FKNK instead of solving the problem, is now pointing fingers at those that are tying to solve it. Out of context, go on and tell me who shot the cuckoos??? What arguments? For the rest of your comment. present something decent for once
G Caruana
Aug 6th 2012, 18:11
Explains the high rate of child delinquency in the UK....perhaps they should have gone for education instead
F. Pisani
Aug 6th 2012, 08:41
I may belive him!!!!
B Ellul
Aug 6th 2012, 07:00
You went on BBC to make a fool of yourself and the hunters comunity
Raphael Dingli
Aug 6th 2012, 06:58
A CEO of an organisation who believes everything! how totally simple is that - he has lost any credibility he may have had.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 6th 2012, 06:37
Qed tara, sur Calascione u bella compagnia? Mid-dehra, dak li ppruvajtu taghmlu permezz ta' din ir-ridikolagni ta' dikjarazzjoni .... sfat fix-xejn. Anzi, l-effett sar bil-kontra - kif nghidu bl-Ingliz: 'it has backfired'! Prosit! Veru dahhaqtu pajjiz shih! U lil hinn minnu! Mid-dehra, qlajt parir hazin.
M. Cardona
Aug 6th 2012, 09:32
Mr Franco Farrugia, whilst I hold a very different opinion to yours with regards to hunting, I always thought that the comments you submitted portrayed an analytic and discerning personality. Re-read the news item objectively and unbiased by an anti-hunting sentiment. Mr Perici Calascione was making a completely different argumentation. It does not take a lot of wisdom to grasp what this is all about, but then again there are so many gullible individuals.
On a separate note, do you really think it "back-fired"? I think that if it a case of insinuations being made then it must be the way Mr Perici Calascione's argument was thwarted out of context. And I think that this was premeditated to draw a particular response by a particular faction. In that particular instance I concur it was completely successful.
Furthermore, don't you too denote a peculiar sense of desperate urgency? Who knows why?
Franco Farrugia
Aug 6th 2012, 14:34
@ Cardona: Poor you, for being so gullible, sir. Sorry: but it's the truth. You will be saying that Birdlife Malta is behind terrors of terrorism at the Vatican, next!
M. Cardona
Aug 7th 2012, 00:28
Mr Franco Farrugia,
you very evidently missed the whole point I was highlighting. Contrary to what you asserted, I maintained that in fact I believe that Mr JPC was completely misquoted. Next; it must be that "peculiar sense of desperate urgency" which blinded any further consideration. Who knows why?
Jean Paul Galea
Aug 5th 2012, 22:55
This is the usual political strategy, Its election time and we need to deviated from politics so what ? We ask FKNK to do some wild claims so people are deviated. Agreement a promise to have open spring hunting after election..
Joe Xuereb
Aug 5th 2012, 21:02
@ Mr Joseph Scicluna (Today, 14:48). Mr. Scicluna, given the situation there have to be people looking over their shoulders within the so-called hunting fraternity. Now there is that age-old tactic; as in, insinuating that your detractors are doing the very thing they condemn in order to show the fraternity in a bad light. Oh dear! And we now have a grasser - wouldn't you like to know his name?! maybe, to sort him out? hence his request for anonymity. Hunters think this too is a set up much like the first. In the meantime, the hunters get all paranoid about the unknown traitor in their midst. Oh dear! not a very healthy fraternity, have we now?! With so much negativity going around, I really do think that the hunting will be out well before I kick my clogs. Meanwhile, you could use your 'resting' time looking for a less bloody hobby to fill your days or better still, you could start fretting about more urgent issues that are besetting your country.
@ James Tyrrell (Today, 12:30). Mr. Tyrell, you comment was short and to the point. And yet you have been accused of talking too much. And you living in Ireland does not help your cause according to 'you-know-who'. As in, how dare you interfere in what goes on in Malta?! But worry not old son; only today I was told by said 'you-know-who' - and I know it is the same individual because his ID here as elsewhere is misspelt - that my comments are too long and nobody has the time to read them (see: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120803/local/patrol-boat-to-bring-in-88.431373 ). I wonder if Machiavelli was a hunter? that he was a trapper, that we know.
James, I wonder if this killer of birds who will have shut up anyone who threatens what he stands for....I wonder what he'd day if he knew I too live abroad? A double whammy for Joe Xuereb, maybe?! Bring it on!
David Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 20:49
Into stand-up comedy are we now Mr Perici?
John Azzopoardi
Aug 5th 2012, 18:50
Tyrell, below, you always tend to talk to much. Don't you have legal hunting in Ireland. Why are you intefering in Maltese affairs.
Anthony Formosa
Aug 5th 2012, 18:32
In my whole 35 years of hunting my dogs never found any dead bird. In the recent years, dead birds are found by BLM more than I see flying.
With all the hunters around, with all the trained and best quality dogs, how come birds are found by BLM ONLY?????
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 18:38
If you ever find a bird would you be ready to turn it in?
And in your whole 35 years Anthony can you tell us readers how many protected birds you saw getting killed???
'With all the hunters around, with all the trained and best quality dogs, how come birds are found by BLM ONLY?????'
Because only they are ready to turn them in, yeah like any hunter is gonna turn in an injured protected bird to Birdlife
Glenn Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 19:03
Mr.Formosa, I have been around for less years than you have been out hunting. Yet, I have come across one injured grey heron, 3 injured short eared owls, a dead SAKER falcon, a legally huntable starling and song thrush and an unidentifiable dead raptor species. All this I am ready to repeat under oath in a court of law. If you have never come across a dead bird, protected or otherwise in 35 years, you must be hunting from some rooftop!
G Caruana
Aug 5th 2012, 19:08
''how come birds are found by BLM ONLY''?????...because dead birds are the evidence .
how come poachers are never found by hunters????
.....because poachers are nowhere to seen being non existent & no hunter is going to report his own buddies.
Mr Richard Galea
Aug 5th 2012, 18:30
As an independent observer I have one thing to say to Mr. Perici Calascione. "Go tell it to the marines and do not insult our intelligence"
M. Cardona
Aug 6th 2012, 07:53
As a not independent observer I have one thing to say to you; Read between the lines, then you may understand what the tale spinning is all about.
Joseph Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 17:37
I am totally against hunting anmd all kind of animal cruelty, but I am afraid to say that the same thing that Mr Calacione is saying I questioned it before cause I feel that Bird Life s aim is just to make people hate hunters not to teach people to love birds
Franco Farrugia
Aug 5th 2012, 18:53
'I am totally against hunting ...' Go pull the other leg, mate. Iddahhaqx!
Jay Oatmon
Aug 5th 2012, 17:36
I don't call shooting at tiny birds 'hunting' because they cannot be eaten - it really should be called bird killing, just for the thrill of taking life!
M. Cardona
Aug 6th 2012, 07:57
Jay Oatman is there any form of bird hunting which you actually consider hunting? We don't get partridge, grouse, turkey and pheasants. But if its all about size, then we may consider the emu and the ostrich as fair game. I'm told they tend to stick their heads in the sand when faced with calamities. And do believe me, one pretentious ostrich has stuck its head so deep I doubt it will ever pull it back out.
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 17:34
FKNK is right
Every time I go out birdwatching I keep a secret shotgun in my backpack besides my binoculars , and when I see a cuckoo I shoot it so the hunters look bad
I also love chasing storks and short-toes eagles too
Give us a break
JJ Agius
Aug 6th 2012, 00:43
Are you the bird watcher of Gnejna Bay by any chance.Very often I see some one with the binoculars there especially when it is very hot!!
Giljanu
Steve Zammit
Aug 6th 2012, 13:27
Giljanu le le mhux jien ! Jien inkun inhawi ohra, imma ghalissa id-dar nibqa wisq shana, ara gimaghtejn ohra nerga nibda nohrog ingawdi l-ghasafar :-)
Kurt Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 17:09
Stqarrijiet bhal dawn ma tantx jghinu lill-kredibilita li ghandkom
M. Cardona
Aug 6th 2012, 07:50
U int tahseb li din kienet stqarrija? Ghalkemm misluta mill-kuntest li fih intqalet, erga aqraha sew, u tifhem li s-sens kien differenti. Imma sfortunatament jidher li ghal certa fazzjoni hemm certu sens ta' urgenza. Min jaf ghaliex hux?
Rita Debono
Aug 5th 2012, 17:03
@M. Dolores Vassallo.........nahseb bis-serjeta`!! Imma kemm nifilhu ndahhqu nies bina......issa anke barra minn xtutna! Ha jkomplu jahsbuna boloh. U fuq kollox jien ghadni qatt ma fhimtha kif bniedem jista' jkun "kaccatur, nassab u konservazzjonista" fl-istess nifs.
Anthony Formosa
Aug 5th 2012, 18:22
U mintix ha tifhem la ma tifihmx, Jekk il-passjoni ta kaccatur jew nassab tiddependi mil-ambjent bilfors irid ikun konservazzjonist. Taf min hu konservazzjonist? Dak li jhammeg kull fejn ikun, u dak li jrid jahtaf u jeqred kull bicca raba'. F'sajf jaqli jien u hafna bhali immoru nsaqqu s-sigar waqt li int tkun on the beach.
Glenn Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 19:14
Le Sur Formosa, konservajonist huwa dak li jhawwel sigar tal ewcaliptus ghax jikbru malajr, u ma jghatix kass li jnixfu l ilma u jihdu post pjanti idigeni. Konservazjonist huwa dak li jitfa ma nafx kemm il kilo comb u plastic fl ambjent taghna kull sena. Konservazjonisti huma dawk li gabuna wiehed mill unici pajjizi fid dinja li m ghandhomx tajr tal priza u cawl residenti, ghax kerduhom huma. Konservajonisti huma dawk li jqatcu xi 2000 sigra matul il lejl, jew dawk li jisparaw fuq tajr rieqed matul il lejl. Fl ahhar u mhux l inqas, konservazzjonist irrid ikun jara l ibbalzmar tat tajr bhala 'arti' u ovjament irid ikollu balla tajr rari f xi kollezjoni go vetrina u l qtil ta kreatura ohra 'biex jiekolha' itih buzz u jsejjahlu a 'socio-cultural passion and tradition'. Vera sew qed tghid, dak huwa konservazjonist.
Victor Falzon
Aug 6th 2012, 19:19
@ Anthony Azzopardi
"F'sajf jaqli jien u hafna bhali immoru nsaqqu s-sigar"
...biex kif tidħol il-ħarifa u tinżel gamiema fis-siġar li nkun saqqejt, noħroġ għaliha u nġibha trietaq.
Bert Muscat
Aug 5th 2012, 16:29
Don't make us laugh Mr Perici Calascione, we are not that stupid as you would like us to be.
All I have to say is, unless hunting is stopped altogether in Malta, there is still going to be clowns shooting at everything that moves and then pretend that it's not them. So lets campaign to stop hunting once and for all, and enjoy birds flying about instead stuffed in a showcase.
Mr Peter Barbara
Aug 5th 2012, 16:25
I saw a pig flying this morningf !
E. Azzopardi
Aug 5th 2012, 16:13
As things are going, the EC is really getting fed up with our so called "hunting" and sooner rather than later, it will "order" Malta to abolish hunting. Several hunters do not behave, and in my opinion have done a lot of damage to tourism, besides to their colleagues but the latter does not matter.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 5th 2012, 16:02
Carmelo Aquilina, you persist in your bad manners by addressing individuals you do not know by their first name! Well that says a lot about you! It also goes to prove how you failed to comprehend the true context of Mr Joe Perici Calascione's statement!
Pippo Demarco, you just wrote for the sake of answering to my comment. Has your common sense made you realise that Hugh Morris' comment was baseless and insultive? That was the scope of my comment.
Carmelo Aquilina
Aug 6th 2012, 00:34
Ah Sylvana dear... you avoid answering my question..again !
Steve Zammit
Aug 6th 2012, 13:25
Carmelo don't address her by her first name !! Its really rude LOL
D Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 15:35
Yeah sure...
BLM must also have damaged Mnajdra Temples.....sprayed graffiti on Portes des Bombes...splashed paint on the Dingli chapel...shot at the Ghadira Ranger....sawed off trees....dumped oil at the Ghadira reserve....burnt their own members' cars.....beaten up their own members and foreign birdwatchers....expressed their love towards Germans by scribbling threats on walls...and obviously has shot down any attempts to have any effective control over what hunters are up to.
With such socio-cultural chaps like these, who needs vandals?
M. Cardona
Aug 5th 2012, 16:16
Ms D Borg,
Mnajdra damages were purportedly committed not by hunters. However, allegedly the reason why- never made it to the news after all hunters were attributed the act. There were several newspaper coverages; you may wish to delve deeper.
Portes de Bombes graffiti; yeah hunters sprayed Somali or Erithrean graffiti? Just a whiff of common sense would have led you elsewhere. But it does take at least a whiff of common sense.
Dingli chapel; what's splashed paint got to do with hunters?
Shots at ghadira ranger.....whilst 100% condemnable (whoever the perpetrator and whatever the reason behind the despicable act) if my memory serves me right, no one was accused. Could there have been other reasons apart from hunting? I'm not in any way being dogmatic (which isn't the case with your accusations) but how did you arrive to your conclusions? You may wish to help with the police investigations.
Who beat who? You may wish to go through the court sentence when this was alleged.
"Scribbling threats on walls"? No such deed is justifiable by another however, do you remember the endearing hunter hating comments at the Victoria lines?
Given your selective memory you may wish to highlight that except in a minute number of cases, irrespective of the allegations, none were proven. Hence they remain merely allegations, which however come handy when people with plenty hunter hate try to construe an argument.
With such skilled investigators like D Borg, who'd need Sherlock Holmes?
D Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 19:42
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070707/local/vandalism-a-record-of-shame.12117
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080601/local/foresta-2000-rangers-rooms-torched-birdlife.210546
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2010/04/25/t5.html
http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/commentaries/2008/04/mat02.asp
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100519/local/accused-plead-guilty-to-assaulting-birdlife-volunteers-in-dingli.308045
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100826/local/trees-vandalism-court-sentence-deemed-too-lenient-by-park-warden.324037
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080217/local/updated-birdwatchers-cars-burnt-at-buskett-birdlife-demands-action.194700
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100429/local/suspended-jail-term-for-policeman-caught-hunting-illegally.305052
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101014/local/two-hunters-jailed-for-bribing-policeman.331215
M.Dolores Vassallo
Aug 5th 2012, 15:35
DA BIS-SERJETA JEW?
mario salnitro
Aug 5th 2012, 15:27
Paroli biss come on lads soon it will be 1st September [open season] check your guns and get repaired we pay our police hunting licence to hunt legally so say what you want for nothing .
Joseph M Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 16:27
Jekk tkun prudenti fil-kacca tieghek u timxi skond il-ligi ghandek kull dritt tipprattika dik in-namra imma li twahhal f'haddiehor le. Sewwa taghmel kif ghidt int ....hunt legally. After all I am all out against killing birds.
mario salnitro
Aug 5th 2012, 21:15
Joseph M Scicluna ,sorry mate but we us hunters in total about 14000 have a police licence to shoot birds !!
Like it or not you are stuck with us .
All you can do is write a comment here and there at least you will keep yourself occupied!!!
Edward Camilleri
Aug 5th 2012, 15:11
@a hunter told Mr Hill that many hunters act outside the terms of the derogation and do not care whether a species is protected or not.
This is no secret in Malta, talk with whoever you like and its clear that hunters do not obey rules. But officially everyone is clean!
@Joe Perici Calascione
Killing is not in the vocabulary of a conservationist. Its only those that do not appreciate nature that continue practicing their despecable "sport"!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 5th 2012, 15:06
Steve Zammit, I am NOT a hunter and therefore your statement "Stop acting as if you bunch are angels" does not make sense at all! As to what many hunters have told you, is also a non-argument! Am I to state that many extremist antis from your midst have told me that, that and that? No Sir, I will not resort to such baseless tactics. I only resort to FACTS!
Mark Sultana, you are as well using what I wrote out of context. This is the problem with antis: they just cannot write factual arguments. I wrote: "Which hunter would speak so badly about co-hunters, DEPICTING A PICTURE WHICH IS NOT TRUE, WHILE USING EXTREMIST ANTIS' DESCRIPTION OF HUNTERS". You are indeed deceitful, Sir! Your deceitful ways are what one should d!escribes as "embarrassing"
Victor Falzon, thanks for further substantiating my claim that hunters are not what Hugh Morris tried to depict of them. As for stooping so low, well you might be one of those who prefer the butcher to do the stooping down for you so that you can enjoy a nice steak, chicken, rabbit, fish, etc. Well, what shall we call that person who commissions others to "stoop" on his behalf??!!
Finally, it appears that the Hunting Season is approaching and we start having these heated debates on The Times Blogs. Try as they might, the antis have not succeeded to abolish hunting. They will have to bear with it!!!!
Fran Abela
Aug 5th 2012, 16:50
You may not be a hunter Ms. Zarb Darmanin but sure as hell you stick up for them. Cut the crap about what one eats or does not eat. Your argument does not hold water. We are talking about the indiscriminate killing of birds that has been going on for years and that has been giving Malta a bad name. I am totally against hunting be it in Malta or elsewhere in the world. You have to accept the fact too that there is a world-wide movement to completely abolish hunting. No we do not have to hear with it. That is a childish remark. I too have my rights to enjoy birds and no-one will convince me that hunting is right. It may have been right in the middle ages when men had to hunt for food but not in the year 2012. So try and and accept that too.
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 17:07
Sylvana if a hunter that you trusts comes up to and tells you that he openly admit that some hunters will shot at anything that flies, and myself witnesses this too, doesn't that resort to being a fact.
Haha you'r enot a hunter, we all know who you're speaking up for !
You want facts, please show me from where your president got this statement, show me videos and photos please of birdwatchers shooting at birds?
You seem to be in a state of panic again, come on 3 weeks are left, either say something worth reading or go back into your dura and hibernate.
Till then reading what the FKNK has to say is really entairtaining
Victor Falzon
Aug 6th 2012, 19:14
Sylvana ZD, I am a vegetarian, so no stooping needed on my part.
But vegetarians apart, killing an animal for food is nature's way. On the other hand, killing for pure pleasure - as your merry bunch of hunters do - is an abomination.
E. Azzopardi
Aug 5th 2012, 14:39
Nice try!! But if you have no defense at all, you get desperate. The fact is that the vast majority of the CITIZENS are against " killing of migrating birds', because that is what it is. Nothing else.
Somebody commented about the pigeons in Sliema. We would greatly appreciate if these are eliminated once and for all as they are really a health hazard with all their droppings. Perhaps something can be done about this? Obviously HEALTH is a top priority, but it seems those responsible have not noticed this yet.
NB: Before someone critisizes me about the pigeons, these are not migratory birds and, I repeat, are a real health hazard, when in fact migratory birds ARE NOT.
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 15:03
Feral pigeons are considered pests, as are rats. They spread diseases, and every conservation activist would tell you that the best thing that can be done is to exterminate them.
anthony sultana
Aug 5th 2012, 14:30
I has met birds killers in the country side , that they don"t recognize a sparow from a turtle dove,so they give the death birds away, then I ask why do you do such a thing? the answer I got was, just to shoots some shots thats all,[dak biex nisparaw erba tiri]
Anthony Formosa
Aug 5th 2012, 18:26
Sur Sultana, Kellha ragun:)
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 5th 2012, 14:08
Hugh Morris, how presumptuous of you? Primarily, can we have your academic credentials, please?! You have indeed made out a fool of yourself by depicting hunters as uneducated, with lack of intelectuality and none are university graduates. Just to name a few, I happen to know QUALIFIED DENTISTS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, BANK MANAGERS, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN all of whom practise hunting. Now, if you want to earn ANY respect, an apology should be forthcoming. Failure to do so, will only depict you as perfectly fitting the ARROGANT and SHAMEFUL adjectives you attributed to hunters!!
Your wish to make hunting illegal will remain just that: A WISH!! Hunting is here to stay, to be enjoyed by the many Graduates, white-collar staff, manual workers and all those coming from all strata of our society! HOW I PITY YOU, SIR!!!!
Victor Falzon
Aug 5th 2012, 14:38
I also happen to know about several members of royalty who hunt for pleasure.
So what! It only proves that no matter how qualified, rich, noble and successful you are, you can still stoop low enough to actually ENJOY killing a defenceless animal.
Pippo De Marco
Aug 5th 2012, 15:09
In my experience, academic achievement is inversely proportionate to common sense (I exclude myself, of course ). I have known many intellectuals who are like fish out of water when they are outside their area of expertise. Conversely, some of the world's most infamous criminals were academically gifted.
My point is that having a good education and qualifications doesn't necessarily equate to good judgement or common sense. If you don't agree, then just look at the words and deeds of some of our politicians.
Carmelo Aquilina
Aug 5th 2012, 15:20
Sylvana if there are so many intellectuals in the bird killing fraternity can you explain why the FKNK came out with such a statement to explain dead protected birds ? You'd think one of the more intelligent members could come up with a better excuse.
Tim Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 16:42
Isn't killing wild birds arrogant and shameful?
Firstly, I really think you should express your thoughts in less words and start taking pity on the ones who are trying to insinuate that BirdLife is practicing their disgusting hobby to ruin hunters 'reputations'.
Secondly, the BBC and its listeners recognise a fake when they hear one...
m. borg (slm)
Aug 5th 2012, 17:27
Mr Aquilina is there any proof that those protected dead birds presented on the show were shot by hunters?
Maybe they were shot by aliens. Who could say unless there is proof of who did it.
Hugh Morris
Aug 5th 2012, 18:50
My my... did that tickle? :) sounds like I've touched a sore spot there... hehe!
Btw wishes do occasionally come true....
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 19:12
Mr. Borg, they might have committed suicide. After we all live in a high-stress environment. Think of what lemmings do, after all.
Shall we wait until the forensic evidence rules out suicide, rather than blaming the poor, defenceless hunters?
C Busuttil
Aug 5th 2012, 14:01
Both BLM and the FKNK are fanatics therefore I am not surprised that they might resort to certain tactics, whatever kind of tactics they are from baseless statements to actually killing the birds. Both of them are fanatics that's all
In Sliema we have a big problem with pigeons but you can't try and get rid of them even if they are a health hazard because some stupid organization will object as for them birds are more important than human beings.
Ara vera hawn min mghandux xghamel Halluna tridux 90% tal-Maltin jigu jaqa u jqumu mill-kacca u mill-BLM
Victor Falzon
Aug 5th 2012, 14:33
Wow C Busuttil! So in your black-and-white world, anyone who speaks in favour or against something is a fanatic. My my, how enviously simplistic.
Well, YOU just spoke out against pigeons, which makes YOU a fanatic too. I wonder what "certain tactics" you will resort to in order to solve your pigeon problem.
U wara kollox, jekk tiġi taqa' u tqum mill-kaċċa u mill-BirdLife, ħadd ma ġiegħlek taqra dan l-artiklu.
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 17:41
Ghidli wahda x'ghandhom x jaqsmu l-hamiem tas-Sliema mal-Birdlife?
U possibli idejquk daqshekk il-hamiem? Int xi fanatiku li tobqghod il-hamiem?
Hadd ma qalek biex taqra dan l-artiklu, la qrajtu u hlejt 5 minuti tikteb xi haga, sinjali jinteressak xi ftit :)
Charles Grima
Aug 5th 2012, 13:55
I guess the comments of the ToM bloggers here, reflect the true way in which the typical Maltese citizen holds hunters. We simply do not like you. Personally, I hate everything you stand for.
Birds are usually killed by guns, although, judging by your killing returns, you are all LOUSY shots!
M. Cardona
Aug 5th 2012, 15:24
Judging by your words you do much more than just hate everything hunters stand for.
And whilst "birds are usually killed by guns" (I guess it takes one bright guy to figure that out and moreover as if only hunters hold a license to keep a gun) ,
whereas hate is usually disseminated through our acts, words and deeds.
What a sure way to be seen one "lousy" hater!
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 13:37
FKNK keep on digging a deeper grave, you lost all your credibility with such nonsense
M. Cardona
Aug 5th 2012, 15:31
Mr Zammit,
if its all about credibility, where are the quoted millions, now watered down to thousands? Where are the countless song bird and game bird nests we were made to believe we'd be experiencing?
If its about credibility how does; "no birds left in Malta larger than a sparrow" (BLM activists) stand as opposed to "Malta has one of the largest colonies of yelkouan shearwater" (BLM when EU funds are in the offing).
Now how's that for some nonsense?
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 17:10
Tell me where Birdlife quoted millions, go on and quote to me where, i've been waiting for the link for ages.
Come on M Cardona, how many birds larger then a sparrow manage to breed here? If there are, its only a few, and we all know why
FKNKs PR today was the joke of the year
Birdlife may be killing the birds? how low may you go?
Now how's that for some nonsense?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Aug 5th 2012, 13:36
If one had to read Mr J Perici Calascione's comment in its true context, one would not comment as many have done. Had I to use the same tactics as the many commentators below, I would likewise ridicule Mr Hill who tries to make us believe that "Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a hunter told Mr Hill" bla, bla, bla. Many might believe what Mr Hill tries to make us believe BUT I definitely will not believe him! Who is this anonymous hunter? Which hunter would speak so badly about co-hunters, depicting a picture which is not true, while using extremist antis' description of hunters?! Come on, level-headed individuals are no fools!
Meanwhile can CABS decide whether the use of the drone is legal or not? First they state that "no permit is required to fly a model aircraft weighing less than 7kg in Malta" only to follow with "CABS was planning to bring its own “eye in the sky” to monitor illegal hunting in autumn, if the police permitted it."
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 13:59
LOL Sylvana what that hunter told Mr. Hill, many hunters have told me the same thing and admit openly
Stop acting as if you bunch are angels
Mark Sultana
Aug 5th 2012, 14:12
Hilarious to say the least Sylvana. So you defend Joe Perici Calascione, by using him same tactic of denial and childish accusations.
JPC: "Which hunter would shoot a cuckoo and leave it there?"
Sylvana: "which hunter would speak so badly about co-hunters?"
oh i was wrong this isn't hilarious.....it's embarrassing.
keep on shooting yourself in the foot (pun intended)
Victor Falzon
Aug 5th 2012, 14:48
"BUT I definitely will not believe him!"
Contrary to Mr Perici who believes everything :) :)
Pippo De Marco
Aug 5th 2012, 14:49
"Who is this anonymous hunter ?"
Who indeed? - Maybe he isn't a hunter. Perhaps he was an invention of the BBC, or, as I stated earlier (10.10am), he might have been a BLM plant ? Or just maybe he was a hunter who knew that he couldn't be prosecuted so he decided to tell the truth in order to goad those of us who deplore his sick, mindless activity?
Civil law cases are decided on the balance of probability and, if I was a gambling man, I wouldn't give your submission a hope in hell. But I'm sure that you will keep on swimming against the tide.
There are mine so blind and deaf as those who do not want to see or hear.
S. Azzopardi
Aug 5th 2012, 13:35
While I always considered myself in favour of Birdlife there were times when I really thought that at times hunters were given a raw deal. However the above comment by Mr Perici Calascione has convinced me once and for all that they are out there ready to do anything to continue hunting even throwing out such insinuations.
J Curmi
Aug 5th 2012, 13:18
For those who may wish to listen to the radio documentary on BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l7sff
For the record - I am not a BLM member or another other similar organisation, however I am all for observing the law to protect birds and watching birds fly freely.
Hugh Morris
Aug 5th 2012, 13:15
Hunting in general is a sport which has evolved from the neanderthal need to capture food to eat.
In my opinion it does not have a place in today's modern civilisation. It is a sport mostly practiced by the lower classes in society who have a need to show their superiority in some way or another, since they cannot do it intellectually. I have never met university graduates who are hunters.
I believe it should be made illegal altogether.
Victor Falzon
Aug 5th 2012, 14:23
Much as I would like to agree, I am afraid the pleasure of killing is present across all classes of human society, from commoners all the way up to royalty. That of course still doesn't make it any less despicable or deplorable. Indeed, educated people should know better than to kill for fun.
Hunting today is only justifiable where survival is the issue, as in primitive societies where sustenance depends on what the people catch. For these people, hunting is no leisure but a daily need in order to fill their bellies. Somehow I cannot picture the Maltese hunter as fitting this category.
Ramon Cassaro
Aug 5th 2012, 14:48
@ Hugh Morris,
" It is a sport mostly practiced by the lower classes in society who have a need to show their superiority in some way or another, since they cannot do it intellectually. ". Here are facts as to what you said.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/885834-prince-philip-misses-boxing-day-hunt-despite-good-third-night-in-hospital
http://www.royalblog.ca/2012/01/will-and-harry-go-hunting.html
http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/uk-royal-wedding/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=5095877&page=9
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17752983
Many more on the internet.
J. Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 15:42
What drivel!
Go tell that to the thousands on pheasant shoots in the UK on their own lands! Unless mistaken the bulk of the British nobility and wealthy shoot regularly now that The Hunt was abolished.
Likewise in other European countries.
"Lower classes"!
Hugh Morris
Aug 5th 2012, 18:34
@Ramon Cassaro
and in Malta? I sustain my argument.
Joe M Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 13:15
JPC,
I don't know whether I should laugh, or cry, at your suggestion that 'Birdlife may be killing birds.' At least, you had the decency of using 'MAY', because when it comes to hunters, everybody knows that they 'ARE' killing birds. Oh, the joys and thrills of killing a wonderful creature, simply because hunters have that 'hobby'(?).
Please, give birds a chance to sing! And stop falling into ridicule.
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 13:03
I suggest a motto for the FKNK, 'What flies, dies'. It suits you because many of your members do not know better! Imma bil-mod tfiequ taqtawx qalbkom!
I welcome the day Malta gets rid of hunters and trappers, probably not in our lifetime unfortunately. And please do not justify your bad habit of destroying birds by saying that in the UK and other countries they hunt as well, such arguments do not justify the sensless killing of these beautiful creatures that we Maltese people in general love so much to see in our countryside, but are deprived of doing so by some people with a poor mentality!
Bird lovers are voters too, so political parties should be aware that our eyes are open!
One word for CABS, using the drone on our island is not welcomed here. Use other means to help us protect birds on the island because this action is the only anti hunting/trapping activity that gives some sympathy to hunters/trappers. In general, the Maltese population is irked by this activity of having drones flying above our heads. We do not like what you are doing! The shooting down of your drone gave points to the hunters not to you!
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 14:19
Get used to drones, as they are expanding on a massive level worldwide. In the next few years, drones will become as common as CCTV cameras are now, and whether you like it or not will be irrelevant.
Stefan Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 14:28
Yes,bird lovers have votes,some of them atleast beacuse most of them are not Maltese,some are under age and most of all thier number is insignificant.
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 17:53
Mr Borg, what makes what you like more relevant? Some divine right perhaps?
Mr Micallef, have you done an unknown survey in the Maltese islands about who an how many are the bird lovers in Malta?
Jek joghgobkom kunu naqra maturi u tahlux il-hin ta haddiehor!
N Chetcuti
Aug 5th 2012, 12:51
JPC, have you been watching batman lately? Are you living in a fantasy world of your own?
J Curmi
Aug 5th 2012, 12:46
I am an avid follower of the TOM online blog and generally take an interest in the main topics of the day. When I read such comments, insinuations or call them whatever, in my view, FKNK's credibility goes down another notch. Does the President of the FKNK really think that the BLM will dare risk their reputation to put FKNK in a bad light? To think of the negative implications if they were to be caught in the act? I say, whatever should we expect next from FKNK?
For the record, I am not a BLM member, however I am all for watching and enjoying birds fly freely.
R Mallia
Aug 5th 2012, 12:45
Stupid comments as usual, That is why they don't want no one filming them so they can pass on stupid comments like this. Birdlife brings us footage proof of you hunters killing these wonderful creatures.You bring us baseless statements,that is why everyone believes BLM. FKNK you need a new leader.
D Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 12:42
Mr. Perici calascione seems to be hunting his foot....congrats keep it up!
James Tyrrell
Aug 5th 2012, 12:30
No one in the country let alone Birdlife have to do anything to make the hunters look bad. They have been doing that very well all by themselves for years now.
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 13:13
U kif!!
Toni Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 12:27
Of all the stupid things 'the boss of hunters' ever said, this is the lamest!!!
Mario Tabone
Aug 5th 2012, 12:10
Dr Calascione
If the FKNK can trust somebody like your good self in his capacity of President of the organisation, to make such statements in their name then they are really scraping the barrel.
Keep digging that hole for the so called hunting fraternity Sir, in that context you are doing a stirling job !!!!
Stefan Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 12:04
Look at poor birdlife trying to get people's minds of their illegal spring hunting fiasco!!!
Victor Falzon
Aug 5th 2012, 12:04
So in a nutshell he is saying that in its efforts to stamp out the killing of birds, BirdLife... kills birds!
Yayy nice one Mr Perici, you do the FKNK mighty proud with such statements. Keep them coming please.
Steve Zammit
Aug 5th 2012, 12:01
''Birdlife members may be killing birds to make the hunting federation look bad, the hunters’ federation president insinuated to a BBC radio documentary aired Tuesday.''
Int bis-serjeta? Laqas tisthu FKNK tohorgu haga bhal din
Kif jista jimxi l-quddiem dal pajjiz, minflok tiggieldu kontra kacca illegali, tghidu li issa tahsbu l-Birdlife stess qedghin joqtlu it-tajr???
JJ Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 11:57
Even the caption of this article The Boss!!! Why not the President! Who Insinuate who!
Come on!! why antihunters throw mud & all he says is a mortal sin.I think he did his best to show that we are as good & bad like other countries.Why not a member of ALE have hunting as his hobby?He can drive a car where 99% of drivers break the Law but not hunting!Stop trying to give Malta a bad image!
Giljanu
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 11:54
Since the FKNK president is insinuating that BLM members could be killing protected birds to incriminate the hunters and tarnish their image even further, why doesn't FKNK commission a 'drone' of its own in a bid to catch those dastardly BLM perpetrators in the act?
it's not illegal, and BLM members are hardly likely to give the game away by shooting it down, are they?
So, come on, FKNK, put your money (or FACE's) where your mouth is..
Elvin Muscat
Aug 5th 2012, 11:44
God forbid we had a secret service in Malta with people like this in the orgnisation, we would probably instigate a third world war. There is a saying, the bigger the lie, the more people are liable to believe it. Maybe the birds are committing suicide to protect "their great leader bird" from the "boss of hunters".
Andrea Damato
Aug 5th 2012, 11:40
Qote:''As for enforcement, the hunter said police “have to be pushed to do their job” and many of them know the hunters personally.''
Unquote: This is the most untrue, ridicule and baseless statement of all this equally biased and senseless article.Being a hunter ( and former trapper ) myself, I witnessed personally the numerous and continuos raids and inspections being done very frequently throghout the hunting seasons by the ALE section of the police and mind you I fully support such inspections. And to confirm that these inspections are not just being done for the sake of the police to appear to do something, one can go to an ALE sitting at the lawcourts which if i'm not mistaken is held every wednesday in front of Magistrate Vella and see by himself all persons booked for various infringments brought to justice and fined.
So this article's and Birdlife's claim that enforcement on hunting is lacking in Malta is very far from the truth.
As usual foreigners are brainwashed by Birdlife so that they plat their tune once in Malta !!!
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Aug 5th 2012, 11:13
"Boss of the hunters"
Whether one agrees with an organization or individual, respectfully Mr Perici Calascione is President of the FKNK. Captions of this type give away this newspaper's bias.
joe briffa
Aug 5th 2012, 11:04
Ban hunting and trapping totally,and enforce harsh fines, I mean government only compares Malta to other EU countries whenever it feels good to him. In many EU countries where birds are more of an abundance,there are restrictions even to buy guns.If you do not live near a place where its allowed to go hunting,you will be refused to buy a gun for example.And also the many guns thatare not legally registered,in hands of 15 year old and other minors,shooting in public areas,and the nicest country walks are always infested with shooters. But apart from all of this.....did you ever notice,wherever you go,even between Malta and Gozo,you do not see a single bird in the sky, our blue skies of death, ...
Mr Jimmy Vella
Aug 5th 2012, 11:03
What we need is a proper German police force to control this savegery every year, we all know the local police force is incapable or unwilling to handle this increasing abuse,as the hunters are becoming more militant and vindictive.
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 11:00
I have a message to Inspector Mercieca:
You say one of your police officers registered to hunt and he is an asset. So, if you can use him for intelligence, then when are you going to start busting the taxidermists that operate rather openly throughout the Maltese Islands? These taxidermists, all of which operate illegally, are the pits where thousands of protected birds are taken to be stuffed every year. Why are you not busting them? Who is protecting them?
D Borg
Aug 5th 2012, 12:40
well said Victor Borg
Joe Xuereb
Aug 5th 2012, 10:58
I live for the day when hunting in Malta comes to an end. I also think that like any addict ex-hunters will suffer withdrawal symptoms and should be offered counselling to help them wean themselves of their 'drug of choice'. And not forgetting the hunting-dogs who should be given a juicy boner to help them calm down.
Mr Joseph Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 14:48
You will have an unbreakable record of the most lived human than...LLLOOOLLL
anthony sultana
Aug 5th 2012, 10:55
CABS are not spies, we are not at war with Germany, in fact they are EU members as we are, and obviously we need their help, it is wrong if we ask a member state to help us in some way and they refuse.They should open an ofice here, name BLM&CABS, killing innocent creatures should be a serious crime, punished by heavy fines.
Chris Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 10:52
What a load of rubbish! They hunt in the UK too. They even KILL foxes.
What hypocrites
M Cachia
Aug 5th 2012, 12:35
They do not hunt foxes no - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4020453.stm
Also hunting pheasant (where they are bread for hunting) or deer (where without hunting gross overpopulation would occur) cannot be compared to the wanton over killing that happens on these three islands!
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 12:43
UK hunters and fox killers have as much to be ashamed, as local hunters! B'daqshekk ma jfissirx li jekk toqtol l-aghasafar gewwa pajjizi hija haga tajba. Imisshom jisthu dawk li jikkacjaw il-fox (ghalkem saret illegali) u imissu jishi wkoll minn joqtol l-ghasagfar, specjalment il-president Calascione, li tilef il-farka kredibilita li seta kellu! Go tell it to the marines, Joe, lill min trid tbellaha?
M. Cardona
Aug 5th 2012, 13:08
M Cachia,
comparisons are odious, nonetheless you may wish to note that contrary to your unfounded, unqualified and unsubstantiated assertions;
-In England, fox hunting is legal 24/7/365. One may shoot foxes all year round, at all times of the day and night. One may also lamp the fox at night. The fox may be shot by shot gun as well as with a rifle.
- Pheasants and deer are not the only game hunting/shooting in the UK. The difference is that the various hunting activities are classified differently;
Duck shooting is qualified as wildfowling,
Hunting of woodpigeon, collared dove (which is locally protected), all corvids, feral pigeon (which is also locally protected) and rabbits is termed shooting or alternatively pest control and is permitted year round 24/7/365 i.e. no closed season, at all times of the day, by shotgun or rifle
Pheasant hunting classifies as rough shooting, walked up or driven in which latter case its a shoot and not a hunt. Partridge and sometimes wood cock fall under the latter category.
Deer hunting in its various forms i.e. culling (both genders and age irrespective), rutting (only males), and doe (only females) seasons for the various deer species literally mean that a hunter may pursue his passion all year round in one form or another. In the case of the sika deer these have been defined as invasive and their hunting is permitted year round in certain cases.
With regards to pheasant and partridge shoots, one may also attend shoots on exclusively wild birds, which are advertised as such for their propensity to offer higher flying and faster birds. The only difference is that the fees and tips are much higher.
Check FACTS not your facts please. In case of difficulties do come back for more.
Carmelo Aquilina
Aug 5th 2012, 10:51
paranoid nonsense from an utterly discredited organisation
Karl Consiglio
Aug 5th 2012, 11:32
Exactly.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Aug 5th 2012, 10:51
*******************************************************************************
A gun could be bought by anyone, including birdlife members.
By law, to be a bird ringer , one must not be a bird trapper. So why not to own a gun, one must not be a birdlife member.
The whole truth in this story is that BLM cannot swallow, ingest, gulp down etc etc that spring hunting is here to STAY.
*************************************************************
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 12:38
Mentalita miskina Joe. Jiddispjacini ghalik.
Mr Joe Camilleri
Aug 5th 2012, 16:24
@ Philip
Qedt xi gibda f'dak li ktibt. Jekk iva ghidli fejn, il bqija JEKK LE, il mentalita meskina hija tieghek. U ma jidispjacinix ghalik ghax inti trid tibqa b'ghajnejk maghluqin u ma tridx tkun taf il verita. Temmen biss li jbellawlek.
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 10:48
These outlandish statements do more damage to the the credibility of the local hunters than even the actual wanton destruction of protected species.
Carry on, Calascione.
Steve Pace
Aug 5th 2012, 10:43
"I believe everything." - ... I don't ....... mhux kulhadd mazzun u jibla kollox !
Charles Grima
Aug 5th 2012, 10:42
This is why we do not trust you people!!!
I admit you have courage to come up with something like this. Actually I call it crass stupidity!!!
How could you come out with something like this? Why don't you go and take a look around the bars and haunts of your fellows, listening to them brag about getting away from the police or hunting using boats!
ISTHU, TAFU?
Misthija ta nies...
JJ Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 10:42
Mr Hill the truth is that in all European countries illegal hunting takes place.Even in U.K.In Malta every shot is heard as we are small.Why should an A.L.E member dont go hunting .Antihunters instigate the hunters thus creating war.Maltese hunters have the strictest regulations in the world.Like have to go home after shooting one turtle dove;sms as soon as one turtle dove is shot;wearing the nazi armband.Allthou I dont go hunting I am not against the honest maltese hunter.Yes they have the hardest hunting laws in the world AND if the whole of Europe stops hunting so should we.Until than give the hunters their due.
GILJANU
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 11:20
Prosit Giljanu, I cannot agree more.your statement is strong and as long the hunt issastinable we will continue same as other EU country
Ninu.
C Cassar
Aug 5th 2012, 11:56
er, no. Hunting is unsustainable on an island so small as Malta which is the most densely populated country in Europe. That is the difference between Malta and any other EU country and why hunting will be banned in Malta while it will continue in other EU countries.
JJ Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 16:06
@c.Cassar.
The only difference with Malta being so small is that cabs from abroad can easily see the bad of the Maltese hunters & having a free holiday while they dont have the guts or the eyes to see
the illegalities in their countries.
Giljanu
C Cassar
Aug 5th 2012, 17:28
@JJ Agius:
No, Malta being so small makes it fortunate for the majority of Maltese (that want hunting banned in Malta) that CABS can do their job very easily. The majority of Maltese are extrememly greatful that CABS donate their time and money into an effort to bring Malta into the 21st century exposing 19th century activities that have no place on such a tiny, overcrowded land mass.
JJ Agius
Aug 6th 2012, 01:01
@ C.Cassar
We are in Europe not in Iran where a majority try to shut up a minority!Where a News paper call the president of hunters the Boss!where the PM.lies to the hunters.No to illegal hunting as in Europe but a big yes to legal hunting as in the whole world!!Good luck hunters do as the Hon PM promised you.Soon the season open & you should enjoy your hobby as every one else enjoy his.
Giljanu
C Cassar
Aug 5th 2012, 10:36
A desperate statement by a desperate organisation. They reakise that their time is up and hunting is coming to an end.
Karl Consiglio
Aug 5th 2012, 11:32
Well lets hope so
Stefan Micallef
Aug 5th 2012, 12:03
Sure it is!Oh wait in 26 days we will go out again!!
JJ Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 12:12
If it is stopped in Europe so should we!untill than anti hunting bias comment should come to an end
Giljanu
Mr Joseph Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 14:42
dream on, dream on,
Joe Xuereb
Aug 5th 2012, 10:26
Quote: 'Why is it that when Birdlife says it... it’s true, and because the hunting community says it it’s not true?” Mr Perici Calascione asked.' Simple! Because in the dock is the Hunting Fraternity with its agenda and NOT Birdlife with its legitimate remit. So Mr. Calascione, who like a child, believes anything, could get a life and not a bird minding its own birdie business.
Here in UK Malta has a bit of a reputation for this bird-hunting issue (it seems that word gets around).
And before anyone pipes up, yes there is hunting in the UK and it is deplorable. It is also the favoured 'sport' of the upper classes plus some rabble on the side. Just like Malta, except that in Malta the majority would be the macho, village type and some middle-class 'son-of-a-gun' dabblers. Anyhow, why would Malta copy the worst aspects of anything that is foreign? Why not do it our way, decently, and win a gold medal for excellence. Of course I know it won't happen. Hunting in Malta is a way of non-life because it thrives on the extermination of anything that moves.
Mr Terry Gosden
Aug 5th 2012, 10:14
I was in England and was listening to this broadcast. up until Mr. Calascione made his fantastical allegation it was a well balanced debate. after that it was embarrassing . what crass stupidity was the nicest comment from one of my friends present. in line with the Erasmus debacle.......................
Anthony Formosa
Aug 5th 2012, 13:47
Mr Gosden, how many businessmen/women made allegations that were beaten and robbed and later proofed that it was planned. Few years back Birdlife filmed a poacher/BLM member shooting at protected birds in a small pond, If they really love the birds they could have stopped it from happening.
Pippo De Marco
Aug 5th 2012, 10:10
I wonder how long it will be before someone claims that the man who blew the wistle on the traditional, socio-cultural, highly lucrative trade in stuffed protected birds was actually a BLM member posing as a hunter?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 10:00
Who is so called HUNTER will cover him self with mud, by implying that Undergound activity, and illegal shoting. I am simply perplexed to haer that kind of statement.
With all due respect, I for one abaied with the laws laid down in our stuture and legaly I am/ we are right.
I would have wished that this right genleman shows his ID.
If this gentleman, knows or covering illegal activity should come forward or otherwise keep your mouth shut.
Ninu
David Delmar
Aug 5th 2012, 09:49
To anyone that agrees with German interference/spying:
Try to go to Germany with a spy drone ,use it,and see what the German authorities response will be!!!
Chris Gatt
Aug 5th 2012, 10:21
So what Mr Delmar is saying is that he would be quite happy if the drone carried a Maltese flag? Or is it that, after years of using technology to massacre anything that flies, technology has finally also caught up with the hunters
Incidentally this 'drone' was nothing more than a model aircraft. Mr Delmar should watch out it is getting a lot easier to make one. LOL
Peter Agius
Aug 5th 2012, 09:45
Perici Calascione, your credibility has long gone to the dogs, as has the credibility of FKNK. In the article one thing is true.......that the ALE police compliment is made up of mostly hunters' friends and/or sympathisers.
joseph lia
Aug 5th 2012, 10:06
@Peter Agius, your comments are quite simply not true, Mr Perici Calascione is a highly respected gentleman, both locally and abroad. It has become the norm recently that what ever comment FKNK officials make, these are inevitably taken out of context in order to ridicule and vilify the FKNK.
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 10:44
Mr. Lia, how should Mr. Perici Calascione's words be interpreted, in context?
joseph lia
Aug 5th 2012, 13:26
Read the article properly Mr Mangani, extremists go to great lengths to reach their goal.
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 19:08
Mr. Lia
“I believe everything. They (Birdlife) believe that we do a lot of things so I could believe that (Birdlife are killing birds) as well........"
In answer to a question about who killed two cuckoos which had unmistakably been shot, Mr. Perici Calascione came out with this answer. He didn't categorically say BLM were killing the birds, but he implied they possibly could be.
Bizarre, Mr. Lia, as any reasonable person will tell you.
anthony sultana
Aug 5th 2012, 09:45
BLM are against birds killing,some hunters are olso against protected birds killing,decent hunters should join BLM and pass information about the illegal birds killing and the taxidermists that still breaking the law.
Mr Terry Gosden
Aug 5th 2012, 10:32
I agree, the sophistry which was used in the interview was childish, and puerile. Mr. Calacione must be cringing in his socks.
Mr Joseph Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 14:36
Mr.Sultana, Blm wants hunting in Malta banned, although it never officially stated that..so how would a hunter join it???
M. Cardona
Aug 5th 2012, 09:36
At a time when Maltese attention is justly focused on issues of real priority, sensational misinterpretations do come handy to shift the public's attention!
Mr C Galea
Aug 5th 2012, 09:35
Quit simple solution here if the hunters stopped the hunting then you would know its birdlife that is doing it, so why not give it a go?
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 5th 2012, 09:54
Bravu Sur Galea! tell me some thing, If the orange vendor sells Blood Orang what does he do?
Well I tell you he cut up one, as the proof of the pudding is in the making.
Hence these so called vergins, I have reason to beieve that they would do any thing to smuge the FKNK..
Stoping hunters to excersie thier right of freedom, its against the law.
Hope that you learnt some thing today.
Ninu
Philip Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 11:51
Prosit Mr Galea, haqbel u nissekonda il-proposta tieghek. Imma dawn tant hallewhom fl-injoranza u liberi biex joqtlu l-ghasafar li jzebhu il-kampanja, li ma jafux mod iehor hlief joqtlu! Ma tantx ifiqu malajr sfortunantament! Ifiqu biss bl-edukazjoni u b'hafna zmien.
Favur il-hajja libera!
Mr C Galea
Aug 5th 2012, 22:07
Re - Anthony A. Mifsud and Mr Philip Mizzi,
I dont suppose you two understand the meaning of being SET UP?
Joe Fenech
Aug 5th 2012, 09:28
What a ludicrous thing to say!
"The use of the aircraft was angrily opposed by the FKNK, which accused CABS of “spying”. The aircraft was eventually shot down."
CABS are doing a job the police should be doing!
Malcolm Mizzi
Aug 5th 2012, 10:21
because foreigners spying upon us without the requisite permits is really a good job right? I'm against hunting especially against illegal hunting, but doing something illegal that threatens the privacy of the law abiding citizens is worse than the shooting of a bird.
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 10:42
Mr. Mizzi,
No foreigner was spying on me. CABS were monitoring illicit trapping, and since I'm not normally involved in illegal activities, I'm not bothered about the fact that they were trying to pinpoint law-breaking. On the contrary, I'm appreciative of the fact that they care enough about conservation to go to considerable expense to protect wildlife.
By the way, no permits are required for flying that model aircraft equipped with a camera.
Anthony Formosa
Aug 5th 2012, 13:38
Mr Mangani, Is stalking legal? Why I should be bothered in my private property when I'm legally practicing my passion with a drone/plane flying around me?
Manuel Mangani
Aug 5th 2012, 14:26
Mr. Formosa,
Stalking is directed towards a particular individual. The model aircraft was pin-pointing illegal sites and illegal activity.
Mr Joseph Scicluna
Aug 5th 2012, 14:33
Dear mr.mangani, try and fly a similar drone yourself and we'll see how long you will be doing that until police will force you to stop.
Foreigners are treated better than Maltese...in Malta!!
Ramon Casha
Aug 5th 2012, 17:06
@Joseph Scicluna: as long as the toy airplane is under 7kg and does not fly very high, no permits are required.
Please choose the reason of your report below: