While writing these words the story of the unfortunate cuckoo broke, allegedly gunned down by a hunter whose nonchalance boggles the mind.

This event, though tragically predictable, serves as a reminder of reality: we cannot eliminate undesirable behaviour by merely writing words on a piece of paper – by legislating it away.

I found it amusing how the Prime Minister solemnly swore that there would be a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for illegal acts. Presumably in a nation obeying the rule of law this ought to be obvious, leading me to think that governments before had a ‘little bit of tolerance’ policy in place.

Perhaps now we can get on with discussing how to improve an ineffective system rather than choosing to keep it as is or throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Policymakers have two tools at their disposal: the carrot and the stick.

I propose using the carrot as the smarter solution, in addition to the stick. Law abiding hunters make a big fuss about distancing themselves from law breakers and they are justified in doing. Let us then enlist them into helping us with our problem.

I propose a system which rewards hunters who report illegal activity. A lawbreaking hunter’s quota may be transferred to the whistleblower if convicted. Perhaps the whistleblower’s quota may be extended after the relevant sustainability studies are carried out. Either way the good guys have an incentive to report the bad guys and the bad guys have more to fear.

The possibility that this system may also save tax money from being spent on additional policing in the countryside is an added bonus. What we cannot do is threaten to punish all hunters collectively by closing the season in what I imagine is a childish effort to prevent crime by making lawbreakers feel a pinch of remorse at having ruined the party for everybody.

It hasn’t worked before; I’m willing to wager it won’t work now.

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