William Chetcuti has again made Malta proud. His unstinted efforts, exhaustive practice and self-discipline had raised his skill almost to perfection. He is the best sportsman capable of hitting a moving target.

Malta also brags of another breed of men. Some hunters, with erratic aim or not, are ‘expert’ shooters at moving targets, at sitting ducks, at wading flamingos, at itinerant birds flying in formation in search of a restful place, or at other creatures that, having made a safe landing for the night, are scared into flight by vicious dogs and watchful hunters in camouflaged attire.

Hunters boast of being conservationists. Of course, it is in their interest to plant trees, to build high rubble walls, to guard their ‘patch’ by locked gates and barking dogs, to stick illiterate warnings and fictitious RTOs, and of course, to issue threats, such as the one made to the Ramblers Association of Malta.

Hunters can never grant any permission for Ramblers to encroach on private property. Ramblers need no reminding to obey laws that make our country civilised. They seek to enlighten those who hunger after Maltese environmental history and culture.

They uncover nooks and crannies, including little- known underground caverns and footpaths that traverse scenic sites in both rural and urban areas. They are constructive in spreading this knowledge. They are keen on guarding our forefathers’ inheritance, to leave it unblemished for posterity.

Any threats by the FKNK hunters’ federation will draw the enmity of those who love to enjoy the works of nature. A referendum, intelligently worded, will do away with any form of destruction and annihilation.

As an ex-committee member of the Ramblers Association of Malta I write from years of experience.

Perhaps if hunters are so addicted to guns, they should follow in Chetcuti’s steps and join the army.