The public is not aware of what goes on in the blogs every time a letter is published in connection with hunting. What is normally a straightforward comment in the piece ends up being exhaustively debated, with pros and cons being aired but obviously no conclusions reached because there is no way one can establish a consensus. It is very difficult or next to impossible to prove to the anti-hunting the benefits of introducing the wardens/marshals. All kinds of scenarios have been alluded to, such as a fox guarding chickens and lately Dracula and the blood bank.

The real concept of the wardens/marshals scheme has been totally overlooked and declared a failure without giving it the chance to be introduced.

While everybody has the right to his own opinion, the antis should come forward with alternative solutions. The only thing that they can say is: "abolish hunting". The end result would be to abolish legal hunters and give more space to illegal hunters. This is definitely no solution.

I can make a personal declaration that if I am given the opportunity to be a warden while hunting I shall not allow any illegal activity within 500 metres of my position. If the law breaker is prepared to defy my presence I shall not think it twice to take action.

I also want to declare that my action is primarily in defence of hunting itself. Every law-abiding hunter acting as warden knows quite well from past experience that the opening of the hunting season depends on proper enforcement. My main concern is not the protected bird. It is up to the ALE to see that the law is observed. I have no intention of waking up at five in the morning to protect protected birds.

However, I am prepared to act as warden and make sure that the law is observed because otherwise my hunting season will be cut short and I shall be made to suffer the consequences as in the past.

I am convinced that the above will still be met with quite a few anti remarks but I wanted to make a valid point as to why wardens are not foxes or draculas.

We law-abiding hunters are the worst off with illegal activity and it is in our own interest to see that the law is observed.