Thread: Now This Is What We Need!!

@Sideshow
Mate - only just saw this.
A thoughtful perspective on game birds and, by association, hunting as well.
If NZ hunters/shooters (of all varieties), in all the shooting fraternities that exist, were to speak with a united voice, Gov't's might actually think that we're a sizeable chunk of voters and worth listening to,versus the free exposure given to groups (by the so called 'unbiased Press), that are 'anti' just about anything that doesn't fit into their 'ideal world'.
Most of these (anti's that is), wouldn't experience the continual, wonderful background to a hunter/fisherman/ outdoors persons activities in the NZ bush.
That hunters/fishers/outdoors person often just goes for a walk/sail/motor, with no intention of harvesting any animals/fish/birds, seems to escape our replies to these 'closet greenies'.
We - generally - tend, through our activities as hunter/gatherers, to have a far better idea of conservation, than a lot of proponents of 'cheaper, cost effective application of poisons (1080 springs to mind)' have.
We - as a UNITED group - need to send pictures, words to our Press, showing the after effects of a large area 'controlled' poison drop - eg dead Weka, Kiwi, Kea, etc., that have died due to ingesting carrion, insects or poison, after a 1080 (in particular) drop.
It's time we started 'pushing back' - together, rather than depending on one or two pressure groups ie COLFO, NZDA, etc.
And we need to talk to the PUBLIC, in addition to sharing this excellent information amongst ourselves.
Cheers mate - enjoyed reading your post.
Wally

WallyR
Well put!
I'm a NZ by birth and English by accident (don't worry guys there is only one rugby team and there wearing Black)!
I'd like to see a united front. But by nature kiwis are a solitary lot.
I've posted here before on what impact we have to the vote and economy. Not just shooting but fishing.
Going by the research it's a lot.
So if we did mobiles we would make rather a lot of noise... but it needs to sound right and be correct.
Correct in sciences correct in law!
How we go about that is an entirely different matter.
We could take a leaf from the BASC here in England. They even have a media centre to try to counter any bad, misplaced interpretation in the press.
But before all of that we really need to stand back and think of how we come across to the general public every time we are seen publicly.
That is the hard part. It's really easy to tell Mr or Mrs tree hugger to go and have some traveling sex. But if your filmed (every one has a phone camera) it dose non of us any good... it just comes across as oh look another red neck at best and at worst, well let's not mention seals!
I just really liked the gist of what he was saying. Be it England our anywhere, I felt that his underlying point you on here would like.
Cheers
Sideshow