Hunting, Shooting & Fishing
(Included in the Way Forward for a new Countryside Charter)

For the past twelve years Countryside Pursuits have been politically mauled by the Government, continually with an eye on the 'voter' which of course means 'self'. This  escalated to the Hunting Act – of some 6 years ago - which is now in the realm of possibly being repealed. The outgoing Labour Government tabled an EDM in the House of Commons to ban all forms of reared game-shooting (with 67 signatures) – obviously as a precursor to ban shooting altogether. No doubt this will be re-established shortly!
  The idea that a Hunting Committee on it's own can oversee the former; and such feeble models as the Shooting Code of Good Practice and the Shoot Assurance Scheme will be able to control the latter is fantasy land. New Parliamentary legislation is needed for the basics*, supported by very strict rules* then to be enforced by Committees and County Game Wardens...if any discrepancy – there should'nt be! The last will also have a role of monitoring the improvement of the countryside flora and fauna alongside the continual progress of Countryside Pursuits. Modern social conditions and climate change demand such actions, alongside radical improvements in overall sportsmanship.

       **Hunting.

1. Cub-hunting season October.
2. Fox-hunting November 1st/February.
3. No more preliminary bagging <--(should'nt have to mention this!) or stopping up.
4. No more digging out at end of the chase.
5. No stopping up of badger setts.
6. No more 'flush to shoot' of any animal.
7. Stag-hunting with hounds to be stopped.
8. Organized/informal hare-coursing banned. Draconian fines for hunting trespass.
9. Beagles, bassets and harriers...on a miniscule number hare quota...if at all?
   
10. Mink hounds....continue