Snap Shots


Fox bounty; feral photos; Olympic advantage; record duck population; shotguns for Scouts; pigsticking Spanish style.

Fox bounty

The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre has damned Victoria’s fox bounty, despite more than 80,000 animals being taken since it began late last year. The bounty costs the government only $10 per fox and $50 per dog. IACRC boss Andreas Glanznig said there were more efficient and effective methods to control the pests and accused hunters of abusing the system for profit, according to the Weekly Times. However, the paper ran a poll which, when we last checked, showed 100% support for the bounty.

Feral photo comp

Meanwhile, the Invasive Animals CRC has opened entries in its 2012 feral photo competition. It is looking for “the best original photographs of pest animals, pest animal damage, and pest animal control or monitoring activities in Australia”. Prizes are yet to be announced, but last year’s winners received digital camera packs and other photographic items. For all the details, see the Invasive Animals CRC website.

London offers Aussies an advantage

Olympic gold medallist Russell Mark says the Australian team will do well at the London Olympics shooting venue. Australian ranges are much more challenging to master than the still, well-screened venue created solely for the Games at the Royal Artillery Barracks. Currently shooting at the top of his game, with a recent Aussie record score behind him and a silver medal at the last international GP shoot, Mark is aiming to add another Olympic gold medal to his haul.

More ducks than ever

The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the duck population in what’s called North America’s ‘duck factory’ is bigger than it has ever been, in spite of a decline in habitat and breeding conditions this year. It says there are 48.6 million of the birds, and the only species to show a decline was the northern pintail. The FWS’s role in the US is “to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people”.

More guns for Scouts

In addition to the rifles it has already promised, Remington in the US has announced it will loan 20-gauge 870 Express shotguns to the Boy Scouts for training and merit badge programs. “Participation in the shooting sports teaches kids a lot more than just marksmanship,” Remington’s Jay Stuart said. “These shooting activities build confidence, instil discipline, boost self-esteem and foster responsibility.”

Pigsticking Spanish style

The Spanish like their pigsticking a little different from what we’re used to here in Australia. Instead of dogs and long knives, they go in with horses and lances. Now an effort is being made to specifically legalise the practice in Spain’s Castilla La Mancha region, where it is neither illegal nor legal. The move will enable hunting guides to take paying customers. Hunting is already the second greatest earner for Castilla La Mancha. This video shows you how the Spaniards stick pigs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vGxL-U-mgE

 

 

 


Like it? Share with your friends!

What's Your Reaction?

super super
4
super
fail fail
18
fail
fun fun
16
fun
bad bad
14
bad
hate hate
12
hate
lol lol
10
lol
love love
8
love
omg omg
4
omg
Mick Matheson

Mick grew up with guns and journalism, and has included both in his career. A life-long hunter, he has long-distant military experience and holds licence categories A, B and H. In the glory days of print media, he edited six national magazines in total, and has written about, photographed and filmed firearms and hunting for more than 15 years.

0 Comments

Send this to a friend