On Mon, 19 Dec 94 11:48:02 -0800, Don Baccus wrote:

> And, illegal shooting by gamekeepers is, as I understand it, still

> a major cause of raptor mortality in the UK. And, though wholesale
> slaughter of golden eagles has ceased in the western sheepranching
> states of the US, illegal killing has not disappeared and, as of

> 1992 at least, was still considered a significant problem by USFW

> types in those states.



Shooting is still a significant problem in the UK, mainly for Hen
Harrier aka Northen Harrier, which allegedly consume more Red Grouse
chicks than is deemed acceptable, ie any number larger than zero. The
argument that over-stocking grouse-moors causes widespread disease is
conveniently ignored.

Poisoning is also rife - the reintroduction programmes for
White-tailed Sea Eagle and Red Kite have had birds poisoned. Given
the relatively low numbers involved (ignoring that these birds
scavenge a great deal) indicates that the problem is very widespread.
These are much harder to prosecute - the typical defense is that the
poison was put out for foxes or crows. Then negligence is the most
likely offence which rarely carries more than an insignificant
penalty.

The current situation is significantly better than in the (recent)
past. Aided by some significant prosecutions and "education" the
number of reported illegal deaths is reducing - however for Hen
Harriers and possibly Merlin - which are relatively inconspicuous the
picture is hard to guage.

One significant development has been the prosecution of the land
owner as well as the gamekeeper. To a certain extent the defense of
"I was only following orders" implied or otherwise was accepted, and
the landowner was primarily found at fault. Landowners have also been
presecuted for not showing significant responsibility in making sure
the keepers knew what the law was. The 'bag' so far has included some
significant members of the 'landed' classes.

It has to be said however that apart from a few die-hard "vermin"
haters of which there are very, very few, Keepers are under enormous
pressure to produce grouse for the people who pay significant amounts
of money for the priviledge of shooting them. Given that their houses
are tied to the job and the job prospects for out of work keepers is
effectively zero, leads some to take such short-cuts in trying to
keep grouse numbers high.

On the bright side, estates are even recognising that there maybe
money to be made out of former "vermin". The Forestry Commision have
for a number of years had a hide and exhibition on the at a roadside
nest of a Hen Harrier (Struie road, above Invergordon, Ross &
Cromarty, Scotland), where the public can safely view what is going
on. This has proved enormously successful providing a major tourist
attraction - mainly for non-birders. Consequently some estates are
now looking at eco-tourism. The results are only encouraging.

Incidently, the next UK government (almost definitely the Labour
Party) will almost certainly ban fox-hunting and hare-coursing. The
swing in favour of animal rights in the UK means that grouse-hunting
will follow - no timescale at this stage, but I am confident it will
happen.

Stuart
---
Stuart MacKay McCaw Cellular Communications
Consultant Developer The Plaza at Yarrow Bay
Axys V3 10230 NE Points Drive

ph. (206) 803-4909 Kirkland, WA

fax (206) 803-7405 98033

stuart.mackay at mccaw.com
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