Clay pigeons were the only victims of ‘incessant gunfire’

The author writes, 'I became aware of gunfire and my heart sank as I knew that this was from hunters, every shot probably meant the death of some poor bird or animal... the previous day I had seen two beautiful pheasants in a meadow near the Imperial Hotel.’

As the author clearly lives around the Pleinmont area, she should be aware that there is a clay shooting range nearby. What she actually heard was practice for the forthcoming Island Games. Needless to say, historically Guernsey has won several gold medals in most, if not all, disciplines involving shooting.

As a game shot/hunter with over 40 years experience, I have never witnessed sustained gunfire (other than on a range) as described by your correspondent, certainly never directed at live game or vermin.

Game birds require a mixture of open areas, cover and most importantly food. For this reason only a limited number will remain localised to any given area. Pheasants, in particular, have a tendency to wander onto neighbouring land and further afield. It is in the nature of the bird.

Continual shooting as described by your correspondent is pure speculation, fuelled by ill-advised ideology.

Clearly the author has failed to educate herself on the subject that she writes about, but instead drives on, fuelled by passion and conveniently ignoring scientifically proven facts.

The reason that she can enjoy and observe two male pheasants in their full glory is down to hunters who also play a role in conservation with breeding programmes.

In the mind of the author, those that shoot gamebirds or vermin are no better than those who go ‘big game trophy hunting, where psychopathic individuals get their kicks out of cruelly killing animals in the name of sport.’ I personally know doctors, lawyers and businessmen who shoot game or vermin. I would hardly describe them as psychopathic individuals. I would suggest that they are among the most caring and balanced individuals you could wish to meet. However, in contrast the words she has chosen to describe them are highly offensive; nobody enjoys the killing of an animal or bird, but it is a necessary part in the process of harvesting a sustainable natural food source.

Top marks are due to the police for handling a delicate situation in the way that they did. Law-abiding citizens going about their lawful pursuits would not wish the force to divert resources or waste valuable police time dealing with what amounts to passion-fuelled hysteria.

CRAIG TULIE

Address withheld.