Hello Coasty
Yes, I agree with you. I think people who don't live in the countryside would be very surprised at the amount of countryside maintenance that hunts and pheasant shoot members do, and whilst I don't take part in either of those activities I see this possible reduction in maintenance activities that would have been carried out by the hunts as a major side affect of hunting bans.
I enjoy falconry myself (as an observer - I went on a training course but I don't have a bird) and the last time I accompanied some falconers it was wonderful to enjoy the birds of prey themselves and also to see the abundance of wildlife that you only witness by being still and observant.
The people I know who hunt see themselves as very much part of the eco-system and take only what they need from it and have great respect for the animals and plants they utilize. It's people who take 'because they can' and don't have any knowledge or respect for the fine balance of nature that disgruntle me
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