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Originally Posted by Gytrash  Hi folks
Anyone know about gamekeeper's gibbets? I recently came across this bird in a hedge, whilst walking around the Howgill Fells.
Is it typical of a gamekeeper's gibbet? It wasn't in plain view, and the body was alone, near a farm. There seems to be some nifty skewering of the birds beak with a thorn too? The bodies of animals I've usually noticed being hung out to deter 'vermin' have always been several at a time, and strung out in plain view.
(Apologies if you're eating whilst surfing!) 
Cheers
Dave |
Hi Dave,
come across this type of incident and Larsens traps many times.
They don't have to really be in full view, especially if it was the landowner/associate that did it. Anywhere to hang it and as crows generally mate for life, there's a good chance they can shoot the mate who is staying around their 'partner'.
Once saw a dead crow on the road and twice drove past it on consecutive days and another crow was on the road verge sitting next to the squashed corpse, on the third day, what I presume was the partner had also been ran over.
Gibbets are more likey to be in full view if it was done for 'M'lud' as part of the 'forelock pulling' regime. It shows how active the gamekeeper is in protecting 'M'luds' game.
Or as suggested to keep people of 'their' land.
Once came across a dead chicken tied to a 6' concrete post in the middle of a grouse moor, just outside of Slaley Forest. Only the cynical would say that chicken was stuffed full of poison. The reason 'plebs' are not wanted on such moors is not the excuse of protecting the wildlife, but so people do not come across raptor management as such. The was before the C.R.O.W act and of course I got caught by the gamekeeper. His statement of 'I'm calling the police' was met with 'Go ahead I've got something to show them'. I went back a week later and the chicken had flown!