Harvest time Alert!!!

roy21302 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 11:32 AM

Hullo everyone, as you wil have already noticed it is now harvest time. Here in the Fens they have been at it for a couple of weeks now. When the Harvest is in, we can again begin to see the Hares and other wild life moving about on the fields. This gives me and no doubt many of you a great deal of pleasure. However certain people are to be seen out there scouting about looking for places where there are Hares, Badgers etc roam, for other purposes. What I am asking is, if you out and about and you see groups of people and dogs that you think are up to no good, note the numbers of any vehicles that may be with them, note how many people and anything distintive about them and the location and get in touch with your local Police Widlife liason officer and help build up a picture of where these people are operating. They will, if given free reign, have a go at almost any wildlife, from deer, hare, rabbits, birds eggs, Badgers you,name it they will kill it. DO NOT challenge them yourself!!! Cheers Roy

Dan Salter · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 04:14 PM

Im not quite sure i follow this? Who are "these people" your talking about?....are they Badger baters? surely a badger bater is not out to get birds eggs?...or hares?
Where do these people come from? is it a new problem as just yesterday in the isle of sheppey in kent i saw notices of "operation tree" by the police which had nothing to do with trees but stopping people shooting hares...again i was confused as people have been shooting hares and rabbits for years no?

But your message seems slightly cryptic so who exactly are you talking about and are they new? are they a product of the increasing foreign immigrant problem?or are they british people that have gone bad?

please explain thanks

wildone · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 04:30 PM

Dan, I know that Hare Coursing (which is illegal) still takes place on the Fens. I don't wish to talk for Roy but one must always be aware of Badger Baiters, Coursers and even Egg Stealers. As Roy said whatever you do don't tackle them yourself but report your sightings to the police as soon as possible.

Edit Shooting of Hares is as far as I know OK as long as the landowner's permission is got.

Tragus · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 05:54 PM

Hi Roy and Wecome to WAB!!!
I agree with Roy that we should all be vigilant when wandering around. However it's not just around Harvest time. There are some VERY unsavoury characters out and about, and if you are suspicious at all, then take details and report it to your local police.
If there are vehicles, dogs, people, then try to recall as much detail and pass it on to the relevant authorities. If the people are there with permission, then they will have nothing to worry about.
Wildwoman has given excellent advice and that is NOT to approach them, they are dangerous and would not stop at hurting you.
Jo

Wild-Woman · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 06:04 PM

Not me. Wildone. But I endorse what she says in any case. WW

roy21302 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2006, 11:00 PM

Sorry,
Dan I did not make it too clear did I. I was referring in particular to teams of Men usually travelling in tatty old vehicle crammed full of dogs who venture out around the country side, particularly open flat contry, looking for Hares. They then set the dogs on the hares and bet very large sums of money on who tears the hare apart first.
Next we have the Men who go out with Dogs and Guns at Night and Flush Deer from woodland and then shoot them at close range or any range with 12 bores, often cuasing horrific injures and leaving injured animall to die. Those they kill are usually sold to none to fussy butcher for sale as venison.
Now we have a new breed, men who go out at night with nets, and drag good quality fishing lakes taking Carp for the table. Whilst not eaten by most people, some new comers from former Eastern block countries consider them a speciel food, like we used to regard Turkey. Carp are serve any time but at Xmas they are prized.
Of at this time of the year and for the next few month people will be out to steal Game birds of all types.
Then of course you will find people in woodland where Bluebells or crocus have been growing, they note the location and go back now and dig up the little bulbs to flog, they are very valuable. More valuable if left where we can all enjoy them!!!! There are lots of other thing worth looking out for. NEVER CHALENGE THEM YOURSELF, some of these people would shoot you as soon as look at you. Several Gamekeepers have been seriously assualted by them over the years.