This is a bit off the subject, but if we can talk oil in Alaska (translates to politics), we can surely talk politics in the UK! It's now about 2 a.m., your time, and I was just watching some of the UK election results on BBC. It looks like the Labour party smoked everyone again. Will this have positive/negative impacts on hunting activities? Sounds like the low turnout hurt the Tories(sp?). Guess most Brits don't adhere to the old joke "vote early and vote often"

Kernal,

My gut feeling is that a Labour Government will be bad for Field sports in general and very bad for hunting with hounds in particular if they get their way. Having said that, you also need to remember that it has been the Tories who have historically enacted the most draconian firearms legislation in our country as knee jerk reaction to various events that happened. At the end of the day, you can't trust any of the buggers! Tony Blair has side stepped the issue of the UK joining the Euro all through the election, but within hours of the win, there is talk of himing trying to bounce us in on the strength of this election win. They are nothing but liars and thieves in suits!

I was travelling up one of the main motorways the other day and saw a huge sign drapped over a bridge:

"Born to Hunt, Ready to March, Forced to Fight"

It really sums up how many hunters/shooters
feel in the UK. I honestly believe in the Government try's to force the issue on hunting with hounds you will see large scale
disobedience. It will make last years fuel protests look like a walk in the park.

Pete

If hunting with hounds is around in 5 years time I will be surprised. Our anti hunting organisations have allready said they will be targeting shooting next, there is the potential for a serious accident soon. These anti hunters wear balaclavas, carry long hard objects and think nothing of assaulting people. Thus far the shooting fraternity have followed the advice of unloading their guns and allowing themselves to be assaulted.

The trouble is hunting and shooting does not fit with Mondeo Man's (the new name for Mr Average) view of the world. The politicians are only reflecting societies views. We have a bad track record on our treatment of substantial minorities.

It maybe that our only hope is Europe, I'm not sure if Brussels would allow a member state to enact such a uni-lateral law. Having said that the sort of people who hunt and shoot are normaly anti-Europe (they like the people they just want to retain their Britishness)

Urban spread is so rampant there soon won't be anything left to shoot in anyhow. The organised gangs seem to be shooting a lot though and they don't appear to need woods or countryside to do it in. I face a prison sentance if I were to take my friends rifle to the gunsmith. If I were to wear a balaclava and be caught in the act of aiming it at a Northern Irish policeman I'd be part of a peace process.

In order to stalk and not get a SWAT team called out on me I have to wear a tweed jacket, a tie and have a dog with me, outside of the countryside you would be viewed in the same light as a child molester if you were known to own a gun. To use it to kill something would be unthinkable.

I was shown around my son's prospective school last week. One of the classes was discussing whether shooting should be allowed. The teacher was obviously a trendy lefty not one fact was correct and not surprisingly the children didn't think it should be allowed. Bottom line unless we get of our arses we haven't a hope. I have 3 children - I do not expect them to be able to inherit my 3 rifles, actualy I do not expect to be using them myself if I live to a ripe old age. Sooner or later some nutcase will kill a bunch of people with a legally held stalking rifle and that will be that.

[This message has been edited by 1894 (edited 06-08-2001).]

Unfortunately, we have a similar bunch of cheats, liars, and thieves here too that pretend to be honorable.

In regards to the antis harassing you, do you have any legal recourse? Most states here do have laws prohibiting direct harassment, although I'm not sure I've ever seen or heard of anyone brought up on charges. I guess I have been pretty fortunate so far and have generally lived in relatively hunter "friendly" areas and have not had much trouble with antis.

Will the Welsh &/or Scottish parliaments be able to prevent some of this or are they towing the same line, they don't have jurisdiction, etc.? I think that both countries face similar problems in that the urbanites generally don't have a clue where their meals come from and how close they are still tied to harvesting plants and animals in one form or another. Unfortunately, that's where most of the votes are. However, in my very limited experience, it seems to me that in the rural parts of the U.K. (e.g. most of northern Scotland) where hunting is accepted the parliaments may not be quite so close-minded to their constituents. Any hope of this or just wishful thinking??

Keep up the good fight.

Kernel

[This message has been edited by Kernel (edited 06-08-2001).]

Kernal,

Yes we do have various laws to stop
harassment, but the police have a fine line to tread between stoping haressment and restricting the Anti's lawful right to protest. Also the locations the police have to turn out to are often remote and it generally takes time; of course the days sport is ruined by then.

As to the various Parliaments, I'm not sure
exactly where their various powers start and finish. The Welsh Assembly recently rejected
a number of changes concerning the banning of lean shot for instance & this was in direct contrast to the position London took. The Scottish Parliament however looks as if it might be the first to ban hunting with dogs although the last I heard the Bill had floundered due to a robust defence and the fact that it was badly drafted.

Frankly, I don't trust any of them. Although
I'm a Conservative by nature, after they baned handguns, I voted UK Independance Party
and I wrote and told my Conservative candidate why.

You've got to keep these buggers on their toes!

Pete