Bad Farmer or Poor Cow?

[Scrapbooker]

Sorry you didn’t like it, mate but here’s the whole story.
The cow was a 20 year old breeder with sentimental value to the farmer. It developed an abcess in the summer which became flyblown. It was under constant veterinary treatment – antibiotic jabs and antiseptic paste – and was in no apparent distress. An adult magpie started to attack the abcess, soon followed by two youngsters. Even the paste didn’t put them off. The farm staff couldn’t get near the birds with shotguns and they didn’t fall for the Larsen traps put down. By Christmas, the birds had done so much damage, the tail dropped off. The vets opinion was that the only thing stopping the abcess from healing was this constant nibbling. I was called in to try to help. The first thing I did was to try to bait down the birds for a fortnight but they weren’t interested. I was ready to walk away but the farmer asked me to consider shooting the birds directly from the cows back. The cow was also in calf. He, and the vet, considered that the risk from a .22 pellet at 30/40 yds on a cows hide was minimal compared to the growing risk of gangrene. I reluctantly agreed but made him sign a disclaimer. I shot the adult from a doghouse hide at about 40yds. The bird came in about 6 times before I got the confidence, having watched it’s feeding pattern, to take a shot. Both the younger magpies were shot the following week. The first off the cows back, the second on the floor, dancing around it’s dead companion. It was not an enjoyable experience and as the photo’s show, undertaken in freezing conditions.
The abcess dried up within weeks. Ironically, the old cow died shortly after calving.
Ian B.
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[Eagleman]

Scrapbooker, a comprehensive and informative account. I think you covered all the angles well. A real dilemma this one. Not at all sure what I would have done in the same circumstances, but personally I don't think, given what you have said above, you should be criticised for the decisions you, the farmer or the Vet took. Seems a pity the old cow died anyway.

[Steyr]

Sorry you didn’t like it, mate but here’s the whole story.
The cow was a 20 year old breeder with sentimental value to the farmer. It developed an abcess in the summer which became flyblown. It was under constant veterinary treatment – antibiotic jabs and antiseptic paste – and was in no apparent distress. An adult magpie started to attack the abcess, soon followed by two youngsters. Even the paste didn’t put them off. The farm staff couldn’t get near the birds with shotguns and they didn’t fall for the Larsen traps put down. By Christmas, the birds had done so much damage, the tail dropped off. The vets opinion was that the only thing stopping the abcess from healing was this constant nibbling. I was called in to try to help. The first thing I did was to try to bait down the birds for a fortnight but they weren’t interested. I was ready to walk away but the farmer asked me to consider shooting the birds directly from the cows back. The cow was also in calf. He, and the vet, considered that the risk from a .22 pellet at 30/40 yds on a cows hide was minimal compared to the growing risk of gangrene. I reluctantly agreed but made him sign a disclaimer. I shot the adult from a doghouse hide at about 40yds. The bird came in about 6 times before I got the confidence, having watched it’s feeding pattern, to take a shot. Both the younger magpies were shot the following week. The first off the cows back, the second on the floor, dancing around it’s dead companion. It was not an enjoyable experience and as the photo’s show, undertaken in freezing conditions.
The abcess dried up within weeks. Ironically, the old cow died shortly after calving.
Ian B.
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Interesting how perspectives change when a fuller account is given. The owner requested it, the vet endorsed it as a viable option compared to the potential harm that was going to be caused and the shooter did what he had to do in difficult circumstances.

I won't go around suggesting we all adopt a william tell approach to pest control but sometimes life throws a curved ball at you.

That must have been a pressure shot so well done for taking it (IN the right circumstances)

Steyr

[jax13]

if the cow had such entimental value to them why didn't they get her in an indoor pen...... especially if she was in calf.

I have some complaints about the way some of the farmers around me conduct themselves towards the public (regarding road use more than anything) but none of the guys I know would let that happen to an animal.

In a way its probably a good job the gunner wasn't me because i'd have handed him my rifle and told him to shoot it himself. I'd rather stick to my morals and lose a shoot than be seen as a risk taker..... That shot might not sit well with the other farmers he shoots for.

we've actualy stopped 3 people shooting on our land as a result of other shoots being taken off them for the way they conducted themselves. (the jungle telegraph is very quick when guns are involved)