Originally Posted by
Barryg
I think that some of you guys just use the fact that squirrels are pests as a excuse to shoot something live by calling them tree rats and vermin, if they are being such a pest to you why take so much pleasure in killing them instead of it being a unpleasant chore.
Barry - the satisfaction I get from culling grey squirrels comes from doing well a job that really does need to be done. Yes, I enjoy being out in the countryside, I enjoy the training I put in to remain proficient with the rifles I use, and I really enjoy eating the squirrels I shoot, and if you consider those things to be wrong, then we'll have to agree on a difference of interpretation.
As for your 'other methods', do you really propose turning our beloved broadleaf woodland into pine forest and introducing pine martens as a better means of controlling grey squirrels? I'm sure you can't be serious, mate. I can only imagine what the estate managers of the shoots I have would say if I told them it's time to put the greys on the pill and start grubbing out the broadleaf trees in favour of pines, with a side order of large mustelid predators to keep an eye on things.
If you don't know enough to judge - don't judge