A memento — or a lifesaver?
Shooting Times & Country|April 08, 2020
Charles Smith-Jones argues trophy hunting is vital for wildlife and local communities
Charles Smith-Jones
A memento — or a lifesaver?

A large package arrived from Africa. It contained the horns of a greater kudu, a springbok and a blesbok, as well as the tanned skins of the last two. None are particularly special as examples of their kind: the kudu was shot because it had a pronounced limp, later discovered to be caused by a broken leg that had mended badly.

The impala ram was old and past breeding and the blesbok ewe part of a plan to reduce numbers to keep them within what the ground could support. Nevertheless, I felt a need to pay the cost of their preparation and transportation back to the UK.

If the naysayers have their way, in the future such things will never enter the country and must be left where they came from; things of no value left to rot on the African veldt.

This is timely because, by when you read this, the Defra consultation on the import of hunting trophies will have ended and civil servants will be deliberating on the results. The Prime Minister has declared in Parliament that trophy imports will be banned, making a mockery of the whole consultation process, which has been largely overseen by his anti-hunting friend Zac Goldsmith. Mr Goldsmith, it should be remembered, was rejected by his Richmond constituency voters, but awarded a life peerage by Mr Johnson so that he could stay within Defra. No doubt Mr Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds, an animal rights activist, will have had a few words too. Regrettably, none of the main protagonists seem to have much of a grounding in countryside affairs or practicalities.

Emotive

This story is from the April 08, 2020 edition of Shooting Times & Country.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 08, 2020 edition of Shooting Times & Country.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYView All
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023