Hi all,

A very interesting thread... We're actually running a story on this in Thursday's issue of the magazine (which will go up on the site too).

Well done HobNob on your very erudite complaint! If only everyone would make their voice heard in the same way, maybe the BBC (and others) would think twice before allowing something so clearly one-sided to be produced.

There was a lot of talk about raptors and the RSPB's position at the Game Fair. The charity focused heavily on the issue of persecution on their stand, in my view to the detriment of a better working relationship with shooters. The RSPB staff said they had a good response from shooters. No doubt — the majority of people condemn raptor persecution. But equally there were a lot of people who felt their stand was very provocative, complete with staff wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan "Standing up for birds of prey".

There was much chat about working together etc, etc, and then they decided to publish their latest report into bird crime on Sunday while shooters and the key shooting organisations were all at Blenheim. Uncanny timing.

Naturally, legitimate shooters (the sort who read Shooting Times, join membership organisations and post here) condemn raptor persecution. It is illegal. So we get fed up to the back teeth with the RSPB ramming this kind of thing into the public domain. No-one's denying raptor persecution takes place, but it's got absolutely nothing to do with the overwhelming majority of shooters. So why should we be held to account for the action of others and our reputation dragged down?

If the RSPB talked to shooters, keepers, landowners, etc, rather than browbeating the law-abiding majority by association at every given opportunity, perhaps there would be a chance at some sort of meaningful dialogue and a solution on the issue.

Until that happens, shooters will continue to take a dim view of an association that actually shares a lot in common with us.

Just my two pence worth…

Alastair.