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Hunter??Please read before posting!!!

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  • 22-07-2008 10:53am
    #1
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Ive decided to start this thread so that we can get a discussion going regarding the number of posts lately about how to deal with unwanted for want of a better word "pests"

    The regulars here are complaining about the whole pro-hunting and anti-hunting way that every thread descends into as soon as someone posts "shoot-it" or "cull-it"

    From what I can see everytime someone has a problem with an unwanted "pest" the pro hunt people say "kill-it" and the anti hunt people want a more humane method of dealing with the problem and then the hunters state that it is a humane method of dealing with the problem.
    And the circle keeps going.

    The policy here is that the Animals/Pets forum is totally against any type of animal cruelty wheter it be culling/hunting etc.


    What Im suggesting is an open discussion on this issue which I dont want descending into a us and them thread.

    Depending on the outcome of the thread we may or may not change the policy to reflect the fact that sometimes culling of animals is a necessary evil for everyone involved once it is discussed in a humane and non-cruel way.
    Cruelty/condoning cuelty of any type will be dealt with in the appropriate manner which will be a permanent ban for the poster.


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    Ive decided to start this thread so that we can get a discussion going regarding the number of posts lately about how to deal with unwanted for want of a better word "pests"

    The regulars here are complaining about the whole pro-hunting and anti-hunting way that every thread descends into as soon as someone posts "shoot-it" or "cull-it"

    From what I can see everytime someone has a problem with an unwanted "pest" the pro hunt people say "kill-it" and the anti hunt people want a more humane method of dealing with the problem and then the hunters state that it is a humane method of dealing with the problem.
    And the circle keeps going.

    The policy here is that the Animals/Pets forum is totally against any type of animal cruelty wheter it be culling/hunting etc.


    What Im suggesting is an open discussion on this issue which I dont want descending into a us and them thread.

    Depending on the outcome of the thread we may or may not change the policy to reflect the fact that sometimes culling of animals is a necessary evil for everyone involved once it is discussed in a humane and non-cruel way.
    Cruelty/condoning cuelty of any type will be dealt with in the appropriate manner which will be a permanent ban for the poster.

    +1


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 186 ✭✭KhuntChops


    +1

    +2

    Nicely put!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭togster


    Good idea tbh. I am a hunter but i can understand people who are frequent users of this forum are anti hunting etc. Both sides need to realise that you can not force someone to believe something that they consider wrong.

    However if someone asks for advice on vermin/pest problems i do think people should be allowed to suggest that you cull that pest. It is an option, albeit a hard one to stomach for many people on the forum.

    There is a difference between trolling and offering constructive advice. I think a distinction needs to be made regarding this. I don't think you can prohibit people from suggesting something that does work on the basis that some users might be offended.

    I think all debate regarding the pro and anti hunting debate should be stopped. i don't think this is the right forum for it and it has been exhausted.

    Lets agree to disagree?


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer



    I think all debate regarding the pro and anti hunting debate should be stopped. i don't think this is the right forum for it and it has been exhausted.



    I disagree--The reason I put this thread up is to debate it because what will happen next time someone asks for advice is that it will turn into a us and them thread again and thats what Im trying to stop.

    If we have set rules in place regarding helping people looking for advice on ridding themselves of unwanted "pests" or " vermin" then the above wont happen,no one will get banned and no threads will be edited/deleted.

    I would really like some regulars views on this.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,393 ✭✭✭✭Vegeta


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    Ive decided to start this thread so that we can get a discussion going regarding the number of posts lately about how to deal with unwanted for want of a better word "pests"

    The regulars here are complaining about the whole pro-hunting and anti-hunting way that every thread descends into as soon as someone posts "shoot-it" or "cull-it"

    From what I can see everytime someone has a problem with an unwanted "pest" the pro hunt people say "kill-it" and the anti hunt people want a more humane method of dealing with the problem and then the hunters state that it is a humane method of dealing with the problem.
    And the circle keeps going.

    The policy here is that the Animals/Pets forum is totally against any type of animal cruelty wheter it be culling/hunting etc.


    What Im suggesting is an open discussion on this issue which I dont want descending into a us and them thread.

    Depending on the outcome of the thread we may or may not change the policy to reflect the fact that sometimes culling of animals is a necessary evil for everyone involved once it is discussed in a humane and non-cruel way.
    Cruelty/condoning cuelty of any type will be dealt with in the appropriate manner which will be a permanent ban for the poster.

    I don't think this debate will have a good outcome

    I have no problem with the current policy as long as it enforced on everyone. I have seen threads before here on dealing with mice etc and there was no talk of cruelty then

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055332863&highlight=mice

    So why is culling a fox cruel and not a mouse/rats.

    I am not for an instant pointing my finger at you mods as no one probably reported the thread I linked but just highlighting what (for a long time) I have thought is odd.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭togster


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    I disagree--The reason I put this thread up is to debate it because what will happen next time someone asks for advice is that it will turn into a us and them thread again and thats what Im trying to stop.

    If we have set rules in place regarding helping people looking for advice on ridding themselves of unwanted "pests" or " vermin" then the above wont happen,no one will get banned and no threads will be edited/deleted.

    I would really like some regulars views on this.

    What do you expect will happen? It's naive to think that all this crap will be kept in this thread.

    If someone asks for advice in relation to "vermin" and one option is culling then that option should be allowed to be stated.

    There is a huge difference between trolling and offering a viable alternative.
    That option should be allowed to be stated regardless of whether the majority of regulars find it repulsive.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Good point Vegeta--That thread in question wasnt reported but the ones regarding the foxes were and thats what I base my decisions on.
    Im trying to look at this objectively and leave my owns views out of it.

    It seems to me that there are different levels of "cruelty" which will be reported.Your example with the mice--people dont see it as cruel but shooting a fox is seen as cruel.
    I suppose all Im trying to do here is have one set of rules for everyone that are fair wheter the poster is pro or anti hunting.
    Vegeta wrote: »
    I don't think this debate will have a good outcome

    I have no problem with the current policy as long as it enforced on everyone. I have seen threads before here on dealing with mice etc and there was no talk of cruelty then

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055332863&highlight=mice

    So why is culling a fox cruel and not a mouse/rats.

    I am not for an instant pointing my finger at you mods as no one probably reported the thread I linked but just highlighting what (for a long time) I have thought is odd.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    I'm anti hunting for sport, but understand that sometimes it needs to be done for control etc. The problem is that many staunch anti hunt people do not understand that sometimes it is necessary for the good of the species and seem to be looking for an argument. I think sometimes hunters are a bit too quick to jump on the "culling bandwagon" and dont see that there are other options. They may be more hassle, and cost more, but for many people it's worth it.


    If a hunter sees that culling is the only option then fair enough, but when an op says it's not an option, then that thread should not be dragged into a kill V's don't kill.

    A constructive argument could be a good idea, or even a hunter explaining in clear and unemotional terms why sometimes hunting is necessary. I do think it would be wise to keep all mention of bloodsports out of this forum however.

    If the charter is changed it would be very difficult to mod as people have different ideas of what is and isn't necessary and would take offence to different things. For example, I made a comment a while back that someone who can kill an animal could do the same to a human, I then added a note clarifying that I don't mean hunting or culling, or killing which is done humanely, that I was talking about abuse only. That was enough to set a poster off in an agressive way. I doubt if the charter changes it will be able to be moderated properly.

    Just my 2cents. Feel free to ignore/delete as necessary :)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    If someone asks for advice in relation to "vermin" and one option is culling then that option should be allowed to be stated.

    That option should be allowed to be stated regardless of whether the majority of regulars find it repulsive.



    Thats exactly what Im trying to achieve here Madame Togbag.If the regulars agree that the other option is allowed to be discussed then the rules will change to reflect that.
    At the minute the blanket ban is just annoying people who believe that they are helping the poster asking for advice.

    I dont think Im being naive asking the regular posters what they think at all.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    Well I was thinking it could be a good idea, but when you have a poster posting a video of a fox being shot that is a whole other ball game.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭togster


    Well I was thinking it could be a good idea, but when you have a poster posting a video of a fox being shot that is a whole other ball game.


    Who did that?


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    look at the thread fox problem, it's in there. I'd prefer not to name posters, I'm a wimp :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭togster


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    I dont think Im being naive asking the regular posters what they think at all.

    I never suggested you were naive in asking the regulars. btw what constitutes a regular user? I've posted here sometimes does my opinion not count?

    I actually applauded your decision to open the thread tbh.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,393 ✭✭✭✭Vegeta


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    It seems to me that there are different levels of "cruelty" which will be reported.Your example with the mice--people dont see it as cruel but shooting a fox is seen as cruel.

    I suppose that's my point really.

    I get a little annoyed when "animal lovers" give advice freely on how to kill mice/rats (these don't get reported) but will report someone saying in their opinion the best way to get rid of a fox is to cull it.

    It stinks tbh and makes the community look bad imho

    Again I have no problem with the current rule as long as it is enforced upon everyone.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,393 ✭✭✭✭Vegeta


    Well I was thinking it could be a good idea, but when you have a poster posting a video of a fox being shot that is a whole other ball game.

    Ok taking this as an extreme case as it is probably as bad as you will get, was it cruel?

    Did the fox suffer for a long period of time?
    Was it quick or slow?
    You did see that the guy saved a chickens life taking it from the dead foxes mouth, was that not worth it?

    I'm playing devil's advocate here of course


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    It does need to be done on occasion, but posting a video is not necessary is it?

    No the fox didn't suffer, (shame though, it looked like a healthy fox, as it would getting to feast on chickens) and it may have been necessary in this case. My problem is not with the idea of killing when there is no other option, but posting videos like that should be kept to the hunting forum. Again, this may be a flawed logic, if it's being done why not post, and nobody made me look at the video, but thats just my opinion, flawed as it may be. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,041 ✭✭✭stevoman


    again aploagies to anyone who has been offended by the video, but i do really think that the said piece of journalism can give everyone on both sides of the fence food for thought.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    It seems to me that there are different levels of "cruelty" which will be reported.Your example with the mice--people dont see it as cruel but shooting a fox is seen as cruel.
    I suppose all Im trying to do here is have one set of rules for everyone that are fair wheter the poster is pro or anti hunting.

    I don't think that you will manage to squeeze the issue into one set of black and white rules. There's too many grey areas out there.

    Take an extreme example, deer and forestry.

    To any forestry manager deer are a pest, to any animal lover they are "Bambi".

    Some people will see the need to cull the deer population, others will never agree.

    Some people will realise that it also is anmal cruelty to let an animal population grow out of control (health issues, behavioural issues, stress) ...others would prefer "Bambi" to be grazing on every front lawn.

    But even if you come to a consensus on the cull and hand it over to the hunters, the issue isn't black and white then either. Because among hunters (like everywhere in society) there are responsible people and then there are the others.

    How would you structure a forum rule around something that complex?


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    peasant wrote: »

    How would you structure a forum rule around something that complex?


    I honestly dont know--Thats why I put the thread here.
    I do feel like there has to be a rule change because looking at it objectively there is a case for animal culling discussion to be allowed here now.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    I honestly dont know--Thats why I put the thread here.
    I do feel like there has to be a rule change because looking at it objectively there is a case for animal culling discussion to be allowed here now.

    Well, like it or hate it ...ever since man has interfered with wild nature some shape or form of animal management and culling has become necessary.

    The forum could just close its eyes to that fact and just deal with the cuddly side of things and ban anyone who mentions anything "ghastly" ...or ....the forum could try and discuss these issues in a constructive manner to the benefit of the animals.

    Personally I'd prefer it to be the latter.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,931 ✭✭✭togster


    Yes but it's a difficult thing to enforce. Personally i think it should also be allowed.
    Posts designed to inflame or provoke people should not be allowed. It is up to the mods to decide what is allowed.

    It's going to be very difficult to enforce though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,038 ✭✭✭whitser


    personally i wont be replying to any more fox/vermin questions on this forum. if people dont like the answers they get maybe they should think twice before asking. or at the very least state clearly in the original post that killing is absolutley off the table.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    peasant wrote: »
    Personally I'd prefer it to be the latter.
    +1

    It would be so hard to mod though, a poster thinks it is necessary to cull, another thinks it isn't. Before long it will decend into a kill V's no kill argument no matter what the charter says.

    Sometimes you have to do things that are difficult for the good of the animal/to keep your own animals safe/for the local wildlife etc but a lot of people look past this and get hysterical as soon as the word kill is mentioned.

    Do they get hysterical when someone posts that they are thinking of getting their cancer riddled, dog PTS because he's in so much pain? No, they say fair play for making a tough decision.

    There will have to be some respect there from pro hunting people. If they want to speak about hunting for the sake of hunting then keep it in the correct forum. Posting images/videos of killed animals should not be allowed imo. I know people don't understand, but for some people it is very difficult to look at something dead, or being killed. Also if a poster says that culling is not an option, then leave it at that, some people have moral issues over killing even if it means they have to suffer themselves for it. Thats up to them.

    Emotional posts about murder and mutilation do nothing for a conversation, and only serve to allow pro hunt people roll their eyes and mutter about "tree-hugging animal loving hippies" (my words, not their's ;)) perhaps something to stop hysterical posts might help? Posts that are clearly posted for the sake of starting a row should be dealt with too.

    The only way I can see it working is on a per-thread basis really. Expect common courtsey from people and step in if it goes too far. If the OP decides to go with culling, maybe the thread can be moved to hunting?

    Fair play to you for bringing this up. It will be a difficult one to look after!


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,679 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Whitser--Thats the exact opposite to what Im trying to achieve.The input from all posters is valued whether I or others agree or not.
    And the pro-hunt people do have a valuable input here whether others agree with the post or not.

    I think Peasant got it 100% and this is the exact way I would like things done if everyone could get along with it.
    the forum could try and discuss these issues in a constructive manner to the benefit of the animals.

    whitser wrote: »
    personally i wont be replying to any more fox/vermin questions on this forum. if people dont like the answers they get maybe they should think twice before asking. or at the very least state clearly in the original post that killing is absolutley off the table.


  • Registered Users Posts: 37,302 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Vegeta wrote: »
    So why is culling a fox cruel and not a mouse/rats.
    Mice and rats are seen as pests to a household. You lay traps for them, to stop them from eating your food, etc.

    Thinking of a fox, you're reminded of a dog: mans best friend, and suddenly you don't want to harm it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,393 ✭✭✭✭Vegeta


    peasant wrote: »
    I don't think that you will manage to squeeze the issue into one set of black and white rules. There's too many grey areas out there.

    Take an extreme example, deer and forestry.

    To any forestry manager deer are a pest, to any animal lover they are "Bambi".

    Some people will see the need to cull the deer population, others will never agree.

    Some people will realise that it also is anmal cruelty to let an animal population grow out of control (health issues, behavioural issues, stress) ...others would prefer "Bambi" to be grazing on every front lawn.

    But even if you come to a consensus on the cull and hand it over to the hunters, the issue isn't black and white then either. Because among hunters (like everywhere in society) there are responsible people and then there are the others.

    How would you structure a forum rule around something that complex?

    Nicely put.
    the_syco wrote: »
    Mice and rats are seen as pests to a household. You lay traps for them, to stop them from eating your food, etc.

    Thinking of a fox, you're reminded of a dog: mans best friend, and suddenly you don't want to harm it.

    Oh I know why people justify it, I was just saying if there is a no cruelty rule in the forum it should include all animals not just the cute ones.

    Justification is a very important thing here.

    People can justify anything to themselves if they want to. I am guilty of it too. It helps soothe the guilt after all.

    We release game birds every year to try and keep the numbers up. Predators and modern farming practices make it close to impossible for the game birds to maintain their population (reared game birds are also poor breeders). We cant shoot farmers (joke, most land owners are great to my club) so we hunt the predators in the area to give the birds a better chance. A lot of predators in Ireland are only limited in number due to supply of food, this food can be other fauna that people would like to preserve.

    Why do people kill mice and rats. They carry diseases, eat though cables and food, let their droppings fall where they like etc etc. That's usually the justification for it.

    I don't see culling a fox (with a quick and as painless a death as possible) cruel for the same reason some folk here don't see killing mice/rats cruel, we have justified it to ourselves already. In our opinions we have valid reasons for doing it. Are they acceptable reasons, not to everyone obviously, that's where people start to disagree.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 549 ✭✭✭BlackCat2008


    I wasn't even going to post here so rather then debate maybe I can throw in a few suggestions?

    If someone wants rid of foxes for what ever reason I think it would be best asked by a Mod as to how the person in question wants it done if they want it culled then it should be removed full stop from the animal forums and posted in the hunters not left out for both sides to fight over, and visa versa.

    On the fox in the garden thread I'm still trying to find someone to help a lady who doesn't want to harm them, she just doesn't want them to be in her garden and all of a sudden there's hunters every were jumping down animal lovers throats.

    Once the mod finds out what that person is looking for help with, a clear warning of being banned from the thread should be given if it is not in the interest of the poster. Arguing with the other side as far as I'm concerned takes time away from help to find a solution to the problem in the first place. I will find out all I can to help this lady and will post it for anyone else looking for help but would not get involved any more.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,393 ✭✭✭✭Vegeta


    On the fox in the garden thread I'm still trying to find someone to help a lady who doesn't want to harm them, she just doesn't want them to be in her garden and all of a sudden there's hunters every were jumping down animal lovers throats.

    I love how you're an animal lover and we're hunters. Way to drive a wedge

    Also considering you own "hunting cats" what does that make you as an animal lover?

    How do you differ from a person who owns hunting dogs?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,114 ✭✭✭doctor evil


    Good on you for putting this thread up, the 'unpleasant' side of things need to be acknowledged.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 969 ✭✭✭kerrysgold


    We have no right to take another animals life, maybe in the case of self defence or helping to rescue another animal but not for food/sport/"pest" control. (maybe the animals would consider us pests if they could think that way since we have destroyed the world with our pollution and plastered concrete over everything when they make pretty much no impact on the environment! In reality we are the real pests of the world.)


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