Sir, - I read with dismay the letter by Mr John Fitzgerald (May 29th) on blood sports. Most anti blood sports people do not have as much knowledge or understanding of people participating in field sports as perhaps they should.
Anglers are the custodians of our waterways the length and breadth of the country. They are the first people to advise authorities about pollution. They are the first to be consulted on restocking programmes, and in general they are the ones that promote a great angling tourist industry in this country.
Without the shooting person, there would not be a game bird left in this country. For many years I, as a member of a gun club, participated in the release of perhaps 400 pheasants each year. On average, around 10 per cent of birds released were shot. No hen pheasants were ever shot during a season. In addition to this, the shooting person is continually striving to preserve appropriate habitats for our home and migratory game birds.
Much the same applies for the hunting fraternity. It should not be forgotten that the hunter, like the shooting man and the angler, is trying at all times to preserve the habitat of his quarry and in so doing very much participates in their wellbeing and increase in numbers.
What dismays me more than anything is the fact that most anti field sports people do not realise that their environment would be very much worse off if it were not for the people who enjoy our Godgiven countryside, and who are most understanding and respectful of it. I worry greatly that some day a grave error of judgment will be made by those in power in banning field sports activities. Thankfully, many of our politicians and law makers have a good and balanced knowledge and love for our countryside, and long may this remain. -Yours, etc.,
Healthfield Road,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.