Vintage work crew photos

[Frank S]

Poulterer, Stranraer, Scotland. Late 1800s. #886

The big thing around us at the present time is every farmer and wannabe landed gentry having a Pheasant shoot (sport).
every Sunday during the season there shoot resembles this rack of birds, they go out and shoot hundreds of birds for the privilege of taking a brace home - 2 birds. All for the grand total of £2000 per shoot. That makes each of the two birds they are allowed to keep £1000 each. Would you guys pay that for a turkey on a turkey shoot. All the other birds are just dumped or left to rot. When you look at the UK's ban on fox hunting you get a fair idea why the public get pea-ed off with the wanabe Elite. There are four shoots within 10 miles of us, one is ran by my brother and nephew - pillocks.

I have a strict rule against sport harvesting for the pure pleasure of expending a projectile down range. the 1000 per bird may be excessive but what is obscene is leaving a kill to rot when said harvest should be processed for consumption of someone less fortunate or has no willingness to spend that kind of money for a meal of such delectable flavor when properly prepared.
I don't go to Turkey shoot either simply because I have no willingness to show off my shooting skills or lack there of if that be the case. I also don't participate in skeet shooting events or plinking at targets in competitions. There is only going to be one reason for the barrel of any of my weapons to be pointed or aimed at anything in public. And that would be for self-preservation. All other rounds expended by me are done on my own property and usually not for the mere plinking at some target other than to maintain my skill set, even then I only require firing a few rounds if I am still good I quit then and there if I am bad then I need to fire more until I get good again if I can.

[NeiljohnUK]

The big 'estate' shoots often have contracts to supply game dealers, once the guests and estate staff have had their choice, these dealers sell to top restaurants and other retail outlets.
The few not 'picked-up' rarely get a chance to rot as natural 'recycling' by scavengers is quite effective, it's also an important food source that has allowed the reintroduced Red Kite the thrive in some areas.
The bigger issue is the breed to shoot industry that releases huge numbers of introduced species that cause other problems, Pheasant's cause a number of road traffic accidents and deer park escapee introduced deer are estimated to cause 20 human road deaths in the UK annually.