Yep dreadful pun and I’m still unsure about that apostrophe, but you might find the following of interest. In 2008 the League was prominent amongst objectors to the re-introduction of shooting on Ilkley Moor in Yorkshire. Some you win and some you lose and on this occasion we did not prevail. However at the time our main objection was centred on the notion that conservation is somehow the sole preserve of the shooting community, see
here for the back story.
Yesterday the subject of Ilkley Moor popped up again in, unsurprisingly, the
Ilkley Gazette. The paper reports that the Friends of Ilkley Moor (FOIM), a local conservation group, has reason to believe that all is not hunky dory on the Moor. FOIM Chairman, Owen Wells says that his group has received credible reports of confrontations between shooters and walkers during the grouse season:
“We have first-hand information that one of our members was told that they could not proceed on a path because a shoot was in progress. There is no excuse for this. Walkers have priority on Ilkley Moor, and have every right to continue their walk regardless of any inconvenience that may be caused to the shoot.”
Mr Wells goes on to say that:
“We do think that on the day of a shoot, signs are a way of diffusing possible conflicts…We are not looking for conflict in any way but wish to ensure that things are done properly and diffuse any possible problems before they happen.”
Clearly it is difficult for anyone to object to this line of thinking…or so you’d think. In the interests of balance here’s what Edward Bromet, member of The Bingley Moor Partnership, who won the contract to run grouse shoots on the moor in 2008, was reported as saying by the Gazette:
'Signs would only serve to encourage militant animal rights campaigners'
Now I love my wildlife as much as anyone who supports the League but I am equally passionate about not getting shot, as I imagine are the walkers who enjoy Ilkley Moor. Would it really be that onerous for the Bingley Moor Partnership to put up a few signs or better still put the guns away and go for a walk instead!?