This post isn’t about raptor persecution per se, but it is about the mindset of the gamekeeping community, which is directly relevant to raptor persecution given that the majority of those convicted for killing birds of prey are from the gamekeeping industry.
For a very long time the Scottish Gamekeepers Association referred to its members as the ‘true custodians of the countryside‘ and even the ‘doctors and nurses of the countryside‘ (here). In recent years the terminology has been upgraded and now regularly references the SGA’s role in reaching ‘net zero’ and ‘biodiversity targets’. Unfortunately, the mindset of many in this industry hasn’t been upgraded to match the rhetoric, as will be so clearly demonstrated in the rest of this blog.
Like many organisations, the SGA engages with its members, followers and supporters on social media. Here is the SGA’s header on Facebook, claiming that “SGA members are sustaining Biodiversity on land and river“:
A couple of days ago the SGA posted a short video of a seal (I’m not sure whether its a Grey seal or a Common (Harbour) seal but no matter, both are protected species) in the River Dee and encouraged comments from its followers:
Just to be clear, it is an offence to kill either Grey or Common Seals without a licence. Under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, which amended the Marine Scotland Act (2010), the penalty for illegal seal shooting was increased to 12 months’ imprisonment/£40,000 fine or, on indictment, unlimited fine/5 years’ imprisonment. This legislation also removed the provision for licences to be issued to kill seals to protect fisheries.
With this information in mind, have a look at the following comments on the SGA’s post where contributors are openly calling for the illegal shooting of this seal:
With the notable exception of a couple of sensible voices, it’s a real eye opener to the appalling prevailing attitude towards (a) predators and (b) compliance with the law. Actually the intolerance towards predators is no surprise at all, but the stupidity of posting calls on a public forum to illegally shoot this seal is astonishing. I wonder how many of those inciting a wildlife crime are firearms/shotgun certificate holders?
They’d do well to heed the advice of the SGA’s legal advisor, David McKie, whose latest column in the SGA’s rag includes the recommendation to “Remember at all times be discreet in all your dealings, both private and public, particularly on social media!“.
Raptor Persecution UK 
And, they can’t even spell either – “sited” OR “sighted”?
Excellent work to expose this – most of the contributors shouldn’t be working anywhere near wildlife or guns. From personal experience, these attitudes are commonly held in the salmon-angling community also, where they are extended to any fish-eating mammals or birds.
Those Face***k comments reveal an extremely ignorant, criminally-oriented, illiterate and bloody-minded bunch of firearm license holders…
The Scottish Government should be concerned.
Reading through all the comments in the download, I am drawn to the efforts of Derek Farr to try and illuminate the bigger picture. Reminds me of when I used to try the same appeal to moderation on behalf of harriers, peregrines and kites, etc on the shooting forums. What a waste of time that was.
It’s definitely worth a read right through all the comments in the download though – high end cringe comedy, with a generous sprinkling of entitled menace.
I’ve met very few people involved in agriculture, that don’t see wildlife as an unnecessary inconvenience, Gamekeepers took this to another level back in the 1800`s, where they still reside, even got the hair cut to look the part. Clearly, how these shooting estates receive handouts for “conservation”, is a tory stunt. The handout would be better spent on the NHS, as aposed to clapping
Some years ago I spoke to a Ranger at Forvie/Ythan and asked if the seals took many salmon. I was told that a survey of seal scat showed they were eating slow moving, easy to catch fish well offshore, they said “seals are too lazy to chase salmon and sea trout”. Over the years I’ve seen seals with salmon, and nearly all have been diseased fish, often blind and easily caught.
Are these people using their real names? My guess would be yes, in which case, isn’t inciting crime a crime in itself? Would it not be worth the police looking through their files for these names?
This particular seal they are all getting frantic about is a Common/Harbour Seal.
Sent from my iPad
It comes as no surprise to me as until a few months ago I was a regular visitor to the SGA’s FB webpage. i used to take them to task on many things and always took care to be moderate with my words. What is occurring in there at present has always been the norm.
One day I went to the page and found that I could not get access. On enquiring why I was told that my position on certain issues upset the PAYING members mof the Association and they had threatened to stop coming unless I was removed. There was no complaint about my behaviour or use of words, simply that I was taking issue with much of what was said that often led to their positions being left in tatters.
So banned I was — and still am. I bet I could name the worst offenders quite easily. lol
“So banned I was — and still am.”
’tis the way with a lot of people… I am banned from many fora… including Birdguides (for arguing with shooters!)
The point that I was attempting to make, Keith, is that i was extrra careful not to stray into areas that could be seen as abusive as I know some of them who frequent the chat and they know me. i succeeded as they could find no reason to exclude me other than what I said “upset paying members who had threatened to stop coming, thus exposing the dodgy nature of their conversations and their inability to deal with facts that undermined their claims.