To think Goat/Sheep Hunting is not a sport?

[NewGrandad]

Just that.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-45967845

Well no, it's not exactly a fair fight. I spent the morning trying to remove 6 sheep from a woodland (using non lethal methods). That wasnt a fair fight either - they were faster and could run through low bushes.

It’s pretty much the land based equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel.

It's no more or less a sport than hunting any animal.

What's the alternative to an overpopulation that are damaging the environment and putting people at risk? Genuinely? They can't be caught - they are large wild animals with bad tempers and wearing weapons on their head. No-one would want them even if they could be trapped! Would rounding them up and driving them to a slaughterhouse be more humane? I don't think so personally. As I said above, if people pay to shoot them, then the herds and the environment will be better protected in order to maintain the income.

Disclaimer - I don't hunt and eat very little meat. I'm not some bloodthirsty hunter. But I am pragmatic and know of families who have been trapped in their houses due to large and angry billy goats hanging around outside. I doubt anyone here would happily accept that.

The culling needs to be done. But presenting it as trophy hunting with all the accompanying fashion camo and language is taking it a bit far. They're feral not tame, so it's not as un-sporting as some comments here would suggest. But it should be far more workmanlike than the Insta-glamour presented.

It's got to be done. And if rich people with guns will pay to do it and put cash into remote rural economies for the privilege, then as long as humane culling rules are adhered to what's the real problem?

The fundamental problem is that shooting the rams doesn't control the population - but they're the trophy kills. And stalking/shooting doesn't bring the same environmental benefits that a top predator would, no matter what the hunters tell you.