SHOOTING OF BIRDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22792, 28 July 1937, Page 17

SHOOTING OF BIRDS

Sir, —In replying to Sir. S. D. Potter's letter of July 2.'} I again definitely uphold tho views of the Hon. W. E. Parry that the sport of shooting is a training in character. In my previous letter 1 was not defending the shooting of live birds from traps only, but live game shooting in tho field generally as well as clay target shooting, which claims tho attention of large numbers of shooters at gun club shoots throughout New Zealand approximately two or three times a month whereas live bird shooting from traps is only held occasionally by expert shots, who nearly always kill each bird instantly and do not cause it the pain Mr. Potter and other correspondents would try to lead the public to believe. To be consistent, why does not Mr. Potter, and other critics, condemn the various hunt clubs or tho many thousands of bird fanciers who keep in captivity year in and year out live birds of all descriptions? So far as 1 am concerned this is their hobby just as live game and target shooting is mine. My character deteriorated through the actual experience of the sport of shooting, neither has that of my many companions. I suggest that Mr. l'otter continue "shooting with his camera" and leave the advice upon and control of other modes of shooting in the capable and worthy hands of the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, assisted by the various acclimatisation societies and gun clubs throughout New Zealand. L. J. Henderson.