Quote Originally Posted by anthonykay View Post
Do they have to cull the hares because most of the raptors that would otherwise control the hare population have already been killed?
I would say there is quite some truth in that Anthony.
The grouse brigade say that culling is necessary because the hares spread sheep ticks to the birds which, in turn, causes 'louping ill' in the grouse.
It doesn't take much working out that if predators are kept to a minimum then the prey will increase in numbers.
The whole gamekeeping thing is a fiasco for our wildlife, including the very birds that the keepers are trying to protect so that a surplus is available to be shot for fun.
It would be far better to manage our wildlife for wildlife's sake, and not the sake of the fun shooters.