Poaching - a farmers story

Two Dorset farmers share their story as victims of poaching and rural crime. They share the impact these crimes have on their lives, both financially and emotionally and tell how the community can help build intelligence against offenders.

[@dav6131]

As a keen hunter- who only hunts legally and with the permission of the landowner. There is a big difference between wreckless thugs who behave like this and individuals who go out to put something in the pot.
The biggest problem by far for wildlife are the landowners and their gamekeepers. Here in the North York Moors, wildlife crime is rife, and it is not poachers that are the problem. Badger baiting, raptor killing and hunting deer with dogs are all done with the consent of the landowners. I know this because some of my customers are gamekeepers. Because I hunt, they assume that I am one of them and say too much.

[@peterwebb8732]

My land is my home. It is my personal, private space. I regard it the way you regard your backyard.

[@b79holmes]

Well start with game cameras at some field entrances

[@davidoldboy5425]

Unfortunately technology is in danger of decimating wildlife with night sights cheap and no morals with the people concerned. This is a problem nationwide but the means are there to tackle it, it just takes resolve and organisation, and many people would volunteer part of their time to assist I am sure. With trailcams that work on sensors and at night a few dotted around access roads in hedges would provide evidence of vehicles involved, it is also possible to connect these cameras by 4G to alert you to movement. Night patrols of retired volunteers registered with police would help, but above all a dedicated number (such as 999) on a nationwide basis so that the public could report anything suspicious without danger, and there is danger, these people are usually criminals. However nothing is better than increased armed police patrols (we know poachers are armed), and not single handed either, do it properly Chief Constables.

[@shaunpreston2839]

There was then, but you had too fight fire with fire or you lost yur job! I no where yur coming from!😮