Roy Sparks - Illegal hunting methods.

[Roy Sparks]

Just an update from my side. In the Eastern Cape the only banned ( illegal ) hunting methods are fire and poison. We hope to keep it that way here. This is maybe frustrating to some of our fellow countrymen but it seems that our Nature Department recognises and respects our traditions and likes to allow a policy of private persons and enterprises to self regulate.

While there may always be a threat to any form of hunting it is each individuals responsibility to keep that threat at bay , to challenge and to fight and in my opinion to even disobey unjust encroachment and enforcement of new policies on a goverment level.

If you dont you are giving up your freedom. There have always been risks to gaining and maintaining freedom. It is each individuals choice as to how much they are prepared to risk and that risk is their right.

Are you just going to stop hunting with your hounds because some instituition has violated your rights and overthrown your freedom to exercises age old past times and traditions ?

I wont go down that easy , I'm prepared to take the risk if it ever faces me. The consequences I'll have to deal with, that comes with the package.

Time to stop nailing each other and rather stand up as one against anti hunters. They are anti kill , anti blood sport , anti eat meat - anti your rights.

Dont for one minute believe anything they say. Dont believe what they promise. Dont ever even consider negotiating with them. They want to stop you period. They invented deciet. If they give you a chance at their throat you grab and squeeze the life out of them, they no different to terrorists !!

Roy Sparks - Sparks Hounds.

[BEAR HUNTER]

I agree Roy. You cant give them an inch. How much support against the anti's do the American Sportsmen and clubs like SCI give you guys?

[Roy Sparks]

On the whole American sportsmen that I've hunted with have been terrifically supportive. Some have got involved by writing letters to authorities and hunters associations. I'm very greatful for that and all the reference letters I have from past clients. Some hunters have written wonderful stories about their experiences with the different houndsmen here which is always encouraging.

I am an SCI member and have had the privilege to meet some really dynamic people associated with the organisation and believe that African Houndsmen have benifited tremeandously by being welcomed to the show at Reno to exibit their businesses. Also I believe most of us are greatful to SCI for the numerous articles that have been published in the magazine featuring hunting over hounds in Africa.

However - I would like to see more intervention by SCI when Houndsmen are being unfairly treated by FELLOW HUNTERS who are opposed to hunting with hounds.I have said this before, here in Africa our biggest opposition are our fellow pro hunters not anti hunters.

Now if SCI is willing to have us as members who actually draw a lot of traffic through their convention in Reno and benefit through show fees , yearly membership subs and record book entry payments etc, etc I feel they could be doing a hell of a lot more in getting into the fight for us.

Roy Sparks.