Friday, September 18, 2009

More Birds, Less M.O.D.

Hunting Mourning Doves

Walked the tree lines mid-morning in search of birds, flushed several, missed and was surprised when a second group of three or four of the airborne acrobats cunningly flew over me from behind. I was busy reloading and missed the shot, exciting though to get some wing shot action right out of the gate, as it were.

Continued to a small copse in the middle of a large neighbouring field, thinking, "Ah hah, that looks like the sort of small copse they'd like to loaf about in," and sure enough they did. Got off a couple of successful shots then moved down towards the tree line at the bottom of the field - no shortage of flyers but all out of range, so no joy. Then back to the truck to clean the birds and scout about for more - but there didn't seem to be much action and I headed for home. That seemed to stir them up by the score from their lairs at the side of the road, which I cunningly hadn't hunted. I'll know next time (tomorrow); tree lines, small copse, edge of the fields by the road.

On a completely different theme, check out Michael Yon's excellent reporting from Afghanistan, where he's been embedded with various units until the MOD pulled the plug. One thing that struck me, amongst many, was how under resourced the British troops seem to be. I'd say if you're going to fight a war, you should do so to win - otherwise don't fight at all. Just a thought.

God bless,

LSP

10 comments:

Barking Spider said...

It's a disgrace the way Brown is treating these men, LSP, if he's not going to equip them properly and send enough troops to do the job, we should pull out immediately or ASAP. The British public don't even know what we're doing there anymore and Brown's explanations are complete lies and drivel!

darlin said...

What a beautiful photo LSP! Here's to hoping you have better hunting today!

Snarky Basterd said...

The Brits are HOWLING at Gorgon about how badly he's turned his back on their troops.

We'll be doing the same with Obama in a year or so...just you watch.

Epona said...

Brown and the rest of his 'comrades' in Westminster don't care what happens to our troops at all. They just want them out of the way while our Nation is destroyed both morally and demographically.
You would be handy over here helping us rid our countryside of grey squirrels:-)

LSP said...

I'd say the labourite treatment of the army is little short of traitorous - its a scandal any way you look at it.

Dr - I sure hope you're wrong but i wouldn't want to bet against you...

Epona, I'd be glad to help out against the squirrel menace - maybe in the Spring; hope to get a bit of shooting in the 'old country'.

Anonymous said...

"If you're going to fight a war, do it to win" could be applied to the entire effort after 9/11. Unfortunately, the enemy hides behind the skirts of their women and children and CNN lurks around every corner, reporting every "atrocity."

There is no such thing as a humane war...

LSP said...

Foutsc - remember Churchill's comment on Gen. Sherman? "War is hell" said General Sherman, he certainly made it so." Or something like that.

But I agree - 'fight to win' applies to the whole post 9/11 business and is, I think, one of the conditions of Just War theory.

Adrienne said...

Good Lord above - can we please move on from the "killing fields?" I understand the circle of life, yada, yada. I just don't want to witness it.

I'm still not recovered from the trauma of seeing Bambi's mother killed. Really!

Anonymous said...

The armaments industry forms a sizeable chunk of our manufacturing base, so it's no surprise that we spend more on expensive equipment we don't need while sending our troops to die.

The troops are the props for the show, whose aim is many-fold - but not to bring 'democracy' to Afghanistan.

If the US and the UK were so keen on democracy, why have they been dismantling it systematically in their own countries?

LSP said...

Sorry Adrienne - we'll move on, though you'll be upset at my Snake post, but not to worry, there'll be a break from bambi bashing.

Interesting point Fausty - there might be other things in play than a 'crusade' for democracy... Surely not!