And Finally

Good news at last.........two weeks later than expected the Minister signs the License

Ladies and Gentlemen............Lets Go Coursing!!!

Hunting Rally....Please attend

Latest News:

HAI/FACE RALLY

Rally re Dog Breeding legislation and Animal Welfare Bill on Wednesday 16th September at Woodlands Hotel, Adare, Co. Limerick. 8pm Your support is vital.

All Country Sports need to join together to stop the onslaught of misguided "animal lovers"

The Irish Hare (Lepus Timidus Hibernicus)

The Hare is one of Irelands longest established mammals. It is a sub-species of the mountain hare. This will explain why the odd white hares are found. Its average weight is 7.7lb and can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
It is seldom seen in daylight....unless flushed. And appears more placid in nature than the Brown Hare. It has the ability to survive on many types of habitats. It will spend the day hidden in cover then venture out to graze at dusk.

It is estimated that one family of foxes can kill upward of 30 adult hares a year! It is also said that Badgers.....who are on the increase (i saw 8 dead badgers on the road sunday) are responsible for the deaths of many leverets.

a interesting website
http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/Quercus/Projects/2008/1NIIrishharesurvey2008/

News

10 September 2009

Minister extends measures to protect Irish Hare

Environment Minister Edwin Poots is proposing to renew the temporary ban on the killing, taking, sale, or purchase of Irish Hares.
The proposal is to introduce a special protection order under the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928, for the period December 1st 2009 to August 11th 2010, which includes the 'close season' for hunting hares.

Recent results from the 2009 Northern Ireland Irish hare survey have shown that there are approximately 27,400 hares in Northern Ireland.

Speaking today the Minister said: “The conservation mechanisms that my department has put in place are bearing fruit and the number of Irish Hares is being sustained.

“However, until all data from the surveys undertaken so far can be analysed in 2010, I believe that there is a need for continued temporary protection. Therefore I am proposing that a new Special Protection Order should be made.”

What a shame the Minister cannot grasp the fact that the best protection he can give the hare is to allow Coursing. Who else is to protect the hare , but the people who value the countryside and its pursuits

Sevenhouses White Hare 08


White Hare at Borris in Ossory 08

HARE SEMINAR

HARE SEMINAR

I will be attending this seminar next week. a short feature will appear on this blog.

Following the recent AGM of the Irish Coursing Club it is proposed to hold a Hare Husbandry Seminar at Powerstown Park on Saturday, September 19th.
It is open to all clubs and members to attend.
The seminar will be hosted by the ICC Hare Husbandry Committee and will provide a comprehensive discussion on all elements associated with the hare.
A tour of the Powerstown facility will conclude the seminar.

An application appeared on the Sporting Press of Thurs Aug 27th ***
This should be completed by any club or member wishing to attend.
Must be returned to DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club on or before Monday 14th September.

* Application Form will also appear on Sporting Press issue of Thursday 10th September or alternatively you can simply write to DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club, Davis Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary expressing your wish to attend the seminar. Remember to include your Daytime telephone number and the name of the coursing club of which you are a member.

Its a tense time for all coursing supporters . As it stands at the moment the season is two weeks away and still no sign of the Hare catching License being signed.

Politicians never fail to let us down !. Is it any wonder that the Green Party is considered a joke when they flaunt the laws for their own ends.

With this in mind I would like to draw your attention to the following meetings....



All Field Sport enthusiasts are invited to attend the forthcoming Rallies organised by the Hunting Association of Ireland (H.A.I)

Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Wednesday September 16th.
Carlton Sheerwater Hotel, Ballinasloe on Thursday October 8th.
Both Rallies will commence at 8pm.

DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club has been invited by the HAI to speak at the Rally in Adare.
The HAI extend a special welcome to all coursing suporters to attend.


The time has come for all coursing supporters to join together to let the public know of the true facts of Hare Coursing.....

Coursing generates in the region of 16 million euro for the beleagured Irish economy during the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel each February (not to mention the contribution to the economy for the other 51 weeks of the year)

The recent study of the Irish Hare undertaken by Quercus on behalf of the National Parks & Wildlife Service concluded that "the level of hare husbandry afforded the hare by coursing clubs actually enhances the continued survival prospects of the species"

Pa Fitzgerald with his 2009 Irish Cup winner Sandy Sea

Welcome to this blog.

I plan to attend a Coursing meeting every week.........and keep up to date with my weekly pictorial.

So before the new season starts......lets take a look at some of last seasons stars.

And what better place to start than with those two epic semi finals from the Irish Cup

Sandy Sea v Wallace Green.

Johnny Casanova v Siena Steele.

Im sure everyone present that day will remember these two fine buckles for a long time to come