I WOULD like to reply to the very emotive letter from Pat Wickham (December 16).

First, I will state that I am a meat eater and as such I realise that birds and animals must be killed and I make no apology for this statement.

You clearly have no knowledge of the strict gun laws in this country and have attempted to draw attention to yourself with your poor and flippant remarks.

Tom, Dick and Harry can own a legal gun, but if any of these persons are caught roaming without permission this becomes "armed trespass".

All firearm holders have to conform to the rules of security and the licensed premises where the guns are stored are inspected by the police. The police may call without notice to inspect gun safes.

I do not approve of the shooting of the osprey or any protected bird. You state that a veterinary analysis shows that this bird had been shot twice with a shotgun.

Do you know how much shot is in a cartridge? No one could tell if this bird had been shot twice. Unless shot at very close range. One will not use a gun to trap or poison any bird or animal.

Have you seen the vast areas of damage to crops that pigeons and rabbits cause? Shooting these birds and animals is a means to an end. Do you eat the results of the farmers' crops or will they be grown for the birds and animals?

Shooting will not create a void that will be filled by nature. The birds that are shot become food just like the chicken on the dinner plate.

Pat Wickham, if you need any guidance with ornithology just contact me for if it flies in the sky or sings in the tree I will tell you what it is and the bird's life cycle, even the colour of the eggs it lays.

John Stockton, Kirkstead Crescent, Grimsby.

The Telegraph says

Whilst there are rules to govern the ownership and use of guns, being caught in the act of using them illegally is a different matter.