I WAS somewhat surprised to see the letter promoting game shooting by the Countryside Alliance in last Friday’s Wiltshire Times.

I think the writer is being somewhat disingenuous in his letter. I read this week that many of the pheasant chicks are reared in cages in France and that Brittany Ferries are now refusing to transport them after seeing a video showing the cruel battery conditions.

These same birds, as adults, blunder about before being shot like the proverbial ‘sitting ducks’.

The mention of the thriving wildlife on shooting land is also a laugh. Does this take into account the number of endangered birds of prey – golden eagles and hen harriers among them – that are being poisoned on this land. I cannot imagine foxes ‘thrive’ on this land either.

I for one cannot see the fun in shooting practically tame, hand-reared, living creatures for pleasure.

Pat Hayes, Rosefield Cottage, Polebarn Road, Trowbridge