I AM not a huntsman, nor have I ever been on a hunt.

However, I am a keen angler and I passionately believe that shooters and anglers must now stand shoulder to shoulder with the huntsmen. The 'antis' will not stop at fox hunting. Next it will be the shooters and anglers.

It is embedded into the psyche of these 'antis' to have something and somebody to shout at and ban.

The Government has failed to see that a consequence of this ban will be a rise in shotgun ownership. This will result in more unlicensed and illegal guns, resulting in a rise in gun-related crime.

The countryside will become a dangerous place to live and visit. Will then the Government ban farmers from shooting foxes?

K S Chapman,

South Drive,

Harrogate.

Updated: 11:18 Friday, November 26, 2004