Anyone who follows not just this page but any rural page or publication would be aware of the attacks and abuse that gamekeepers, landowners, shooting guests, and indeed almost anyone who takes part in fieldsports are susceptible to.
It is sad that this has almost become the norm; people who enjoy wildfowling or shooting of any description are wary of talking about it in public or putting up photos on social media for fear of being attacked by animal rights activists – both online and in real life.
But it is only when activists go beyond their typical remit that it makes the news.
Last week, it was reported that a charity in Scotland had been forced to refuse a donation of game meat, organised by the Game for Giving project.
The charity – which wished to remain anonymous for fear of yet more attacks – said it was unable to accept a donation of fresh game meat. This is entirely due to the fact that previous involvement with the Game for Giving project had resulted in angry messages; forcing them to turn down a donation of free venison sausages, mince and stewing meat.
The project, which was set up in 2016 by the Angus Glens and Grampian moorland groups, has fed more than 1,500 families, and is being expanded all over Scotland by the various moorland groups.
This year, with the financial impact of Coronavirus having hit many families very hard, more people than usual are struggling to make ends meet and feed their families.
This means that donations like those from the Game for Giving project are needed more than ever – which makes it even more upsetting that this charity felt unable to accept the game donation for fear of reprisals if they did so.
Geva Blackett, an SNP councillor for Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside, said: “I just cannot believe the utter selfishness of those with a political agenda against estates – game is known to be low in fat and extremely healthy and yet a charity has been frightened off from accepting this meat, which is freely donated, properly butchered and easy to cook.”
She confirmed that any local families who would like food parcels of game would still be able to receive them directly by contacting the Game for Giving project.
It's a huge shame that the selfishness of a very vocal minority means that those who are most in need could now go without. But sadly many of those who campaign against fieldsports are unable – or unwilling – to see any of the benefits that these sports provide, whether that's to the environment and wildlife, to local communities, or to the wider world.