Hawks and Doves
Doves are generally regarded as a symbol of peace. But in Argentina many view them as vermin. I'm assured this by the Assembly's countryside sports enthusiast Jim Shannon, who is just back from a dove shooting holiday in South America.
An anonymous source suggested to me that Jim had bagged 9000 doves. I found this hard to credit so gave Jim a ring and he assured me that his total was nothing like that. He says Argentina has 60 million doves, also known as Argentine pigeons, and he barely made a dint on the dove population. But he never gave me an actual figure.
According to this hunting holiday website, a shooter can expect to fire 1000 - 2500 rounds a day.
Jim says the holiday was an experience he'll never forget. The doves weren't available for comment.
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