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Fox listed as vermin in 2015 guidance


Dave-G
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I'm slightly dyslexic chaps and don't want to make a silly mistake in case I'm reading the new March 2015 guidance wrong. Bear in mind that I have always understood that fox was not treated as vermin in previous issues of firearms guidance.

 

My ticket is in for renewal and whilst refreshing my mind about something else I noticed that .17 rimfires are now in the calibre/quarry table at the end of chapter 13 and it seems they indicate the .17's as 'yes' to fox. Fox is also now listed in chapter 13, para 19 as vermin I have underlined that part.

 

Am I misconstruing this?

 

Shooting Small Quarry Species, including Game and Pest Species (Vermin)

13.19

The term “game” covers certain birds and animals that may be shot for food and sport. These include pheasant, partridge, grouse, ptarmigan and ground game (rabbits and hares).

The term “vermin” is not defined in law, but it may include species that cause damage to crops, game, livestock or property such as fox, rabbit, mink, stoat, weasel, brown rat, and grey squirrel; as well as some birds, such as wood pigeon and corvids such as rook and crow. Whilst species including wood pigeon and corvids are regarded as pests or vermin, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and therefore can only be shot under the relevant general licence. It is important to note that animals such as deer, wild boar etc are not viewed as vermin. Under schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, certain species such as wild cats, pine martens, badgers and otters may not be shot with any automatic or semi-automatic firearm, or killed, or taken by other prohibited methods under section 11(2) of the 1981 Act. These species may be pests under certain circumstances but may only be killed under licence (see also chapter 14). Guidance on foxes can be found in paragraphs 13.25 and 13.26.

 

13.20

Although not set out in legislation, the rifle cartridges most commonly used to shoot ground game and vermin are .17 rimfire (HMR & Mach 2) and .22 rimfire. More powerful centrefire cartridges, such as .17 Remington and .22 Hornet are also suitable for ground game and vermin, and may be considered if the applicant also intends to shoot fox to avoid possession of a further gun. Expanding ammunition may be granted for shooting vermin

 

Fox 13.25 Although not set out in legislation, common rifle cartridges considered suitable for the shooting of foxes range from .17 Remington, and .22 Hornet to .22 -250 and .220 Swift, though there is a wide range of suitable similar calibres commercially available. In windy areas, where heavier bullets aid accurate shooting, or if applicants wish to use one rifle for shooting both deer and foxes, they may choose a rifle in 6mm (.243/.244) or 6.5mm (.264) calibre. .22 Rimfires are generally considered as having insufficient muzzle energy to be used against foxes in most circumstances. However, these could be suitable for use at short range by experienced persons, and may be permitted in certain situations such as around farm buildings or paddocks. It is for the operator to ensure that the quarry species are shot at the appropriate range with the appropriate ammunition to achieve a humane kill. Combination shotgun/rifles should have the rifled barrel in a similar calibre. Expanding ammunition should be authorised for shooting foxes.

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417199/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_v13.pdf

 

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This has been quoted/mention in several threads already.

 

The Home Office have made it clear they consider fox vermin.

 

As I've said before, the Police regions may not, but I struggle to see any situation where a Court would not take the guidance of the Head Office over a regional office!

 

.22Rimfies, as quoted above, is almost always bad wording, but particularly in this case, as in the calibre/quarry table of the Guide both HMR and .22WMR (a .22Rimfire) are clearly stated as being adequate for fox, what they really mean above is .22LR, but you will note even .22LR (rimfire) is listed as suitable when used appropriately.

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You will of course have noticed that the table on page 122 states that .17HMR is suitable for "Vermin, ground game and other small quarry" and not suitable for 2Fox and other medium quarry". The 17 they speak of in column 4 is the .17 rem.

 

I think though that this table refers to caliber suitability as an initial good reason to acquire, and not what you may shoot once that good reason reason has been met. Therefore, if you want an HMR for say rabbits (ground game) and authority to acquire has been granted there is nothing to stop you shooting fox particularly if you have AOLQ.

 

It is also worth pointing out that the guidance mentions fox under its own sub heading at 13.25, refers to fox in 13.20.

13.18 confirms the table on page 122.

 

However, having said all of the above, the most important section as far as we are concerned is 10.38. Therefore, bearing 10.38 in mind, I would request vermin and AOLQ.

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You will of course have noticed that the table on page 122 states that .17HMR is suitable for "Vermin, ground game and other small quarry" and not suitable for 2Fox and other medium quarry". The 17 they speak of in column 4 is the .17 rem.

 

I think though that this table refers to caliber suitability as an initial good reason to acquire, and not what you may shoot once that good reason reason has been met. Therefore, if you want an HMR for say rabbits (ground game) and authority to acquire has been granted there is nothing to stop you shooting fox particularly if you have AOLQ.

 

It is also worth pointing out that the guidance mentions fox under its own sub heading at 13.25, refers to fox in 13.20.

13.18 confirms the table on page 122.

 

However, having said all of the above, the most important section as far as we are concerned is 10.38. Therefore, bearing 10.38 in mind, I would request vermin and AOLQ.

p122 Says that .17hmr and rem is suitable for fox and medium size quarry first table down forth box across Edited by psycho
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You are quite correct, I missed the & HMR bit.

 

Thanks for correcting me.

.17hmr was the fox cal recommended by my feo due to the fact my permission I 150 yards wide it is an adequate fox round for close range fox I took 3 on Thursday all at sub 70 yards ,there was no wind 1xheart at 68 yards 2xhead 1 at 42 the other at 38 using a FoxPro to call in with rodant call
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