notsosureshot Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 I've been inactive for a while what with one thing and another, work mostly. Anyway, a few days ago I was just bidding farewell to a client when I remarked that one of his spaniels would make an excellent gun dog. On a subsequent visit, he asked if I was a shooter and I replied in the affirmative. He then proceded to offer me permission to cull rabbits on three of his fields out of the blue. The above sounds all rosy but there is a slight problem, at least to my mind. The land itself is fairly close together but is all located near a major road. The fields themselves I'd say cover between 1 and 2 acres each. Field 1, of approximately 2 acres, has a pub adjacent to it and is also bordered by a residential garden. There is a major road at the southern end. Field 2 is a cricket field, in use currently by a local team on weekends, a school building is near by. Field 3, totalling around 2 acres is used as a paddock. There are schools very close by. My gut feeling is that shooting on such land would be a very bad idea indeed. Even assuming it was safe with a non-FAC air rifle, the sight of someone with a gun near to occupied buildings and a main road is sure to cause alarm, permission or no permission. Air rifle isnt an option for me at present, although I could use a moderated .410. Obviously without seeing the exact areas of land I know its impossible to give an accurate assesment, but based on the above, does anyone have any input? I'm considering suggesting that the gentleman finds someone with ferrets rather than a shotgun. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Fudd Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 as long as its safe, use a moderated gun and inform the police youre there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Sounds perfect for air rifle and a dark night with a lamp to me. Looks like you may have to buy one sharpish or borrow one... Stick to weekends on the field near to the school to prevent anybody getting upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 The reason you've asked this question proves you are responsible. I would do a few recce's and im sure you will find some areas which offer safe shots with the .410. What you tend to find in gaining small permissions it often leads to many others so give it a try at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notsosureshot Posted January 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 (edited) Thanks for the replies people. I am pretty sure that there would be areas upon which to shoot a .410 safely as fields beyond are open farmland, certainly air rifle. My real worry is possible fall out from residents, particularly the schools and pub and the proximity of the road. I've worked it out and the shape of the fields is such that I would be realistically limited to the top corners only, which might mean it is impractical anyway, my field craft isnt top notch unfortunately.... Would you think there was any mileage in speaking to my FEO and possibly asking him to come and take a look and then notify the police each time I went to shoot it? The last thing I want to do is cause a problem on my first permission, as such things reflect upon shooters in general, not only myself and the last thing shooting needs is any more bad press from the anti's. harv, you're right about the cascade effect I'd guess. The farmer is tenanted and I know for a fact he has neighbours who have a similar problem. He's also been let down in the past apparently. Edited because Im a grammar tard. Edited January 18, 2010 by notsosureshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatGun Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Carefully placed snares with stops etc as necesarry and bodygrips or fenns using tunnels as appropriate will sort them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Carefully placed snares with stops etc as necesarry and bodygrips or fenns using tunnels as appropriate will sort them out. Cats are far to big an issue in a place like this to go down that route. You considered Ferreting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notsosureshot Posted January 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Im beginning to think ferreting might be the best option. I only lack one thing. Ferrets. Also, Im not sure the farmer likes the idea ferreting, no idea why though, he didnt elaborate. I'll talk to him further and give my FEO a call and see if he will have a look at the land with me. Depending on the outcome I'll post back here. Thanks everyone for the input, its invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
air gunner Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Could you have a chat with the pub etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 9R Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Could you try a hides in the corners and take the rabbits that come in to range? You would be out of sight and only seen when picking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bothbarrels Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 sounds a bit like shoting in a glodfish bowl situation to me surrounded by buildings and possibly nosey people. I recon you should do a reccy, if there are a good number of rabbits, invest or borrow an air rifle and lamping kit (or take a lamping partner). inform the old bill just to cover you ****, get a good mental image of the layout of the fields and boundaries, make notes of danger point and no-go areas. and watch out for cats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notsosureshot Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Just to close this topic off. Thank you for all the replies. After extensive discussion with the land owner and several visits to the site I've basically decided I would not be happy shooting there. Its typical really, someone finally offers you a permission and it turns out ot be unsuitable! It turns out that the school is in use on weekends for out of hours classes, the livestock present in the field can only be moved with several weeks prior notice and to top it all off, the cricket field is also used on certain weekends, even out of season. Objections from the neighbour on the land adjacent to the pub also reared their head. All in all, it would be a tremendous hassle to shoot this land. That fact, plus my own misgivings about safety have led me to decline the rights. Once again, thank you for all your replies, I did consider each point carefully when making the decision. Ultimately though, if I dont feel its 100% safe to shoot, I'd rather not take the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionicle Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 One of my permissions has a motorway along one side of it a rail line through the middle and not forgetting the two schools and a housing estate that also border the edges. It’s still cleared for HMR and I use my .243 other there as well, as long as you’re a safe shot and have suitable back stops I don’t see what the issue is. As someone has already said if you think it could be an issue go and speak to owners / occupiers on the adjacent properties and just let them know your intensions.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notsosureshot Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 The parcels are only around 3 acres and roughly square and entirely devoid of any backstops. That plus the fact they are all bordered by a road and you need to leave at least 50ft from the road and its just a crazy situation to put myself in. Theres no cover either. I have talked to the local residents, some of which objected. Havent talked to the school but I dont think shooting whilst children are in school 100 yards away is a good plan really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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