cheshire-cheese Posted May 1, 2010 Report Share Posted May 1, 2010 (edited) Hello, years since I've fired an air rifle, but now that pigeons are threatening my crop, I think it may be time to discourage them From looking at this forum I gather that it is lawful for me to shoot pigeons on my veg patch on my land, with an air rifle, making sure it is safe to do so and that no pellets end up outside my land. Can I just go and buy an air rifle or do I need some form of license? Edited May 1, 2010 by cheshire-cheese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethevanman Posted May 1, 2010 Report Share Posted May 1, 2010 You can just go buy an air rifle and pellets as long as you are over 18 now Generally just use some commons ense, dont shoot when too many people are aobut, they may freak. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheshire-cheese Posted May 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2010 You can just go buy an air rifle and pellets as long as you are over 18 now ... Cheers for the reply, yeah, I remember 18 <looks wistfully into the middle distance> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted May 1, 2010 Report Share Posted May 1, 2010 (edited) Hello, years since I've fired an air rifle, but now that pigeons are threatening my crop, I think it may be time to discourage them From looking at this forum I gather that it is lawful for me to shoot pigeons on my veg patch on my land, with an air rifle, making sure it is safe to do so and that no pellets end up outside my land. Can I just go and buy an air rifle or do I need some form of license? Just be careful..... Sounds like you could argue crop damage (although whether a Judge would see a vegetable patch as a crop is another matter!) The general licence allows you to kill pigeons for this purpose or to protect the health of humans or other livestock BUT, you must be able to prove that you have tried EVERY other method of 'non-lethal' control before you resort to shooting them. Easy to do on a farm and at the end of the day it is the landowner or tenant who has to show that he has done this, as a 'pest controller' the shooter is another (albeit the ultimate) tool employed by the farmer. If it is your land the burden of proof is on you..... It only takes one anti to see you and report you to the RSPCA and you could be in big trouble if you can't show a. good reason and b. that you have tried everything else! Edited May 1, 2010 by Vipa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted May 1, 2010 Report Share Posted May 1, 2010 Welcome to PW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted May 3, 2010 Report Share Posted May 3, 2010 welcome to pw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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