Smecky Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Best way off going around gettin permission!! Havin a nightmare and most farmers around near me are so bloody stuck up!! It's just a no pal!! Help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu74 Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 The best way i have found to get permission is to find a shoot and offer to help out on it, then as a bit of a thanks the keeper will usually say to go vermin shooting, I have tried most of the farms round my way and the farmers are just saying already got someone on, and the person who has the permisson round our way has got so much land it is unbelievable and he only shoots about once a month, **** law eh, good luck finding permission you will need it, Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codling99 Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 would help if we knew where you were? only way to get farms is to keep asking,further away till you get some,helping out around farm will go a long way too if they need any help that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge hunter Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 no pun there codders me old mucker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I've only got 2 permissions,both times I asked the farmer if he needed EXTRA guns as they all have guns already,offered to shoot weekdays only,told him i have every Wednesdaym off.It seemed to make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smecky Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I'm in Manchester area!! Thanks for the advise guys! Last farm I went too ended up getting 140 acres to shoot on!!! RESULT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Living proof that perseverence pays off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodyPopper Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 I know how you feel. Over the last couple of years I've written to loads of farmers locally, and not so locally. Most don't reply, despite supplying them with an SAE, phone number and email address. Those that do reply tend want to help but are unable to for one reason or another. Everyone says that offering to go beating is a good way. I'm sure that's true but you've still got to have the contacts to ask. But, a couple of weeks ago I wrote to a local farm and struck gold. I'd never bothered to write before - I had a hunch that there was no point. I posted the letter on Sunday evening and got a phone call from the farmer on the Tuesday. I met with him and his wife a few days later and bingo! I don't know if it helped that I was able to write and say "I have looked and there are often pigeons on this particular field" but it can't have done any harm. Before this happened, people kept telling me "keep trying and something will turn up eventually". I never believed them, but they were right in the end. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 What you have to realise is that many farmers don't have authority to let you shoot pigeons on their land. If they are tenant farmers or have rented out sporting rights to game shoots they cannot lawfully let other guns go on the land. The farmer can be pulling his hair out at the number of pigeons on his land, but if he has not got the shooting rights only he and one nominated employee or family member can shoot vermin. The shooting tennant is the only person who can give permission to others. That is why it is good to make yourself available for beating duties with the local game shoots. Once you are accepted as being trustworthy you'll often end up with more shooting than you can cope with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Best way off going around gettin permission!! Havin a nightmare and most farmers around near me are so bloody stuck up!! It's just a no pal!! Help There are a few things you can do that will help your chances of gaining more land to shot over. I do realise it is not easy but as some of the post have said you need to keep plugging away it will come with time. Some of the stories my farmers tell me about the approach of some shooters begs belief, one recent approach went something like… Shooter turns up at the farm with their gun and decoys over their shoulder and dog/dogs in the back of the car and says “or right mate is that your field down the road, “farmer replies yes it is” well is there any chance I can have a go at the pigeons on it” farmers reply “No sorry MATE” Never make your first call with your dog and gear; most farmers will not give you permission, mostly because they do not know you or your dog. Having said that I have got shooting when I had the dog and gear in the car but you need the farmers name and a little bit of reverse psychology, something on the lines of, “good morning Mr Jones, my name is Jack, I’ve come past your farm a few times over the last couple of weeks and noticed large number of pigeons on the bottom field of rape and I see they are on it again, now I cannot do anything today because I am on my way to shoot Mr Greens rape fields but if I can be of any help in the future please give me a call any time. Now you are unlikely to get a phone call but the main thing is you have broken the ice and it opens the door for you to pop in and see him again. Another thing that some of my farmers tell me and that is most shooters who knock on their door want to shot the pigeons and rabbits but very few shooters ask if they can have ago at the Rooks and Crows, I have got lots of shooting from going out just looking for fields being hit by Rooks and Crows. Best times are on laid Barley and spring sown corn when it’s about an inch or two high and after a good down poor, had some big bags on maize. Another trick I have used a few times and it works but you need patient, find a field that you can see from the lane and is near the farm and getting hammered, park your car in the gateway and just stand by the gate and watch the field, you may have to wait a bit or make a return visit but eventually some one will stop and ask you what you are doing, “Im just watching these pigeons on this rape field, looks like they are giving it some stick, you don’t know whose field it is?” farmer “yes it’s my field”……. With a bit of luck and the right approach you might end up shooting it. Pick an area and drive around it stop and get out of the car, have a walk up the lane, if a Landover or tractor comes past put your hand up and acknowledge them, go out as much as you can and get your face and vehicle known in that area, if the opportunity comes to have a chat with someone working in the field or cutting the hedges not let it slip by. Once you have one farm in an area you will find it easy to get other farms by name droping but it also takes hard work and time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Good advice, I think you have to look at it from the landowner's perspective, a stranger who wants to shoot a lethal weapon on his land turns up asking for permission. You can't expect them to say yes at first go. But, try laying the foundations, ask, leave some details about yourself, the obvious, but also a reference from another farmer or someone else who can give you a character reference, details about what you do, your family, shooting history may help, copies of your licence and insurance. Maybe have some cards printed up, and start leaving them at farms. Then follow up a week or two later. If they say no, be polite and maybe ask if there is another landowner you could try. I think you reap what you sow, so if you go about it politely eventually you will get something.. Why not try asking all your friends/work colleagues...anyone you know, if they know someone who shoots or has land or works on a farm - you may make a connection that way. I got some land through a farmer whose child went on the same cub camp as my lad, and some more land from a farmer friend of a butcher I know.... Keep trying, it will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smecky Posted March 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Fantastic advise! Really much appreciated!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 this is how I got permission,first I joined a small rough shoot syndicate.after a year I started going around the farms again,I'd learnt a bit more of the lingo so could hold a conversation with the farmer about conditions etc.when i approached a farmer I was in my non camo shooting gear but smart all weather shooting greens.and said I'd just come from my permission after shooting and had noticed pigeons on "that field",Always very polite.asked if they needed an additional shooter,offered to shoot week days,I got 50 acres that way.I shot that for about 4 months,then approached another local farmer,struck up a conversation and mentioned I shot "Joe Blogs" land and If they had and pest problems,i picked up another 80 acres,I shot that for a while too,then approached a bigger farm,same story but now mentioned all the names of farmers I shot on,the farmer and I chatted and he said I could shoot his land.... 1400 acres,I drove him around while he pointed out problem areas.Now I have enough land and won't stretch for anymore as you must be seen to shoot.Now me and my mates can shoot as and when we like.I always send a text to say where I am ,and another when I leave informing them all cartridges are picked up and how many I have shot if I have got some.took me 3 years to make that final 1400 acres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besty57 Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 some excellant advice in these posts lads.most helpful, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 (edited) I agree with everything that has said before. I am retired as are a few of my friends, we use this letter (below) and it has brought good results in the past and is about to be used again. One thing I will say is this, once I have enough land I will stop accepting it and offer it to others (with the farmers permission of course), there is no point depriving other pigeon shooters by hoarding 1000's of acres and not being able to shoot it efficiently. The first part "we shoot weekdays etc is in very large print" Dear Sir We shoot week days! Pigeons eat every day Let me introduce myself, my name is Terry XXXXXXX I am 63 years old, a retired businessman and available to shoot whenever the need arises, accompanied with 2 other retired businessmen we give regular updates on what we observe as we walk about the property, we are fully insured and most importantly safe, reliable and trustworthy. Currently we shoot at XXXXXXXXXXX, also at XXXXXXXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXXXXX. We are very tidy shooters, use felt wads and train new and novice shooters on how to decoy, respect the environment and the quarry they shoot plus most importantly gun safety. We appreciate that you must receive numerous requests to shoot over your property, and apologise for being one more nuisance letter, but feel we can offer a service that would suit your requirements. We am prepared and happy to shoot when you require us to, working around sowing, harvesting, drilling and spraying, not just turn up when it is convenient to us. Early mornings, late nights or even a mixture of the two are not a problem. We believe we can offer to you more than just pigeon shooting, but a service to suit your very personal requirements. We are prepared and happy not to shoot at weekends leaving your property free for other shooters that you may already have allowed to shoot over your land. We look forward to hearing from you and if you feel you would like to meet and vet any or all three of us we would be most pleased to attend at your convenience. Yours faithfully Terry XXXXXXXXXX If this letter or the bones of it help others than a good job has been done ps I can email the original to who ever wants it to show the layout and format just pm your email address Edited March 18, 2011 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 Has this thread been moved from here or to here? How do you tell?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 I agree with everything that has said before. I am retired as are a few of my friends, we use this letter (below) and it has brought good results in the past and is about to be used again. One thing I will say is this, once I have enough land I will stop accepting it and offer it to others (with the farmers permission of course), there is no point depriving other pigeon shooters by hoarding 1000's of acres and not being able to shoot it efficiently. The first part "we shoot weekdays etc is in very large print" Dear Sir We shoot week days! Pigeons eat every day Let me introduce myself, my name is Terry XXXXXXX I am 63 years old, a retired businessman and available to shoot whenever the need arises, accompanied with 2 other retired businessmen we give regular updates on what we observe as we walk about the property, we are fully insured and most importantly safe, reliable and trustworthy. Currently we shoot at XXXXXXXXXXX, also at XXXXXXXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXXXXX. We are very tidy shooters, use felt wads and train new and novice shooters on how to decoy, respect the environment and the quarry they shoot plus most importantly gun safety. We appreciate that you must receive numerous requests to shoot over your property, and apologise for being one more nuisance letter, but feel we can offer a service that would suit your requirements. We am prepared and happy to shoot when “you” require us to, working around sowing, harvesting, drilling and spraying, not just turn up when it is convenient to us. Early mornings, late nights or even a mixture of the two are not a problem. We believe we can offer to you more than just pigeon shooting, but a service to suit your very personal requirements. We are prepared and happy not to shoot at weekends leaving your property free for other shooters that you may already have allowed to shoot over your land. We look forward to hearing from you and if you feel you would like to meet and vet any or all three of us we would be most pleased to attend at your convenience. Yours faithfully Terry XXXXXXXXXX If this letter or the bones of it help others than a good job has been done ps I can email the original to who ever wants it to show the layout and format just pm your email address There are two things we have on our side, the first is age the second is midweek shooting if you have them two it’s half the battle. Only problem is with age it gets harder carrying all the gear up the field and even harder coming back if you have a good day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) I am 63 and I challenge you youngsters to keep up with me ask anyone thats been out with me .I am built like a warhorse and move like a whippet (just awaiting the comments now) Blooming cheek that is an ageist comment and I may have to report you Edited March 20, 2011 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 I am 63 and I challenge you youngsters to keep up with me ask anyone thats been out with me .I am built like a warhorse and move like a whippet (just awaiting the comments now) Blooming cheek that is an ageist comment and I may have to report you I think you missed the WE as im 61 myself!! And no youngster but thanks for thinking I was might see if I can pull some young birds!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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