thegingeritalian Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Evening all, Before I ask for your opinions I will give you some background and this should help in giving an informed response. I have been involved in field sports since I was old enough to walk and have in the past worked on farms near to where I grew up. All of this has meant that I have quite a few permissions (one being a shooting estate and a majority of the others being owned by cagey farmers who don't let people on easily). For the last two years I have been ferreting and shooting with two friends (one has his own land and one doesn't) and the land we use is always mine which I have no problem with. Recently I have had a new addition to the household, not a new spaniel unfortunately , and this has meant that i have not spent as much time out in the field. I have had a phone call tonight and during the conversation my friend mentioned that we have missed a fair chunk of shooting on where we usually go they cannot go unless im with them and that this isn't fair on them and that i should be asking the farmer to see if they can go on if I'm not available to go with them. I have to say this did **** me off slightly as I've worked hard to obtain the land I have access to and in a diplomatic fashion I steered the conversation away and onto other things. I don't mind them approaching the farmers but im sure they will be turned away and not because there unsafe as they are both experienced but because these farmers like the word no. Am I being unreasonable in not going out of my way to help them obtain permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiautolee Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Evening all, Before I ask for your opinions I will give you some background and this should help in giving an informed response. I have been involved in field sports since I was old enough to walk and have in the past worked on farms near to where I grew up. All of this has meant that I have quite a few permissions (one being a shooting estate and a majority of the others being owned by cagey farmers who don't let people on easily). For the last two years I have been ferreting and shooting with two friends (one has his own land and one doesn't) and the land we use is always mine which I have no problem with. Recently I have had a new addition to the household, not a new spaniel unfortunately , and this has meant that i have not spent as much time out in the field. I have had a phone call tonight and during the conversation my friend mentioned that we have missed a fair chunk of shooting on where we usually go they cannot go unless im with them and that this isn't fair on them and that i should be asking the farmer to see if they can go on if I'm not available to go with them. I have to say this did **** me off slightly as I've worked hard to obtain the land I have access to and in a diplomatic fashion I steered the conversation away and onto other things. I don't mind them approaching the farmers but im sure they will be turned away and not because there unsafe as they are both experienced but because these farmers like the word no. Am I being unreasonable in not going out of my way to help them obtain permission? nothing wrong with what your doing!! tell them to get off there harris and go and knock on farms (i dont mean yours either) we all had/have to do it....so what makes it different for them!! stand your ground mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordiepigeon Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Not at all mate. The reason some farmers are cagey is that they have seen it all before. When people ask for permission the promise the world and are polite about it but as soon as they get it they abuse it. These farmers obviously trust you and know you as a person not to abuse the rights they have given you. It sounds like you need to evaluate your relationship with you so called friends as It sounds like they might be using you a tad. If they had permission for the ground you shoot would they even ask you along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 As said, they need to get of thier backsides and find thier own permissions, your farmer gave you the permission because he knows and trusts you... if they were true friends, they wouldn't be asking to gain access, after all!!!! its your permission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 ....however. It sounds like the land isn't getting shot at the moment so how does the farmer feel about this? It's not like you're giving up the permission, just sharing it with your mates who can maintain a prescence there while you can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 You lot are a harsh lot , these friends at least had the decency to ask you , some so called 'friends' would have bypassed you comlpetely and gone direct to the farmers themselves, then you would have reason to grumble! If you think you can trust them and you think the land does need more attention than you can give it at the moment then introduce them to farmer with a view to them going on their own (you can still make up any ground rules you want). Personally I would much prefer a couple of mates going if I can't than the farmer getting complete strangers in to do the job and risk losing the ground completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegingeritalian Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Thank you for all of your replies it has help put some perspective on things. I have no problems with them approaching the land owners but I'm not willing to do it all for them which is what was being asked. The permissions are not solely used by me, others have permission but it is a limited few. I will call my mate today and explain things to him and make it clear he will have to take the lead and go and speak to the owners and if the owner asks me for a reference then I will happily give them one. Can't be fairer than that. Cheers chaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good shot? Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 (edited) For the last two years I have been ferreting and shooting with two friends (one has his own land and one doesn't) and the land we use is always mine which I have no problem with. Recently I have had a new addition to the household, not a new spaniel unfortunately , and this has meant that i have not spent as much time out in the field. I have had a phone call tonight and during the conversation my friend mentioned that we have missed a fair chunk of shooting on where we usually go they cannot go unless im with them and that this isn't fair on them and that i should be asking the farmer to see if they can go on if I'm not available to go with them. I would ask the farmer, if you not being able to visit so often is giving him a problem with vermin etc,If so, say you will ask your friends to visit in your place until you are better fixed.If he is in agreement tell your friends they have the go ahead but set out your terms as I think they are pushing it by saying the current arrangement is "unfair" on them.If farmer is ok with your infrequent visits for now, so be it. Edited June 8, 2011 by Good shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Thank you for all of your replies it has help put some perspective on things. I have no problems with them approaching the land owners but I'm not willing to do it all for them which is what was being asked. The permissions are not solely used by me, others have permission but it is a limited few. I will call my mate today and explain things to him and make it clear he will have to take the lead and go and speak to the owners and if the owner asks me for a reference then I will happily give them one. Can't be fairer than that. Cheers chaps If you ask the farmer and explain the reason, you will still have control of what and who shoots the permission. Letting your friends ask and then set up their own criteria could lead to less shooting for you when you are able to free up the time to shoot as you did in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 If you ask the farmer and explain the reason, you will still have control of what and who shoots the permission. Letting your friends ask and then set up their own criteria could lead to less shooting for you when you are able to free up the time to shoot as you did in the past. i agree with this, its not right for your friends to be putting you under pressure. they should be grateful you took them out in the first place. i suggest you tell them to go and ask some other farmers and see how they get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckaroo23 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 i agree with you. i dont have much land to shoot on, but two friends have loads and always offer to take me out which is great they are very good shooters so i learn loads when im out, i would never ask them to get me on the land as its theirs ive spoken to the farmers where weve been shooting and a few said if any space come about they will contact my friend and give me a chance. but my search for my own land carrys on no joy yet but im sure sooner or later il find some. well i hope any way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 its is a tough one......... farmer wants its shot and if you cant go my guess is sooner or later he will want someone to do it, your mates have been cheeky but you need to look to keep control of it before somthing gives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linny Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 its better you mates shoot it if you can't although very cheeky to ask you.if you let them go be it on your terms and the farmers as it his land or you might lose it as did my mate a while ago what a shame it was a great farm. look after what you got or some one else will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triscrx Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 I expect your reason for being concerned is that they may start taking a 'friend' and then before you know it there are people shooting the farm you had to work hard to get onto that you or the farmer dont even know. Best to keep it how it is so you have an eye on what is going on and as the farmers representative the ground is controlled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Have they got permissions that you are aloud to shoot on without them You are asking for trouble here,friends dont ask to have your permissions,they get their own and invite you over. The farmer has other people covering the land and if it all gets to much then someone may have to go and by adding these so called mates to the list it may well be you that gets the push, or all of you if they do something wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegingeritalian Posted June 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 As I have said I don't mind them making inquiries but I'm not doing it all for them, I do trust them otherwise I would not even be entertaining them. One does have his own permissions as he has a selection of rifles but as yet I've not been to his land but if I'm honest I'm not bothered about that and usually prefer my land as I know it well enough that whatever the time of day/year/weather I can guarantee a catch. It was more the attitude that I should be going out of my way to get them on that annoyed me. Since the youngest has come along I usually go on these permissions once a week and weather conditions,etc dictate which one I go to which to me isn't to bad. Thank you for your replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastiebap Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Tell them to man up and ask the farmer themselves. It's almost like a teenager asking his mate to ask a girl out on his behalf. If he wants to shoot the land, as a courtesy your mate does need to approach the land owner himself. As a diplomatic measure, you could always tell them that your happy enough for them to drop your name with the farmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 ive had the same problem since i moved away from home too i could walk 3 miles from my house in any direction and have permission all the way and used to shoo over 20,000 ac i always had good buddy tom with me and some times his mate well now ive moved away from home they have both been around all my permissions and asked for it! not to bad i supose but freind no.2 is a ******* fool and when they farmers say no he will cut water lines open gates ect ect, so i get kicked off! tread very carefully mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 Your so called mates arnt the only shooters there? I'm sure the 'other people who shoot there will spot any missed areas that are producing sufficient quarry to merit cleaning up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 There's friends and then there's FRIENDS. If you trust them to do as you'd do then OK if not then tell 'em to go find their own permissions (and invite you!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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