nobby Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi all, Starting to feel like I must have an air of thuggery about me as I have been visiting every farm/ golf club/ stable in my area leaving covering letters and permission slips for months. I have put ads in the freeads and local shop windows, even got my local butcher onside chatting up his suppliers but have had absolutley no joy in gaining permissions. I have had numerous lengthy good conversations with some of the farmers that have been welcoming but told that they already have people that shoot. There have been a few positive responses saying that if anything changes They will inform me but I cant help thinking I'm destined for a life of plinking with a rare shoot on my brothers permission on the isle of wight. The most infuriating thing is that I have never seen anyone out hunting in my area and there is a lot of quarry laughing at me. Any suggestions? Nobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyshooter Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi Nobbie ,where are you in the country? you have unfortunately discovered how hard it is to get permissions you just have to keep plugging away , i got most of my permissions by a simple add in my parish magazine offering free pest control and got x5 new permissions in the first week. i now have x9 which i visit in rotation. regds Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi this is where a location on your profile comes in handy.Cant help you if we dont now where you live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby Posted August 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Apologies I thought I had my location in there. I'm in Kent . I'll give the parish magazine a try, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat toad Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi don't know if this will help you but try Kent county council and your local council you will be surprised at the disused ground and weird places they own also M.O.D they have old bases and even weirder places hidden away from the public be quick as a lot of members read these post Ha Ha I hope this helps let us know Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi all, Starting to feel like I must have an air of thuggery about me as I have been visiting every farm/ golf club/ stable in my area leaving covering letters and permission slips for months. I have put ads in the freeads and local shop windows, even got my local butcher onside chatting up his suppliers but have had absolutley no joy in gaining permissions. I have had numerous lengthy good conversations with some of the farmers that have been welcoming but told that they already have people that shoot. There have been a few positive responses saying that if anything changes They will inform me but I cant help thinking I'm destined for a life of plinking with a rare shoot on my brothers permission on the isle of wight. The most infuriating thing is that I have never seen anyone out hunting in my area and there is a lot of quarry laughing at me. Any suggestions? Nobby Most landowners see airguns as a joke, getting shooting with Shotgun and FAC rimfire / centrefire then using air rifles will see you collect a lot more permisions were you can introduce the idea of air power, strangely the flood gates then seem to open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve177 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) Kent, all i can say is keep plodding along, asking whenever you can, i been doing that for over a year, and like yourself got dis-heartened. Then a chance "flippant remark" at work one day got me a permission there, then the weekend later a neighbour who was walking by just happened to remark while we were chatting that he was over run by the pesky wabbit, and i offered to help, hey presto, permission #2. Im happy with both of these as they take up any free time i have. If you close to maidstone, give me a shout as you could tag along for a few hours one evening if you wish. Keep the chin up mate. Steve Edited August 30, 2011 by Steve177 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Apologies I thought I had my location in there. I'm in Kent . I'll give the parish magazine a try, cheers. seriously consider other shooting opertunities, like Kent wildfowlers (obviously shotguning) it practically always leads to more opertunities for other things and you never know the call of the marsh might grab you? I have gone through this many times with a mate who only air guns and he still thinks something will fall on his lap all on its own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexterboyz Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 it could possibly be like you said "an air of thuggery about me" do you have a shaved head or piercings? if so remove them and grow the hair, alot of elderly farmers assosiate these look with thuggery! stupid i know but its what i had to do to get permissions, it also somtimes helps if when you go to ask for permissions from the elderly you take a good bottle of malt whiskey with you and let them see it, this has worked for me aswell! i know how you feel tho m8 theres a few farms i drive past every day that are riddled with rabbits but the farmers insist they already have airgunners that take care of it!! good luck m8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) When asked what area you are from "Kent" is a bit vague for most people-anywhere in particular within the 1600sq.km? Missing simple details like that can be your downfall.Dont give up-once you get one permission others usually follow-try various tactics i.e. can i sight my rifle in on one corner of one of your fields cos I have to go all the way to the IOW to shoot and dont get time to check my gun when I get there-once you have the owners trust on one small area it becomes childs play to get the rest.Think outside the box and dont forget its not always what you know but who-get out and about to country fairs,cattle markets e.c.t.find out where the local farmers socialise.Good luck.By the way-what kent said about firearms as a lever to gain airgun permission is spot-on. Edited August 30, 2011 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubshot Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Most Air Gun Clubs have Sown up most Air Gun Control Jobs I am Central Call point for Lea Valley and often get Calls from land owners wanting land cleared of Rabbits or pigeons They contact Clubs as Expect We will pass them on to good Safe Shots But also aware that once you are known and proved you can keep Air Gun Vermin down How many others try to offers you more land to control BOB/R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Apply for your SGC / FAC (one day) You might be taken more seriously then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome of the Woods Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Apply for your SGC / FAC (one day) You might be taken more seriously then. Have to agree with Gary, airgun hunters have the hardest job getting permissions. Since I have my SGC and am applying for my FAC I have found not only gaining my own, but helping out others so much easier. Once a permission is gained you can use air if you want too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) Guys once again you have been a great help. Although i do have a shaved head (mainly as I'm balding) I'm a businessman by day so I hope I dont come across as a thug (all though it could help with certain clients). Steve thanks for the offer and maidstone is certainly not too far for me to travel so I may well be taking you up on your generous offer, I live just outside Herne Bay. I will keep plodding and no doubt I'll strike it lucky just thought a kick in the right direction may help. Didn't even think to ask councils and M.O.D but will get on the case right away. I'll have to have a chat to my warden (wife) about maybe getting fac/sgc but I know she will need some convincing about having "GUN" in the house with nippers about, I understand that there is no way they could get to it but like most women (apologies to female airgunners) reason doesn't always come natrually. Once again thanks for your advice it will be taken and hopefully I can update with some good news a bit later. Nobby p.s I did try the malt whiskey approach but it never seemed to make it out my house. Edited August 30, 2011 by nobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 You can apply for SGC without keeping a gun at home (you already have an airgun!) or apply for FAC air (need permission first) but with an SGC/FAC the police have checked you out already....So done alot of work for the farmer. Worth the £50 SGC fee even if you never buy a shotgun! But it does mean you can borrow one and use one (most farmers have shotguns) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi Nobby, there is a place for airgun pest control. It isn't necessary to have a SGC or FAC except on the bigger farms etc Have you tried looking for fruit growers [season might be over for some], organic vegetable growers, small-holdings, horse stables/paddocks, large private houses surrounded by farmland/crops? All these will have pests etc, and lend themselves to sub 12 [silent] airguns There's a myriad of places out there, you just need to be in the right place etc, to get your foot in the door I shoot near Canterbury, in private gardens and paddocks, and an organic veggie farm, and would love to offer you some shooting time, but I've only had the permissions a short while, and the LO's will only let me on there for now. I've asked to take a guest now and then, but no joy I'm afraid, and I fully respect that. But from one permission, I've now got seven [all very small] and an adjacent crop field edge so don't give up trying. Another tip is to ask , subtly of course, or drop into conversations, everyone you meet in your line of work, if there is even a sniff of a possibilty. If I get anything larger myself, invites will be out to the right people but I'm not holding my breath on more just yet! Anyway, good luck in your search, and hope I've helped in some way atb, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLH1966 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 If it helps, the first is the hardest. I got a permission earlier in the year, the farmer was happy & gave me more land called me last night to ask if I could go with him to meet a fellow farmer with a rabbit problem. Now my biggest problem is keeping everybody happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Hi JKD, I have tried stables but once again didn't think about private estates. I think I'll widen my search a bit and concentrate away from farms for a bit. If ever the opportunity arises for some company I will be there quicker than S*@t through a goose and hopefully soon will be able to return the offer. As it happens I should hear back from a few potentials in the next couple of days and although they are not in the bag it is good just to have someone ponder on it.The advice given on this thread has definatley made me think outside the box a little more. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Glad to be of some help Forgot to say, also try cricket clubs, or sports clubs in general. Basically anywhere that could be affected by pests and wouldn't be suitable for powder-burners A mate of mine has a permission on a schools grounds, and so the list goes on,,,, Like you say, thinking outside the box may help. atb, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Filled my car up on the way home from work and noticed a track at the back of the petrol station. Followed it for about 2 miles through paddocks and fields to come to a huge farm. I spoke to the manager who said immediatley YES and gave me 60 acres to start. His next line was "we are over run with rabbits in the bottom field "(at this point a little bit of sex wee may have made an appearance)went on to talk about rat and magpie problem. I promptly found out his tipple and will deliver it to him on saturday when he walks me round his site and signs my permission slip. COO COO CA CHOO sums it up I think. Thanks again and I look forward to posting my first bag of quarry, gonna spend a few visits recceing the area before I start hunting but now I have it want do things right so I don't lose it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat toad Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Filled my car up on the way home from work and noticed a track at the back of the petrol station. Followed it for about 2 miles through paddocks and fields to come to a huge farm. I spoke to the manager who said immediatley YES and gave me 60 acres to start. His next line was "we are over run with rabbits in the bottom field "(at this point a little bit of sex wee may have made an appearance)went on to talk about rat and magpie problem. I promptly found out his tipple and will deliver it to him on saturday when he walks me round his site and signs my permission slip. COO COO CA CHOO sums it up I think. Thanks again and I look forward to posting my first bag of quarry, gonna spend a few visits recceing the area before I start hunting but now I have it want do things right so I don't lose it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat toad Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Well done nobby out of the blue I am so glad you have got some joy at last i am sure other members will give advice if you need any on the hunting side of things remember you have to please the farmer if there are to meny use snares on there runs and of course notices if required warning the public keep the farmer happy Your friend Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Well done, all the more rewarding after trying so hard. Go regularly and make a dent in the population and you may find you'll pick up more permissions by word of mouth or by the farmer owning more land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Well done fella Now go out and enjoy the spoils atb Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby Posted September 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Cheers guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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