foggy011983 Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 (edited) I've just been thinking to my self why isn't there any seagull shooting days by the coast. Not only is there a extreme abundance of them, but they also damage and destroy rare birds and amphibians etc. I'm sure you could have a real good day out and as far as decoys go all you would need is a bag of chips lol Edited December 13, 2011 by foggy011983 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 No need to go to the coast just your local landfill site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy011983 Posted December 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Yes I know what you mean. I drive hgv's and every time I go on to the dock to pick up a container I see hundreds. I just wish I could take my shotgun with me and get permission to knock a few off. It certainly would pass some time instead of being sat in a lorry all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 need to brush up on your twitching as far as i know there are plenty of gulls but not too many you can shoot? maybe greater black backed ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 Starlings are the true Flyin Rats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 (edited) in scotland.... "Great Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Collared Dove Feral Pigeon Woodpigeon Carrion Crow Hooded Crow Jackdaw Magpie Rook" http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1221/0109519.pdf Edited December 13, 2011 by utectok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 I've never tried it myself but I hear it works I know a few guys who post on FB who shoot thousands of starlings at certain times of the year, they call one place starling city, their pics show 3/4/5 cartons of empty shells in their hides when they're shootin them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 OK. I'll rise to the bait... Anyone who goes out after shooting quarry should check the general licences for their country. http://www.basc.org.uk/en/shooting/general-licences.cfm Please note that starlings were taken off the licence some years ago now & are thus protected, certainly in England & Wales. Seagulls - certain species used to be on the general licence but you can't just pop off at them now either. Only the lesser black-backed seems to still be on general licence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 (edited) Here we go again. Why would you want to shoot gulls Foggy , Just because you can would be my guess. If you just want to shoot something then take up clay shooting as there can be no excuse in shooting something you cant eat unless it is causing a problem which most species of gull dont. Common and Black headed gulls are the farmers friends destroying huge numbers of crop pests. Only the Herring , greater and lesser black backed gulls are likely to cause a problem and then in restricted places and times. If you have a problem with them you can get a licence to deal with them. The herring and GBB gull are declining in numbers nationaly so it would not be a good udea to start shooting them. Just pause a moment and think how the public would view someone shooting gulls and then dumping the bodies afterwards. It would not put over a very good image of our sport. And once again your ID skills are left in doubt P-MX , starlings are not flying rats , They are birds with feathers and bills. Rats are mammals with fur ,a long tail and a nasty set of teeth. O and rats cant fly. Buy a animal\bird book and you will see the difference. Edited December 14, 2011 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 . And once again your ID skills are left in doubt P-MX , starlings are not flying rats , They are birds with feathers and bills. Rats are mammals with fur ,a long tail and a nasty set of teeth. O and rats cant fly. Buy a animal\bird book and you will see the difference. Anser Starlings are one of the biggest disease spreaders amongst all native birds ! take your head out and have a look !! Read This "Admired by many ‘twitters’ for their amazing dusk displays where thousands combine to produce aerial ballets, for the stock farmer these flying rats are a nightmare! Imagine 6000 birds in a feed passage, yard, eating and defecating in, on top of and around feed troughs. Gates and machinery, rooves, all coated by a thick layer of excrement. Fortunately they are only here in the winter, but make life for farmers affected a nightmare at this time. Most would dearly see them eradicated from their farms especially as they carry E.Coli and other bacteria that can cause ‘Starling flu’ in affected herds. For a graphic representation of this problem" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I haven't seen many starlings for ages, no wonder they're now protected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewj Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 up here near the border we have got loads of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Anser Starlings are one of the biggest disease spreaders amongst all native birds ! take your head out and have a look !! Read This "Admired by many ‘twitters’ for their amazing dusk displays where thousands combine to produce aerial ballets, for the stock farmer these flying rats are a nightmare! Imagine 6000 birds in a feed passage, yard, eating and defecating in, on top of and around feed troughs. Gates and machinery, rooves, all coated by a thick layer of excrement. Fortunately they are only here in the winter, but make life for farmers affected a nightmare at this time. Most would dearly see them eradicated from their farms especially as they carry E.Coli and other bacteria that can cause ‘Starling flu’ in affected herds. For a graphic representation of this problem" But they are PROTECTED, so DO NOT shoot them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I don't shoot them Or seagulls - I've no wish or need to ! I remember when I was a lad my Grandfather had an old Baikal single barrel 12 gauge we were over the fields one day when he shot into a flock of starlings and took out 14 of the dirty little rats with one shot,at that time I thought it was the best shot I'd ever saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I don't shoot them Or seagulls - I've no wish or need to ! I remember when I was a lad my Grandfather had an old Baikal single barrel 12 gauge we were over the fields one day when he shot into a flock of starlings and took out 14 of the dirty little rats with one shot,at that time I thought it was the best shot I'd ever saw I think they have stunning colours, not that dirty around here, always washing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I wanna kill stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy011983 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Here we go again. Why would you want to shoot gulls Foggy , Just because you can would be my guess. If you just want to shoot something then take up clay shooting as there can be no excuse in shooting something you cant eat unless it is causing a problem which most species of gull dont. Common and Black headed gulls are the farmers friends destroying huge numbers of crop pests. Only the Herring , greater and lesser black backed gulls are likely to cause a problem and then in restricted places and times. If you have a problem with them you can get a licence to deal with them. The herring and GBB gull are declining in numbers nationaly so it would not be a good udea to start shooting them. Just pause a moment and think how the public would view someone shooting gulls and then dumping the bodies afterwards. It would not put over a very good image of our sport. And once again your ID skills are left in doubt P-MX , starlings are not flying rats , They are birds with feathers and bills. Rats are mammals with fur ,a long tail and a nasty set of teeth. O and rats cant fly. Buy a animal\bird book and you will see the difference. Ok I thought my first post would have explained that, but here it is in greater detail. Here are some of the main reasons, which because of their large breeding volumes causes a problem rather than if there numbers were monitored. Some of the common disease-causing organisms found in seagull droppings are E. Coli, Cryptococossis, Histoplasmosis, thrush, Seagulls also carry a range of ecto-parasites (including bed-bugs, fleas and ticks) and these are also known to affect humans. Droppings also are corrosive - they damage your roof or your car's expensive paint job. Bird droppings are also very difficult to clean. Seagulls also have figured out how to remove the poisonous skin on the rare Natterjack Toad and eat them. The numbers of these toads dwindled to almost nothing and have had to be reintroduced. They also affect the breeding of rare birds and act aggresively to them so they move away from their breeding grounds. OBVIOUSLY WHEN I SAY SEAGULLS THERE ARE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS SOME RARE SOME ARE NOT. I HAVE USED SEAGULL IN A LOOSE TERM FOR THE BREED. As far as you mention dont shoot unless you are going to it eat, I quite agree but end of the day how my pigeons, Rabbits, foxs, squirrels, crows etc etc etc the list goes on get shot and not used. Ok some are shot and sold to butchers but how many are shot in scrub land where crops are not affected, just for sport. You may say well some are pests, well that is what im saying about certain seagulls, and the volume of them that have increased in recent times is at a level where they need controlling. Im sorry if this offends you or anyone else but that is my oppinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy011983 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 On the topic about Starlings I dont think I've seen one for a long long time. Their numbers have declined since the removal of bushes and possibly the use of pesticides. When I was younger I used to see thousands but thats not the case where I live anymore. I too was under the assumption they are now protected, and there was a scheme giving a grant for farmers to errect more hedge lines to try and help the numbers of birds which have declined increase again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 On the topic about Starlings I dont think I've seen one for a long long time. Their numbers have declined since the removal of bushes and possibly the use of pesticides. When I was younger I used to see thousands but thats not the case where I live anymore. I too was under the assumption they are now protected, and there was a scheme giving a grant for farmers to errect more hedge lines to try and help the numbers of birds which have declined increase again. I have started seeing them this year, Have to admit as a kid there were so many around they were no 1 target for the air rifle, but that was 40 yrs ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I will confirm that you can decoy starlings. Just FYI for when they get put back on the GL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I have started seeing them this year, Have to admit as a kid there were so many around they were no 1 target for the air rifle, but that was 40 yrs ago Slightly longer ago - late 60s during the foot and mouth epidemic. At that time us lads were given boxes of what we knew then as dust shot (probably 9s)and sent to the foreshore by the marshes to shoot the flocks as they came in to roost in large flocks (it was considered that they had brought the disease in from France at the time). A shell made a reasonable hole in a flock at 30 yd. Ah the innocence of youth. I agree with Doc though, they are a stunning bird to look at up close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 P-mx, lets get this clear starlings are birds not rats. They may well be pests at times but they are not related to rats in any way. They are called starlings for a simple reason so other people know what you are talking about. Thus there is no way they should be called a flying rat a term you were using to cover pigeons the other week. Foggy read the latest bird counts and you will find that most species of gulls are declining . Yes they carry disease , but so do many species of birds from sparrows ( which carry to geese. Yes they will eat rare species , but is that any reason to control them. Gulls have evolved with natterjac toads and do not pose a threat to the species apart from isolated incidents at a very few sites. A bigger threat to the toads is habitat destruction and predation from common toads , dragonfly larva and water beetles. Perhaps you would like to start shooting them too. Most bird droppings are corrosive on car paint work. If you have a problem cover your car when parking. . The two most common gulls are very beneficial to man saving the farmer from invertebrate damage to his crops. Could you tell the difference in flight between the good and what you believe the bad species? Where gulls are causing a problem at tern breeding colonies a licence can be obtained to deal with the problem so there is no need or excuse for anyone to bring shooting into disrepute by shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy011983 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 P-mx, lets get this clear starlings are birds not rats. They may well be pests at times but they are not related to rats in any way. They are called starlings for a simple reason so other people know what you are talking about. Thus there is no way they should be called a flying rat a term you were using to cover pigeons the other week. Foggy read the latest bird counts and you will find that most species of gulls are declining . Yes they carry disease , but so do many species of birds from sparrows ( which carry to geese. Yes they will eat rare species , but is that any reason to control them. Gulls have evolved with natterjac toads and do not pose a threat to the species apart from isolated incidents at a very few sites. A bigger threat to the toads is habitat destruction and predation from common toads , dragonfly larva and water beetles. Perhaps you would like to start shooting them too. Most bird droppings are corrosive on car paint work. If you have a problem cover your car when parking. . The two most common gulls are very beneficial to man saving the farmer from invertebrate damage to his crops. Could you tell the difference in flight between the good and what you believe the bad species? Where gulls are causing a problem at tern breeding colonies a licence can be obtained to deal with the problem so there is no need or excuse for anyone to bring shooting into disrepute by shooting I can see that nothing anyone says will change your simple one sided mind. Yes certain other animals and insects affect toads but hey I suppose if we can't control one thing that affects them then we might as well do nothing at all and let them die out. Thank god you are not on the cancer research panel otherwise if there was more than one thing that was to affect it you would give up any kind of effort to save life and let it go extinct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 anser you need to chill dude other people are entitled to their opinions too (right or wrong) Starlings maybe a nice lookin bird in the sun light but the truth is they are as close to a rat as you can get in the bird world, just like squirrels are tree rats and street picken pigeons are called 'rats' when you Google 'tree rat' Starlings are dirty disease carryin we ******* that feed on the dirtiest manure covered fields and land fill sites, they are like many other birds that are in seriously large numbers in some areas and in limited numbers in other areas, as far as I'm concerned you are welcome to the 'rats of the sky' as I've no time for them ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foggy011983 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Oh I like the line yes they eat rare species is this any reason to control them..... Well if you say so, but I'm sure conservation experts would have something to say about that and I would like to see why you think it's isolated incidents with the toads being eaten. Do your research on them and come back when you know what your talking about. It seems to me you have a obsession with seagulls and feel they can do no wrong. Poor seagulls, nasty me is being unkind to them ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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