BRNDL Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Hello, I have my eye on a few fields near my house, they are very active with crows and pigeons. I am looking to catch up with the proprietor of them to ask for permission to shoot. What are the pros for me shooting over his straw...as the birds don't really affect the crop do they? Also is the straw is now stubble, will the field be ploughed ect and drilled? I want to offer a sensible reason to shoot his land. I also saw 2 deer skins that looked very fresh, so unless there are poachers on his land others have permission to shoot too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 A stab in the dark, but deer skinned in the field doesn't sound like something a stalker would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Firstly, and it'll save you from looking like a bit of a fool when you have a chat with the farmer, 'straw' is not a crop When you grow barley, wheat, oats, etc, the crop is those, a by-product is the straw. Regards the pigeons currently (or not) causing damage to the stubble, etc. Technically, if you read the general licence really strictly, you can shoot them to : 'Prevent serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters.' You can argue the case for shooting/not shooting from both sides, and equally strongly. For shooting : the pigeons are there, and the farmer will want to re-seed soon. The pigeons need to be moved on, and not be happy to land in that area. Against : A really tight reading of the licence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted November 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 "Firstly, and it'll save you from looking like a bit of a fool when you have a chat with the farmer, 'straw' is not a crop" Hence the reason I have asked for advice on here... Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 You'll find this field has been drilled for OSR (oil seed rape) which both pigeons and rabbits love. Be polite and just ask-he can only say yes or no. Might be worth mentioning the deer skins too.If he's suffering from poaching having you on the land is like having another set of ears and eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Sorry. What I wrote may have appeared a bit sarcastic, on later reflection. A lot will depend on how much the farmer feels they have a problem with crop damage. Some are only too happy to have a number of people shooting, on the basis that it keeps the pigeons moving, and they learn that those fields are dangerous. Others take a far more laid-back approach. Regards the general licence, my reading of it has always been that a pigeon that is around today will be feeding on the seed that is drilled in next week. On that basis, shooting them is perfectly legitimate. And yes, I agree with other posters here. Skinned deer in the field sounds like poachers. If the farmer does have issues there, then you are a bonus to him, as livestock are often stolen and slaughtered too. Go and ask. Make sure you take membership cards (for insurance proof), and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted November 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thanks guys, that's a good help. Nothing worse than asking for something you know nothing about! Knowledge about this kind of thing is an area in which I am going to improve. Will let you know how it goes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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