elegia Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) Hi All, I've a few questions about crow shooting, I apologise in advance if these are simple questions/ obvious answers. I just want to make sure that I am 100% ok, before pointing my gun. I have a reasonable amount of shooting experience (a few years, but I still consider myself a bit of a novice). This is mostly rough shooting: geese & ducks on friends' permissions in another area (I have my own shotgun & SGC). Crows: I manage an outdoor centre in central Scotland, and during the year the crows (and some magpies) are a bit of a pain. We are not over-run by any stretch of the imagination, but their droppings (on our activities) and "bin raids" can be problematical. Now is my quiet season - and I'm thinking to myself: I could do with removing these noisey brutes and could do with the target practice. Legal bit: As I understand the General License, I need to have a reason to shoot any birds, I imagine the above (with the exception of target practise!) is reason enough. My company (charity) owns the land and I am responsible for it (devolved powers from my CEO, who is at another site - he would like to see the birds gone). We are rural and sit on our own --- but do have some domestic houses 400m away (down the drive) and are adjacent to a golf course. The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (forestry commission) is at the rear. We also have a right of way running through the side of our site. I'm giving this detail as no doubt if some gunshots are heard, someone will contact the local police & they will come up. I, clearly want to be squeaky clean. My thinking is that - it is perfecly leagal to shoot as: - I am, in effect, the landowner/ occupier - The general license give legal permission - Have a SGC - but should inform the local police ahead of time so that they know what is happening. Would this be correct? Any thoughts welcomed. Edited November 29, 2012 by elegia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) Hi All, I've a few questions about crow shooting, I apologise in advance if these are simple questions/ obvious answers. I just want to make sure that I am 100% ok, before pointing my gun. I have a reasonable amount of shooting experience (a few years, but I still consider myself a bit of a novice). This is mostly rough shooting: geese & ducks on friends' permissions in another area (I have my own shotgun & SGC). Crows: I manage an outdoor centre in central Scotland, and during the year the crows (and some magpies) are a bit of a pain. We are not over-run by any stretch of the imagination, but their droppings (on our activities) and "bin raids" can be problematical. Now is my quiet season - and I'm thinking to myself: I could do with removing these noisey brutes and could do with the target practice. Legal bit: As I understand the General License, I need to have a reason to shoot any birds, I imagine the above (with the exception of target practise!) is reason enough. My company (charity) owns the land and I am responsible for it (devolved powers from my CEO, who is at another site - he would like to see the birds gone). We are rural and sit on our own --- but do have some domestic houses 400m away (down the drive) and are adjacent to a golf course. The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (forestry commission) is at the rear. We also have a right of way running through the side of our site. I'm giving this detail as no doubt if some gunshots are heard, someone will contact the local police & they will come up. I, clearly want to be squeaky clean. My thinking is that - it is perfecly legal to shoot as: - I am, in effect, the landowner/ occupier Doesn't matter if you have been given permission/instructed, but giving permission can also imply you are the occupier. - The general license give legal permission The GL varies from country to country, I'll leave you to ensure you comply with it's conditions in Scotland. - Have a SGC Of no concern, you do not need a SGC/FAC to deal with Pest Control, you obviously have to comply with the Law though. - but should inform the local police ahead of time so that they know what is happening. Sometimes a good idea, each situation need evaluating on it's own merits, quite possibly a good idea in this case. Would this be correct? Any thoughts welcomed. Responses based on England, just be doubly sure the same applies in Scotland. Edited November 29, 2012 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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