Gazmanthegun Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Evening all. Your help would be much appreciated on a matter I was confronted with today in the field. I was lucky enough to get permission to roost shoot pigeons in some woodland this weekend. On a small pasture farm. My father farms very close by. Upon arrival I quickly learned that the landowner was not around. I was confronted by a chap (no idea who he was but certainly didn't own the place). He swiftly advised me that roost shooting is illegal as pigeons can only be taken when actively damaging a growing crop. I am relatively content that this is BS as I am shooting them to control the local population. Subsequently had a shocking evening shooting elsewhere! Given the circumstances I left as I felt this the best course of action. Particularly as the landowner was not there to discuss this with. Can anyone offer me some guidance especially on how to explain this to the owner? Just want to be sure I am in the right! This is a really good permission so I am keen to keep hold. I wonder also if the gentleman had another agenda as he looked the shooting type!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bolt94 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I am with yourself on this one...although they may not be causing imminent damage on the crop i.e. the trees. They may well be in neighbouring fields and therefore you are still well within the law. I guess it is somewhat grey but my understanding is that it is perfectly legal provided its not more than 1 hour have sunset or 1 hour before sunrise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alendil Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 as far as i know it is legal to shoot them up to 1 h after sun set. and on top of it talk with land owner and explain situation what happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 I think laws do apply but only in N Ireland & I.O.M and we are OK in England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bolt94 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 There is a small paragraph here: http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/woodpigeon-shooting.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Evening all. Your help would be much appreciated on a matter I was confronted with today in the field. I was lucky enough to get permission to roost shoot pigeons in some woodland this weekend. On a small pasture farm. My father farms very close by. Upon arrival I quickly learned that the landowner was not around. I was confronted by a chap (no idea who he was but certainly didn't own the place). He swiftly advised me that roost shooting is illegal as pigeons can only be taken when actively damaging a growing crop. I am relatively content that this is BS as I am shooting them to control the local population. Subsequently had a shocking evening shooting elsewhere! Given the circumstances I left as I felt this the best course of action. Particularly as the landowner was not there to discuss this with. Can anyone offer me some guidance especially on how to explain this to the owner? Just want to be sure I am in the right! This is a really good permission so I am keen to keep hold. I wonder also if the gentleman had another agenda as he looked the shooting type!!! There is a small paragraph here: http://www.basc.org....on-shooting.cfm I suggest you print that off, and shove it under his nose next time, plus if you can identify feral pigeons, your allowed to use a lamp on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzy518 Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) It's fine to lamp ferals Edited February 17, 2013 by ozzy518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 so by the sound of it, he was tresspassing or just being a dogooding *******...yet you had the right to be there and he had the cheek to question you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 He's probably got a point on a technicality but its not a good point and its not a good technicality. You are only allowed to shoot pigeons in order to protect crops. You are not technically allowed to shoot them for sport or food. Now I would say roost shooting them so they couldn't settle on the fields the next day would be protecting crops, and so would any body with a half an ounce of sense.However in his mind it obviously doesn't work that way. You didn't say whether it was an arable farm or not, that might have a bearing. For somebody to have that detailed knowledge of the law he must be an active anti because you don't stumble on that sort of thing by chance. You can carry on but if he is an active anti he may be out to cause more trouble. A quiet word with the farmer should be your next step IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazmanthegun Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks for the help guys. I intend to ring the farmer tonight and explain all. Unfortunately it could be one of those situations where it is simply not worth the trouble it could cause; which is wrong because we are acting within the law. I will see what the farmer says as he is the boss at the end of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazmanthegun Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Good news. I spoke to the farmer and the bloke who said roost shooting is illegal has a bird of prey so maybe some jealousy there! Anyway I am invited back and he owns more woodland than I thought so looking forward to Saturday afternoon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregthegreat Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 There is nothing in the general license that states they can only be shot whilst causing damage therefore his argument is invalid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 "Prevention" of damage to crops is the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasduck Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I think laws do apply but only in N Ireland & I.O.M and we are OK in England. im from n.ireland dont think theres any law over here to stop us roost shooting. well i do it quite offten anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 (edited) There is nothing in the general license that states they can only be shot whilst causing damage therefore his argument is invalid. I agree but just for the sake of argument. How would that hold up on a sheep or dairy farm? Edited February 19, 2013 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazmanthegun Posted February 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I agree but just for the sake of argument. How would that hold up on a sheep or dairy farm? I guess the argument there would be protecting neighbouring arable crops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 I agree but just for the sake of argument. How would that hold up on a sheep or dairy farm? If the wood pigeons are eating the grass or clover they are eating what the farmer wants for his livestock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Tell him to 'knob off' and carry on as normal. Sounds like one of the other shooters trying to put you off 'his'!! Birds... Or an anti. Either way, carry on as normal. Nothing will come of it. If he becomes a threat then leave or move from him. (Or if your from Yorkshire, 'Give him a clip raaand t'ere'oyle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomh111 Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Your allowed as your doing pest/vermin control or crop protection as youcarnt allways get many when on the decoys its like saying lamping fox is illegal! Its just another way to control the numbers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Wonder if all these antis etc, Do-gooders ,,, Had to pay very expensive prices for their bread,if Shooting them ever stopped??. and of course rabbits,whats next??... Perhaps they would like to pay £10:00 a loaf: Then there would be some screaming: Eh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabarm gamma boy Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Wonder if all these antis etc, Do-gooders ,,, Had to pay very expensive prices for their bread,if Shooting them ever stopped??. and of course rabbits,whats next??... Perhaps they would like to pay £10:00 a loaf: Then there would be some screaming: Eh: im with you on this one! some of these doo gooders read a book and think they know it all! pigeons can be legaly shot as said as food or gor sport! offer him some pigeon pie lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 I suspect that the man who confronted you had been refused permission to shoot nearby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 pigeons can be legaly shot as said as food or gor sport! offer him some pigeon pie lol No they can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 No they can't. Agree - I think you need to revisit your understanding of how pigeons can be controlled under the general license. It does not allow them to be shot for sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 When you read it you will understand how it's not that simple claiming roost shooting fits in with it. We all do it but if you meet someone who wants to argue the legality with any element of knowledge its not easy to justify correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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