mahmood Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 hey guys i was wondering what the law states about shooting at night with a shotgun, whats the earliest time u can start and whats the latest time u should stop by? and is there any restriction on shooting on sundays or any other days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 I'm not to sure about night time, but on the sunday front, yes be all means you can shoot EXCEPT any game N.B Includes hares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Beasley Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 This is a confusing one. When I was studying for my Advanced Cert. in Deer Management at Sparsholt College I'm sure the law states that it is illegal to discharge a firearm from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise. Sureley this makes lamping of foxes/rabbits etc totally illegal! Please correct me if I'm wrong as its something I've been meaning to find out about for ages. Time for a bit of googling methinks Have a traul through this http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/policeguide.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Will i have always thought the same as you on this one, so not having the patience to trawl myself, i can,t wait for the replies from the lampers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Ern : I thought that lamperss in your case was spelt mooche........ rs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Will B I have also (read/heard) the same thing about discharging firearms. Shotguns are not firearms though . Thinking about it as i post , i'm sort of certain that the law states the a the firearm should not be discharged within a certain radius of dwellings. I'm not entirely sure though. So imo , jigger it and carry on as normal , you get any bother , just act ignorant , they'll forgive ya. all the best yis yp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 I've shot shotguns after dark..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brain dead Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 The perfect excuse to get you put away red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sniper Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Strange this should pop up tonight as it was only last evening that I was arguing with my mate about lamping for hares after dark. I maintained it was legal , except for Sundays. Before I go any further I am not setting myself up as the definitive answer to all the points raised. I think I should leave that ,possibly to Col Pol, who has a far more extensive knowledge on such matters. I think it is fair to say that we should all have a look at the BASC site or wherever, and familiarise ourselves with whatever part of the law affects our particular style of shooting. Will.....are you confusing this with the offence of daytime poaching, when daytime is classified one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunrise ? I know of no restrictions on discharging a firearm , after dark, on private land ,providing you are the landowner or have legitimate access. YP.... I know of no shooting related law that stops you shooting near to houses , providing you have legitimate access and are on the private land ,whether day or night .But if you were foolish enough to do it so near and at such a stupid time ,the Police could always fall back on the commom law offence of a Breach of the peace. Will...the "right" to shoot ground game (rabbits etc)is specifically catered for in the Ground Game Act 1880 and this was amended by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act to legalise lamping. The 1981 Act also includes fox shooting after dark. YP....I really have to pull you up by the short and curlies ,mate, on something you said above. That a shotgun is not a firearm !! A firearm is described as any lethal barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or missile can be discharged. That is ,a shotgun is a firearm .It is only when you come to the classification of licensing a shotgun that the law states a different class of certificate is required if the shotgun fulfills certain dimensions etc etc. By no means is this an exhaustive reply ,the laws just go on and on and sometimes clash with each other ! I think I've said enough on this ,as my opinion is that there are loads of grey areas in the shooting law. I think it is up to yourself to read up as much as you can so, if the worst comes to the worst, at least you may have some of the answers available. Don't forget ,most policemen know far less about the laws , than most of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 By no means is this an exhaustive reply No its just bloodly long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sniper Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 So are the bloody stupid laws we all have to adhere to Red :< I tried to make it short ,but the answers could be important to somebody else , thats why I really think we should all do our bit and try to read up as much as we can. If you can't be ***** to read up ,just make sure no ****** hears or sees you !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sniper Posted November 13, 2003 Report Share Posted November 13, 2003 Red, The last bit came out wrong........it wasnt aimed specifically at you. :*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbus Polumbus Posted November 14, 2003 Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 Sniper my friend, I'll make a lawyer of you yet a good answer. The hour before sunset / sunrise blah blah was introduced to criminalise poaching of game. Therefore vermin, which we all know the list (or should) is not included this includes rabbits and foxes, it is perfectly legal to shoot vermin at night. YP don't confuse the discharge of a firearm within a certain distance of a public highway.... its a different law. Having said that the farmer may take the law into his own hands if you discharge a centre fire or shotgun under his bedroom window at 3am (YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ) Being sensible is a big part to hunting at night lads. In certain counties it is illegal to shoot some or all game on sundays, and Xmas day, check up in the books and with BASC they can and will be happy to oblige. I have been ribbed for long answers in the past also but I make no apologies, the law is complex and sometimes technical and it is important if someone asks a question it is answered fully and in detail so as to avoid confusion and give the correct information. Snipers advice on reading is very accurate, try an get to grips with it for your own safety and your own position, far better not to break the law (ignorance is no excuse) than employ V. expensive legal teams to defend you........... if nothing else its cheaper. Safe happy hunting lads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 14, 2003 Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 Red, The last bit came out wrong........it wasnt aimed specifically at you. :*) No worries, I was just messing about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sniper Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Col Pol, I will take that as a compliment my friend. Personally I have no problem with your long answers. In fact I look forward to them. I always save one to read before I go to bed and I am assured of a good nights sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdowns hunter Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Ok Here is what the Law States,for England and Wales The use of firearms at night for shooting ground game is prohibited under section 6 of the ground game act 1880 Night time is between the expiration of the first hour after sunset and the last hour before sunrise Scedule 7 of the wildlife & countryside Act 1981 provides an exception for occupiers of land, or one other person authorised by them, to use firearms at night for the purpose of killing ground game, If the occupier has the written authority of a person entitled to kill or take ground game on that land, that is the holder of the shooting rights. The above does not mention Rabbits (vermin) or ducks etc.But it clearly states One person so if you go out with your mates be careful Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyke Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 Hi Its late but heres my 2 penny worth. Try the Webley Xocet XS .22, great little budget rifle with plenty of poke and a fixed silencer. If you get it from Ramsbottoms you could afford to upgrade to the Varmint range finding scope for £40 and still have lots of change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brain dead Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 erm Tyke did you mean to post that in the air gun section just not quite sure what it has to do with this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 I takes me 10 pints to get this confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brain dead Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 now i'm confused,anyway atleast someones saved you ten pints Landy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 You are always confused, they dont call you Braindead for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rb5037 Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 I might be new but ladies please put your handbags away:) I think the comment was if you can't use firearms then use an air rifles. Not that i can help with the after dark question. Only thing is how are we going to shoot the vampires now if we can't shoot in the dark? or is this a devil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelhunter Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 Oh while were on shooting law, how often do you have to renew shotgun licences? Is it annualy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 S.H. My current shotgun certificate, issued last December is valid for 5 years. I would assume that even though police forces make up their own rules on security requirement etc, that it is a standard home office rule that they are for 5 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PC Futrett Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 I believe myself and Cranfield had this discission some time ago. It is illegal to discharge any firearm 1 hour after sunset except where you have written permission from the landowner to use said firearm for the purpose of vermin control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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