JBS Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Just came across this on eBay, surely these are illegal as soon as you switch them on? http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=400467040989&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=04922664793 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 not if your using it to attract crows for your photography ie taking pictures with a camera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 I might buy one for my photography cough cough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBS Posted May 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 not if your using it to attract crows for your photography ie taking pictures with a camera Yes and I'm sure it's been added to everyone's watch list just for that reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 If ... and I'll repeat that, IF you were ever to be caught using one of those to decoy birds in for shooting, then I'd imagine the RSPB/antis/whoever caught you would go for the jugular, and prosecute. If convicted, you would no longer be allowed to use general licences. Ever. For life. And that is before your FEO has re-visited as to whether you are a 'fit and proper person' to hold a SGC/FAC. Still thinking about bidding ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Why are they illegal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 One of the Acts of parliament (WACA, maybe, but not sure) states that it is illegal to use any form of electronic or recorded call to decoy in birds for shooting. I'm sure someone with better knowledge than me will be able to find the exact wording, and what piece of legislation it comes under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Why are they illegal? it's not a case of why it just is, its the law, we don't have to agree with it, but we must abide by it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 it's not a case of why it just is, its the law, we don't have to agree with it, but we must abide by it I was just curious to the reasoning behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Why are they illegal? It's just NOT cricket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I think the person who asked why they were illegal was asking more "What makes them illegal", rather than "What is the reasoning behind the law". At least, that was my take on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I've often wondered this, you can get some real good calls like the promos one which sounds realistic so what's the difference? If your shooting for vermin control surely you should be allowed to use the most effective means. It's not like the method if killing has changed to an inhumane one. I guess it's just one of them daft laws which we are bound by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 The electronic fox callers aren't illegal are they? I've seen them used on various videos on YouTube. Why are bird caller - particularly for pest birds. Is there a sound basis for this - or is it just an anomaly in how various laws were written over time? Doing a google, there are various people selling crow calling devices in the UK. No mention that they are illegal either. I'm not saying anyone is wrong - but there appears to be alot of ignorance of this law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 It is illegal under the WACA See attached section . ©uses for the purpose of killing or taking any wild bird— (i)any bow or crossbow; (ii)any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm; (iii)any automatic or semi-automatic weapon; (iv)any shot-gun of which the barrel has an internal diameter at the mule of more than one and three-quarter inches; (v)any device for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting; (vi)any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device; (vii)any gas or smoke not falling within paragraphs (a) and (b); or (viii)any chemical wetting agent; (d)uses as a decoy, for the purpose of killing or taking any wild bird, any sound recording or any live bird or other animal whatever which is tethered, or which is secured by means of braces or other similar appliances, or which is blind, maimed or injured; F1 . . . (e)uses any mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit of a wild bird for the purpose of killing or taking that bird, [F2 ; or Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Item (iii) on that list raises some interesting points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 (edited) Item (iii) on that list raises some interesting points. No it doesn't, because you are specifically permitted to use a semi auto when shooting under the General Licence. I went through this with BASC a couple of weeks ago on the phone. Be sure of what legislation you are shooting under - WACA or General Licence Edited to add: The General Licence still doesn't permit the use of electronic callers Edited May 6, 2013 by Paul T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Item (iii) on that list raises some interesting points. No, under the General License, it sets out some exceptions to the rules for the shooting of "pest" species that are otherwise banned under the Wildlife and countryside act 1981. It's either there, or further into the Wildlife and Countryside act. Either way I can't be bothered to look, but Decoying/Semi autos are legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 No, under the General License, it sets out some exceptions to the rules for the shooting of "pest" species that are otherwise banned under the Wildlife and countryside act 1981. It's either there, or further into the Wildlife and Countryside act. Either way I can't be bothered to look, but Decoying/Semi autos are legal. ..... and if my memory serves me, only 2+1 not FAC semis, I think....... I don't remember the last time I needed to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 (edited) It's interesting that it's OK to destroy pests species nests and use Larsen traps or electronic moving decoys - but not an audible electronic lure. Edited May 6, 2013 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 ..... and if my memory serves me, only 2+1 not FAC semis, I think....... I don't remember the last time I needed to know! According to the General Licence only Section 5 weapons are not permitted, Section 1 (FAC) semi autos are fine. "16. “semi-automatic weapon” means any weapon which is not prohibited by section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 as amended and which has a magazine capable of holding more than two rounds of ammunition, where the depression of the trigger discharges a single shot and reloads the next, each subsequent shot requiring a further depression of the trigger." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 If you were to " accidently" shoot it with both barrels as son as an " anti" appeared there wouldn't be any evidence left to prosecute you with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Item (iii) on that list raises some interesting points. No it doesn't, because you are specifically permitted to use a semi auto when shooting under the General Licence. I went through this with BASC a couple of weeks ago on the phone. Be sure of what legislation you are shooting under - WACA or General Licence Edited to add: The General Licence still doesn't permit the use of electronic callers I am aware that it is "superceded" by the General Licence, but wondered how many other people knew. Not just shooters, but the others that wave the WACA about . It has always beggared the question as to why it was ever included in the WACA in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I believe it was to stop it being used to take large bags of wildfowl originally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabarm gamma boy Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 I believe it was to stop it being used to take large bags of wildfowl originally. i think you may be correct, im sure i read this in an article a while back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 So really, ths legislation should have distinguished between game and vermin - but didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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