will_gleave Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Ive had a lot of people being where they shouldn't lately, one instance last week where i had a rabbit edge of the field just about to pull the trigger an a bloody dog comes crashing through the hedge shortly followed by its owner (he didn't see me) watched him for a minute walking across the field then i stood up an he seemed shocked i was there, as was his dog which began barking at me, he was shouting at me walking towards me, unloaded rifle placed on the ground. He wasn't happy at all saying i could of shot his dog/him. I explained that he was on private land but he didn't believe me and he produced a map saying that he was on a public right of way, i then had to teach him how to read a map an show him the path way was about a mile away, i think he was embarrassed, put his dog on the lead and walked of not saying anything. Even when their in the wrong they think they are right. Had another woman walking across a field throwing a ball for her dog as i was setting up, told her she shouldn't be in the field an she got angry saying why not theres nothing in it an what harm was she doing, she then told me that her brother was in the police and that guns are illegal then she carried on walking her dog. Its getting regular now people just walking where they want, me an the farmers have had signs made up to put around the land to see if it stops them but its starting to worry me people walking round while I'm shooting. Ive seen lots of people on most of my permissions now walking round with dogs, the main permission the farmer says they are plagued with nearly as many townies as rabbits these days. What do you guys make of it, would it make you nervous, I've not had the police called out yet which surprises me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oz.man64 Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 I was roost shooting and a dog ran in front of me some people have no idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 see my post from earlier today http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/277985-first-field-visit-from-kent-police-today/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_gleave Posted March 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 I was roost shooting and a dog ran in front of me some people have no idea What would your reaction be to the dog running towards you barking its head off. see my post from earlier today http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/277985-first-field-visit-from-kent-police-today/ Getting more common all over then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokie Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 As long as your in the right place that's all that matters . Let them see you then politely ask them to leave . Tell them they are trespassing . If they become confrontational sleeve your gun . If they want to call the police then let them . Make sure your carrying a permission slip with the farmers number on as it helps clear things quickly if they do come out . You are not in the wrong , they are Some people don't know how the countryside works and think they own it . It wouldn't put me off shooting there just be sensible about it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I was out once doing a rabbit ambush, set up 40 yards from the burrows with my airgun and got under a camo net and got comfy waiting. After an hour of laying there I had 3-4 rabbits playing outside the burrows and starting to come out to a decent distance away from the burrows... I was just going to wait a couple more minutes and then they all legged it. Couldn't work it out and a second later a dog walker and his dog came through and turned right infront of me onto the old track I was laying on but literally 1 metre infront. I thought for a few seconds as he walked off merrily not knowing I was there, He just pulled the lead when he dog stopped and looked at me, so I decided to say hi and stand up - he jumped like heck and ended up dropping the lead for his dog and nearly passed out. I kindly reminded him of the signs on the gate saying "Private Land, No Tresspassing" as well as my A4 sign I used when I used to shoot there saying "Vermin Control Taking Place, Keep Out" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 we put up signs when we out shooting , but it makes no difference . This right of way attitude has got out of hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diddy Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 on a rape field I shoot there is a public footpath around the field but this didn't stop 2 horse riders riding through my decoys in the middle of the field I wonder if the farmer knew that they were wrecking his crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 I was having my best day of last season last september / october time , sat in the hide a fair way from any road or footpath ,suddenly I heard someone say "hello" I turned my head to see a woman , her husband a toddler and their dog not 20 yards away , I was oblivious to their presence and could quite easily have shot in their direction . The whole lot of them had walked straight through a field of standing wheat to ask me "how I was getting on" ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) I've had similar but took a different approach, I didnt entertain any questions or the like from the dog walkers, I listened to them, waited for them to finish, then asked if they'd finished and said something along the lines of "This is private property, your unleashed dog is a hazard to livestock, I have already informed the farmer of your trespass who in turn is contacting the police, I suggest you leave immediately before either the farmer or police get here, I have nothing further to say to you. Have a nice day." and went about my business. It soon takes the wind from their sails Another farmer has signs up saying "Dogs will be shot, you have been warned"... nobody dares stray onto his land Edited March 17, 2014 by thepasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 Welcome to the world of the urban fringe shooter. I have had these problems for over 30 years including, fences being cut, so the 'doggie walkers' could walk through unhindered. Designated Public Footpaths are ignored if it means that they can complete a 'circuit' regardless of the crop, by walking through a field. I have had some success by using my mobile phone camera and making much of taking their photograph, but be warned, this can escalate to violence. I ask if they can let me have their address, so that I can come and exercise my dogs in their 'little bit of England'. The answers range from "Oh, but that's different" to complete ignorance and walking on, as if you did not exist. I do not know of any simple answer, but I have reported the incidents to the local Police and I do make them aware of when and where I am shooting. Only last week I watched as what appeared to be a shooter, 'worked' a pair of springers onto dummies thrown into a field of 8" high beans, he remained on the public footpath. These incidents are on the increase annually but have become more prevelant over the last 10 years or so. It is extremely difficult at times to keep calm, BUT remember if they complain, you are the one holding the gun ! I put the gun away in it's slip before I even approach them. Remember you could lose your gun/s until the issue gets sorted. YOU end up being the inconvenienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted March 17, 2014 Report Share Posted March 17, 2014 on a rape field I shoot there is a public footpath around the field but this didn't stop 2 horse riders riding through my decoys in the middle of the field I wonder if the farmer knew that they were wrecking his crop.Film it on your phone and show him, guarantee he will know who they are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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