Sha Bu Le Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Pete no need to 'justify' your politeness or gentlemanly behaviour, we all know what you would have said as we all would say the same things were it not for being from a polite society (reasonably). And we all on here certainly know your a first class gent.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Just walk away straight away, you don't need to give him any explanations as long as you are not on his land... Pete This is the correct answer. As soon as people start to rant, you know full well that any conversation with them is a complete waste of time and is just a trifle upsetting. Trying to explain your actions, even in the most polite way, just fuels the situation. On a side note, I bet if I asked all my neighboring farmers, only 1 in 100 would have ever heard of the General License. To them, it's just a matter of if it eats my crop shoot it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Richie10, I suggest you might change your view if you got somewhere with a serious rabbit problem, in the winter the fields are too wet to drive and many are undrilled, meaning the rabbits are in hedge bottoms, roadside verges, any where with a greenery. It's very difficult to make big bags in these conditions, whereas a real dent can be made on young crops, hay, silage fields and stubbles. As for corvids you will never trap or shoot them all in the winter and spring so skimming the young off in summer keeps the population steady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted June 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Unfortunately Richie10 I tend to agree with Kennet. I see what you are saying but where a high rabbit population is concerned you do need to keep on top of them all the year round. Yes ferretting and netting them might well be an option through the winter but you still need to "control/cull them" during the rest of the year by whatever (legal) means possible. Many of my permissions are hill farms and get extremely wet during the winter months which makes getting around them efficiently and without making too much of a mess of the land is difficult so I have to do whatever I can when the ground is dry enough to allow me to. With regards to this high rabbit population in this particular area I have to hold my hands up and say that a part of it is down to me. I have always tried to avoid this part of the permission because I knew that the neighbour was quite "anti shooting" and I would rather avoid confrontations if and wherever possible - Especially when i have any sort of gun/firearm with me - Some may disagree with me on that point but I have always believed that it is better to avoid trouble where possible is the best plan - I much prefer to live a quiet life but in this case in a way that line of thinking seems to have turned round and bitten me on the backside - Oh well we all make mistakes now and then! As a side note I have just spoken to my Firearms Office and they said that I did everything corectly and nothing I was doing was wrong, but maybe it would be better to let the police know and give them last nights log number whenever I go to this permission again so that they are forewarned that there could be another "confronttion" - I'm not a big lover of contacting the police to tell them that I am going shooting but there are times when I can see an advantage of doing so. Plus they said that if there is another incident/confrontation they would be willing to think about sending an officer to speak to the "gentleman" and tell him that I was doing nothing wrong and that he should not "harrass me" any more while I am going about my lawful pursuit!! I hate to think what this "Gentleman" is going to do if I decifde that conditions are right for me to go and lamp the permission for rabbits - It could certainly prove to be "interesting"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I have had to deal with antis before, they put you in a difficult situation because you can't really argue with them as it put you at risk when carrying a firearm. Sounds like you handled it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superspark Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Ive read all these comments with great interest. Bottom line is, you are with in your rights to control any species acording to the general licences put in place by the powers that be. Anyone trying to interfere with you and lawful activities you are carrying out will be looked on dimly by the eyes of the law. Its just as well this grumpy, scruffy old looking, un educated man did not cross over the boundary to challenge you as then he could be arrested for interfering with some one carring out thier lawful duties. There realy is nothing worse than some one spouting out a load of old **** when they realy have no idea, it just shows they have no idea what so ever. WELL DONE for keeping your calm, this is an absolute must in these cases. As others have said, report the incident to the police and your farmer who has asked you to carry out the pest control. If you are a member of BASC or similar organisation contact them for advice. Don't be afraid to go back, try to carry a recording device and or video recording device, these will document what happens at any givern time other wise, sadly it would just be your word against his. I have had a run in or two with so called anties who spout out utter rubbish. Its a real shame that if they had used their brain before putting their mouth into gear they just might learn some thing.The general licences were introduced for a very good reason. Remember, knowledge is power and if your doing activities by the book then there's nothing to be worried about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie10 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Never had to wait for dry ground used to use my feet, didn't really worry about the cold or the rain, just the wind direction. Ferreting and lamping and a heavy walk back to the car. Driving around the farm these days with a .22, you can wipe the population out in no time at the end of winter. Otherwise you are just shooting young again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted June 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Once again Richie I can understand what you are saying and to an extent you are correct but different situations sometimes need different tactics, and of course different people can often see things in different ways so we will just have to agree to differ mate! If your method works for you and the farmer is happy then all well and good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 (edited) As some others have said, I never feel any need to explain myself to any anti's because, as far as they are concerned, they're right and think they know everything. One afternoon I was loading my gear back into my truck after Pigeon shooting. A group of ramblers were marching down a bridleway about a quarter of a mile away. A mature lady broke off from the back of the group and headed towards me. I thought "Uh oh, here we go"! I sleeved my gun then put that and all the Pigeons in my truck. By the time she got to me I was ready to drive off. "Have you been shooting Pigeons?" she asked. "Yes" I replied and started to get in my truck. "Oh well" she said "could you spare a couple please, I haven't eaten Pigeon since my Dad died years ago and I love them cooked in red wine". She rejoined her friends and I loved their turned up noses when she opened the bag to show what she'd blagged from me. Edited June 6, 2014 by KFC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett1985 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 As some others have said, I never feel any need to explain myself to any anti's because, as far as they are concerned, they're right and think they know everything. One afternoon I was loading my gear back into my truck after Pigeon shooting. A group of ramblers were marching down a bridleway about a quarter of a mile away. A mature lady broke off from the back of the group and headed towards me. I thought "Uh oh, here we go"! I sleeved my gun then put that and all the Pigeons in my truck. By the time she got to me I was ready to drive off. "Have you been shooting Pigeons?" she asked. "Yes" I replied and started to get in my truck. "Oh well" she said "could you spare a couple please, I haven't eaten Pigeon since my Dad died years ago and I love them cooked in red wine". She rejoined her friends and I loved their turned up noses when she opened the bag to show what she'd blagged from me. love hearing things like this.... some form of faith in sane humanity restored! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Top job there Frenchieboy, handled like a pro Some of these nutters are a bit scary as you have no idea where its leading to. You did absolutely the right thing in my mind and with perfect timing Richie, not really sure if you are very experienced in this vermin control stuff. They aren't always where you want them, when you want them. If that was truly the case, we would all go out in winter and have some shooting and know there wouldn't be any in the summer. Fact is, that doesn't happen. Look at the bags in sporting pics. Its not for the want of trying. The best chance of controlling vermin is when they are most active. That coincides with a plentiful food source, and consequently, when there is a plentiful food source, that is the time they breed, 'tis natures way. Its not from a lot of peoples view point, "ethical". But as consumers, we demand cheaper food, that puts pressure on the farmers to maximise their crop/livestock yield, and so in turn, they will not tolerate vermin and pests devouring their living. Well with the exception of Frenchieboys slightly alternative farmer. Chances are, he is not relying on it for his income, or is new to the game. If farming was his sole source of income, and he saw 150 crows ripping up his barley for 5 consecutive days, or came across the 10th lamb with its eyes missing and rear end eaten away, I think he might have a sudden change of mind If not, he must be completely off the rails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 I have previously any would again simply just tell them to **** off. No need to explain yourself to anyone when you are not in the wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Top job there Frenchieboy, handled like a pro Some of these nutters are a bit scary as you have no idea where its leading to. You did absolutely the right thing in my mind and with perfect timing Richie, not really sure if you are very experienced in this vermin control stuff. They aren't always where you want them, when you want them. If that was truly the case, we would all go out in winter and have some shooting and know there wouldn't be any in the summer. Fact is, that doesn't happen. Look at the bags in sporting pics. Its not for the want of trying. The best chance of controlling vermin is when they are most active. That coincides with a plentiful food source, and consequently, when there is a plentiful food source, that is the time they breed, 'tis natures way. Its not from a lot of peoples view point, "ethical". But as consumers, we demand cheaper food, that puts pressure on the farmers to maximise their crop/livestock yield, and so in turn, they will not tolerate vermin and pests devouring their living. Well with the exception of Frenchieboys slightly alternative farmer. Chances are, he is not relying on it for his income, or is new to the game. If farming was his sole source of income, and he saw 150 crows ripping up his barley for 5 consecutive days, or came across the 10th lamb with its eyes missing and rear end eaten away, I think he might have a sudden change of mind If not, he must be completely off the rails Well put Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Wave politely from the far side of the field whilst in your pigeon hide, I'm sure he will get the message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berettacocker Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Next time dig a deep hole and when he asks why, tell him your digging badgers, when he comes over chuck him in and bury him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Richie10, I suggest you might change your view if you got somewhere with a serious rabbit problem, in the winter the fields are too wet to drive and many are undrilled, meaning the rabbits are in hedge bottoms, roadside verges, any where with a greenery. It's very difficult to make big bags in these conditions, whereas a real dent can be made on young crops, hay, silage fields and stubbles. As for corvids you will never trap or shoot them all in the winter and spring so skimming the young off in summer keeps the population steady True. Also, farmers have a habit or "remembering" fields they haven't told you about when they see dozens of rabbits in amongst the spring onions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 People say that they rabbits are breeding through out the year but when I used to ferret I never found any pregnant doe or milky does until march when I used to leave it for the year. Personally I have never seen young, I mean weeks old bunnies in the winter. With ferreting and lamping in the winter, you can basically wipe out the population for the farmer, rather than chasing the growing population in the summer. As well as being milky and full of fleas. Same with crows, alot of people are shooting then on the crops, but they should be targeted throughout the winter before they get a chance to breed and then it's too late and you are shooting the recent nest leavers. what a load of rubbish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 People say that they rabbits are breeding through out the year but when I used to ferret I never found any pregnant doe or milky does until march when I used to leave it for the year. Personally I have never seen young, I mean weeks old bunnies in the winter. With ferreting and lamping in the winter, you can basically wipe out the population for the farmer, rather than chasing the growing population in the summer. As well as being milky and full of fleas. Same with crows, alot of people are shooting then on the crops, but they should be targeted throughout the winter before they get a chance to breed and then it's too late and you are shooting the recent nest leavers. If you were rabbitting on my fields, and told me in March that you weren't taking any more rabbits until winter then your permission would end on the spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Juicer Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Now that you have seen how irrational that man is, and his desire to rant at you, I wouldn't go near him again if he beckons you over. Best to just avoid him so things cant escalate. It would prevent him spicing up any account he tells others if you dont even go near him to enter into his rant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 a farmer that like crows and magpies... have heard it all now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Smile at him and don't say another word and turn and walk away, he trying to get a rise out of you. Then phone the police and report him, its an offence to interfere with a lawful activity of another, get a log number and inform firearms with that number. I think "Farmer" is being loosely used here for someone who has bought a few sheep and owns / rents a bit of land. The fact anyone might walk across a rushy moorland field wearing slippers on his feet shows the type of person you were dealing with, don't expect a logical polite explanation to sort anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Well handled Frenchieboy. I always keep my 'bullet cam' thing in my pocket for this instance. Guess it's hard if you aren't a confrontational person - must give you some anxiety about returning knowing you may round II on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Well handled Frenchieboy. I always keep my 'bullet cam' thing in my pocket for this instance. Guess it's hard if you aren't a confrontational person - must give you some anxiety about returning knowing you may round II on your hands. That's what "slipper man's" plan was! Personally I should do a good job on those bunnies as people like this need bringing down a peg or three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 That's what "slipper man's" plan was! Personally I should do a good job on those bunnies as people like this need bringing down a peg or three If that was what his plan was (To put me off shooting there in order to avoid another confrontation) than he will have to think up a "Plan B" as his "Plan A" obviously will not have worked! When I spoke to the landowner about it he asked if it meant that I would stop doing the vermin control on his land to shoot - My reply was that I would only stop going there if he told/asked me not to come any more, to which he assured me that was not going to happen. I honestly do expect this "gentleman" to come out and try for "round 2" the next time I am there (Which hopefully will be towards the end of this week - Weather permitting) but this time I will have my pocket camcorder with me and will video/record all that is said by both parties. I reported the "incident" the same evening that it happened and have a log number. The advice I was given then was that next time I go I should phone the local police to let them know that i am going shooting there and give them that log number and advise them that the gentleman might call them and complain about me or try to "force" another confrontation with me (Which I will not avoid but will once again stay calm and polite) so the police are pre-warned about this rather "irrational" person. One thing that i will not stand for is anyone trying to stop me from going about my legal pursuits in any place where the landowner has given me full (Written) permission to do so - Especailly when their arguments are a load of old cods wallop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 One thing that i will not stand for is anyone trying to stop me from going about my legal pursuits in any place where the landowner has given me full (Written) permission to do so - Especailly when their arguments are a load of old cods wallop! Good on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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