7iain7 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Some advice on getting a permission. Being a complete beginner to pigeon shooting I don't really know where to start. (I do shoot a lot of sporting clays & a member of BASC) What are people thoughts to just driving around all my local farms and asking or would this be considered rude ? Or maybe send out a letters & emails to my local farms? I wondered has anyone put a standard letter together asking for permission as being dyslexic I will probably come across poorly. I did see someone mention going to a local country pub & getting to know the local's but being a t-total I can't see that working some how. Also has anyone tried http://www.huntinguk.com for pigeon shooting as this maybe my best way into the sport ? Many thanks, Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Rather than driving around farms, I'd suggest more like keeping your eyes open - if you happen to see some crop fields that are getting hammered then I'd pop over to the farm, and ask if they'd like someone to come over and do a bit of pest control. If that works, then you can take it on from there. You might find it best to put your (rough) location on here too - you may find that someone local to you might take you out for a day/few hours of pest control, and occasionally that can lead further too. Many years ago (pre t'internet, put it that way) I was asked if I wanted to tag along with another shooter for a day on pigeons. Turned out that the guy was struggling to deal with the permissions he had, and wanted to get a couple of people onto them, but just wanted to see what they were like before asking them and the farmer about it. Myself and another shooter ended up with about 1000 acres to shoot on from that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Thanks for the advice. The are plenty of farms near Kidderminster I can try asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Rather than driving around farms, I'd suggest more like keeping your eyes open - if you happen to see some crop fields that are getting hammered then I'd pop over to the farm, and ask if they'd like someone to come over and do a bit of pest control. If that works, then you can take it on from there. You might find it best to put your (rough) location on here too - you may find that someone local to you might take you out for a day/few hours of pest control, and occasionally that can lead further too. Many years ago (pre t'internet, put it that way) I was asked if I wanted to tag along with another shooter for a day on pigeons. Turned out that the guy was struggling to deal with the permissions he had, and wanted to get a couple of people onto them, but just wanted to see what they were like before asking them and the farmer about it. Myself and another shooter ended up with about 1000 acres to shoot on from that. that is proberly the best advice you will get...........if the farmer is iffy...give him on a post card or even a plain buis' card your name and address and LANDLINE NUMBER...people like to see landline numbers and mob number.....if you are lucky enough and he says yes..always phone him or a quick text and let him know how you got on good or bad...if you didnt get many birds ...at least you are keeping them off the crop ! best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 face to face by far best, make your approach friendly and 'gentle'..'.I see the pigeons are getting fat on your peas' is somewhat more pertinent than 'I fancy somewhere to shoot wot u got?'.......have with you a brief summary of yourself/oe even an approach letter which you can leave if the farmer/owner is not avaiable,this should summarise bit @ you,agelicence//experience/insured/home address/mobile etc......finally any extra which are attractive?are you v local?can you do short notice/weekdays? do you have a relevant trade which can/could assist .Now go knock on a few doors and think ''how would I feel if this person came to my home and wanted to shoot guns''...'cos thats what you are doing! Atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 that is proberly the best advice you will get...........if the farmer is iffy...give him on a post card or even a plain buis' card your name and address and LANDLINE NUMBER...people like to see landline numbers and mob number.....if you are lucky enough and he says yes..always phone him or a quick text and let him know how you got on good or bad...if you didnt get many birds ...at least you are keeping them off the crop ! best of luck That's a good idea, I will a print a few fliers of at work with some basic information about myself & post them to my local farms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 That's a good idea, I will a print a few fliers of at work with some basic information about myself & post them to my local farms. DON'T post them. You might as well burn the stamps. Most farmers are quite traditional, and they like to look people in the eye. Sending them what is basically a cold call in the post will almost guarantee that it'll end up in the bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 DON'T post them. You might as well burn the stamps. Most farmers are quite traditional, and they like to look people in the eye. Sending them what is basically a cold call in the post will almost guarantee that it'll end up in the bin Agreed, its just more bumf through the door, goes the same way as fuel adverts, spray adverts, agricultural specialists etc etc etc Go door knocking, as has been said, look for specific problems and offer to help out....its far better to hear 'I've just walked so and so footpath and I've seen loads of rabbits on this field, do you have anyone to control them?' than 'Hi there, you don't know me from Adam, but I'd like to have permission to shoot on all of your land'. Be prepared for a lot of 'No's', keep trying though. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Will the personal approach. Thanks for tips they are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Around here the barley is getting milky so keep and eye out for birds starting on that, there is very little of it gone over but if there is a patch then it will give you a lead approach to make your pitch. When you do make contact with the right farmer at the right time...JUST ask for one days shooting and take it from there. If you make a good job and leave no mess that will be your best advert for a bit more shooting. Waving permission slips under there noses is not the way forward....killing pigeons when they are caning a crop is... TEH Will the personal approach. Thanks for tips they are much appreciated. Read this...............!! http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/285712-new-permission/?do=findComment&comment=2552608 TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Just read this http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/285712-new-permission/?do=findComment&comment=2552608 That's fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuy Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 There is no quick fix to this I am afraid but as the guys here have said keep an eye out for field s getting hammered. And I think the personal approach is the way with land owners, you will get plenty of "No thanks" , but keep at it and when you do get some land look after it because its so easy to lose. and with one bit of land it can open other doors ( most farmers do get on with each other and will tell there neighbours got a lad does a good job on the woodpigeon! ) and before you know it you got too much land!! Which can also be a headache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 There is no quick fix to this I am afraid but as the guys here have said keep an eye out for field s getting hammered. And I think the personal approach is the way with land owners, you will get plenty of "No thanks" , but keep at it and when you do get some land look after it because its so easy to lose. and with one bit of land it can open other doors ( most farmers do get on with each other and will tell there neighbours got a lad does a good job on the woodpigeon! ) and before you know it you got too much land!! Which can also be a headache You can never have too much land.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-UK Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Good luck Iain, here is a link for a permission slips template, on the BASC website, if it helps permissionbasc.org.uk/shooting/pest-and-predator-control/ Edited June 10, 2014 by Dave-UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Thanks all for your tips & the is some great tips ! Google maps seems a good way to find farm land. I'm off this morning to try & find a permission & will keep trying Edited June 10, 2014 by 7iain7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuy Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 You can never have too much land.............. I thought that at one time mate, but with 2 big estate's and plenty of farms (32,000acres in total) gives me plenty of scope , but when the birds do appear it can be hectic and will have a few days off work to keep up, and I rely on close friends to help me out and do take the odd person out now and then , not for a fee I may add! But I consider myself very lucky if at all very busy at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 I thought that at one time mate, but with 2 big estate's and plenty of farms (32,000acres in total) gives me plenty of scope , but when the birds do appear it can be hectic and will have a few days off work to keep up, and I rely on close friends to help me out and do take the odd person out now and then , not for a fee I may add! But I consider myself very lucky if at all very busy at times I also have plenty of land to shoot, but I would not say no to having permission to shoot on certain spots near where I live, especially the ones closer to home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuy Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 I also have plenty of land to shoot, but I would not say no to having permission to shoot on certain spots near where I live, especially the ones closer to home. totally agree motty mate, mine is also a bit of a trek got some land on my doorstep but mostly pastures, got to drive 18 miles to what I call the good stuff, and probably like you will drive about 100 miles in looking for the best opportunity. I enjoy the recon as much as the shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Drove around & some local farms, well three actually all three farmer were really friendly. In-fact far more friendly than I was expecting All three did allow pigeon shooting but pretty much got enough people shooting on their land. I have knocked on anyone's door I'm trying to catch the farmer out in the field or yard. I quite enjoy driving around places you would not normally go. It gives you a nice sense of freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Try the same farms again in a few months time.If there is no game shoot on the farm you might stand a chance if you ask again. Not a lot of folks are hardy enough to shoot in the bad weather so they might change their mind if they are having problems with pests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7iain7 Posted March 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 3 years on and never did find a permission. The farmers that did allow shooting already had syndicates. Almost seems like a closed shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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