chrisjh Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Recently moved house it has a good sized garden which backs on to a couple of acres ish of spinney, behind this and to the sides are stables and grazing pastures, the local magpie population is getting amongst the birds (in my garden) I witnessed a nest being striped of chicks the other day. I am looking at thinning them out (the magpies) will this be a problem, I was going to call at the farms they are to far away but worth letting them know just to be on the safe side, also the owner of the spinney who lives a few doors down just in case anything drop's on his land. Should I inform my FAO Thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 The legal standing is that you are commiting an offence if the pellet leaves your boundary , so technically if you take a shot at one sitting in a tree in your garden and miss then unless you have permission to shoot the land over which the pellet will travel you are breaking the law. Perhaps a larsen trap would be a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I'd have a chat with the owner of the spinney and explain what you're going to do (and why) ... if they seem sympathetic, then you might even be able to arrange to shoot on their land too. Also, the farmers. The worst that can happen is that they all say 'no, you can't shoot on my land' - and that's where you are now ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superspark Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Technically, as long as the pellets don't leave the boundary of your property your not breaking any laws. However, shooting up in any tree's etc then your pellets will most probably leave your boundary. If your neighbours hear you shooting you might get a visit from an armed response team. Its not advised to shoot up in trees with any air weapon where there may be houses/ people or animals around. What part of the general licence applies to you shooting magpies in the back garden? I think I would see the farmer and if the magpies are causing problems for him in some way in accordance with the general licence ask if you could shoot on his land to control them by shooting in a safe manor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Why not build some nesting boxes instead ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 What part of the general licence applies to you shooting magpies in the back garden?I would have thought that protecting the song bird population would be reason enough A Larsen trap is the best way to go, if you know anyone who will lend you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 . What part of the general licence applies to you shooting magpies in the back garden? I would have thought that protecting the song bird population would be reason enough A Larsen trap is the best way to go, if you know anyone who will lend you one. Yes, the GL allows for population control for the conservation of of other species of wild birds. If the magpie population locally is large, and they are taking large numbers of songbirds / eggs, then you can use the GL to thin out their numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yes, the GL allows for population control for the conservation of of other species of wild birds. If the magpie population locally is large, and they are taking large numbers of songbirds / eggs, then you can use the GL to thin out their numbers. totally agree with the above U may find a larsen is far more effective anyway for catching magpies anyway. There is nothing to stop u setting up a small zeroing range for plinking away as long as a good backstop that will absorb? (not really the right word) pellets to minimise any ricochets. ie sand bags/loose soil etc There is nothing to stop u feeding in front of ur back stop and shooting any crows/magpies that come down to feed, or feed in middle of garden (if soft ground) and shoot from an upstairs window But i would ask neighbouring owners too u might get extra ground, but they say no they can't stop u doing the above, if it is safe and ur pellets never leaving ur property Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealchucknorris Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yes, the GL allows for population control for the conservation of of other species of wild birds. If the magpie population locally is large, and they are taking large numbers of songbirds / eggs, then you can use the GL to thin out their numbers. Yes but having already paid attention to this particular clause In respect to the species listed at paragraph 2(i)(a) above, this licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate legal methods of resolving the problem such as scaring and proofing are either ineffective or impracticable. As long as there's thought about other ways to manage the issue before you resort to shooting then you've got a defence if someone challenges you. There was a thread recently about the GL and the approach to it (think it was on here) - worth a look for the OP as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadioles Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yes but having already paid attention to this particular clause In respect to the species listed at paragraph 2(i)(a) above, this licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate legal methods of resolving the problem such as scaring and proofing are either ineffective or impracticable. As long as there's thought about other ways to manage the issue before you resort to shooting then you've got a defence if someone challenges you. There was a thread recently about the GL and the approach to it (think it was on here) - worth a look for the OP as well. +1 I quite agree. It is hard to think what other reasonable measures you could take to protect nesting birds within your boundary. There is no specific bird scaring technique just for Magpie and you don't want to scare away everything! The end result of a Larsen Trap is that you shoot them anyway. Shooting seems an entirely reasonable and lawful option. Just be discreet and do not draw undue attention to yourself or upset the neighbours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Lots of species don't/won't use them. Why not build some nesting boxes instead ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Best tell the neighbours alongside too? If they see someone wondering around the garden with a gun you may get little red dots all over you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjh Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks for the feedback PW some good points much appreciated, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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