belly47 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Just been browsing around whilst watching the cricket, and came across this on the gov.uk website regarding shooting rabbits on a sunday. It appears to be an error. Other animals There are no hunting seasons for other animals. You can hunt some small animals, such as hares, rabbits and foxes, all year round. But you can’t shoot hares or rabbits (game animals) on Sundays or Christmas Day in most of the UK. https://www.gov.uk/hunting/what-you-can-hunt-and-when I have just phoned BASC and informed them of this and spoke to a rather nice sounding lady who was grateful of the heads up, she said they will pass the details of this error on to the relevant government department to rectify. From what she said they often have these discrepencies and need to correct the powers that be. Edited July 16, 2015 by belly47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 glad I reported it to BASC as it could lead to a member of the public having a google then complaining to police that someone is shooting rabbits on a sunday, and more than likely the police would know no better either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Looks like the whole thing was written by a child. Another couple of mistakes................ You can use dogs for: stalking and flushing out - but only to control pests, eg hares, and only if they’re shot as soon as possible afterwards You can’t ever use: bows or crossbows nets to capture birds vehicles to chase animals explosives (other than the legal ammunition for a firearm) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Looks like the whole thing was written by a child. Another couple of mistakes................ You can use dogs for: stalking and flushing out - but only to control pests, eg hares, and only if they’re shot as soon as possible afterwards You can’t ever use: bows or crossbows nets to capture birds vehicles to chase animals explosives (other than the legal ammunition for a firearm) the lady at BASC said they do their best to keep on top of these errors, but feel free to let them know anything you find. im pretty sure she will review the whole webpage Edited July 16, 2015 by belly47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Anyone else spotted any errors ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Rabbits in the early last century were driven to a team of guns on many estates. Much like a pheasant drive only rabbit. That old law quoted has game in brackets, so shooting them as an organised driven day as per pheasants is illegal on a Sunday. Pest control, pot hunting is not prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 A bit below the section Charlie T has posted (don't know how to put up the link) 'there are more detailed restrictions on the use of : automatic or semi-automatic weapons.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Rabbits in the early last century were driven to a team of guns on many estates. Much like a pheasant drive only rabbit. That old law quoted has game in brackets, so shooting them as an organised driven day as per pheasants is illegal on a Sunday. Pest control, pot hunting is not prohibited. Rabbits are only legally defined as game if they are taken without consent (poaching). There is no law stopping you flushing rabbits to guns on a Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 When I applied for my second S1 shotgun ( a semi-automatic ) my stated 'good reason' was the control of rabbits bolted by ferrets. It was turned down. When I enquired why I was told that semi-automatic shotguns should not be used for shooting rabbits, which was news to me. My FEO told me, 'we're aware everyone does it but strictly speaking it's a no no'. Licensing then told me to re-apply but put my good reason as 'shooting avian species under the terms and conditions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981'. It was granted. Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 News to me, too! I know you're not supposed to shoot hares or other game with a self-loader, but as I read the regs, bunnies are fine, as they classed as vermin. I would query that with BASC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 News to me, too! I know you're not supposed to shoot hares or other game with a self-loader, but as I read the regs, bunnies are fine, as they classed as vermin. I would query that with BASC. A normal semi-auto is fine but they don't seemed to have liked the 'good reason' for S1 as rabbits being bolted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) Rabbits to the land owner or someone acting on his behalf are vermin, and can be taken on a Sunday. To anyone without authority rabbits are game, and game can not be taken on a Sunday. As a poacher the game laws are more efficient for securing a conviction... Edited July 16, 2015 by Paul223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Prior to the Boundary changes that took place in 1974, some Counties, especially in Wales, were 'No Shooting on Sundays' Counties. I know because I used to shoot in Montgomery and the village Bobby once had words about our shooting on Sundays. It is possible some of the old Bye- Laws have still not been changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Rabbits to the land owner or someone acting on his behalf are vermin, and can be taken on a Sunday. To anyone without authority rabbits are game, and game can not be taken on a Sunday. As a poacher the game laws are more efficient for securing a conviction... Unless you're in Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Unless you're in Scotland. Indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Rabbits are only legally defined as game if they are taken without consent (poaching). There is no law stopping you flushing rabbits to guns on a Sunday.Not sure on that one but I wonder if you realise just how many were shot on a day 100 years ago! 500plus!I don't think it was just an anti poaching law. Shooting game on a Sunday may also be a Sabbath thing and estate staff protection laws! Things are a lot different to 100years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 When I applied for my second S1 shotgun ( a semi-automatic ) my stated 'good reason' was the control of rabbits bolted by ferrets. It was turned down. When I enquired why I was told that semi-automatic shotguns should not be used for shooting rabbits, which was news to me. My FEO told me, 'we're aware everyone does it but strictly speaking it's a no no'. Licensing then told me to re-apply but put my good reason as 'shooting avian species under the terms and conditions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981'. It was granted. Go figure. I would suggest he's talking out of his hat. They may not like S1 shotguns and ACPO issued a reccomended condition stating avian pests, but there is nothing unlawful in using one on rabbits. Mine was, until I sold it last year, simply down as "vermin". To my knowledge the only thing you cant use a S1 auto on is birds and the get out clause on the GL permits their use on birds authorised on the GL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) My old head keeper used to organise driven rabbit days until not that many years ago and I remember one of the last ones I was involved with we shot around 250 head. All these days were held on Sundays as it was easier to get people as there was less chance of them being in work. My first statement regarding the definition of rabbit as game is 100% correct and I know that as it was part of my keeper training many years ago to know laws regarding poaching game etc. (with reference to post #16) Edited July 17, 2015 by r1steele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Rabbits are only legally defined as game if they are taken without consent (poaching). There is no law stopping you flushing rabbits to guns on a Sunday. They are Ground Game, along with hares, subject to their own act and only those stipulated in the act may kill them. As you say, there is nothing in that act that prohibits shooting them on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingo15 Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Surely if your poaching you ain't going to care what day of the week it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) I would suggest he's talking out of his hat. They may not like S1 shotguns and ACPO issued a reccomended condition stating avian pests, but there is nothing unlawful in using one on rabbits. Mine was, until I sold it last year, simply down as "vermin". To my knowledge the only thing you cant use a S1 auto on is birds and the get out clause on the GL permits their use on birds authorised on the GL. Could well be, I have no idea. Whether they like S1 shotguns or not it was they who told me how to word my application in order to grant the application. Edited: Spelling. Edited July 17, 2015 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 My old head keeper used to organise driven rabbit days until not that many years ago and I remember one of the last ones I was involved with we shot around 250 head. All these days were held on Sundays as it was easier to get people as there was less chance of them being in work. My first statement regarding the definition of rabbit as game is 100% correct and I know that as it was part of my keeper training many years ago to know laws regarding poaching game etc. (with reference to post #16) Thanks for clearing that up, I stand corrected. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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