Shotguneddy Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 On our perm now it's becoming such a joke with walkers, walking round wherever they want that im thinking about not botherinv anymore. had it all pheasant season and now when it's time to control vermin to. Put numerous signs up warning of firearms and to keep dogs on leads and stick to actual footpaths, Yesterday out shooting pigeons had a shot winged a pigeon and out from the private woods 2 random people say, exscuse me you just winged a bird can u please put it out it's misery. Which we were just about to before they appeared from nowhere. And asking farmers name telephone number and if we had a liscense. Really starting to cheese us off. Anyone else similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Unfortunately this is becoming the law of the land, free roaming for all. We have had the badger cull in our area for the last three years with antis swarming most farm land 12 months of the year, the police don't bother them any and allow them freedom to protest, when they do come across more resistance from the plod its ' oh dear, sorry officer we must have wandered off the footpath.' I do some deer control for Natural England and their reserves are all CROW land ( country side right of way), people don't even have to have to have their dogs on leads. But it is do able, you just have to do your work early, late or at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I've had it regularly when decoying, less so at night. Townies tend to fear the darkness in case the bogeyman gets them. Yes it does cheese you off, I even had one dog walker come up to me, on private land, hundreds of yards from the footpath, and ask me what I thought I was doing shooting here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Coastal access and spreading room is also becoming a nightmare for conservation. Why do we have vast goose and wader roosts? Because people don't go thier without knowledge and respect It will also mean fatalities as walkers are not known for thier great map reading let alone thier knowledge of tides tables and potential surge conditions I regular get walkers into my gardens ready to argue vosivourously that it's the footpath even had one say it must be the path because there is a gate! Another who I politely told he was eating his lunch sat on my overflow area of my septic tank gave me a right mouthful about of course he knew were he was sitting and this illustrates the point you cannot educate those that already know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 We refer to them as hemorrhoids, because they come out in bunches and are a pain in the ****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 We refer to them as hemorrhoids, because they come out in bunches and are a pain in the ****. This :L did make me laugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 A lot of it stems from ignorance or choosing to appear ignorant. It's amazing how so many people go out for a walk and get `lost`. A right of way on private land is exactly that - a `right` and not an open invitation to roam where you want. A lot of people don't know that or choose to ignore it. Theoretically if someone leaves that designated footpath to talk to you, or you come across them well away from a right of way and they then challenge you - point out that you have permission to be there and they don't, so they are trespassing. Although no-one wants to get into an argument - being polite and knowledgeable do help. Know the Law, know your rights (and theirs) and `educate` them . My favourite discussion points: I have permission to be there - do they? I am licensed and fully insured - are they? The difference between public right of way on PRIVATE land compared to public property. I explain what I am doing i.e pest control (might even quote General Licence). I'm there at the invitation of landowner/farmer etc. I am shooting safely and explain why - effective range of shotgun etc. Why do they think I am in the wrong? (tends to lead to 1-5 being discussed!) Some people are genuinely interested and ask questions and just don't know the Law etc. I find the horse riders are the most jumpy and I fully understand why. Having said that - if they want to have a cheeky hack around the headland - then I can't help that (we have always unloaded when we see horses whether they should be there or not). I am very lucky that I've only ever seen/heard one slightly hysterical lady who was clearly a bit `out there` and wouldn't listen to reason. Fortunately they were in a wood somewhere shouting at me (alongside my permission) so I just moved on. I know it's not that simple in reality but I do think we need to help educate people and warn of the dangers of wandering around in places they shouldn't be. As for the OP's story. At least they asked if you were meant to be there and asked if you had a licence. Arguably none of their business but at least they didn't go hysterical and call plod out. I have been on a permission (via the gamekeeper) only to have the Lord of the Manor turn up and ask who I was. I had no idea who he was (except he was VERY posh), but he was polite and so was I and then he told me who he was! Sometimes it pays to be polite until you know who you are talking to. There is no easy answer but we need to be squeaky clean and do our best to be seen as engaging and informative (in an ideal world of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotguneddy Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Totaly agree, cheers mate that's quite helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 We've got a spot of ground around some old chicken sheds, at the end of the track is a crazy lady. I was warned about her when I started shooting there - apparently some lads used to shoot crows in the wood that butted up to her boundary and out of courtesy they would ring her and tell her they were going, funny thing was all the crowd were gone when they would get there. They eventually cottoned on and gave up ringing her! We generally go round the sheds when the lower ground is under water as it pushes all the small furries up to where we can shoot them. Last time we went lamping there we were turned round heading back the way we'd come and a quad came screaming up to the boundary lit up like a Xmas tree, we turned the engine off and sat there quietly and listened to a tirade of abuse and gate rattling and watched her shine a torch around. We started up and drove off. I phoned the farmer and he laughed. Apparently as soon as she'd seen the lights she phoned him up ******* and jeffing at him that someone was shooting all her rabbits. He told us to carry on as she was trespassing where she was anyway as the boundary is actually 6ft behind where she was but he gave up arguing that one with her years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 i have a nice wood i used to shoot but not been there for 2 years because of people walking round it with dogs on a walk,.shame nice pigeon shooting in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotguneddy Posted February 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I'm starting to feel like doing that but like, u said; it's a good place for birds so just stick with it hopefully it'll get better but cant see itmyself with spring/summer round the corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Not just when shooting! I own my farm and it has 2 footpaths through it. Years ago nobody used them apart from Scout trek weekend or similar, now everyone in the village brings their dog here for a ****. Dog walkers think it's fine to just wander wherever they please, dogs never on a lead etc even through my yard. It stresses me and depresses me to the point I am selling up and moving to where there's no footpaths. They are here even in the dark and I am not even what I would call near to any houses. The nearest one is about a mile away and the village as much again. I don't mind walkers using the paths to go somewhere, that is what they are for but just wandering aimlessly around the fields where I am trying to grow food and make a living is not on for me. I hate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I have numerous problems with them walking well away from footpaths and with dogs off leads. Its also surprising that when you approach them politely, 99% are the most arrogant and self obsessed people you will met. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) The old "Adder Sanctuary"notices work well Or the other one is "This is an organic farm and by EU law dogs are not allowed to roam" My favourite is "Adders are approaching the breeding season and the males are very aggressive, keep all dogs on leads" Its not just in the fields, when my son's were growing up the park at the end of our road was a quagmire of dog mess, despite all the notices. Edited February 29, 2016 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Sadly the attitude of most of these just gives an indication of how unbalanced society has become? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I get it now and again on one permission, normally not a big deal but I did have one woman going of on one a few months ago. I tried explaining the law to her and that I was nowhere near a foot path and nor was she but she was having none of it and was threatening to ring the police. I just told her that when she does ring them to make sure she gives them her name and address as they may want to talk to her about wasting police time, guess she never called as they didn't turn up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 If you think we have a hard time think about my neighbours when they have dosed half thier sheep and some fool mixes thier flock. Lot of cash and lot of work needs to be done again At least half don't shut gates properly when you actually ask them and no I am not kidding they just don't get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 If you think we have a hard time think about my neighbours when they have dosed half thier sheep and some fool mixes thier flock. Lot of cash and lot of work needs to be done again At least half don't shut gates properly when you actually ask them and no I am not kidding they just don't get it One place i shoot locks all the gates on the farm for that very reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 We have bridleways and public footpaths cutting across much of our shoots but can't say it's ever really caused any problems. All rifle shooting is either carried out at night or with well known backstops, and most shotgunning is done skywards. So long as we are within our rights to be there, even if they're not, we just get on with it. The most annoying incidents so far both happened last June when our travelling fraternity showed up. The first was a caravan pitching camp on the private lane to the farm, which admittedly wasn't obstructing the lane, but they lit a camp fire on which they cooked their dinner and then crapped in the hedgerow before leaving the following morning. The second was a pick up ( seen from the house almost a mile away ) which drove into the top of the lane and instead of taking the time to reverse into the spacious area provided for this very purpose, literally drove straight into the winter barley and drove round in a huge circle in the field before driving to and back down the lane, flattening the well developed crop in the process! Landowner was furious. The neighbouring farmer has, over the last few recent years, taken to renting out one of his fields to those who arrive early before the Hill is officially opened. They use the hedgerows and a bridge over a disused railway as a toilet. Not a good place to allow your dog to roam. Needless to say we don't often go out shooting during this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I had one on Saturday. The footpath runs down the right hand side of the field of rape I was on and a guy strolled diagonally across with his dog. Then he turned and walked straight towards my decoys, when I stood up from my hide it gave him a fright, and when I asked what did he think he was doing? He replied walking my dog. I said do you always walk through the farmers crops rather than sticking to the footpath like you should. He didn't know what to say and just turned round and walked off, again right through the centre of the field. Proper numpty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Remember people may have a right to roam but dogs do not. So tell them keep it on a string. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 I had one on Saturday. The footpath runs down the right hand side of the field of rape I was on and a guy strolled diagonally across with his dog. Then he turned and walked straight towards my decoys, when I stood up from my hide it gave him a fright, and when I asked what did he think he was doing? He replied walking my dog. I said do you always walk through the farmers crops rather than sticking to the footpath like you should. He didn't know what to say and just turned round and walked off, again right through the centre of the field. Proper numpty This reminds me of a couple who came over to look at the ducks one evening My plastic ones! They of course informed me about coastal access and spreading room I informed them of the exception that existed but the dog made it clearer to them it was time to leave when he raised his voice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exudate Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 The worst kind are those who just leave a somewhat sinister note under the windscreen wiper of your car. I had this several months ago, written in red, capital letters. Very passive-aggressive! Whoever it was didn't have the decency to come and speak to me in person. Says it all, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBS Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Out feeding the pheasants in a small wood with a footpath running alongside last year when all of a sudden there's a big commotion and birds start pouring over my head followed by two golden retrievers, as I turned the air blue getting the dogs out I heard a voice the other side of the hedge calling them back, after explaining to him why I was so angry he went on to tell me he always lets his dogs have a play in the woods! This wood is completely fenced off with a cover crop on one side, he was opening the gate and letting them run through the cover crop to get in the wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 The hunt like to leave gates open Makes me chuckle seating in the highseat a saying hello ****s them right up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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