Harnser Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) I had my firearms renewal forms in the post today . I phoned my FEO and told him that I was not going to renew as I no longer want to shoot deer any more and no longer require a rifle for pest control . He was very surprised with my decision and said to me that there are people who would give their eye teeth to have the shooting that I have . I told him that the deer would still be controlled on the farm and that I was mentoring a young man who would be taking over from me . I have made my decision and hope that I don't regret it .its been a lot of years stalking deer . Harnser Edited April 22, 2016 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Thats one big decision to make, i wish you well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 on my last renewal 4 years ago i gave up my firearms licence, and just got my shotgun licence now, and dont miss it at all more fun with the shotgun.i asked him if i want my fac back will it be ok and he said yes no prob,but i wont want it any away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 no doubt you thought long and hard..best to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Well done on giving up. You will have thought long and hard about it and to mentor a youngster and pass your knowledge on is a way to leave a legacy. The young fella will be getting some good land by what your feo said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 (edited) Big decision that you need to think long and hard about.I packed in twice 1st time I sold all my kit.Biggest mistake was keeping my SGC/FAC as within months I'd gone out and bought 2.5k worth if new kit.Within a few months I was back to wanting to pack in.Same as you I had plenty of land with a good healthy dear population.I found a lad who had plenty of experience to take over deer and fox control.So I made sure this time that once my guns had gone to surrender my licences that very same day. Never looked back and enjoying fishing and even dusted the cobwebs off my guitar (never played for 14yrs).One word of caution re mentoring as I too was asked by a lad if I would mentor him,I refused.I was under the impression (may be wrong) that irrespective of my experience I can not mentor as not an FAC holder any longer.I'd ask your FEO for clarification if it's OK to mentor without holding an FAC.One thin I can't get away from is this flipping forum,just too good of a read. Edited April 23, 2016 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Some years ago I was going to give up everything except fowling. Luckily I didn't get rid of anything. Now, when I can get away from my carers duties, I get involved in fowling, fox control, NV, game keeping, deer stalking, vermin, pigeons and brushing - and go to rifle competitions. Now I know that all I needed was a brake to rethink, replan and get on with all the activities I have enjoyed for so long. Never easy to start again from scratch. Now all I need is time! (And more years left on the clock). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1961 Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Lets hope that in the future it's not a decision that you will regret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Ive read in the past about your considerations and you've obviously thought this through and through, so good luck on your new ventures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted April 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Why? I have been involved in stalking as well as game and vermin shooting for over 50 years and have shot my fair share of deer over the years . Over the last few years I became less enthusiastic about shooting deer and found that I would stalk deer and then decide not to shoot them . I would rather see them walking about the farms and the country side rather than shoot them . In the past I have only shot deer on my friends farms when they became to numerous and started to cause damage to crops . I was never envolved in commercial stalking and there was never any pressure to put meat in the larder ,although I have helped a friend with his culling on his estates and deer parks . I was always a hobby stalker and pot hunter . I have decided that It's my time to step down from stalking and let a younger man have a go . I suppose I will still be involved in stalking in a small way by mentoring the young up and coming stalker . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Respect Harnser. It takes a lot to question what we do and why we do it. Easy to bimble along the same old route because thats what we do. Much more difficult to challenge ourselves and think of new ways to use what we know and find new paths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 You have obviously given this much serious thought Harnser. I wish you well for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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