jam1e Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 Hi folks, As a rule i don't, or should i say didn't shoot Pheasant. Until last week anyhow... Some years, the owner of one of the extended family's permissions i shoot on hire out several small woods for game folk to rear poults and have a small syndicate shoot. I usually help out by thinning out the squirrels that raid the feeders when i know an agreement has been made with the farm owner. But this year they is no-one who has reared any, and no woods leased out. When i arrived i usually drive the lands perimeter to see if anythings up that the owner should know about. Which i generally will do for all my permissions. I say "all" i only have 5. This one being around 600 acres. Then I drive to my favorite "safe" spot to try out different rifle loads when i have a new gun. Anyway, while doing this i saw dozens and dozens of Pheasants in groups ranging from 8 to around 25. In total around a 100 plus, maybe more mixed sex Pheasants. Way more than usual, even when the woods have been leased! Anyhow, having my .22lr with me, and knowing there was no business ventures costing someone on the farm, i popped one off for a Sunday stew. And very nice it was too! Thanks to the You-tube channel, "The Scott Rea Project". But admittedly, after the event It did cross my mind if i was within my rights? The birds were around half a mile away from the nearest woodland. So was ok to do so? I have to say, it was delicious! And if the land owner gives me consent when i ask him, i intend to pop a couple more off for the pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 I’m actually not sure of the legalities of Shooting game birds with a rifle?! Its not very sporting or ethical though is it? I suppose some may say the same about rabbits, but still, it’s not something I would do. Can’t you have a walked up shoot with the shotgun? If they’re wild birds and you have permission crack on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 So long as you have permission then crack on, once the birds are on your farmers land they belong to him. As for using the rifle if they are going to be eaten then I don’t see a problem and I too use my rifle for the odd pheasant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Lloyd90 said: I’m actually not sure of the legalities of Shooting game birds with a rifle?! Its not very sporting or ethical though is it? I suppose some may say the same about rabbits, but still, it’s not something I would do. Can’t you have a walked up shoot with the shotgun? If they’re wild birds and you have permission crack on. Why shouldn't people shoot game birds with a rifle? its legal. whats not 'ethical' about a clean kill of a bird? Is a shotgun a more ethical way to shoot animals? odd post. Edited November 9, 2017 by kyska Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 4 minutes ago, kyska said: Why shouldn't people shoot game birds with a rifle? its legal. whats not 'ethical' about a clean kill of a bird? Is a shotgun a more ethical way to shoot animals? odd post. Not something I would do personally. Same as I wouldn’t shoot a duck sat on the water. If you want to, crack on as long as it’s legal and you have permission. I just wouldn’t see the point. The thrill of the hunt, a sporting shot, all of that. What next? Just blast them whilst they’re still in the pen?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 7 minutes ago, Lloyd90 said: Not something I would do personally. Same as I wouldn’t shoot a duck sat on the water. If you want to, crack on as long as it’s legal and you have permission. I just wouldn’t see the point. The thrill of the hunt, a sporting shot, all of that. What next? Just blast them whilst they’re still in the pen?! he shot one bird for the pot. if were honest about it, some of us as eight guns shoot possibly 240 birds on a formal driven day primarily for sport. Which is the most ethical ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Lloyd90 said: Not something I would do personally. Same as I wouldn’t shoot a duck sat on the water. If you want to, crack on as long as it’s legal and you have permission. I just wouldn’t see the point. The thrill of the hunt, a sporting shot, all of that. What next? Just blast them whilst they’re still in the pen?! Sporting isn't ethical is it, your opinion is confusing. The 'thrill' of a hunt is the antithesis, a bullet through the brain and lights out is ethically sound. A question, shooting a duck in the water is ethically wrong, yet shooting it on flight is ok? I'd love to know the difference ethically. Edited November 9, 2017 by kyska Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted November 9, 2017 Report Share Posted November 9, 2017 If you want to do it and it’s legal / you have permission then crack on. Not everyone will want to for their own reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 My dear Dad and his brothers used to head shoot pheasants all the time; the only thing illegal about it was the fact they were poaching. ? As for shooting ducks on water, punt gunners do it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 10 hours ago, Luckyshot said: So long as you have permission then crack on, once the birds are on your farmers land they belong to him. As for using the rifle if they are going to be eaten then I don’t see a problem and I too use my rifle for the odd pheasant Sorry but once a pheasant is released it has now become a wild bird , no one owns it . If it comes onto your land then yes you can shoot it, but you do not own it just because its on your land , its a wild bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 I think the crux of the matter is if your killing for the pot or for sport , one has to be honest about these things. a sporting shot is totally different to a shot for the pot or indeed for vermin control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 10 hours ago, kyska said: Sporting isn't ethical is it, your opinion is confusing. The 'thrill' of a hunt is the antithesis, a bullet through the brain and lights out is ethically sound. A question, shooting a duck in the water is ethically wrong, yet shooting it on flight is ok? I'd love to know the difference ethically. The punt gunner in the middle of nowhere is one thing, but in common with most of our shooting 'lore' what is or is not considered 'sporting' is based on either courtesy or safety and the latter in the main being the case of the sitting duck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) Jam1e, crack on, they do taste good don't they! Edited November 10, 2017 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPhantom Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 3 hours ago, ips said: I think the crux of the matter is if your killing for the pot or for sport , one has to be honest about these things. a sporting shot is totally different to a shot for the pot or indeed for vermin control. +1 If you are taking it home to eat, absolutely fine. Personally I would never shoot one on the ground as it is all about the sport for me. Then again I don't particularly like the taste of pheasant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Not 100 % sure . But a conversation with basc last week. Highlighted that its against the law to shoot any game bird with a rifle . So that includes pheasant . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriBsa Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Ultrastu said: Not 100 % sure . But a conversation with basc last week. Highlighted that its against the law to shoot any game bird with a rifle . So that includes pheasant . It would be against the law to shoot game birds with a firearm that had a magazine capable of holding more than two rounds. So it's three shot max for shotguns and rifles. Edited November 10, 2017 by TriBsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 There seems to be some strange ideas in this thread. I would love to see where some of these comments are written in law. If it’s moving shotgun if it’s sat still rifle. Clean kill for the pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriBsa Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 32 minutes ago, rimfire4969 said: There seems to be some strange ideas in this thread. I would love to see where some of these comments are written in law. If it’s moving shotgun if it’s sat still rifle. Clean kill for the pot. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 https://basc.org.uk/game-and-gamekeeping/quarry-species-shooting-seasons/ https://www.gov.uk/hunting/Birds All explained here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriBsa Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ips Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 8 minutes ago, Newbie to this said: https://basc.org.uk/game-and-gamekeeping/quarry-species-shooting-seasons/ https://www.gov.uk/hunting/Birds All explained here there you go then, pretty succinct ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Had I released the pheasant on the ground and found you had shot them with a ‘illegal’ firearm then I would bite my tongue. Same circumstance using a rim fire (and I would think 95% of people who have them for sporting use hold more than 2 rounds) I would be straight into the FLO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 27 minutes ago, markm said: Had I released the pheasant on the ground and found you had shot them with a ‘illegal’ firearm then I would bite my tongue. Same circumstance using a rim fire (and I would think 95% of people who have them for sporting use hold more than 2 rounds) I would be straight into the FLO. I regularly use my bolt action rimfire to thin out cocks at the end of the season, are you suggesting that I am acting illegally and that you would report me for doing something that is perfectly legal. I suggest you read the legislation before you pick up the phone though !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) I suggest you also read the legislation. Unless you know more than the UK government Edited November 10, 2017 by markm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 I think you will find that is not the actual legislation, but an incorrectly worded precis. The actual legislation is stated below, it is also worth noting that the legislation also states "“automatic weapon” and “semi-automatic weapon” do not include any weapon the magazine of which is incapable of holding more than two rounds", hence one is able to use a S2 semi auto shotgun. (c)uses for the purpose of killing or taking any wild bird— (i)any bow or crossbow; (ii)any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm; (iii)any automatic or semi-automatic weapon; (iv)anyshot-gun of which the barrel has an internal diameter at the muzzle of more than one and three-quarter inches; (v)any device for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting; (vi)any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device; (vii)any gas or smoke not falling within paragraphs (a) and (b); or (viii)any chemical wetting agent; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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