Pigeon shooting permissions

[Adamdobson]

Is there any other way to get permissions then going and banging on a farmers door. Tbh am prity nervous about doing this. Is there any suggestions. It also doesn't help that i am literally nust starting to get into the sport and dont think i ll be taken seriously. 

[Stephen-H]

Wait for the next game season and find a local shoot to beat on /help out you might get some roost shooting from it and possible pigeon shooting from a fellow gun or beater with some permission you've just got to put yourself out there 

[hawkfanz]

depends on were you are,some area,s do have active pigeon groups that you could join and meet other like minded shooters,also wildfowling clubs that also have pigeon/pest control as well for members,you need tto start doing your homework in your area to find them.good luck with your search.

[shaun4860]

Advice on Gaining permission

In essence, gaining shooting permission is asking someone you may have never met, for permission onto

his/her land with a gun to control their vermin or game. Think about what you would look for in a person

asking you for the same thing. 

 

There are many members on here with years of experience of successfully gaining shooting permission,

so to summarise here are few useful tips.

 

In general, you will NOT gain shooting permission:

By posting permission required on internet forums

By writing letters (sometimes works, but with low success rate)

By sending emails

 

Actions that may help you gain permission are:

Getting out there and looking at what is going on, for instance.

1. Are there crops being hammered by pigeons? 

2. Are there playing fields/golf courses etc overrun with rabbits?

3. Are farmers complaining about increasing fox numbers and attacks?

Knocking on doors, or speaking to the people responsible for the land in question. This way the person

1. Gets to meet you, and is able form an opinion of your character, there and then. It is also harder for them to refuse you face to face than it is to throw another letter in the bin.

Joining a club, or networking with like minded local people

Socialise, track down the landowners or farmers in their local and mingle

Once you get into the dialogue, find out exactly what they are looking for and make sure you cover The do's and dont's

Contact your local keeper and ask him if he needs any beaters, and then stick with it, be punctual and polite. Once you are known you may well be rewarded.

 

Once you have gained permission:

Look after it, there may well be someone like you, just waiting for you to mess up so they can take over.

Use your common sense, don't leave gates open or drop litter and always pick up your empties.

Don't shoot anything you haven't the authority to shoot.

Get a decent map and make sure you know the boundaries, footpaths, etc.

Look after your host (farmer, landowner etc), find out what they like to drink. Buy them a bottle at Christmas time. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a thank you.

Taken from help and advice in the shooting section

 

[ditchman]

fact...........

1. farming is hard work and stressful
2. usually assumed to be 95% stress...5% pleasure

most farmers will not give permission to someone rocking up asking for vermin shooting....they see it as "why do i do all the hardwork for someone else to enjoy"

if i was starting again...i would turn up and say to the farmer "is there any work i can do for you on a saturday morning like powerwashing tractors...cleaning the work shop....strimming around barns....painting"..........."which i will do for nothing ...and if you are happy with that...in return let me do some pigeon shooting ...rabbit / vermin shooting as payment"...............

now...if i was the farmer i would think..."hhmmmm there's a good deal....someone who has something to give ...instead of the usual chancer who turns up and asks for shooting and gives nothing in return.."

try it ..............

[Adamdobson]

Thanks for your help on this matter guys very much appriciated. 

I live in selby in north yorkshire the idea of being a memeber of a group or organization sounds more appealing to me so i can get to know more people and pick up tips to say am an amature at this is an understatement never done it in my life. I will have a look for some organizations do any of you know any good ones in the york/selby area? 

[Walker570]

Having been born and bred on a farm, mixed with farmers the rest of my life then I believe just approaching to help or otherwise has about a 1% chance of success.   As Ditchie says they are almost always under stress, your basically worse than a rep turning up unannounced trying to sell something.The best way by far is to seek out all of your local shoot and offer to go beating for NOTHING.  If you turn up on time and know what your doing on shoot days then you can ease the subject in. It takes time and nothing is instant.  If and when you do get permission then treat it with respect as mentioned above.  Book in with the farmer...I do it by text and then book out after you leave and report anyhting that doesn't look right..ewe on it's back, that you have rolled onto her feet saving her life and maybe a lamp or two.... they have an ear tag number you can give the farmer .....little things like that seal it .

[Scully]

43 minutes ago, Adamdobson said:

Thanks for your help on this matter guys very much appriciated. 

I live in selby in north yorkshire the idea of being a memeber of a group or organization sounds more appealing to me so i can get to know more people and pick up tips to say am an amature at this is an understatement never done it in my life. I will have a look for some organizations do any of you know any good ones in the york/selby area? 

There must be oodles of opportunities around Selby. If nothing else arises, make sure you seek out those shoots which use beaters; you’ve got all summer. 👍

[strimmer_13]

Offer services in exchange for shooting. Definitely works.

Problem with the beating route is if i would of done that id have zero holidays left for work.

Every option above works and shauns list hits the nail on the head. But nobody mentioned the boozer, get chatting, worked for me in the past. Just avoid all the *****, and dont make a **** of yourself either. 1 too many in there can ruin you for miles. 

[Ultrastu]

1 hour ago, ditchman said:

if i was starting again...i would turn up and say to the farmer "is there any work i can do for you on a saturday morning like powerwashing tractors...cleaning the work shop....strimming around barns....painting"..........."which i will do for nothing ...and if you are happy with that...in return let me do some pigeon shooting ...rabbit / vermin shooting as payment"...............

Wow .maybe im too cynical .but if some rocked up asking to wash my farm machinery for nothing and paint my sheds etc .id be very wary. Id be thinking nutter ..

 

Best way ive found .is take my dog for a walk (well controlled ) over land that has pigeon hitting it. And then "accidentally "bump into the farmer and start a conversation about those pesky pigeons .see how that conversation goes .

 

[ditchman]

22 minutes ago, Ultrastu said:

Wow .maybe im too cynical .but if some rocked up asking to wash my farm machinery for nothing and paint my sheds etc .id be very wary. Id be thinking nutter ..

 

Best way ive found .is take my dog for a walk (well controlled ) over land that has pigeon hitting it. And then "accidentally "bump into the farmer and start a conversation about those pesky pigeons .see how that conversation goes .

 

hah............totally opposite what you say.............the farm i shoot on...... the farmer given the chance to shoot dog walkers and get away with it would suit him down to the ground......he hates them with a passion having the local people letting there dogs use his land as a dog toilet...to the effect he has put telegraph poles all across his feild access points............

about 10 years ago a young lad turned up at his place asking if he could do any work for fox shooting...james said yup so started him on ..unpaid...for a few sat mornings...anyway that was 10 years ago...and they are thick as theives now....the lad has a landrover and is also allowed to put everything he needs for the vehicle on the farmers acc'...he helps whenever asked...and gets fuel as well.........................

all from asking if he wants a few jobs done on a st morn in exchange for fox shooting.................................so it does work..

[TIGHTCHOKE]

14 minutes ago, ditchman said:

hah............totally opposite what you say.............the farm i shoot on...... the farmer given the chance to shoot dog walkers and get away with it would suit him down to the ground......he hates them with a passion having the local people letting there dogs use his land as a dog toilet...to the effect he has put telegraph poles all across his feild access points............

about 10 years ago a young lad turned up at his place asking if he could do any work for fox shooting...james said yup so started him on ..unpaid...for a few sat mornings...anyway that was 10 years ago...and they are thick as theives now....the lad has a landrover and is also allowed to put everything he needs for the vehicle on the farmers acc'...he helps whenever asked...and gets fuel as well.........................

all from asking if he wants a few jobs done on a st morn in exchange for fox shooting.................................so it does work..

Much the same up in Cottesmore, locals think they have a god given right to wander across farm land with their dogs.

Some of them really can't believe it is private.

I now phone the Farmer if they start to get uppity and that sorts it out.

[Ultrastu]

Just now, ditchman said:

hah............totally opposite what you say.............the farm i shoot on...... the farmer given the chance to shoot dog walkers and get away with it would suit him down to the ground......he hates them with a passion having the local people letting there dogs use his land as a dog toilet...to the effect he has put telegraph poles all across his feild access points............

about 10 years ago a young lad turned up at his place asking if he could do any work for fox shooting...james said yup so started him on ..unpaid...for a few sat mornings...anyway that was 10 years ago...and they are thick as theives now....the lad has a landrover and is also allowed to put everything he needs for the vehicle on the farmers acc'...he helps whenever asked...and gets fuel as well.........................

all from asking if he wants a few jobs done on a st morn in exchange for fox shooting.................................so it does work..

Well each to his own i guess .

But im pretty sure your average farmer isnt gonna let anybody start climbing around his expensive tractors etc . 

And obviously i was referring to public footpaths that cross farm land and bridalways .and stopping for a chat in gateways .

Not tresspass .all over the shop .

 

[Jason_ox]

Another option is get some cards made up for pest control/pigeon control, get down to your local livestock or farm dispersal sales and hand them out. Has been known to work but if you’re a bit nervous about knocking on doors this may not be for you. Best option is finding a game shoot, or offering services in exchange for shooting. 

[marsh man]

At the end of the day the op stand virtually no chance in getting permission by himself , he states he is just starting off and I dare say he knows very little about what crops to look for at certain times of the year , his best bet by far is to get involved in a shooting club so he can ask other members for advice and try and tag on with members who would be willing to take him along on a decoying session .

Nowadays with the power of the internet he can find out where his local clubs are and if like our club there is a on line joining up form he can fill up from the comfort of his home .