AD5693 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hello I am fairly new to shooting and am just wondering what the deal is with using lead shot over growing crops. Is it an issue or do I not need to worry about it? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 no bother unless your near a pond or lake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hello, you could ask the landowner what he is happy for you to use, ?, I am going to try some steel shot 7.5s from just carts soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob85 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 I think if anything most landowners would rather you used fibre wad and wouldn't be as concerned about the type of shot. Especially as most reasonably priced steel will come with a plastic shot cup wad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkin Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Morning mate I also would think it matters more about the plastic wads laying about than lead or steel shot ,but always best to ask farmer manager . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clangerman Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 if you see a farmer laughing his head of at a red faced chap he’s the one who just asked the farmer if he prefers lead from fibre or steel leaving plastic wads on his land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Ask the landowner, after explaining the difference. The landowners I know aren’t bothered too much either way. One is toxic the other unsightly. 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 all my farmers dont mine what i use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Scully said: Ask the landowner, after explaining the difference. The landowners I know aren’t bothered too much either way. One is toxic the other unsightly. 🤷♂️ The plastic is unsightly and toxic . The lead is supposedly harmful . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stockybasher Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 7 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, you could ask the landowner what he is happy for you to use, ?, I am going to try some steel shot 7.5s from just carts soon Don't forget to go up 2 shot sizes in steel. 7.5 may be ok for clays but I think you will need 5s + for pigeons You won't get enough hitting power from small steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 24 minutes ago, Ultrastu said: The plastic is unsightly and toxic . The lead is supposedly harmful . Lead is toxic. I’m a big fan of lead and intend to use it as much as possible, but it is without doubt, toxic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 22 minutes ago, stockybasher said: Don't forget to go up 2 shot sizes in steel. 7.5 may be ok for clays but I think you will need 5s + for pigeons You won't get enough hitting power from small steel. They’re perfectly ok for decoyed pigeons, shot some good bags using that size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 No one have mentioned what crops the op intend shooting over , where once I could shoot over most crops , if not all the crops grown in the area , now a days a lot of the farmers are not keen in you shooting over Peas when well in pod , the same with Lettuce's , Broccoli , Cauliflower's and so on once the crop advance from the plant stage to when it get close in lifting, if the crop is screened and shot is detected they will reject it weather it lead or steel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Most farmers that I know would be unaware that such a thing as a steel cartridge existed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 26 minutes ago, London Best said: Most farmers that I know would be unaware that such a thing as a steel cartridge existed! Good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 11 hours ago, AD5693 said: Hello I am fairly new to shooting and am just wondering what the deal is with using lead shot over growing crops. Is it an issue or do I not need to worry about it? Thanks Lead/fibre is still the main default for cereals and OSR etc. Don’t worry just go for it - and good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Lead and fibre for me on all shooting, bar on Approved clay grounds or the marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 11 hours ago, marsh man said: No one have mentioned what crops the op intend shooting over , where once I could shoot over most crops , if not all the crops grown in the area , now a days a lot of the farmers are not keen in you shooting over Peas when well in pod , the same with Lettuce's , Broccoli , Cauliflower's and so on once the crop advance from the plant stage to when it get close in lifting, if the crop is screened and shot is detected they will reject it weather it lead or steel This. One of my farmers started renting a few fields to a salad growing company. He asked me to clear the birds from these fields , but I had to explain to him why I couldn't . My farmer hadn't realised the issue as he'd never grown salad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 13 hours ago, mel b3 said: This. One of my farmers started renting a few fields to a salad growing company. He asked me to clear the birds from these fields , but I had to explain to him why I couldn't . My farmer hadn't realised the issue as he'd never grown salad. This is exactly what happened to me , one big farm I went on also let some of his land for growing lettuce's , I had seen several Pigeons were going on the plants so I asked the farmer if it was o k to have a go , he said it was alright with him but as he had let the fields out he would have to ask the contractors , he got back in touch and said no as they didn't want to take the risk with any shot going on the crops , in the end they put gas guns and with people constantly working on the fields irrigating the crop they didn't get that much damage from the Pigeons. With the super markets getting more stricter on shot game now , the problem shooting over ripe crops can only get worse for the Pigeon shooter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 1 hour ago, marsh man said: This is exactly what happened to me , one big farm I went on also let some of his land for growing lettuce's , I had seen several Pigeons were going on the plants so I asked the farmer if it was o k to have a go , he said it was alright with him but as he had let the fields out he would have to ask the contractors , he got back in touch and said no as they didn't want to take the risk with any shot going on the crops , in the end they put gas guns and with people constantly working on the fields irrigating the crop they didn't get that much damage from the Pigeons. With the super markets getting more stricter on shot game now , the problem shooting over ripe crops can only get worse for the Pigeon shooter . I had similar shooting over a field of peas a few years ago, but was allowed to use steel shot. Apparently, the littering of plastic wads was less of a concern than lead shot in the crop. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.