nigeleyre Posted July 6 Report Share Posted July 6 Can anyone help with what is legal for both England and Scotland with wood pigeon shooting. Has it all now changed, I'm getting back into shooting. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted July 6 Report Share Posted July 6 (edited) Have you read the General Licences? https://basc.org.uk/general-licences/ Edited July 6 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigeleyre Posted July 6 Author Report Share Posted July 6 Thank you, I have but they do not seem to be awfully clear. As I understand it from reading them you can take woodpigeon if they are damaging crops, but does that have to be at the moment or can you take them on a more general basis to prevent damage. I'm unclear as there seem to be a lot of people still shooting wood pigeon but the licenses seem to suggest this is not really permitted. I'm hoping for some clarity from the community, for example my local gunshop when asked just said no problem you can shoot them as you always did but that doesn't seem to be the case as I read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted July 6 Report Share Posted July 6 (edited) Yes, you can still shoot them - but only to prevent damage to crops (or whatever other things the general licences cover) You also have to have tried - and to cover yourself if you are worried about this sort of thing - documented, the use of non lethal means of scareing them off. I bought a blank pistol and record myself fireing it on my phone in the field before I go shooting - I also walk them off as I arrive, and often drive them off when I'm scouting. The farmer will also normally have done his bit. Just keep a note of it (and what crop, etc you are protecting) in a game book or note pad and you are covered. The GL for crop protection allows you to take preventative action if you have previously tired non lethal means to no effect. But make sure you can identify the crop you are protecting and that it is actual being, or at risk of being damaged. The reason the GL is complicated/ heavily caveated is to ensure it withstands potential legal challenges. If they wanted no one to shoot pigeons, they simply wouldn't issue the licence. Be mindful that everyone has a video camera in their pockets these days - and always make sure your can justify your shooting. But otherwise carry on and enjoy yourself. You will find that most successful days pigeon shooting falls into what's outlined above. Edited July 6 by PeterHenry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 14 hours ago, nigeleyre said: Thank you, I have but they do not seem to be awfully clear. As I understand it from reading them you can take woodpigeon if they are damaging crops, but does that have to be at the moment or can you take them on a more general basis to prevent damage. I'm unclear as there seem to be a lot of people still shooting wood pigeon but the licenses seem to suggest this is not really permitted. I'm hoping for some clarity from the community, for example my local gunshop when asked just said no problem you can shoot them as you always did but that doesn't seem to be the case as I read it. What method and in what context are you intending to shoot said wood pigeons ? Just to fine tune any further answers 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 17 hours ago, nigeleyre said: Can anyone help with what is legal for both England and Scotland with wood pigeon shooting. Has it all now changed, I'm getting back into shooting. Many thanks. If the GLs appear confusing and contradictory in parts - that’s because they are written that way to avoid legal challenge. The various shooting org’s have done their due diligence (as have I) and the GLs have been thoroughly ‘field tested’ so to speak - and pigeons are very much still on the menu. There has not been any significant change. For further clarification have a look at the BASC website - it is quite helpful. Hope you enjoy your shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted July 8 Report Share Posted July 8 On 06/07/2024 at 21:15, nigeleyre said: Can anyone help with what is legal for both England and Scotland with wood pigeon shooting. Has it all now changed, I'm getting back into shooting. Many thanks. The BASC August magazine has an article General Licences Explained. Search their website for same. Plenty of info there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted July 8 Report Share Posted July 8 There is a very important bit that a lot of people seen to forget in the GL's. This is from GL40 but there's a similar paragraph on the other English ones, not sure about the others as I don't shoot outside England. We have boom guns and banger strips going off on neighbours farms and they don't do any good there, so they aren't going to work in the next field over. They've had a go at alsorts in the time I've been here, it may work for a short time, days, but once they are used to it 🤷🏻♂️ Thinning them out is often the only answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigeleyre Posted July 12 Author Report Share Posted July 12 On 07/07/2024 at 00:09, PeterHenry said: Yes, you can still shoot them - but only to prevent damage to crops (or whatever other things the general licences cover) You also have to have tried - and to cover yourself if you are worried about this sort of thing - documented, the use of non lethal means of scareing them off. I bought a blank pistol and record myself fireing it on my phone in the field before I go shooting - I also walk them off as I arrive, and often drive them off when I'm scouting. The farmer will also normally have done his bit. Just keep a note of it (and what crop, etc you are protecting) in a game book or note pad and you are covered. The GL for crop protection allows you to take preventative action if you have previously tired non lethal means to no effect. But make sure you can identify the crop you are protecting and that it is actual being, or at risk of being damaged. The reason the GL is complicated/ heavily caveated is to ensure it withstands potential legal challenges. If they wanted no one to shoot pigeons, they simply wouldn't issue the licence. Be mindful that everyone has a video camera in their pockets these days - and always make sure your can justify your shooting. But otherwise carry on and enjoy yourself. You will find that most successful days pigeon shooting falls into what's outlined above. Thank you Peter, that's helpful. Thank you to everyone who has commented, i really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHenry Posted July 12 Report Share Posted July 12 1 hour ago, nigeleyre said: Thank you Peter, that's helpful. Thank you to everyone who has commented, i really appreciate it. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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