Hubbertspeak Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I was out yesterday, scouting for potential permissions and I noticed alot of gulls in one particular field. Are any gulls legitimate quarry? There aren't any in the BASC quarry guide, but they must be a pest for farmers... If they are, what would you do with the bag? Has anyone tried eating gull? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Dear all, Greater black backed gull Lesser black backed gull Herring gull Can all be shot under the current open general licence system. For full details view the pdf’s on the BASC website at www.basc.org.uk/content/pestandpredatorcontrol David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbertspeak Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks David. I thought I'd seen it somewhere... What about the bag though...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbertspeak Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 P.S. Will you be adding them to the quarry guide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Considering their love of council dumps, I wouldn`t touch them with a barge pole, I have shot a few GBB`s that were removing young Mallard off a pond, corpses were buried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbertspeak Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Somone once said the same thing to me about cod. Apparently (and I haven't checked it) their diet is a bit questionable too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David BASC Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I am in the middle of a major clean up of the BASC web site- so watch this space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 The only people that I know who've eaten gulls are starving shipwrecked sailors! Give 'em a miss unless you like chewy cod liver oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hubbard what makes you think gulls are a pest to farmers? The only problems from big gulls are public health and predation of other birds. There are a farmers friend taking huge amounts of harmful soil invertebrates that would otherwise dammage his crop. If they are causing a problem with your mallard ducklings ok shoot them , but otherwise to shoot them just for the sake of shooting them is not good pratice unless you want to upset local birdie boys or old ladies in the village close to where you are shooting which may end in you loseing the land u shoot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbertspeak Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Fair point anser2. Furthermore, I had a cracking afternoon at Greenfields today and ran the question past an old-time pigeon shooter I met. Apparently, there are some gulls that look alot like the legitimate quarry, but definitely aren't. Get caught shooting the wrong ones and you're in trouble! So, as you rightly say, the lesson is: leave the gulls alone. But the best bit is... the old-timer agreed to take me out to teach me some field craft! He's 71 years' old and shoots 7 farms in my area I hope I don't let him down If I wanted to get in some practice before I go, what clay trap would be most helpful in practising for woodies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 If I wanted to get in some practice before I go, what clay trap would be most helpful in practising for woodies? They haven`t made anything that can compete with a woodpigeon !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) Anyone got an identification sheet of what these birds look like underneath from the ground i aint got a clue about Gulls other than the Hearing Gull, which is a big ******. I got loads fly over one of my orchards. I'd just like to know the difference if the need occurs. Edited February 11, 2008 by ShaggyRS6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat 1 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I read somewhere that Gulls should never be eaten as they are carriers of botulism or something like that. Would'nt like to try them, however was told once that some chinese places will buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Shaggy just key in the gull species in to the net and there will be loads of id stuff. Otherwise get a good bird book. In the field it is very hard to sort out the immatures on the ground let alone in flight and it takes the juveniles 4 years to get their adult plumage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Cheers Anser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliem658 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 i know i wouldnt eat one with all the **** they eat but it is up to you charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) The 3 that you can shoot happen to be the biggest birds, I believe. The ones you can't shoot like Black-Headed Gull, Common Gull, Kittiwakes and Little Gull are the small species. Common Gulls would be the ones to watch out for, as they are similar(ish) to Herring Gulls. I agree with anser2 though, they do more good than harm on a farm, unless there are birds being reared, when the big gulls are ferocious predators, worse than any raptor. Most raptors even steer clear of them Edited February 12, 2008 by Chard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 This is one of those subjects that comes up about once a year. The risk with shooting seagulls, is that most shooters probably can't differentiate between those you can shoot and those you can't, therby risking the full wrath of the law. One thing is for sure, the General Public can't tell the difference. So don't be surprised if your Farmer, or the Police, get a telephone call that "there is a bloke shooting seagulls out in the field", which will no doubt land you in some level of inconvenience. They are not an agricultural pest, their true "vermin" status is very limited, you certainly don't want to eat them, so why bother shooting them ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco you missed another one Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Hi everybody, Quick question for you all, I do see a lot of gulls around my area, I personally don't shoot them due to the fact that I can't do a stew with them. Question: Why are on the vermin list? what is a good "reason"for the kill? Why Defra is allowing all of us to hunt them? Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Boy Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) Hi everybody,Quick question for you all, I do see a lot of gulls around my area, I personally don't shoot them due to the fact that I can't do a stew with them. Question: Why are on the vermin list? what is a good "reason"for the kill? Why Defra is allowing all of us to hunt them? Marco, If you were really hungry you would (and could) stew them! The Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull and the Herring Gull are on the quarry list because there numbers are v.high and they pose a threat of desease to livestock,foodstuffs and fisheries etc. There are approx 20 species of Gull, so unless you are capable of recognising the three types on the quarry list, don't shoot any because some RSBP anorak might be glassing you and there is a massive fine for shooting any protected bird species plus your shot gun ticket would automatically be revoked! C.B. Edited February 12, 2008 by Country Boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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