How much should I ask for on a FAc application?

[cubix]

Hello All

 

I've been lurking for a few months now reading this excellent forum, and I have finally have something relevant to ask! just hope I have it in the right section.

 

I'm just about to acquire some land in the borders, about 15 acres of dense spruce forest and some open scrub/moorland, which also has sporting rights.

 

I'll be applying for a FAC certficate soon, I know what I would like to ask for (a .22 rimfire for bunnies/vermin/ground game, and a .234 for deer) but I'm not sure whether to ask for it all up front, or start off with a humble request first (e.g. .22 rimfire only) then build up to it.

 

The problem is this : because I'm the owner it seems I have a legal duty to keep pests/vermin under control. The place is rabbit hell, and I'll be implementing a plan to thin out the non native sitka spruce and replant with native/broadleaves, so the deer control will be an issue, and there are a lot of roe deer there.

 

The current owners already pay a gamekeeper to do it for them, which I won't be doing, so does that fact mean the FLO will not have to drive 2 hours up and 2 hour back to assess the land? It's quite isolated, have a ton of photos of it I can show them, OS maps etc, it's down one side of a valley with with lots of soft earth backstops and no dwellings for a good mile or more, and even they are not visible. I'd assume that if someone else shoots deer there currently then it has already been assessed as suitable? In practice, it is very shootable and safe.

 

There is an agreement with the neighbours that we can go onto each others land to retrieve fallen game, naturally you need to take your weapon with you to finish the animal off if needed, which I couldn't do if I was restricted only to my land.

 

In short, becasue of the management responsibilites I have for the land and practicalites of the situation - I need a .22 rimfire and .243 centrefire more or less immediately, on 'open' terms.

 

I started shooting vermin with an air-rifle at my families stables when I was 10, but have not been so active in doing that over the last few years. I'm a member of a local shooting club and have passed their safety training and assessments, and I'm a fit and proper person to own firearms as far as I know!

 

I know there are a lot of very experienced people on the forum and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on how I should play this.

 

Best regards.

[tulkyuk]

If you have a valid reason to aquire both these calibres ( which you clearly have), they will not refuse you for both calibres on your first application.

 

as for getting an open ticket on a first time application it may be possible as other have had it, but dont hold your breath unless you have a really good FLO

[David BASC]

Cubix,

 

TT is spot on.

 

Ask for all the land you are likely to need to go on initially as well.

 

Ask for everything up front, if you ask for alterations / variations later on then that will cost you money!

 

David

[highseas]

hi you my have the same FAO as me he is a good feller and verry pro shooting as far as i can see if the ground is safe their should be no probs as you have a "good "reason to have both rifles

[cubix]

Hello All

 

Thanks for the replies and re-assurance, highseas - I think I'll come under northumbria police, and I have heard nothing about how they approach issuing a FAC - can't even find a mention of it on their own own website.

 

CBX