Suffolk shooter Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 I had a call to attend a meeting with one of the farmers whose land I shoot for vermin only. My initial thought was "oh **** what have I done wrong", and took a bottle of wine for him and his wife to say thanks for letting me shoot there as a bit of a sweetner. I needn't have worried though, as when I gave it to him and said thanks, he said "You needn't have done that, it should be me thanking you for helping me out with the vermin", and his wife said "It's been a pleasure having you on here" (bum cheeks unclenched at this point). We sat down chewing the fat and with me asking about the neighbouring farms and a couple of large balance ponds I had seen on OS maps and Google earth, he said why do you want to shoot there? I explained that I was keen to expand the land I shot over in the immediate area so that I had the opportunity to get to where the birds were rather than hope that they were feeding on his every time, as well as maybe getting permission on the balance ponds for ducks. He said not a problem and that he would speak to the adjacent farmers for me. He then went on to say that he has fallen out with the guy who had a pheasant release pen on his land and had a small shoot (Couple of drives) every year, because all he cared about was the pheasants and thought that the farm should revolve him and his shoot. He offered me the chance to take it on and when I asked how much. he simply said "Don't be daft, you're doing me a favour in the pigeon, corvids and rabbit department, the stuff is just sitting there, make use of it. You just pay for the feed and birds" He then asked whether I had got my FAC and when I said I had been meaning to talk to him about it, he said take it as read, get it sorted, I need the rabbits, fox and Muntjac taken care of. At this point, I must admit to my mind spinning, small shoot, FAC all for free can life get any better! Well, It did, he then said that as I wanted to flight the ducks on the neighbouring farms and he knew I was into my wildfowling, that I could also feed the ponds (Three smallish and one largeish) on his land and shoot the ducks, geese in season. Again no charge, other than the feed. I have to say that this morning I am still on Cloud nine, and can't quite believe that all this has landed in my lap. All I have done since shooting there is phone up to say I am coming/leaving, been courteous when I have seen him and his wife, picked up my empties and made sure that I have left the place looking as I found it, shoot a few (And I do mean a few) birds and a couple of rabbits as its been hard going, and basically kept my nose clean. When I have been out on the fields and with his permission I have switched off the bangers, moved flags, scarecrows etc and then replaced them back when leaving, kept to the tracks and fields he allowed me to shoot on (Complicated due to some of the boundary properties owners dislike of him for a completely seperate non-farming related issue). It just goes to prove, that there are indeed farmers out there who aren't all money grabbers, who do appreciate the little things and makes the task of lugging gear across wet plough and margins for very little return worthwhile. But not to be complacent, it was easy to get, but its now down to me to ensure I keep it and don't do anything to give him reason to regret letting me do it. So onwards and upwards, and here's to the forthcoming season, but for now I have pigeons and rabbits to sort out. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 well done Jamie, it shows Farmers like an honest bit of help and you get out what you put in, PS I look forward to helping with the ducks on OUR new ponds lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 well done mate. top result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 SS have you woken up yet and realised it was all just a dream? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 well done Jamie, it shows Farmers like an honest bit of help and you get out what you put in, PS I look forward to helping with the ducks on OUR new ponds lol Yes I'll be charging £70/flight SS have you woken up yet and realised it was all just a dream? I must admit at the time, I thought I'd smoked a funny fag on the way over or something, but I asked three times what it was going to cost and each time he said just the feed, cartridges and time. See Highlander, not all landowners want paying, they want good honest hardworking people (I'll let you know when he finds someone to fill that position ) I admit its strange, but he isn't even a shooting man himself, so there's no likelyhood of me putting time, effort and money in and him taking it over, although ultimately as in all cases its his land, his right to give or withdraw permission, so I just have to make sure I keep my nose clean, don't assume and check he's happy with what I propose to or have done. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokie Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Are you sure he doesnt want you to marry his ugly daughter. Well done , great result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Happy Days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Result! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ91 Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 cricky i wish i could have such luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 cricky i wish i could have such luck All respect to you Russ, but maybe when you are a bit older it will happen. I don't mean that in a derogatory way, but farmers just like anyone else in my (and no doubt others) experience are extremely wary of who they let on their land whatever they age and experience. Most permissions are got by a lucky break, and in this instance I can safely say this was a lucky break. Right time, right place and right attitude. Keep at it, your posts since you joined to now have grown as has your knowledge, and I have no doubt that you are a sensible and respectful shooter. If you lived closer, you'd be welcome to come out with me. SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 cricky i wish i could have such luck All respect to you Russ, but maybe when you are a bit older it will happen. I don't mean that in a derogatory way, but farmers just like anyone else in my (and no doubt others) experience are extremely wary of who they let on their land whatever they age and experience. Most permissions are got by a lucky break, and in this instance I can safely say this was a lucky break. Right time, right place and right attitude. Keep at it, your posts since you joined to now have grown as has your knowledge, and I have no doubt that you are a sensible and respectful shooter. If you lived closer, you'd be welcome to come out with me. SS nice one SS. although you do sound like Yoda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ91 Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 cheers ss on my main permission i get along realy well with the farmer and his family but sadly there no flight ponds or streams that ducks go on and shooting game is not allowed to be shot on there as he likes to see the partridge that come on the land but he has just given me 45 more acre of permission that he owns but there is just pigeon on there and the pigeon only feed on that land in the summer when the barley has been cut. but on all my permission it is mainly pigeon in the summer as there is only a handful of bunnies on there and nothing for other vermin to munch on during the winter. but thanks for the offer ss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 nice one SS. although you do sound like Yoda one day master this shooting of permission you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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