MC Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Following on a bit of a debate with some friends, When we shoot my flight ponds there is always a chance of seeing some woodcock. I saw 4 tonight, 2 would have been the best chance of a left and right I will ever see. I didn't shoot them as I wasn't sure if they could be shot on a sunday. The person I was with seemed to think you can. They come into the wildfowl classification for the severe weather ban so therefore as they classed as fowl or game? The eley shooters diary is a bit vague but lists them along with several other birds that may be shot on a sunday except in scotland and in certain counties in england. Does anyone really know? Google was no help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Now you ask, after that perfect opportunity I also had for a left-and-right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Yes, It was that time that got me thinking. It just happened again, I was in the hide where you were and the same two birds came right through the middle of the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 I might depend on the county in which you are shooting. Taking Inland duck in Suffolk on a Sunday is.................................allowed? If anyone has the definite answer on this and can point me in the right place i'd be grateful. Sorry for the aside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Never shot woodcock on a Sunday Could be wrong but i don't as there such a graceful bird and always thought of them as a game bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 (edited) Magman, I have never shot one either, but mainly due to not knowing if you can or not. On two seperate occasions on my flight ponds a left and right would have been possible and neither time they were shot. I have always thought they were a game bird but if you read the Eley shooters diary it appears that they aren't. Edit, According to BASC they are a wader the same as a snipe or Golden Plover. Edited January 18, 2009 by MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chippy18 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Game surely so no to Sunday. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 http://www.basc.org.uk/content/shootingseasons Sets out the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Well no actually it doesn't. I am fully aware of the seasons, my question was Can woodcock be shot on a sunday? I think they can although I am not sure so I am asking the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 ("Game" means hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath and moor game and black game. Rabbits are not included). No mention of woodcock there now you have me thinking MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Well no actually it doesn't. I am fully aware of the seasons, my question was Can woodcock be shot on a sunday? I think they can although I am not sure so I am asking the question. AYE IT DOES Sunday and Christmas Day Shooting England & Wales: No game (including hare) may be shot in any county on any Sunday or on Christmas day. Before the passing of the wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Orders prohibiting the shooting of wildfowl on Sundays could be made under the provisions of sections 2 and 13 of the Protection of Birds Act 1954. Although Sunday Orders can still be made under Section 2 (3), none have been made. However, some Sunday Orders made prior to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 have not been repealed and are still in existence. They have the effect of making it illegal to shoot wildfowl on a Sunday in the following counties (or parts of counties in existence before the 1974 re-organisation): Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 When I first read your question I thought the answer would be game. But now I'm not so sure. If the Eley diary is saying that they can not be shot on Sunday in Scotland then that means it is classing them as wildfowl rather than game. Game can be shot in Scotland on Sunday, but wildfowl can not. If the diary is right, then it looks like you can shoot them along with your ducks. But still, I'm uncertain.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 When I first read your question I thought the answer would be game. But now I'm not so sure. If the Eley diary is saying that they can not be shot on Sunday in Scotland then that means it is classing them as wildfowl rather than game. Game can be shot in Scotland on Sunday, but wildfowl can not. If the diary is right, then it looks like you can shoot them along with your ducks. But still, I'm uncertain.......... Does it not mean that its illegal in the following counties in england - be it game or wild foul??? Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Does it not mean that its illegal in the following counties in england - be it game or wild foul???Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire. No you cannot shoot game anywhere in england on a sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 No you cannot shoot game anywhere in england on a sunday Well if it wild foul it cannae be shot in thise counties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 had a google and seems its classed as game SO cannae be shot on a sunday in england Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted January 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 had a google and seems its classed as game SO cannae be shot on a sunday in england I would say that your Google is inaccurate, This is taken directly from DEFRA 3.1 Waterfowl Bird species listed in Schedule 2 Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are protected during the close season (1st February to 31st August above high water mark of ordinary spring tides except where indicated with a *) but may be killed or taken outside this period. - Capercaille* (close season 1st Feb. to 30th Sept.) - Mallard - Coot - Moorhen - Duck, tufted - Pintail - Gadwall - Pochard - Goldeneye - Shoveler - Goose, Canada - Snipe* (close season 1st Feb. to 11th Aug.) - Goose, Greylag - Teal - Pink-footed Goose - Wigeon - Goose, White-fronted (England & Wales only) - Woodcock - Golden Plover 3.2 Game Birds The current legislation dealing with game dates back to the nineteenth century (e.g. Parkes & Thornley 1987). The Game Act 1831, which applies in England and Wales only, defines ‘game’ birds as pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game, black game and great bustard. Woodcock and snipe are included in the provisions of the Act but not classed as game. In Scotland, the Game (Scotland) Act 1832 does not define game, but in practice the definition under the Night Poaching Act 1828 is used: pheasants, partridge, grouse, heath or moor game, black game and bustards. It was also held to include capercaillie (removed as quarry species in 2002 for Scotland only) and ptarmigan. Wildfowl are not covered by the Game Acts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJUK Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Off topic but related. No game (including hare) may be shot in any county on any Sunday or on Christmas day. May I ask why is this the case? Is it just an old rule that has never changed with the times of stores opening on a Sunday/modern life etc? I'm not complaining. I'm just asking Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 MC An interesting question. I have always believed them to be game and as such never shot them on Sunday. I have just looked at the GCT website and they list 'cocks as game !. However their season would suggest wildfowl as we can't shoot them on the last day of the pheasant season. Good question...............definitive answer awaited with baited breath. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsportshooter Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 (edited) .. Edited January 18, 2009 by Newsportshooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsportshooter Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 Off topic but related. May I ask why is this the case? Is it just an old rule that has never changed with the times of stores opening on a Sunday/modern life etc? I'm not complaining. I'm just asking Jon Probably something to do with religion - Anyone non-Christian on here, maybe you should have a go at the government for being "racialist"€™ init tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfox Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 weird we can shoot it any day we like over here as long as its in season of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Bloody religion gets everywhere...........save hunting .....shoot a vicar a day............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-munsters Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 From what I was taught. Not shooting game on a Sunday comes from a difference in class rather than religion. Traditionally, Sunday was the only day of rest for "working class" people. The working classes also used to work from dawn till dusk. By banning the taking of game on a Sunday it, in effect, reserved game for the upper clases (those normally thought of as maintaining the game, or owning the game holding land). The upper classes being the only people who could have time off work during the week. Hence the long reaching (and wrong!) idea that "game shooting is an upper class sport" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) Are the "no shooting on Sunday" laws archaic? Should they be repealed? Everything is open on a Sunday these days, even Sainsbury's. Personally I like it just the way it is, but these laws should be reviewed from time to time. Edited January 20, 2009 by Whitebridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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