Toombsy Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 There's a couple of rape fields just down the road from me. A good 50-60 acres each. There's a 100 acre wood spitting distance away from the field. I drive past those fields almost everyday, and a month before Christmas I noticed the pigeons building up until there were at least 100 of them, sat proud as punch nipping all the new shoots off. So, soon after I stopped by the barn and spoke to the farmer's son. Evidently, last year they lost around 15 acres of rape to pigeons - and he wants them sorting, but he said to ring his dad. So I did. The conversation went okay to begin with and I thought I was onto a winner, but then he got all shirty with me and started to rant and rave about how he's let shooting rights to other people and they haven't been there when he wants them there. So I thanked him for his time and he hung up. I have just driven past the field again and the stainless steel spinners he's put on the field to scare off the birds now have friends - about 15 white plastic bags on sticks. Meanwhile, slap bang in the middle of the assortment of bird scarers are a flock of almost 300 pigeons. Now, he's obviously as stuborn as ****, but would you take the plunge and ring him again, to ask once more and politely tell him of the problem again, or would you leave him alone and let him lose quarter of the field to the birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 i wouldn't bother ringing him again sounds as if he is p..sed of send him a letter with your contact details on and hope for the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Providing you can fill the gap where others have failed and turn up when needed... call him again and point out the ongoing problem once more. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 i would let them eat it all.sod him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I would drop him a card off with a note saying if you change your mind contact so and so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Go and see him,you could be anyone on the end of a phone. Let him see your serious and know what your talking about..explain that all you want is to prove you will be on top of his pigeon problem as and when needed,and as soon as is possible... Why bite your nose off to spite your face,nothing to lose and some shooting to gain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 If your still looking it's a difficult dilemma. If you have found others I'd find it hard not to phone him again and indicate you see he's still losing crop to pigeon that you offered to reduce for him - then put the phone down on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 It sounds to me like this farmer has given permission to weekend shooters who are unable to turn out during the week . Unless your able to shoot mid week you are not going to be able to keep the pigeons off . Most farmers can get cover on the rape at weekends . If you did get permission to shoot at the weekends he would proberbly craze you to shoot during the week and your friendship would suffer . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soontjen Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) There's a couple of rape fields just down the road from me. A good 50-60 acres each. There's a 100 acre wood spitting distance away from the field. I drive past those fields almost everyday, and a month before Christmas I noticed the pigeons building up until there were at least 100 of them, sat proud as punch nipping all the new shoots off. So, soon after I stopped by the barn and spoke to the farmer's son. Evidently, last year they lost around 15 acres of rape to pigeons - and he wants them sorting, but he said to ring his dad. So I did. The conversation went okay to begin with and I thought I was onto a winner, but then he got all shirty with me and started to rant and rave about how he's let shooting rights to other people and they haven't been there when he wants them there. So I thanked him for his time and he hung up. I have just driven past the field again and the stainless steel spinners he's put on the field to scare off the birds now have friends - about 15 white plastic bags on sticks. Meanwhile, slap bang in the middle of the assortment of bird scarers are a flock of almost 300 pigeons. Now, he's obviously as stuborn as ****, but would you take the plunge and ring him again, to ask once more and politely tell him of the problem again, or would you leave him alone and let him lose quarter of the field to the birds? did he actualy say point blank no ? i had this reaction it's only the farmer pointing out to you he don't want to be messed around .. nearly exactly the same words ..it might be worth going to see him and just listening ,, you might have got hold of the wrong end .... after all it's worth it in the long run i've got about 26 fields to shoot know ,, they need to think as they can trust you after all it's there call .. pop back ..........all the best with it Edited January 23, 2009 by soontjen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 well guys the long and short of it is the farmer owns the ground fullstop. he has the right to give and take away permission to shoot. sounds like he hsa been promised the world by other weekend shooters and been let down.i would send him a letter with your contact details. show a mature attitude and respect his wishes.i have 3500 odd acres to shoot for a number of farmers and i never dream of calling any of them short sighted.you may be surprised to hear there are quite a few shooters out there who ask permission and mess up by leaving gates open after them leaving livestock to roam.others leave a mess and are happy just for the days shooting and never think about a steady permission. respect the farmer and he will respect you. remember that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipmoff Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I would go up and speak to the farmer in person take a permission slip and a card or your contact details. Have a chat with him explain you are local or pass by the land regularly so you are keeping an eye on the crops already. Ask him what he would like from you ie how often he wants you out or explain how often you can realisticly go out. If you have a shooting partner you can trust and someone is needed up there at short notice, should you not be able to make it personally explain that you may be able to get a friend up there for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I'd go and see him in person.Like others have said-he's probably had umpteenth people promise to shoot there regulary and i daresay they do initially,but they probably got other permissions and his gets left behind.Explain to him how often you can shoot over his land and when-ie weedays or weekends.Farmers know that majority of shooters do it for a hobby and wouldnt be able to dedicate 50hrs a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hux001 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Everyone here must have previously once experienced the fustration of not being able to sort out a problem after being told by a prospective resolver how possible it is. This farmer is currently in the mindset of wanting results. Deliver a result to him and he shall be your friend for life. I'd say that if you are actually up to it, tell him this and deliver on it. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I would never telephone someone I didn't know and ask for shooting permission. Go and see him, let him see and hear that you are a responsible person, who he will be safe to let shoot on his land. If you don't have a card, show him your SGC and BASC membership card (if you have one) and regardless of the outcome, make sure he has your name and telephone number. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Well, thanks a lot for all your hints and tips. So, I've taken a few good photos to show him exactly what's going on down there - that should be enough proof as he can see his sheds in the background. Each of those photos are dated (as you can do with digi cameras) and I will keep taking some throughout the week and hand them to him one day. If I've been there and had enough spare time to photograph them.... I could have taken my gun along too. So what do you say, My Farmer? And do you have any daughters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazkb Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 personally i have allways found it best to go and speak to him directly face to face, take any references you have along with membership of any groups like basc and your insurance, tell him how dedicated you are and how you are willing to respond to his needs and then ask him for a trial, metion you have at least one other friend with the same outlook and you help each other (to cover a large area allways takes at least 2 guns) and be patient with him, he's obviousley had a bad time in the past, i got my shoot for the same reasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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