TTD Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Hi Guys, I've been lurking here for quite a while reading all of the helpful information, thanks to all those that contributed. I now need a question answered. I have permission to shoot vermin on local land, the farmer would like me to concentrate on a barn which is overrun with pigeons. The barn has 2 closed sides and 2 open sides, the problem is that one of the open sides is adjacent to a vets. I am a basc member and have written permission / maps showing the land I am allowed to shoot and only shoot away from the vets with a suitable backstop. I use a .22 legal air rifle. The question, if I were to shoot a pigeon and it were to fall the other side of the fence on the vets land, how do I proceed? Shoot I go and retrieve the dead pigeon? Should I just leave it? I personally would prefer to collect the pigeon as the vets are not happy that I am clearing out the barn, they also regularly feed the pigeons. Thoughts? Many thanks Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 I would say not to shoot the open side which is adjacent to the vets to be honest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turk101 Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Hi mate and welcome to the site. I personally don't see any problem shooting the barn, you have written permission etc. if any of the pigeons happen to fall the side of the vets, i would just leave the air rifle in the barn and go retrieve the pigeon. this is just my own personal opinion and i'm sure some1 will correct me if i'm wrong, but legally i would say you are doing nothing wrong. hope this helps regards turk101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Hi, Bit dodgy is'nt it. By the sound of it the last thing you want to risk is upsetting the vet. I would not recover a bird from his property without his permission. How about getting the farmer to explain to the vet the reason why he has asked you to carry out the vermin control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Going on to someone elses land, to retrive fallen game, or pest species (dead or otherwise) is illegal. Not only is it trespassing, but you are considered to be the owner of any shootable speicies while it's on your land, so if you take it off someone elses, it's considered stealing (i.e Poaching). This can become worse if you take your rifle with you, you can be arrested for Armed trespass. I would either talk to the vet and see if you can get permission to enter his land to retreive fallen birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 If you need to shoot where birds may fall into the Vets land, then I would certainly go and speak to the Vet about permission to retrieve them. Not all Vets are Antis and the pigeons (probably ferals) may be causing a nuisance to him. However, his customers might be offended and not understand the situation. Personally, I would keep away from that end of the barn, just to avoid a possible confrontation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popgun Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 I had much the same probs with a country park and rabbits came to an agreement with the warden to shoot the rabbits early mornings summer time when no body was about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD Posted March 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the welcome and all the helpful opinions. I will ask the vet for permission but if it is not granted and one does fall on his land could I get into any bother?* Or would the fact that I have asked for permission to remove the pigeon negate any argument the vet may have against "littering" for use of a better phase *A local PCSO did come and visit to see what I was up to (not sure how he knew I was there, possibly called by the vets). After he had seen my paperwork he left without an issue. Thanks again edit: So the real question I guess is, if permission is refused am I ok to leave the pigeon where it falls? Edited March 8, 2009 by TTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick O'Shea Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 I smell a bit of a rat with the vets - it might only be one person the one feeding them but they could cause you some unwanted grief - it sounds like you are doing all things correctly but it is not worth shooting towards the vets - you wouldnt want a stray pellet on their land! If by any stroke of misfortune a pigeon ends up on the vets land despite shooting away from the vets - this shouldnt happen though if you are only taking head shots which is essential with a legal limit air rifle then at least the pigeon is in the best place if it stands any chance of survival! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD Posted March 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 (edited) I smell a bit of a rat with the vets - it might only be one person the one feeding them but they could cause you some unwanted grief - it sounds like you are doing all things correctly but it is not worth shooting towards the vets - you wouldnt want a stray pellet on their land! If by any stroke of misfortune a pigeon ends up on the vets land despite shooting away from the vets - this shouldnt happen though if you are only taking head shots which is essential with a legal limit air rifle then at least the pigeon is in the best place if it stands any chance of survival! Thanks for the quick reply, I agree about the vets. The barn has a 2-3 meter metal skirt around the roof / rafters of the barn, where the pigeons perch. They prefer the vets side of the barn, most likely because of the ease to escape / food supplies. Also they are all clean head shots but I have had one fall straight down and roll off of the dividing wall on to my land. If it were to roll the other way, I could see myself in the above situation. Your sure right about survial! Edited March 8, 2009 by TTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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