joeshaw08 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I've been shooting for a certain permission for around 8 months and it's been ideal as it's right next to my house. It took me a while to get on there as the farmer is very difficult to get along with, but I finally got the yes which I was over the moon with. Since then it hasn't been a brilliant relationship between me and him. The first time was when I was out decoying over some clover and the pigeons werent coming in, but there were alot of rooks around in the trees. So I politely text him to see if I could have a go at those, he text back saying "No, not while they're nesting". Fair enough, so I left it. About 5 minutes later I saw him coming over in his wagon. He got out and said "You are taking this for granted, I let you on here to shoot the pigeons and now you want a go at the crows." Sorry for asking. After a chat and once it had settled down I left and carried on shooting a field close to mine, STRICTLY PIGEONS! I would text him each time if I could go, sometimes he'd say yes, sometimes no but I always let him know. I'd also let him know if there was somebody joining me, he'd always reply saying "Ok" or "Ok, just in the same hide though". Plenty of times I'd tell him this and get the same reply. So I went out yesterday pigeon shooting over stubble on my own, and then my Dad was coming along for an hour or so. I didn't text him this time to say he was joining me, as I ASSUMED it would be ok as it has been in the past, plus I didn't want to bother him while he was combining. We shared the same hide in the same place and shot for an hour or so and he was under my supervision (he has a shotgun and a certificate of his own aswell). Anyway, I had a text this morning from the farmer saying "Was somebody shooting with you yesterday?" to which I replied "Yes, we were sharing a hide. Sorry I didn't let you know I didn't realise he was coming until the last minute". He then replied "You just take it for granted all the time well thats it no more shooting." Well that's it then, shooting has been lost because I 'assumed it would be ok'. I am absolutley livid and kicking myself about it. So there's a lesson learnt the hard way, make sure you let your farmer know, even if he has approved time and time again and don't assume it'll be ok. Although I am in the wrong, I do feel rather hard done by here. Gutted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 (edited) I'd take him a big bottle of scotch and discuss with him, even draw up a set of rules for you to both stick to, i think you have a good chance of getting it back if you keep your cool and show him that you are serious and you care about what he thinks. Edited August 19, 2009 by Evil Elvis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 does sound like he was being a bit of a knobber, its a two way street its not just beneficial for you its also his pest control being done for nowt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 what kind of farmer likes crows?? seems like an awkward guy indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeshaw08 Posted August 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I'd take him a big bottle of scotch and discuss with him, even draw up a set of rules for you to both stick to, i think you have a good chance of getting it back if you keep your cool and show him that you are serious and you care about what he thinks. That sounds like a good idea, but i'm that ****** off at the moment I just feel like telling him to shove it up his ****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 EE's right. Talk it over and give him a bottle of something. He should at least acknowledge your mistake and that you're trying to rectify the situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeshaw08 Posted August 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Well I sent a reply back to him saying "I don't take it for granted at all, I am very very grateful for being able to shoot there but it was just a matter of me assuming it would be alright as i've let you know plenty of times before if this would be ok, so I didn't think it would be a problem. I'm very sorry if it is." I could go and make up with him over a bottle of whiskey but I'm in two minds about it. Yes, I absolutley love being able to shoot so close to home and I get some good shooting there. But on the other hand, I don't want to be looking over my shoulder at him everytime I go out shooting, i'll end up hating the sport. He is a very, very difficult person to get along with he always has been since we moved there, he's shot several dogs who go onto his land and is generally an ****, but then sometimes he can be quite pleasant. Everytime I see him I'm worried that he's going to have a go at me for something I've not done. I just don't know if it's worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I'M gutted for you as well mate, it must be horrible Id ring the Farmer and arrange a meet / chat, explain to him how serious you are and offer your profound apologies for the missunderstanding ref the extra shooter in the hide. Don't let the grass grow under your feet though just get on out there and find another farm, this time of year most farms will let you go for the pigeons. Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benellimelody Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 He does sound like a bit of a *** to be honest It depends how much you want the permission. If you keep your cool and meet face to face you might be able to agree on some terms and conditions As for the crows - if they were rooks, some farmers tend to like them cos they eat wireworms etc but to me it just sounds like he's being awkward ATB James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benellimelody Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 How come blue ***, coal *** and great *** are not allowed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectra26 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Testing, titanium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeshaw08 Posted August 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I'M gutted for you as well mate, it must be horrible Id ring the Farmer and arrange a meet / chat, explain to him how serious you are and offer your profound apologies for the missunderstanding ref the extra shooter in the hide. Don't let the grass grow under your feet though just get on out there and find another farm, this time of year most farms will let you go for the pigeons. Regards Alan Cheers, I have two other farms I can shoot on and they are both really nice blokes (one even gave me a lift home in his tractor!) and are both very grateful for having me on them. I'm not sure what it is about this one. I heard before I shot it, that he was charging people to shoot his pests but i'm not too sure about that. It's not as if I'll be left with no shooting at all, this is just a very handy permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I shoot a 2 farms around Cov - one of the owners is very good, but wont let you take rabbits, and the other as friendly as heck, as long as you obey his strict rules. I take the view that it is their land and want total control over what happens on it and if I break the rules I risk loosing the shoot. So, I grovel like heck, give them the pick of my bag, a Christmas present, lend a hand if I see someone struggling to push/pull or lift something, always let them know if I see a dodgy fence post or wire, and then keep my freezer and sausage machine plenty busy. Perhaps you should restart the relationship with a bit of grovelling, some fresh prepared rabbit and a bottle of something to wash it down with, as it does seem that from the outset he wasn't happy with you being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I can't understand the comments that criticise the Farmer, he sounds like a lot of the ones that I have known over the years. Its their land and they are entitiled to be as "possessive" about is as they want. The deal was that the shooter had to text before shooting and ask if he could take someone with him, he didn't and the Farmer found out and took away the shooting. Bad luck, but the Farmer has done nothing wrong. On almost all of my permissions I am not permitted to take anyone with me, whether I ask or not. jowshaw08, I would suggest that give it a week (not much longer), then go and see him face to face and apologise , also thank him for the past facility. Taking a bottle with you is optional, I wouldn't in the circumstances. If he doesn't throw his arms around you and welcome you back immediately, ask if its OK if you ask him again some time in the future for your permission to be reinstated. Its important that your relationship doesn't end on a sour note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Send him a bottle of his favourite tipple with a note saying you know you were wrong to presume he'd be OK with another gun just because it was OK before. Explain your dad called last minute and said he'd pop down for an hour and you just didn't think. Let him know that if he does need a hand with the woodies or even a helping hand around the farm that you'd be happy to help and wouldn't make the same mistake twice. In fact I'd go as far as saying that no other gun would accompany you in future unless the farmer specifically asks. He sounds like a grumpy man, but if it's on your door step I'd do a little grovelling if I were in your shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 He sounds like an awkward ****, he is getting pest control free gratis, remember that he has to get this done, i'd tell him to shove it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 If you send anything or text then you don't deserve the permission. As Cranfield has said, be mature and go and see him personally. Take a nice bottle of scotch and grovel as much as you need to. It takes a long time in this life to get a good reputation, but you can loose it overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 He sounds like an awkward ****, he is getting pest control free gratis, remember that he has to get this done, i'd tell him to shove it.... Wrong advice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Depends how you look at it, the persons I shoot for and with are open with me, they give me help if needed and advice and you can have a chat with them, it's give and take, you help them and they help you, why should you grovel? remember he is getting the benefit of it too, if he is awkward with everyone then eventually no-one will want to shoot on the land. I know i am exceptionally lucky as the main land i shoot on is a long time family friend, and to be honest i shoot alot more than i ever have to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclemicky Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I wonder what that feels like "to grovel" just to do some shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 You have to look at it from the farmers point of view he had a person, who he may not know armed with a gun shooting on his land even if under supervision its still not right, my dad and grand dad are always wary about letting people shoot on our land incase something happens so i have taken up the job when ever possible so just think about what you do before you act in this potential make up as it does sound like a handy permission. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I think when anyone is using the term "grovel", they don't really mean, "to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility", although the "humble" bit is probably about right. Its just the direct opposite of telling the Farmer to "shove it". None of us have the right to shoot on someone else's land and just a bit of respect and commonsense is needed in this case. All those that use the, "doing them a favour" argument, I suggest go and express that view to their Farmers and see how many possessions they have left after the exercise, might be an educational experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenshooter Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 That sounds like a good idea, but i'm that ****** off at the moment I just feel like telling him to shove it up his ****. Not knowing you Joe, I can't really say but this post of yours does you no credit at all. It's his land, you made a mistake, (he has to pay insurance to ensure people on his land like you don't sue him) and then you display an attitude like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Depends how you look at it, the persons I shoot for and with are open with me, they give me help if needed and advice and you can have a chat with them, it's give and take, you help them and they help you, why should you grovel? remember he is getting the benefit of it too, if he is awkward with everyone then eventually no-one will want to shoot on the land. I know i am exceptionally lucky as the main land i shoot on is a long time family friend, and to be honest i shoot alot more than i ever have to work. I do hear what you are saying. Bottom line is he didn't let the farmer know someone else was going to shoot on his land! I also said the farmer sounds like a grumpy fella, but hey, it's his ball and he can be what he likes. We have to play the game they want to play, or we can can go else where. I'm lucky that my friends permision allows me to go any time I want, even without a phone call, but not all farmers are like that. Whatever this chap decides to do, he shouldn't burn bridges. An apology and tail between his legs will cost him nothing, really p*ssing the farmer off could cost him something; Word travels fast and farmers know farmers. That was my point, not taking sides, just thinking out loud which is easy to do as I ain't emotionally involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclemicky Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Jo you say in post 7 "Everytime I see him I'm worried that he's going to have a go at me for something I've not done. I just don't know if it's worth it." It cant be a very pleasant situation , I would stick to the other two permissions you have and do a really good job as those two farmers sound like normal human beings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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