Fox Control in built up areas

[rowey 1]

Been asked if I can help "relocate" some problem foxes at a local cricket pitch. All around the site are houses with a cemetery to the south where I'm sure they are breeding. Because of houses and bunny huggers overlooking the the place snaring and cage trapping will be a problem. I could definitely shoot them. Would use a silenced .22 or .17 with them coming to bait from a raised position.(don't want to use centrefire). Would be purely as a favour to the groundsman. No payment asked for or offered

 

My ticket is open. I am insured

 

So the questions are.

 

Has anyone on here got experience of this? (shooting in enclosed built up areas)

 

Whats the legal aspect?

 

Should I ring the police?

 

Thanks

 

Rowey

[FightTheBan 1,147]

I tought it was illegal to discharge a gun less than 50 metres from a public highway (presumably that includes houses and roads too). I would ask the police first, hindsight is no good when your dealing with firearms. Can you not hav a look around for an earth and do them that way?

FTB

[hawkhigh 2]

hi mate

 

I get calls all the time to clear fox's and i have come across this problem alot i fine that there will be 1 or 2 people that getting pissed with the fox's and they mite be happy for you to do the trapping in there garden or if not i have late night and very ealy morning setting and removing the trap before people start getting up to walk there dog.

 

And on the firearm talk to your firearms officer that is what he/she is there for but as rowey said you need to be more than 50 metres

from houses and highway.

 

Well good luck mate

 

[Leicester hunter 0]

Hi Rowey,

 

bit of a strange position you're in.

 

Legally, i cant see any issues, as long as your 50 ft from roads etc, (use .17 due to rocochet) but i assume the main issue is updetting the locals?

 

dont really know, but I would approach your FEO and possiblly BASC and seek their advice.

 

Good luck mate.

[rowey 1]

Thanks for that. Aware of the 50mts rule and thats from the centre of the road but its 150 yards min from there anyway. Trouble I have is that locals are feeding em so they are fox friendly. Will ring the FEO

 

Cheers

[riohog 5,701]

the fact that you have an open ticket ,the ownuss is on you to make the desision as to wether it is .safe and legal .if its legal and you are confident ..shoot them!

[Leicester hunter 0]

the fact that you have an open ticket ,the ownuss is on you to make the desision as to wether it is .safe and legal .if its legal and you are confident ..shoot them!

 

I think what rowey is stating is that he is aware of the legal issues etc, just wants an easy way to not upset the locals! (if one exists!?!?!)

 

good luck with that one mate!

[waidmann 105]

i would get in touch with whoever owns the land you CAN shoot on(cemetary,public land etc).

its not easy when people are sticking their noses in

if you have a couple of fields nearby why not try to call them to there?

 

good luck

[rowey 1]

i would get in touch with whoever owns the land you CAN shoot on(cemetary,public land etc).

its not easy when people are sticking their noses in

if you have a couple of fields nearby why not try to call them to there?

 

good luck

 

It's deepest surburbia mate. Only the cemetery is open and beyond that more houses. Spoke to BASC and they confirmed its up to me as someone said earlier. I may well borrow a mates nightvision set up and go at 2 or 3 in the morning. There is a 160 acre farm a mile from it where we shot 23 off in no time so you can see the problem.

[Leicester hunter 0]

i would get in touch with whoever owns the land you CAN shoot on(cemetary,public land etc).

its not easy when people are sticking their noses in

if you have a couple of fields nearby why not try to call them to there?

 

good luck

 

It's deepest surburbia mate. Only the cemetery is open and beyond that more houses. Spoke to BASC and they confirmed its up to me as someone said earlier. I may well borrow a mates nightvision set up and go at 2 or 3 in the morning. There is a 160 acre farm a mile from it where we shot 23 off in no time so you can see the problem.

 

23? thats some going mate!

[waidmann 105]

the best of luck with them bud

[Deker 3,478]

There always seems confusion over the 50 foot rule...this is it......

 

161

2. If a person without lawful authority or excuse;

 

(a) lights any fire on or over a highway which consists of or comprises a carriageway; or

 

( discharges any firearm or firework within 50 feet of the centre of such a highway, and in consequence a user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered, that person is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

 

Highways Act 1980 section 161 (2)

So it is only a problem if there is a problem!!

 

If you use a moderated .22lr you should not interrupt or disturb anyone.

 

Make sure you have fox on your FAC for the .22lr, make sure you have the right permission, make sure you survey the area thoroughly, make sure you have insurance cover, make sure you TELL the Police, if you have everything in order you do not need to ask them, you tell them.

 

I would STRONGLY suggest you do NOT tell the neighbours or you will probably end up with a riot!!

 

In simple terms just do everything Game and Vermin Controllers do on a daily basis!!

Edited February 16, 2010 by Deker

[garyw 0]

as stated check with your insurance.tell plod what your doing and when saves the a.r.u turning up waving there h+k about i use a .17rem for a few golf courses and a cricket pitch all have houses to there boundrys. 50feet from a highway only if someone is at risk so you shoot away from it-common sense really,and if you can shoot from an elevated position even better.

[Jaggsy 25]

I'm in central London quite a bit with regard to shooting foxes, just to get the record straight here are some hard facts..

 

(1) make sure you have insurance (for firearms)

 

(2) .22 Rimfire is my choice and its almost ALWAYS an elevated shot (forget the .17 unless you want it to be your last job for the client)

 

(3) Almost all of this work is covert, discretion is the order of the day

 

(4) YOU decide whether or not to inform the Police your not obligated to, i've had clients that have insisted we dont because of the publicity and believe me if you get through to the wrong sort its more trouble than its bloody worth! (its my license and once i've taken everything into consideration i make the decision to inform them or not)

 

If anyone is confused by this last comment (and theres bound to be some) i'm happy to explain further

 

HTH

 

 

Martin

Edited February 19, 2010 by Jaggsy

[ferretkeeper 0]

Martin I hear you couldnt hit a cows arse with shovel Your old mate Andrew (PREDATOR )