shooting advice

[KDR 14]

A work mate of mine has a big house with a really big garden...

it is surrounded by tree's and high fencing..he is being bombarded with feral pigeons and has asked me to shoot them for him.

simple question really...am i aloud to go in there blasting away or are there laws and restrictions to what i can do...

 

Thanks in advance.

[ArchieHood 3,692]

As long as you shoot within your boundary's you can take them out.Just make sure their not Doves or a locals Racing Pigeons, apart from that your OK

[fellpack 7]

the wildlife and countryside act states that all wild birds are protected. you just cannot go shooting birds for the sake of it just cause their annoying you you need a reason which has to be under general licence example risk to human health if you dont satisfy the licence comands you can be done £5000 per bird shot (you never know who is watching you)

[zini 1,939]

So when Fred Carter shot all them feral pigeons in that farmers barn on Spring Time Pest Control or 24 Hour Rabbit Raid, I cant quite remember which one, why wasn’t he fined and why has he sold so many DVDs if what he was doing was illegal?

 

I didn’t see any risk to human health there

 

Where is the risk to human health for shooting corvids for killing song birds in their nest?

 

Where is the risk to human health for shooting doves around a farm building like John Darling did in his DVDs?

 

I think that sometimes rules are written but don’t take into account other rules and what other agencies are doing.

 

What does other people think?

 

Si

[fellpack 7]

yea but he had a reason stated which was conservation you shoot birds for fun and think nothings wrong with that on your own head

[moxy 617]

Culling pigeons on farms is a whole different kettle of fish!! As they roost, perch and scavenge they constantly shite everywhere, contaminating animal feeds and bedding.Not to mention crop protection .Culling on farms also reduces harbourage which in turn lowers a good population getting established.

This would be acceptable for control under the general licence.

Forget what somebody else said or did on some old video/DVD, its your knackers for the chop if it ever came to prosecution and im sure that " well john darling did it " wouldnt be much of a defence.

 

Back to the question, You would have to check out the general licence for yourself and make your own mind up. Unless your mate has an absolute massive garden and your sure that your shot will be safe with no chance of a ricochet into a neighbouring property, then fill your boots. However all it takes is for a miss shot bird to drop into next doors flapping and bleeding everywhere and scaring the kids, or mrs smith next door who is anti gun and loves feeding the dirty buggers everyday to see what your up to, one call to the old bill and you have a few questions to answer.

Are you insured? and if so does your insurance cover you to shoot within an urban residence?

 

Forget it anyhoo, you will land round at your mates, have a can or two and nail the buggers anyway, regardless.

Good for you whatever you decide.

 

atb

[noisey 1]

i agree with zini. if the skems are causing a problem they are pests so need to go and so can the doves if they are collared. i am normally a shot gunner but enjoy a it time out with the airgun round the barns and pens up the shoot, all good fun. stop preaching

[KDR 14]

Thanks for the advice lads, its not as straight forward as i thought...

I like the can idea maybe we'll have a dozen cans and sod the shooting.

[zini 1,939]

Hi KDR,

 

Just say that the pigeons keep dive bombing the children then mate as that a health hazard to humans.

 

Might take a eye out LOL

 

Always a reason there just need to find it mate.

 

At this rate we will only be able to shoot corvids and pigeons when they come at us with ninja swords or flick knives LOL.

 

Si

[stevieskin 4]

KDR,

just read the relevant general licenses mate. If you are convinced after reading them that you are in the right to shoot them then go for it.

If you have any doubts then leave well alone mate. It is surprising how many people seem to think that the general licenses are a "free for all" to shoot any bird listed on them. There are specific conditions that must be met. Misuse of the licences can only mean more restrictions on our hobby in the future.

[moxy 617]

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/genl05_tcm6-7669.pdf

 

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/genl07_tcm6-7671.pdf

 

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/generallicences.aspx#a

[KDR 14]

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/genl05_tcm6-7669.pdf

 

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/genl07_tcm6-7671.pdf

 

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/generallicences.aspx#a

 

Thyanks for that moxy...was just gonna ask where i could find them...