General Licence Confusion...

[Batchee59 0]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and like Gareth I was confused by the general licence and what it does or doesn't allow. Thanks to those that have replied to Gareth's question I am now a bit more the wiser and didn't realise that it relates more to birds. So, just to be absolutely clear on this (sorry to be boring!!) if I can find a farmer or Golf course willing to let me unleash my new air rifle then I don't have to prove to the Police that the rabbits I am shooting were destroying crops or the nice smooth green at the twelfth hole, I can just shoot them as I wish provided I have written consent/proof from whoever owns the land, and the Police can't challenge my actions, is that correct?

 

Also, as Malt states (thanks), the general licence concerns only birds - (again, is it ONLY birds, or MAINLY birds with a few select mammals included and if so, how do I find out which mammals are protected and why?) - can you clarify for me whether it is ok to ONLY shoot pigeon IF I can show written proof from, say, a crop farmer that he needs them culled to protect his crops OR can I for instance, shoot pigeons on ANY land (Golf Course, private woods for instance?) where I was initally given permission primarily to shoot rabbits, but decided, off my own back, to take the odd few pigeons that I come across WITHOUT then having to prove to the Police that they were a nuisance to the landowners interests, as I am on private land anyway?

 

Also, the bit by phantom (thanks) about Bonnie Prince Charlie, means that I can legally shoot ANY Grey squirrels, provided that I am on private land, and WITHOUT having to prove they were a nuisance to anyone? Is that correct?

 

Any help with clear answers will be gratefully acknowledged. Tight lines and full bags .. Batchee59

Edited December 2, 2010 by Batchee59

[Phantom 631]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

 

As with all legislation from government it's sort of down to 'interpretation'

 

I have permission on a cemetery that states ONLY bunnies so I can't shoot other pests on that land; not even rats.

 

I also have other permissions that allow me to take all pest/vermin species.

So my interptetation would be (because non of the species at all are crossed off or specified) I am allowed to shoot them for a number of reasons that are listed under the general licenses. For example, Corvids on the paddock. They are a danger to the horses as they have been witnessed attacking the young shetlands eyes. The rabbits dig holes and they cause a threat to the horses should one fall down and break its leg.

The rats are a disease carrier and can also cause problems for the horses.

Ferral pigeons are a health hazzard to the horses as they gather around certain areas and leave massive amounts of droppings that become a health issue. Magpies destroy the eggs and chicks of the songbirds that nest in the hedges.

Grey Squirrels by royal command are to be culled and controlled so that the Native Red Squirrel will one day be able to return and flourish throughout Britain as they used to.

 

As long as you have written permission to be on the land and kill only things mentioned on the Licences you do not need to prove anything (apart from permission) to anybody including the Police, incidently I have great respect for the Police Force so lets call them Police yes? And they have been no trouble to me when I've been out shooting, even after being "Called out" to me after some idiot decided he didn't like what I was doing

 

The licenses, do relate more to bird species, but certain mamals are also pest's/vermin. Some obviously are not suitable for control by sub12 airguns and are more suited to Centre Fire fac such as Fox Etc.

 

Other birds species are classed as game and are only allowed to be shot when in 'Season' Ducks for example, but who in their right mind would try to take a flying Duck or Goose or Pheasant with an air rifle?

When in season, if you have the permission and such 'game' is on the ground, and you can hit the brain, then an airgun is more than adaquate.

 

All the best

 

Phantom

[SEAN3513 7]

further more:

 

any land owner / tennant has a legal obligation to control rabbits

 

sorry is this has already been mentioned

[Malt 379]

This is where the 'authorised person' on the general licence comes in.

 

Say for instance you have permission to shoot rabbits only. By shooting any other vermin, you are breaking the agreement with the landowner/occupier, and in the case of any birds, breaking the condition laid down on the general licence and therefore the law.

 

In the case of game, (ducks/pheasants/etc) it's down to the discretion of whoever owns the sporting rights to the land. This may be the landowner/occupier, or someone else who pays for the privilege.

 

It's always worth having down on paper exactly what you can or can't shoot on any given permission, just in case.

 

 

further more:

 

any land owner / tennant has a legal obligation to control rabbits

 

sorry is this has already been mentioned

Jeez Sean, get with it..

[Phantom 631]

further more:

 

any land owner / tennant has a legal obligation to control rabbits

 

sorry is this has already been mentioned

 

Very true oh great one

 

Unfortunately though part of that legislation has now been removed, so one land owner can not take another to court even if he can prove that the damage to his own crops is being caused by the rabbits from another property

 

Thus it becomes the responsability of the person suffering the crop damage to deal with them when said bunnies are on his land where as the person used to be able to demand that his neighbour deal with them. Now thats f'kin confusing

 

Phantom

[SEAN3513 7]

sorry mal .............long day !!!!

 

tony.......yes confusing to say the least !!!!!

 

 

the theory is therefore:

 

if you see a rabbit dispatch it !!!!!!! ( with suitable permission )

[Thomson 0]

Good thread, answered some of my own thoughts also.

Quick question to save making a new thread for it, just when i seen it mentioned here.

 

if I can find a farmer or Golf course willing to let me unleash my new air rifle then I don't have to prove to plod that the rabbits I am shooting were destroying crops or the nice smooth green at the twelfth hole,

 

I live quite near a golf course, and have been thinking about checking in to see if need any rabbits taken out.

Just wondering who i would speak to..? Is a posh place from what ive seen, So wouldnt want to mention to the wrong person and ruin the chances, so was thinking a groundskeeper type would be best bets, Do most golfcourses have a groundskeeper etc?

 

Sorry for the thread hijack, didnt want to make a new one.

[Phantom 631]

The head Green keeper is a start

 

If you can talk to him he may give you thepermission or he may take it to the committie for discussion

 

Some may even asess you via means of either recomendations from other land owners or even a formal interview in front of a panel.

 

You certainly have nothing to loose and quite a lot to gain

 

Phantom

[Batchee59 0]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

 

As with all legislation from government it's sort of down to 'interpretation'

 

I have permission on a cemetery that states ONLY bunnies so I can't shoot other pests on that land; not even rats.

 

I also have other permissions that allow me to take all pest/vermin species.

So my interptetation would be (because non of the species at all are crossed off or specified) I am allowed to shoot them for a number of reasons that are listed under the general licenses. For example, Corvids on the paddock. They are a danger to the horses as they have been witnessed attacking the young shetlands eyes. The rabbits dig holes and they cause a threat to the horses should one fall down and break its leg.

The rats are a disease carrier and can also cause problems for the horses.

Ferral pigeons are a health hazzard to the horses as they gather around certain areas and leave massive amounts of droppings that become a health issue. Magpies destroy the eggs and chicks of the songbirds that nest in the hedges.

Grey Squirrels by royal command are to be culled and controlled so that the Native Red Squirrel will one day be able to return and flourish throughout Britain as they used to.

 

As long as you have written permission to be on the land and kill only things mentioned on the Licences you do not need to prove anything (apart from permission) to anybody including the Police, incidently I have great respect for the Police Force so lets call them Police yes? And they have been no trouble to me when I've been out shooting, even after being "Called out" to me after some idiot decided he didn't like what I was doing

 

The licenses, do relate more to bird species, but certain mamals are also pest's/vermin. Some obviously are not suitable for control by sub12 airguns and are more suited to Centre Fire fac such as Fox Etc.

 

Other birds species are classed as game and are only allowed to be shot when in 'Season' Ducks for example, but who in their right mind would try to take a flying Duck or Goose or Pheasant with an air rifle?

When in season, if you have the permission and such 'game' is on the ground, and you can hit the brain, then an airgun is more than adaquate.

 

All the best

 

Phantom

 

Hi Phantom, many thanks for such a warm welcome and a very quick response to my various questions!! You have answered them all very comprehensively, many thanks and it is very heartwarming to find someone (a stranger as well) so freely generous with their hard won knowledge!! I can now see what grey areas these general licence interpretations seem to be but with your valuable help I now know how to 'demist' them so to speak.

 

I take your point about the term I used for the Police and apologise to you and other forum readers if I have offended? I will of course edit my first posting and henceforth give them their correct title!! You are correct in what you say and they, as you infer, do a good job and in fact, as I have discovered from talking to several local police officers over the years, know that a decent percentage of them actually support and participate in fieldsports of one kind or another when off duty. Shooting seems to be a favourite amongst them and indeed I know of one in my area who quit the Police Force ten years ago because of his passion for shooting, to become a gamekeeper which he still is to this day, so kinda proves the point really?

 

Thankyou again phantom for your help and I shall remember and use your reasons for targeting the various quarry should I be challenged about my actions - common sense really I guess?. Thankyou again and kind regards. Tight Lines and Full Bags .... Batchee59

Edited December 2, 2010 by Batchee59

[Thomson 0]

The head Green keeper is a start

 

If you can talk to him he may give you thepermission or he may take it to the committie for discussion

 

Some may even asess you via means of either recomendations from other land owners or even a formal interview in front of a panel.

 

You certainly have nothing to loose and quite a lot to gain

 

Phantom

 

 

Thanks for that.

Might go round sometime too see them. Maybe after this snow lifts, if it does

 

Thanks again

[Phantom 631]

A pleasure Gent's,

 

You'll find many of us here that will help out people with our knowlage and guidance if we can and if we can't we can usually find someone else who can

 

We also help people out physically as and when we can, ie: take someone onto our permissions for a days shoot or share shoots with others and occasionally meet up at an agreed time for the odd competition and urine extraction session (well we have to otherwise we wouldn't get along as well as we do!) :11:

 

Take care

 

Phantom

[SEAN3513 7]

A pleasure Gent's,

 

You'll find many of us here that will help out people with our knowlage and guidance if we can and if we can't we can usually find someone else who can

 

We also help people out physically as and when we can, ie: take someone onto our permissions for a days shoot or share shoots with others and occasionally meet up at an agreed time for the odd competition and urine extraction session (well we have to otherwise we wouldn't get along as well as we do!) :11:

 

Take care

 

Phantom

 

 

Hmmmm.........sounds like grooming to me ??

[Phantom 631]

:11: Edited December 2, 2010 by Phantom

[SEAN3513 7]

 

 

:laugh:

[rossi_j 99]

Good thread, answered some of my own thoughts also.

Quick question to save making a new thread for it, just when i seen it mentioned here.

 

if I can find a farmer or Golf course willing to let me unleash my new air rifle then I don't have to prove to plod that the rabbits I am shooting were destroying crops or the nice smooth green at the twelfth hole,

 

I live quite near a golf course, and have been thinking about checking in to see if need any rabbits taken out.

Just wondering who i would speak to..? Is a posh place from what ive seen, So wouldnt want to mention to the wrong person and ruin the chances, so was thinking a groundskeeper type would be best bets, Do most golfcourses have a groundskeeper etc?

 

Sorry for the thread hijack, didnt want to make a new one.

 

Mate, go for the greene keeper everytime because its his job you wil be making easyer and he will clear it with the owner/manager with no probs whatsoever, and if you realy chat him up after a while he might leave a buggy out for you to get around the course/lamp from.

Hope this helps.

.atb. .ste.

 

 

Edited to say only read first page didnt see second one, beat me to it phantom lol

Edited December 3, 2010 by rossi_j