Rook Branchers Shooting

[Dominic_newman2002 1]

Any one know what date is looking good for shooting branchers, got a new bsa r10 I am keen to try out

[ArchieHood 3,692]

.........................May 13th.

[Dominic_newman2002 1]

Is this a set in stone date, wasn't 100% sure with the different weather we have had

[moxy 617]

.........................May 13th.

Sorry mate. That dates no good for me. I have a docs appointment.

 

What about the 14th?

[ArchieHood 3,692]

 

.........................May 13th.

Sorry mate. That dates no good for me. I have a docs appointment.

 

What about the 14th?

 

Better make it the 12th to be safe, 24hrs to live and all that...............

[moxy 617]

Jobs buggered then. Can't do that date neither. What about next year...?

[ArchieHood 3,692]

.....it depends on the weather

[moxy 617]

.....it depends on the weather

Fook it then! I will stick to the rabbits.

 

What you going to do Dom?

 

Can't have that R10 and itchy fingers sitting idle.

[Dominic_newman2002 1]

Thanks for the useful info. I know it is usually around the 13th may. But with all this different weather we have had as of late not sure if anyone had noticed any early signs.

[andyfr1968 772]

Why shoot them? Apart from noise problems if they're close to houses, they cause feck all problems. I've often wondered why rooks are even on the 'vermin' list. If anyone can enlighten me I'd be greatful.

[moxy 617]

TBH Andy, I only encounter them on the farms I work. They are as destructive as any other corvid and will take advantage of a weak lamb.

They will nest rob, particularly from ground nesting birds such as the lappy and curlew. The main issue is poking holes in silage bails.

Due to the large numbers they congregate in they can also cause major devistation to crops. Although not so much up my neck of the woods as we all bum sheep. Pretty much like the welsh.

A combination of the above puts them on the list amongst others such as noise, droppings and abundance of numbers.

I think this covers a reasonable answer without getting too anal mate.

 

Atb

[andyfr1968 772]

Fair comment, Moxy. I know they do cause a bit of grief but it's a small amount compared to other corvids especially crows and maggies.

 

Most of the time I see them they're just digging around for grubs. Maybe I'm a little soft towards rooks as many years ago I had to clear a very old and well established rookery due to a new houseing development on the outskirts of Collingham. I felt a lot more sorry for the rooks than I did for the folks moaning about the noise.

[moxy 617]

Andy that's the problem most of the time. People and nature don't mix. I have townie clients who live in spectacular rural locations. Simply bought into the country dream but can't handle the wildlife. It's all well and good boasting to the joneses about how great it is to have all this nature on your doorstep. But unmanaged or proofed out, it starts to eat your dream country cottage garden, you have to get a man in, behind closed doors.

Some folk are quiet the hypocrite.

 

Identifying the pest you are dealing with sometimes helps. Some folks can't tell the difference between rooks, crows, and jackies.

[andyfr1968 772]

I've got exactly one of those right now. He's a friend of a friend who's recently bought a lovely big house with a few acres of pasture next to it in north Leeds and all the rabbits that have been happily minding their own buisiness for many years are now the devil's children.

 

They cause little to no damage really but because they're sometimes eating a few of his precious plants, they've all got to die.

 

I guess this may sound funny to some folks reading this.....

[TimS 49]

I agree mate. Nature and wildlife is to be enjoyed, not decimated!

 

I do believe in balance however and some species will dominate over others by breeding or predation which is why they need to be controlled eg, Muntjac Deer, Grey Squirrels, Magpies, Rabbits etc... If this is not the case however and they are not a nuisance or causing damage, I think we as hunters need to use common sense and leave them alone, even if they are on the general licence.

 

Tim