Hunting Permission.

[James Worrall 4]

In my experience obtaining permission to shoot is mainly a matter of "networking".... getting to know farmers in your area. Once you have one, then the others follow because you can get other contacts through him. To get that first one, look on google maps first, and then have a drive around your area. Slowly, and stopping often... so that you can see for yourself if there is an abundance of rabbits, pigeon, or crows. Take note of the places that have lots of poultry.... or pig farms, as those in particular will have lots of rats. Having said that, for best success with rats you need some night vision equipment. People who keep horses on their land hate rabbits which dig holes to trap a horse's hoof.

 

Don't be afraid of stopping at a farm and just knocking at the door and asking politely if you can shoot pest species on the farm using an air rifle. By being specific you are letting him know that you are not going to make loud bangs to upset his stock animals or shoot holes through the roof of his barns. Wear decent casual clothes. Not too smart, and not scruffy or in camo gear. Give an impression of respectability and responsibility. The worst thing that can happen is that the farmer will say no. There is therefore nothing to lose! If you get the "no" answer, then just be polite, apologise for disturbing him, and thank him for his time. If the answer is anywhere near a "yes" or a "maybe" then make an appointment to visit at another time that will be convenient for him to show you around.

 

If the answer is that he has someone come round regularly to poison his rats (many do have), then enter into discussion about how effective he feels that it has been. Ask him if he still sees rats around. (He will have!). If he answers that he has a shooter than comes round already to deal with the rabbits, pigeons or crows, simply enter into discussion about how often that person comes. It wouldn't be unusual for him to tell you that the last time the shooter came round was a month or two ago. Many farmers will have more than one person visiting to shoot pest species.... the extra person could be you. As far as he is concerned it doesn't matter if another person gives the pests some attention.

 

Don't claim to be the answer to all his pest problems. You are not ever going to wipe them all out! He knows that! Be realistic, and joke that you will only be able to knock down a few to help keep the numbers down. Even if you only deal with two or three of his rats or one rabbit in an afternoon session he will actually still be happy! If you get more, then he will be even more happy, but that isn't essential.

 

When you do have success..... let him know! (Take a photo to show him). A couple of days ago out at a farm permission I bumped into the farmer and his wife at the end of a lean afternoon's shooting. "Done any good?" he asked. "Just a pigeon, a magpie, and one little rat". "Oh good" he says. "Well done". His wife was more impressed that I had got the single rat. "Can you come and have a session at the rats that live under my hot tub in the garden?"

 

You bet I will

 

Rod

Thanks very much RodN for the very useful advice, alot of people have told me to knock on doors which is fair enough but i didnt really know what to say or what i should have with me. From reading your comments i am alot more confident about getting a permission so thanks very much for helping me get started. i really appreciate it.

[RemyBolt 420]

Just to pop my 2 cents on here. How well can you shoot?

 

If you're going to be out there shooting and maiming rabbits, I'd probably just start off going to a shooting club first and learning to get and keep a good grouping...regularly.

 

One of the biggest issues with getting a gun and going out there, you don't know the law, and could end up in deep water or with a fine, or worse. Things like proximity to a road, public paths, backdrops, and knowing what's a safe shot to take, will all take time. Going out with a gun you've just got...potentially very dangerous.

 

No offense, I'm sure you are probably a very sensible person, but learn to shoot first, then get reading through this forum to learn the do's and don'ts of air gunning.

 

I knew a guy that refused to take a shot on a deer nicely outlined on a hill in Scotland because there wasn't a backdrop for the bullet to go to if he pulled his shot and missed. Good job too because he could have sent a pulled into a house on the side of the other hill. So that decision could have saved a life. I have a great rabbit spot, but if I take the shot and miss, I will either put the pellet through a window, or through a bush and into the road. So I have to come at those rabbits from the other side and make sure my pellets go away from the road and away from the house.

 

Get your shooting up to speed first, read the forum, and start leafleting the area e.g. local farms, garden centre's, golf courses, and the alike. This way you have a foot in the door while you're still practicing to get good.

[James Worrall 4]

Just to pop my 2 cents on here. How well can you shoot?

 

If you're going to be out there shooting and maiming rabbits, I'd probably just start off going to a shooting club first and learning to get and keep a good grouping...regularly.

 

One of the biggest issues with getting a gun and going out there, you don't know the law, and could end up in deep water or with a fine, or worse. Things like proximity to a road, public paths, backdrops, and knowing what's a safe shot to take, will all take time. Going out with a gun you've just got...potentially very dangerous.

 

No offense, I'm sure you are probably a very sensible person, but learn to shoot first, then get reading through this forum to learn the do's and don'ts of air gunning.

 

I knew a guy that refused to take a shot on a deer nicely outlined on a hill in Scotland because there wasn't a backdrop for the bullet to go to if he pulled his shot and missed. Good job too because he could have sent a pulled into a house on the side of the other hill. So that decision could have saved a life. I have a great rabbit spot, but if I take the shot and miss, I will either put the pellet through a window, or through a bush and into the road. So I have to come at those rabbits from the other side and make sure my pellets go away from the road and away from the house.

 

Get your shooting up to speed first, read the forum, and start leafleting the area e.g. local farms, garden centre's, golf courses, and the alike. This way you have a foot in the door while you're still practicing to get good.

I have little knowlage on shooting at the moment but i have started going to my local range to get upto speed with it. the last thing i want to do is get permission to shoot on someones land and be a terrible shot. i aim to build a good reputation with local land owners and not get thrown off because of my shot. i dont know the do's and dont's of the law as of yet but will before i shoot on someones land.

 

Thanks for your help and advice.

[RemyBolt 420]

Word perfect answer.

 

If you've got a dog, get walking it on the footpaths around the area and get to know local people. They can be a good route into the landowner's circle of trust (network).

 

If you have a chicken farm near you, offer to help with rat control. ALL chicken farms have rats.

[j j m 6,555]

Knock the doors mate thats how most of us started

[The one 8,503]

If your shy about knocking on doors go along to a feed merchant and ask if you can leave a card or two for folk to see

[Darkie69 76]

Hi James,

 

depending on where you are in Lanarkshire bearing in mind it's the biggest county in Scotland, I have a couple of permissions that allow me to take another person with me and would be happy enough to have a chat first before taking you out (not literally ) on the ground.. As the lads above have said, it takes a bit of time and more often than not it's who you know and chapping doors that get the results.

 

Darkie