General Licence

[walshie 2,804]

I don't really shoot birds this time of year, but I know a lot of you do. I was having a discussion about this the other day and thought I'd ask the question in this section as more people are likely to be able to give an informed opinion.

 

Let's say you got to Farmer Smith's farm where you have permission to shoot. You walk around and manage to shoot say half a dozen woodpigeons out of the trees.

 

My question is how can this be covered by the GL which clearly states you can kill them for the following reasons?

 

• to prevent serious damage (e.g. to crops and livestock) or to prevent disease
• to protect and conserve flora and fauna
• to preserve public health or safety

Not wanting to start an argument, but could the GL be used in those circumstances?

[Jonjon79 13,358]

It's ok by me Walshie. Pigeons will keep dropping their faeces all year round so, can continue to cause a health risk.

So when the trees are bare and they're easier to see, I'll keep putting them in the freezer.

 

Also, Spring is only 3 - 4 months away so, I'm happy to control corvid and magpie numbers.

[Rabid 1,936]

We have crops growing all year round, yes even winter ! oilseed rape is a favourite for pigeons, and it's about the one crop tall enough to poke through snow, therefore gets hammered, so yes I would say general licence covers it.

[walshie 2,804]

It's ok by me Walshie. Pigeons will keep dropping their faeces all year round so, can continue to cause a health risk.

So when the trees are bare and they're easier to see, I'll keep putting them in the freezer.

 

Also, Spring is only 3 - 4 months away so, I'm happy to control corvid and magpie numbers.

 

Cheers for the response JJ.

 

I understand the corvid thing and songbirds etc. But to say pigeons shitting is a H&S risk or "to prevent disease" is a bit tenuous, don't you think?

[walshie 2,804]

We have crops growing all year round, yes even winter ! oilseed rape is a favourite for pigeons, and it's about the one crop tall enough to poke through snow, therefore gets hammered, so yes I would say general licence covers it.

 

I get that too, but unless you are actually in the rape field when they are eating it, surely you can't shoot them in a field devoid of crops on the off-chance they might at some stage?

 

As said, not wanting an argument, just kicking a few ideas about.

 

I wonder if any of the above would stand up in court? Not that it would ever get to that of course.

[Rabid 1,936]

In fairness most of my pigeon shooting is done over fields of rape, or in a hide in the fields hedgerows near a favourite tree of theirs, but I would imagine you could sit under any favourite trees, even away from the rape field, shoot one, open its crop and a massively high probability of rape been in the crop.

 

Interesting thought though walshie, I am going to start checking crops, because if they are hitting one field and shot in another, then would the licence cover it ?

[walshie 2,804]

In fairness most of my pigeon shooting is done over fields of rape, or in a hide in the fields hedgerows near a favourite tree of theirs, but I would imagine you could sit under any favourite trees, even away from the rape field, shoot one, open its crop and a massively high probability of rape been in the crop.

 

Interesting thought though walshie, I am going to start checking crops, because if they are hitting one field and shot in another, then would the licence cover it ?

 

That's what I was thinking. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it. i actually have a S1 shotgun just for crop protection, but if they aren't actually attacking said crop, some could say you only shooting them on suspicion of what they are doing or might do.

 

The other thing we discussed was people shooting them in their gardens. I can't see how that would be covered as being a nuisance is specifically excluded.

[Jonjon79 13,358]

 

 

It's ok by me Walshie. Pigeons will keep dropping their faeces all year round so, can continue to cause a health risk.

So when the trees are bare and they're easier to see, I'll keep putting them in the freezer.

 

Also, Spring is only 3 - 4 months away so, I'm happy to control corvid and magpie numbers.

Cheers for the response JJ.

 

I understand the corvid thing and songbirds etc. But to say pigeons shitting is a H&S risk or "to prevent disease" is a bit tenuous, don't you think?

No, not really mate.

They'll sit in trees and eat from berry bushes this time of year but, they'll still roost in barns and any other shelter. And, of course, they'll still poo.

 

I helped to wash it off the path outside a farm shop on one of my permissions last week.

[walshie 2,804]

 

 

It's ok by me Walshie. Pigeons will keep dropping their faeces all year round so, can continue to cause a health risk.

So when the trees are bare and they're easier to see, I'll keep putting them in the freezer.

 

Also, Spring is only 3 - 4 months away so, I'm happy to control corvid and magpie numbers.

Cheers for the response JJ.

 

I understand the corvid thing and songbirds etc. But to say pigeons shitting is a H&S risk or "to prevent disease" is a bit tenuous, don't you think?

No, not really mate.

They'll sit in trees and eat from berry bushes this time of year but, they'll still roost in barns and any other shelter. And, of course, they'll still poo.

 

 

I know. I've seen the roof of my car.

 

My point is everything craps, so surely that can't be the factor that makes the shooting legal. If it was, you would never need any other reason.

[tomburras 2,730]

Often thaught about this too, when shooting pigeons on areas where there not feeding on crops directly at the time - then it's early shooting in perperation for when they actually are.

[Jonjon79 13,358]

 

 

 

 

It's ok by me Walshie. Pigeons will keep dropping their faeces all year round so, can continue to cause a health risk.

So when the trees are bare and they're easier to see, I'll keep putting them in the freezer.

 

Also, Spring is only 3 - 4 months away so, I'm happy to control corvid and magpie numbers.

Cheers for the response JJ.

 

I understand the corvid thing and songbirds etc. But to say pigeons shitting is a H&S risk or "to prevent disease" is a bit tenuous, don't you think?

No, not really mate.

They'll sit in trees and eat from berry bushes this time of year but, they'll still roost in barns and any other shelter. And, of course, they'll still poo.

I know. I've seen the roof of my car.

 

My point is everything craps, so surely that can't be the factor that makes the shooting legal. If it was, you would never need any other reason.

...... and my patio

 

However, the General license does allow for disease control.

 

Specific species only of course.

[walshie 2,804]

Often thaught about this too, when shooting pigeons on areas where there not feeding on crops directly at the time - then it's early shooting in perperation for when they actually are.

 

But surely you can't shoot something for what it might do but hasn't done yet?

[pianoman 3,587]

I shoot a lot at this time of year around the barns as they come in to roost. The amount of faeces they drop in the barns they roost in, is disgusting and surely, a Health hazzard to farmworkers who have to work in these places?

[tomburras 2,730]

During foot and mouth outbreak 2001 I was in agricultural college and it closed for the duration of the outbreak. During that time I stayed on a farm helping out and mostly shooting keeping crows ect off the farm. Some good shooting that was!

[tomburras 2,730]

 

Often thaught about this too, when shooting pigeons on areas where there not feeding on crops directly at the time - then it's early shooting in perperation for when they actually are.

 

But surely you can't shoot something for what it might do but hasn't done yet?

Very true walshie can't argue with that to be honest.

 

Edit: no doubt they have been at some point tho.