General Licence

[Rabid 1,936]

 

Forgetting bird tables for a minute, if someone went to a spot that had nothing but grass fields for miles and miles, how could they justify shooting a pigeon?

All of my ground at present is down to grass, but it is not just any old grass, it is a feed mix and has a high percentage of clover, unfortunatly the pigeons love it for the same reasons as the cattle and sheep, therefore if I leave the pigeons to feast, they take all the clover first and some of the best grazing has been taken from the animals it's meant for.

I have seen days when there are 1000 plus pigeons on the grass fields, they do just as much damage on grass as any other crop.

Grass is still classed as a crop.

 

Not disputing any of that. Maybe that's the case in certain circumstances as you described, but most grass encountered when out isn't feed grass. I think using that as an argument in most situations would be clutching at straws a bit .

I think it would take some facts to prove it, but I would say (my opinion) any farm that has fields down to grass is for a reason, grazing, so provided that grazing/grass is rented out for animals, or the farm has their own stock on the fields, then it is classed as a crop.

So surely by the very terms of the GL, pigeons destroying a crop, they can be shot over grass ?

 

I think the problem would arise in most people do not look at grass as a crop, and that's the point you would need to be able to prove to make it legal under GL

[walshie 2,804]

 

 

Forgetting bird tables for a minute, if someone went to a spot that had nothing but grass fields for miles and miles, how could they justify shooting a pigeon?

All of my ground at present is down to grass, but it is not just any old grass, it is a feed mix and has a high percentage of clover, unfortunatly the pigeons love it for the same reasons as the cattle and sheep, therefore if I leave the pigeons to feast, they take all the clover first and some of the best grazing has been taken from the animals it's meant for.

I have seen days when there are 1000 plus pigeons on the grass fields, they do just as much damage on grass as any other crop.

Grass is still classed as a crop.

Not disputing any of that. Maybe that's the case in certain circumstances as you described, but most grass encountered when out isn't feed grass. I think using that as an argument in most situations would be clutching at straws a bit .

I think it would take some facts to prove it, but I would say (my opinion) any farm that has fields down to grass is for a reason, grazing, so provided that grazing/grass is rented out for animals, or the farm has their own stock on the fields, then it is classed as a crop.

So surely by the very terms of the GL, pigeons destroying a crop, they can be shot over grass ?

 

 

Agreed. IF the grass is a crop. IF the land has stock on it or will shortly and IF the pigeons are destroying it. 100% yes.

 

But we all know that is not the case the majority of the time.

 

My point is a lot of people go out killing for the sake of it and then come out with spurious reasons to justify it.

[Rabid 1,936]

 

 

 

Forgetting bird tables for a minute, if someone went to a spot that had nothing but grass fields for miles and miles, how could they justify shooting a pigeon?

All of my ground at present is down to grass, but it is not just any old grass, it is a feed mix and has a high percentage of clover, unfortunatly the pigeons love it for the same reasons as the cattle and sheep, therefore if I leave the pigeons to feast, they take all the clover first and some of the best grazing has been taken from the animals it's meant for.

I have seen days when there are 1000 plus pigeons on the grass fields, they do just as much damage on grass as any other crop.

Grass is still classed as a crop.

 

Not disputing any of that. Maybe that's the case in certain circumstances as you described, but most grass encountered when out isn't feed grass. I think using that as an argument in most situations would be clutching at straws a bit .

I think it would take some facts to prove it, but I would say (my opinion) any farm that has fields down to grass is for a reason, grazing, so provided that grazing/grass is rented out for animals, or the farm has their own stock on the fields, then it is classed as a crop.

So surely by the very terms of the GL, pigeons destroying a crop, they can be shot over grass ?

Agreed. IF the grass is a crop. IF the land has stock on it or will shortly and IF the pigeons are destroying it. 100% yes.

 

But we all know that is not the case the majority of the time.

 

My point is a lot of people go out killing for the sake of it and then come out with spurious reasons to justify it.

I agree, a lot of folk don't give it a second thought when out shooting not just pigeons, but any of the corvid family also.

Probably fine 99% of the time, but if the question is ever asked, you need to be on the right side of the line, and able to prove you have met the requirements.

Another question, roost shooting, how does that meet the GL requirements ? National pigeon day ?

[walshie 2,804]

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

[just-A-snap 1,269]

It is all dependent on the mood of the nation? Like the drug laws, in my lifetime I have seen them administered with zeal and with a softly softly approach. The local law enforcement interprets any law that is in line with the community and local authorities recommendation.

 

The farming community when it is a farming community is more relaxed when it come to those animals on the UK Vermin list. Good or bad that is just the way of things. Try shooting anything here in London then the law reverts to being a Zealots Dream. The Law is the Law, if you do not like it then try to have it change. Red Traffic Lights are there to be obeyed by all.

Edited November 13, 2016 by just-A-snap

[walshie 2,804]

It is all dependent on the mood of the nation? Like the drug laws, in my lifetime I have seen them administered with zeal and with a softly softly approach. The local law enforcement interoperates any law that is in line with the community and local authorities recommendation.

 

The farming community when it is a farming community is more relaxed when it come to those animals on the UK Vermin list. Good or bad that is just the way of things. Try shooting anything here in London then the law reverts to being a Zealots Dream. The Law is the Law, if you do not like it then try to have it change. Red Traffic Lights are there to be obeyed by all.

 

Also agreed, but drug dealers don't post pics of themselves dealing drugs in some seedy alley somewhere. People who shoot outside of the GL seem to love posting pics and write ups of them doing the deed.

[just-A-snap 1,269]

I am with you walshie on this, like you I do not think that one should kill just for the sake of killing.

 

All the best mate

[Rabid 1,936]

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

 

"They would say" does that meet the terms ? I would say if that's ok as a reason then you can shoot them anywhere at any time whenever you feel like it as undoubtedly they will have been hammering a crop somewhere.

[walshie 2,804]

 

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

"They would say" does that meet the terms ? I would say if that's ok as a reason then you can shoot them anywhere at any time whenever you feel like it as undoubtedly they will have been hammering a crop somewhere.

 

 

That's my point. If anything can somehow be twisted to fit the GL, then why is there a GL at all?

 

I'm in charge of the questions on this thread not the answers.

[tomburras 2,730]

 

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

"They would say" does that meet the terms ? I would say if that's ok as a reason then you can shoot them anywhere at any time whenever you feel like it as undoubtedly they will have been hammering a crop somewhere.

Exactly what I have been trying to get at.

[tomburras 2,730]

 

 

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

 

"They would say" does that meet the terms ? I would say if that's ok as a reason then you can shoot them anywhere at any time whenever you feel like it as undoubtedly they will have been hammering a crop somewhere.

That's my point. If anything can somehow be twisted to fit the GL, then why is there a GL at all?

 

I'm in charge of the questions on this thread not the answers.

This is also what I ment as it been unclear - sounds like you agree too lol.

[walshie 2,804]

 

 

 

They would say roost shooting is ok as the birds are coming into roost en masse after a day hammering crops.

 

Valid question though.

"They would say" does that meet the terms ? I would say if that's ok as a reason then you can shoot them anywhere at any time whenever you feel like it as undoubtedly they will have been hammering a crop somewhere.

That's my point. If anything can somehow be twisted to fit the GL, then why is there a GL at all?

 

I'm in charge of the questions on this thread not the answers.

This is also what I ment as it been unclear - sounds like you agree too lol.

 

 

Not exactly. As said before, I think the terms of the GL are perfectly clear. I think the ways people can twist those words to suit their own ends knows no bounds.

[stealthy1 3,964]

If the Pigeon that nibbled the crops doesn't step forward, your all getting it.

[The one 8,511]

The point i was trying to make when the knock on the door comes or your out in the field is stating the GL wont impress them ive been stopped by the armed responce 6 times now i reckon im on there xmas card list and quoting things dont work neither does standing with your hands in your pockets spout hard fast facts at them does . there coppers they dont know what the GL is maybe some thing from the G8 summit but they know about damage to crops etc

[mikewh79000 16]

Years ago in the UK, with my shiny new FAC licence. A couple in blue stopped me and wanted chapter and verse as to why I was entering a field with, horror of horrors a gun. Fair enough I responded politely etc etc. The lady Police person then said it was illegal because I didn't have on my person the original FAC licence. They drove off. I contacted my Firearms control officer, he had a quiet word with the couple, ( i took their numbers) about lying and overzealous policeing. Nice to get on with officials but ...... Yes at the time was not necessary to carry original licence with you and accept that may now have changed.

 

And then the grain ,farmers have grown , is fed back to pigeons in Trafalgar Square, sold by local entrepreneurs. Bird lime in major cities costs a lot to remove etc etc.

 

Safe shooting