Deer control and essential travel

[paul&mandy]

Ive got conflicting advice on this, is the control of these if I have to drive to other land to control deer numbers classed as essential travel if I'm stopped? Land is less than 10mins from home anyway. The land is not mine but I've permission and also contract there etc.

 

[MrNoo]

Our Rural watch scheme police chap said it was fine and I informed my stalker as he was worried re potential loss of license if they stopped him and wanted to be awkward but he phoned up the local FAO just to be sure, chap was most helpful and said it was fine. He did add if it was for example a driven shoot etc then it wouldnt be taken well.
Just give your FAO a call, he'll put you right

 

[Doing it for the kids]

It’s fine. I have called in Pigeon shooters, never seen so many around.

deer can do a lot of damage

 

[yellow belly]

Farming is essential
employment to protect crops is helping an essential job

 

[ajcc]

Hmmm deer control mid April is not really defensible as control, bucks is more sport than control since you asked opinion.

 

[RushesToo]

@paul&mandy I would get a letter from the person you are doing this for to say that you are a key worker.
Points to cover are:
The specific reasons that this is essential [use gov.uk recommendations, the ones most appropriate] this needs to be done, and cannot be done from home
This is essential to business continuity
That "named person" undertakes this function
This letter [digital or paper] should be carried at all times.
That this will only be used when in transit to or from the site.

Have it on your person, know it is true and don't abuse the privilege.

 

[paul&mandy]

I'll get a letter from the land owner and the farmer renting. Both have given me permission anyway.
I'm not a deer stalker by trade if you want to call it that but as they know I can help out and have correct rifle and deer on my open licence I've been asked to do so.
I know it's only bucks but with so many anything taken out will help. Seeing 30+ in groups do a lot of damage not just your odd 1 or 2.
Was sent this last night by a friend

BASC updates Coronavirus pest control advice - BASC

Key points outlined for those conducting essential wildlife management.

basc.org.uk

 

[toquark]

Hmm, tricky one I think given the time of year, you could argue that bucks aren't really essential to control for a few weeks in early season. I've stopped the majority of our permissions because most of the syndicate members have to travel 100s of miles to get here. That said, I've allowed the two main contract holders to continue as they live more or less on the ground. I've given them cover letters in case they're stopped. In my view they are presenting no risk to themselves or others by being out.

Bigger short term issue is that the game dealers round here have all shut up shop meaning there's no outlet for carcasses beyond home use which means the guys 'controlling' i.e. shooting real numbers of deer wont want to be shooting anything as the venison constitutes a major part of their income.

 

[MrNoo]

Poaching has been rife to the North of here, a lot found with lower jaw etc shot off, worse now than before lockdown. They did however catch three chaps last week, thermal imaging gear and rifle by all accounts.

 

[paul&mandy]

Hmm, tricky one I think given the time of year, you could argue that bucks aren't really essential to control for a few weeks in early season. I've stopped the majority of our permissions because most of the syndicate members have to travel 100s of miles to get here. That said, I've allowed the two main contract holders to continue as they live more or less on the ground. I've given them cover letters in case they're stopped. In my view they are presenting no risk to themselves or others by being out.

Bigger short term issue is that the game dealers round here have all shut up shop meaning there's no outlet for carcasses beyond home use which means the guys 'controlling' i.e. shooting real numbers of deer wont want to be shooting anything as the venison constitutes a major part of their income.

Its not like I don't go there anyway, graze sheep there and been fencing. usually take the gun and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. If it was a place I'd just been asked to shoot id probably decline but helping customers out surely helps my reasoning...
I really cant see many driven shoots going ahead this year. I usually start there muck on covers anytime now but none are bothering.

 

[toquark]

Its not like I don't go there anyway, graze sheep there and been fencing. usually take the gun and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. If it was a place I'd just been asked to shoot id probably decline but helping customers out surely helps my reasoning...
I really cant see many driven shoots going ahead this year. I usually start there muck on covers anytime now but none are bothering.

Yeah I’d say you’re good, especially if you’re farming it. I thought you meant it was solely a recreational permission.