Pest control during lockdown

[Bruce Almighty]

We are lambing & there are foxes about.
Can I get a friend in with a rifle to despatch them.

Also we have a lot of pigeons & crows on newly sown cereals, can we get shooters in for that too if they are more than 2m from each other (obviously)

 

[Nithsdale]

No reason why not.

 

[michael N123]

I would also like to no if I’m fine to blast crows and lamp rabbits

 

[Kidds]

According to most posts on Pigeonwatch you will be damned to hell if you do.
No idea why

 

[Bignor Farmer]

I would consider shooting foxes around fields full of young lambs essential Ag work therefore OK, easy to obey social distancing.

A bit more tricky shooting pigeons, essential if it’s over a corner of a crop getting hammered, harder to justify in the woods or if you can’t show specific damage. It needs to look right and justifiable to anyone who may ask. Doesn’t want to look like a bunch of people killing time on their hobby.

 

[Exfarmer]

I would consider shooting foxes around fields full of young lambs essential Ag work therefore OK, easy to obey social distancing.

A bit more tricky shooting pigeons, essential if it’s over a corner of a crop getting hammered, harder to justify in the woods or if you can’t show specific damage. It needs to look right and justifiable to anyone who may ask. Doesn’t want to look like a bunch of people killing time on their hobby.

harvesting pigeons for food should be perfectly acceptable

 

[deleted user 837354]

Get on with it.

 

[Agrivator]

I can't see even the most ardent policeman collaring anyone shooting foxes or other predators in order genuinely to protect lambs.

If so. threaten to tell his children that their ''alleged'' Dad is the male equivalent of Cruella Whatshername.

 

[anzani]

harvesting pigeons for food should be perfectly acceptable

So it should but the General Licence terms?

 

[som farmer]

food production is classed as essential industry ( wow ), so anything helping it, could be termed as necessary, carry on and blast them.

 

[Dry Rot]

Since my dear sweet neighbour complained that my rabbit shooting was keeping him awake at night, plod advised me to notify them when I was going shooting.

The rabbits got completely out of control here since my guns were seized for 12 months. It is a perfectly legitimate farming activity and I doubt that they can stop you. But I just use a silenced .22 now which he can't hear and that seems to keep everyone happy.

 

[ffukedfarmer]

My guy just wanted an email stating that I required his services due to lambing

 

[Swarfmonkey]

I can't see even the most ardent policeman collaring anyone shooting foxes or other predators in order genuinely to protect lambs.

Never underestimate just how stupid and petty some coppers can be.

 

[n.w]

Would it be sensible to contact the police and advise that you want to control pest at a given time and place

 

[Mickeydredd]

Derbyshire Police have issued a circular email which is pretty much a cut and paste from the BASC website which states pest control is essential in food production so can continue. I cant capture the actual text and the link won't post for some reason but the following addy takes you to the BASC FAQ which states that pest control can be maintained.

The latest coronavirus restrictions and their impact on shooting

Read how coronavirus restrictions impact shooting in your area and download country-specific guidance documents.

basc.org.uk