i had deer and fox on my ticket for the 243 so there is no differance at all except it being a 308 and that they will not put fox on the 308.
has the world gone mad
pj, sounds as if your part of the world at least has gone mad!
As you have previously had the .243 conditioned for deer and fox, I don't personally think they have a leg to stand on in trying to refuse you the same condition for another deer legal calibre albeit marginally larger and more powerful, (although neither of those facts should influence the matter.
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Have they given you the reason for refusal in writing or just verbally? If it's just verbal then you need to start getting some written or email correspondence going so that a paper trail can be established - don't accept anything spoken unless of course it's accompanied by a reversal of the decision.
From now on in if you want some sense applied you are likely going to have to be prepared to ruffle a few feathers in the FLD. Despite what has been said already, I would strongly advise against applying for or accepting a 'fox whilst stalking' condition. It is unduly restrictive, is not recommended in the HO Guidance, and is totally illogical - even BASC advise against it in one of their Guidance/Fact sheets:
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/utilities/document-summary.cfm/docid/3D001190-BA52-43B5-91F72349FD5C6B90
Bordersman, food for thought but you mention that an applicant might, "shoot fallow at dusk and then foxes". I suspect that it wouldn't neccessarily meet a condition of 'foxes whilst stalking deer' as the stalking must end at 1hr post sunset. Any undertaking after that point wouldn't be deer stalking and therefore could be in breach of such a condition. Small point maybe, but people have lost their FACs for lesser transgressions, so maybe another reason to ensure that the 'deer. fox & vermin' or 'any other lawful quarry' conditions are applied for from the off?
I find it difficult to understand the thought processes that are behind any FLD decision to try and limit the use of a firearm on lesser quarry species to specific circumstances. If it fits the bill in terms of legality or being able to deliver a humane kill, where is the issue and what purpose does a restriction serve other than to inconvenience the FAC holder?
"It is critical to use Chapter 13 in ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ as a guide for the ‘initial reason’ the firearm is sought. The “No’s” in the chart on page 77 do not prohibit calibres from being utilised on smaller species. Where larger rifles are sought to shoot smaller species, once initial good reason has been demonstrated, secondary quarry species should be allowed. Such applications may be perceived to be outside the realms of Page 77’s chart; however the primary concern for licensing staff should be whether the calibre is capable of achieving a humane dispatch of the quarry species concerned. Chapter 13.14 and 13.22 of ‘Firearms Law: Guidance to the Police 2002’ explains about dealing with reasonable eventualities in detail."
From BASC Advice to Enquiry Officers: Energy Comparisons.