Out stalking during restrictions

[25 Sharps]

Interesting. I've spent several hours reading this and the other threads and have concluded that I will examine my own conscience and act accordingly.

Cryptic!!

 

[Scotty99]

It's quite straight forward. Stay at home. Deer stalking and even professional deer management is not essential for the next few weeks.

Also imagine the negative publicity that the media would give if any stalker had an accident out in the field and police, first responders and air ambulance had to be called out when they could be dealing with a Covid-19 cases.

As ever we in the shooting community must be beyond reproach.

 

[finnbear270]

It's quite straight forward. Stay at home. Deer stalking and even professional deer management is not essential for the next few weeks.

Also imagine the negative publicity that the media would give if any stalker had an accident out in the field and police, first responders and air ambulance had to be called out when they could be dealing with a Covid-19 cases.

As ever we in the shooting community must be beyond reproach.

 

[RichardAllen]

I have asked Gloucestershire Firearms specifically about recreational stalking as daily exercise within a couple of miles from home, alone, on land with no footpaths. If stopped, and just on the grounds of coronavirus: could my rifle be confiscated, FAC be revoked or future FAC validation/extension be refused ?

I expect the answer will be potentially all of the above, but I thought it worth the question. I will keep members posted.

The questions I asked was:
"Given the Government's coronavirus stance: if I drive less than 2 miles from home with a covered up firearm (for which I have a FAC) to take my daily exercise stalking deer on land without footpaths where I have the landowner's permission to shoot (in compliance with my FAC conditions), and I am stopped by the police,
1. could my firearm be seized at the time ?
2. could my FAC be confiscated/revoked ?
3. could a future FAC extension or variation be refused?
on the sole justification that I am out recreational stalking ?

Your help would be very welcome."

The response I received this morning is as follows:

"Good afternoon,
I totally understand your situation.
We have yet to receive specific advice but you will be aware that HM Government are requesting that everyone remains at home unless they meet very specific criteria.
As specific guidance has not been provided yet you are advised against shooting for non-essential purposes.
This advice is also given to BASC members. I would suggest regularly reviewing their website for updates.
Regards

Carl Parrott
Administration Assistant
Firearms Licensing
Criminal Justice Department
Gloucestershire Constabulary"

I will not be going out stalking until the advice changes.

 

[finnbear270]

North Yorks police just anouncing vehicle checkpoints will now be stopping vehicles to ask why/ where / etc etc.

 

[geordieh]

Some common sence on radio4 just. Medical representatives being asked for an opinion on what you can or can't do.
One example question was, could/should you go to dig your allotment?
The reply was, if you are not in contact with other people when travelling or working, then of course you should. As you would be outside, getting exercise and growing food which may take the strain off supply chains.
So that pretty much sums up lone stalking?

So you can go stalking in your garden or alltment

 

[finnbear270]

So you can go stalking in your garden or alltment

With a spade/ rake / trowel.

 

[Zio65]

Ciao a tutti, qui in Italia a seguito del contenimento della salute, il Ministero dell'Ambiente ha ufficialmente sospeso la caccia e il censimento degli animali per essere selezionati per la selezione con una direttiva. Si dice sia la necessità di ridurre il movimento delle persone, sia vicino a casa e lontano e da un comune all'altro

 

[reloader54]

ooh goody a quiz.

Hello everyone, here in Italy following the containment of health, the Ministry of the Environment has officially suspended the hunting and census of animals to be selected for selection with a directive. It is said both the need to reduce the movement of people, both close to home and far and from one municipality to another

ok, what have I won?

 

[Sika-Hunter]

With a spade/ rake / trowel

But are you sure i can't take a gun just incase you see an badly injured or diseased Deer amongst the Veg whilst doing my exercise and not meeting anyone just 2 miles from my house whilst wearing protective clothing avoiding the paths under the moonlight? Just Checking

 

[CarlW]

ooh goody a quiz.

Hello everyone, here in Italy following the containment of health, the Ministry of the Environment has officially suspended the hunting and census of animals to be selected for selection with a directive. It is said both the need to reduce the movement of people, both close to home and far and from one municipality to another

ok, what have I won?

A pizza and a trip to see Cosi fan tutte.

 

[geoffw]

I would like to think that the majority of your Deer Cull would have been completed given the time of year

I wish- never had so many wash outs or South West'lies since Oct (seats all set for local prevailing winds)

 

[Sika-Hunter]

wish- never had so many wash outs or South West'lies since Oct (seats all set for local prevailing winds)

Yeh we had a drop of rain too

 

[NoIDeer]

This is what you will look like to the outside world if you choose to go recreational stalking during this lockdown and need help from the emergency services.

Man in just jeans and a t-shirt rescued from mountain after ignoring lockdown

I had two weeks holiday and stalking with my other half booked for my 60th birthday, not happening, sat at home being a good boy.

 

[Roestalker39]

ooh goody a quiz.

Hello everyone, here in Italy following the containment of health, the Ministry of the Environment has officially suspended the hunting and census of animals to be selected for selection with a directive. It is said both the need to reduce the movement of people, both close to home and far and from one municipality to another

ok, what have I won?

F&CK ! I guessed purple

 

[reloader54]

A pizza and a trip to see Cosi fan tutte.

ok pizza I get,,, wtf is a Cosi fan tutte ??
Is it like a mons de venus

 

[RichardAllen]

The questions I asked was:
"Given the Government's coronavirus stance: if I drive less than 2 miles from home with a covered up firearm (for which I have a FAC) to take my daily exercise stalking deer on land without footpaths where I have the landowner's permission to shoot (in compliance with my FAC conditions), and I am stopped by the police,
1. could my firearm be seized at the time ?
2. could my FAC be confiscated/revoked ?
3. could a future FAC extension or variation be refused?
on the sole justification that I am out recreational stalking ?

Your help would be very welcome."

The response I received this morning is as follows:

"Good afternoon,
I totally understand your situation.
We have yet to receive specific advice but you will be aware that HM Government are requesting that everyone remains at home unless they meet very specific criteria.
As specific guidance has not been provided yet you are advised against shooting for non-essential purposes.
This advice is also given to BASC members. I would suggest regularly reviewing their website for updates.
Regards

Carl Parrott
Administration Assistant
Firearms Licensing
Criminal Justice Department
Gloucestershire Constabulary"

I will not be going out stalking until the advice changes.

I received a welcome update from Gloucestershire Constabulary this afternoon:

"Good afternoon,

We have been advised that Stalking for the purposes of deer control is permitted. However, this is not extended for the purposes of “social shooting”, for example clay pigeon shooting and the “social distancing” advice should be complied with.

Regards
Carl Parrott
Administration Assistant
Firearms Licensing
Criminal Justice Department
Gloucestershire Constabulary"

I shall therefore be going stalking for deer control while complying with "social distancing" until the advice may change again

 

[RichardAllen]

I received a welcome update from Gloucestershire Constabulary this afternoon:

"Good afternoon,

We have been advised that Stalking for the purposes of deer control is permitted. However, this is not extended for the purposes of “social shooting”, for example clay pigeon shooting and the “social distancing” advice should be complied with.

Regards
Carl Parrott
Administration Assistant
Firearms Licensing
Criminal Justice Department
Gloucestershire Constabulary"

I shall therefore be going stalking for deer control while complying with "social distancing" until the advice may change again

I have fowarded the above to BASC and BDS

 

[finnbear270]

This is what you will look like to the outside world if you choose to go recreational stalking during this lockdown and need help from the emergency services.

Man in just jeans and a t-shirt rescued from mountain after ignoring lockdown

I had two weeks holiday and stalking with my other half booked for my 60th birthday, not happening, sat at home being a good boy.

And the mountain rescue didn't chuck him down the scree?

 

[25 Sharps]

I wish- never had so many wash outs or South West'lies since Oct (seats all set for local prevailing winds)

Exactly the issue I’ve had! South westerly winds make getting on deer with backstop very difficult on virtually all of my ground