Police Advice that "Stalking for the purposes of deer control is permitted. ... “social distancing” advice should be complied with"

[RichardAllen]

There have been many posts about whether we can go stalking or not.
Please see under the "Out stalking during restrictions" thread, the question I put to Gloucestershire Constabulary yesterday and the response I received today, abbreviated as per the title of this thread. I have sent the original text to BASC and BDS.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Might be OK down your neck of the woods but I wouldn’t try it up in Scotland.
Not if you value your FAC.

 

[Sika-Hunter]

There have been many posts about whether we can go stalking or not.
Please see under the "Out stalking during restrictions" thread, the question I put to Gloucestershire Constabulary yesterday and the response I received today, abbreviated as per the title of this thread. I have sent the original text to BASC and BDS.

Police Forces are now doing stop checks, it will be interesting when someone is stopped carrying a firearm for the use of a non essential activity fully knowing government strict advice, which I believe give the Police these powers.

 

[reloader54]

considering the numbers of posts claiming the police and feo/flo,s don't adhere to a common policy when applying "guidelines" I find it quite odd many seem to now want to accept such loosely worded and differing claims.

the police are very much like the dvla in as much if you asked the same question each time you wrote or called , you would get a different answer each time.
none of which will be admissible when the inevitable police stop occurs. but you crack on.

 

[Sika-Hunter]

Sounds like his FEO could be serious doo doo if he found to go against the Government Advice, like Riddick say's you crack on

 

[RichardAllen]

I do appreciate that police forces manage things differently in different areas. I live in the rural Cotswolds, within a couple of miles of my permissions, which all helps. I did ask the question in writing (website submission) and received an email response, so I am assuming that carries some weight.
I will, of course, be carrying a printed copy of the email with my FAC. Likewise the advice to me changed from yesterday to today, so I will post immediately if it changes again.

 

[Triggermortis]

Kent FEO advises no recreational use of firearms away from your own property, ok to travel to a permission to undertake humane dispatch and for STOCK PROTECTION ie livestock only, rats, foxes, marauding dogs etc

 

[nic531]

at the end of the day if you go and get stopped/prosecuted then it will be up to the court to decide... it will be an 'absolute' offence... you are guilty or not and the fact that one persons advice was x probably will hold no sway.... it is up to the person to decide to act and the court to decide guilt

 

[EccentricJackal]

Not sure anyone has mentioned this yet, but Michael Gove clarified the "exercise" exemption immediately after the announcement to confirm that visiting allotments is a valid exercise and is in fact encouraged and only social activities - golf was his example - are discouraged. Individual FEO guidance aside (always follow your FEO guidance, not someone on the internet quoting theirs) it would appear that shooting alone, near home with no significant travel would fall under a similar guidance as allotments, but I will wait for an official statement on this before risking my own FAC.

I am not saying everyone should be going out shooting during the lockdown but that in my opinion it will be within the spirit of the guidelines, and if they bother to clarify for the sake of the small number of us interested in shooting over land it would probably be in our favour.

 

[Huntersforge]

We are in lockdown not on holiday. It beggars belief that grown men can’t follow simple instructions without trying to find some backdoor wormhole to get out of it.
We are all in the same boat.
Let’s just sit it out and give our health service a chance to get on top of this virus. FFS

HF

 

[shakey jake]

why any one is so desperate to shoot a deer is beyond me, if its your only form of exercise im pretty sure you could go for a walk without a gun and if you only eat venison and will starve with out it, why are you so badly prepared! but take the polices advice and crack on if you must

 

[finnbear270]

The term “Wormhole” is in my estimation fully justified, What is your major-malfunction you tossers?

 

[splash]

Crack on ! If you’re that desperate . If there’s not enough going on you have to badger the police to get out .
Hopefully we don’t all get tarred with your brush

 

[finnbear270]

Just one of you f#ck up, you paint all of us with your sh”tty stick!

 

[RichardAllen]

And I thought you might be pleased . . .

 

[finnbear270]

Stay home!

 

[Triggermortis]

Careful you don’t fall off that high horse

 

[finnbear270]

The horse is in the paddock, I am in the house, how long before you are asking how to get around a CURFEW?

 

[Sika-Hunter]

Can you imagine Packham getting hold of this "Stalkers going against Gov Advice"

 

[User00025]

Please Oh pretty please, let one of these idiots who are going out stalking or fishing get stopped and let the Court imprison the stupid fool.
None of these tossers realise people are dying of this ****, Do Not go out!!!!!!!!!!
I only hope restrictions are enforced where nobody except NHS people can leave home on penalty of 5 years in Colchester old Glasshouse.