Hi all, I've recently been asked to control foxes on about 3000 acres of arable land. As I'm on a closed cert, I have asked whether the land is signed off for 308 or whether I could be given the open licence (had my FAC for 4 years). The FEO seems to want to inspect the land and has the view that the 308 is excessive. I cannot afford another rifle, so this is what I've got. Has anyone had similar experiences and did you manage to persuade your FEO otherwise?
Police challenge on calibre
- Thread starter BenCo
- Start date
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
If you're asking just for foxes, they might have a point. However, try and find something, anything deerlike and put in for the .308 with good reason of "deer and AOLQ"
Look at the Home Office Guidance - there is a table in it that shows suitable calibre for various quarry, HOWEVER, if you read the text of the relevant chapter you will see there is scope for your existing rifle, assuming your good reason is deer stalking, to be conditioned for 'any other lawful quarry' & if I recall it also mentions the use of larger calibre for smaller quarry as part of this. Suggest you also read the text regarding land as neither land or calibre are intrinsically safe, the determining factor is the nut on the end of the bolt. A quick google search & a sit down with a brew & pencil & paper to make some notes then you are prepared to respond to your FEO. I'd start by having the conversation with him then follow up in an e-mail explaining where you have got your info from, including relevant paragraph numbers, table numbers & any reference notes to those tables if it becomes necessary to do so.
8x57
Distinguished Member
What does your FEO say about using light varmint bullets for fox with your .308w rifle?
Unless you were angling for a variation for another (smaller) calibre, then there was no need for you to mention foxes to the FEO. You already have a rifle with good reason. All you should have told him was that you have secured a new permission which either needs to be cleared (for your current calibre) or you need your ticket opened.
Ask for an increase in your ammo count to accomodate foxes!
If you don't reload, the Hornady TAP 110gr round is loaded with these
The rifle is thankfully signed off for that already so hoped they wouldn't have an issue. Am exploring whether I can take deer as well with the landowner
This, & if you reload shoot 100 grain ish?
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Just inform the police that you have another 3,000 Acres of which to manage deer and vermin. Accompanied by letter of invitation / contract and include a map of the area, and on highlight an risk areas etc. In other words, don't ever ask FEO for their opinion. You need to demonstrate that you are competent, you fully understand the risks involved and can thus make your own judgement.
Police, and for that matter any other government official, do not like making decisions or offering an opinion. Instead state what you are proposing to do, you fully understand the potential risks involved, and you are making appropriate arrangements to mitigate such risks.
This then allows the FEO to assess this from his desk, tick the right boxes, and move onto the next task in hand. If requires an opinion, it goes onto the difficult pile, and there it shall sit.
Police, and for that matter any other government official, do not like making decisions or offering an opinion. Instead state what you are proposing to do, you fully understand the potential risks involved, and you are making appropriate arrangements to mitigate such risks.
This then allows the FEO to assess this from his desk, tick the right boxes, and move onto the next task in hand. If requires an opinion, it goes onto the difficult pile, and there it shall sit.
That's why you should think about high seats. Are there any pheasant pens to stake out?
So good to see what I’ve been banging on about for years whenever ‘discussion’ arises around so-called “open” certification and the suitability or otherwise of a piece of land to permit discharge of centre fire rifle ammunition:
“Suggest you also read the text regarding land as neither land nor calibre are intrinsically safe, the determining factor is (should be) the nut on the end of the bolt.”
K
“Suggest you also read the text regarding land as neither land nor calibre are intrinsically safe, the determining factor is (should be) the nut on the end of the bolt.”
K
Flat ground and good visibility in FEO terms means poor backstop, so as already said mention high seats and bait stations.
broad_head
Well-Known Member
I tried for .300 AAC but was flatly refused because they wouldn't allow .30 cal for fox (South Wales)
Did you try to confuse them by telling them that the previous guy said .410 was inadequate for fox?
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