Darkwoodecho
Well-Known Member
Fair enough
probably wasn't thinking 
probably wasn't thinking Control of stags eating hay fields
- Thread starter Buchan
- Start date
It generally isn't a problem to shoot them out of season under sect. 7 (1) but you need to have exhausted all other means of deterring or preventing them continuing doing damage. Scaring, fencing etc. And the conditions in sect.7 (3) are met.
The only time I had a small issue was from the OV at the gamedealers who had an issue with it mostly because they didn't fully understand the statute.
If you can process and consume the carcass yourself then that saves half the possible problem and it potentially escalating.
They must be shot on the very bit of ground they are damaging and you as the authroised person working for and under the instruction of the landowner are absolutely fine to proceed.
Under sect.7 (2) a 12bore shotgun can be used loaded with AAA or a rifled slug...but simpler to use a deer legal rifle.
The only time I had a small issue was from the OV at the gamedealers who had an issue with it mostly because they didn't fully understand the statute.
If you can process and consume the carcass yourself then that saves half the possible problem and it potentially escalating.
They must be shot on the very bit of ground they are damaging and you as the authroised person working for and under the instruction of the landowner are absolutely fine to proceed.
Under sect.7 (2) a 12bore shotgun can be used loaded with AAA or a rifled slug...but simpler to use a deer legal rifle.
Rake Aboot
Well-Known Member
I thought the 12bore was only in enclosed areas ?
"Cultivated land or enclosed woodland" I believe.
(I might be wrong though!)
reiver
Well-Known Member
Shot a few roe for farmers when the got in the barley.over the years I in fact shot my first roe that way with the 243 just stood at the gate whistled and the head popped up about 80 yards away . Bang flop .
Nothing but pest control . Used to have deer control and slugs for my fac shotgun when I didn’t have a suitable rifle cal .
Ps I have hay field next to my field on both sides deer are in both but doubt there’s any more damage than the couple of heardwicks that decided to try the buffet .
Farmers around here are more concerned with roe in the silage going through the mower and contaminating the silage than actual crop damage!!
Nothing but pest control . Used to have deer control and slugs for my fac shotgun when I didn’t have a suitable rifle cal .
Ps I have hay field next to my field on both sides deer are in both but doubt there’s any more damage than the couple of heardwicks that decided to try the buffet .
Farmers around here are more concerned with roe in the silage going through the mower and contaminating the silage than actual crop damage!!
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
Get the grass cut and wrapped. Problem over.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Is this a perennial problem, or is it a recent one. All of the rewilding with large areas of moorland behind completely fenced pretty much stops deer having freedom of movement. Naturally they roam and migrate as the seasons come and go - summertime they will be, should be up on high pasture.
There is also quite a few differences between English and Scottish law and what you can and cannot do out of season.
You need to be very very clear on the law in your own jurisdiction and be absolutely confident that you can put forward your defence in a court of law when you have been prosecuted for poaching and unlawful use of a firearm.
Don’t rely on internet opinion. The farmer in question should take proper advice and then provide proper authority to whomever is acting in his employ to deal with the deer problem.
As has been said, this is in an area with lots of walkers and members of the public.
An overview of the legislation is provided
There is also quite a few differences between English and Scottish law and what you can and cannot do out of season.
You need to be very very clear on the law in your own jurisdiction and be absolutely confident that you can put forward your defence in a court of law when you have been prosecuted for poaching and unlawful use of a firearm.
Don’t rely on internet opinion. The farmer in question should take proper advice and then provide proper authority to whomever is acting in his employ to deal with the deer problem.
As has been said, this is in an area with lots of walkers and members of the public.
An overview of the legislation is provided
Dry Spring ? In Cumbria? I've never those two in the same sentence before.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
West Coast of Scotland had virtually no rain during May. Lots of big fires.
Thanks, It became a problem last year when only half the normal crop was taken. They rest in a wood we can't shoot in and pop out as and when they like.
Shot two bucks last year with that around antlers and heads. Saw a doe last week with same stuff and dragging a small post. Only had .22rf and she was 200yds, tried to get nearer but she went into FC wood.
reiver
Well-Known Member
Cumbria or more specifically Cumberland is gods own country btw . He just lets everyone think it’s Yorkshire to keep the tourists at bay
often dry in spring. It’s just wet the rest of the year
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
On the Continent, where hunters often have to pay for crop damage they have highseats on trailers which they park in the fields. When the wild boar and deer pop out to feed a few shots soon sends them packing. You don’t need the moderator- you want the noise and disturbance. They soon get the idea. If you do shoot one or two, don’t shoot the lead / mature animals. They discipline the herd and take them to safe places. Shoot the lead animals and everything else runs riot and many more problems.
Last thing you want to do is to go into the woods - that is their place of safety and sanctuary.
We had a lovely spring in Wensleydale, until the grouse hatched , then it rained and blew and rained some moreCumbria or more specifically Cumberland is gods own country btw . He just lets everyone think it’s Yorkshire to keep the tourists at bay
devon deer stalker
Well-Known Member
One of my landowners put up a standard electric fence (not the equestrian type) around 50 acres beginning of May, my camera only shows 2 reds since then, prior to that herds of 12+
So it worked in his case.
If you decide to do farmers defence then get photos before you do it, farmer has nothing to lose, but the FAC holder does.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
Correct!
Freeforester
Well-Known Member
Tried hanging up yesterday’s pants socks and shirts on the windward side at all?
But he’s not in Scotland …..
Nope. I just checked.
Sec 7(1) states "cultivated land, pasture or enclosed woodland".
Sec 7(3) defines what deer may be shot out of season for crop protection purposes, and what constitutes a crop.
Sec 7(2) states that "an authorised person" (ie, occupier, member of occupier's household, occupier's employee or any other person having the right to take deer on the land (eg, sporting rights holder or person authorised by him)) "can also control any deer, on any land, at any time, with a shotgun which is not less than 12-bore and is loaded with AAA shot or a single non-spherical bullet". Provided that the conditions of Sec 7(3) are met.
I am of the opinion that Sec 7 definitely covers the OP's situation, and that provided the occupier of the land pays @Buchan for providing the service he can crack on with either shotgun or rifle.
(Source: pages 77 and 78 of the 2nd edition of "Deer: Law & Liabilities" by Parkes and Thornley.
All stalkers and deer managers should have a copy of this book to hand, imo).
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