Can we start from the beginning please

[Jamie956]

Hi all, this my first post so please be nice

So after shooting air rifles, shotguns, rim fires and some centre fires for years I’m fancying a bit of stalking.

My local FEO has asked me to get some experience before granting me a 6.5 Creedmoor variation, apparently not so much because of the cartridge but handling of the deer carcass.

Anyway, I’m wanting to get out with someone in my area but I have no idea how a typical day goes or what to expect at all really, is it a case of having a few shots with his rifle and a chat then away we go or is it more in depth? Is it normal, if successful, for him to take me through the gralloch, and what might he expect of me?

Any advice or info gratefully recieved

J

 

[teyhan1]

And what exactly has an FEO got to do with your handling of a carcass?
Sweet FA and he should be told so unless of course he twilights as an EHO for the LA.

 

[Jamie956]

Well that did cross my mind but who am I to argue. He said about smaller animals getting disposed of differently to deer like muck hills etc, I mentioned that out of my group of friends I’m the only one with a lot of skinning and gutting experience and an interest in butchery. I did wonder how some people just put in for a variation for 243 with no previous experience and get it, I have been shooting with a mates 243 also

J

 

[Freeforester]

Unless things have changed or are different in your area, as far as I can recall the remit of the FEO is to assess the suitability of the applicant from a public safety point of view and to report on the various aspects pertaining to the suitability of the applicant and their security arrangements, or otherwise; there will be many suitable persons who never have need to handle the carcass of the deer, having either the guide or staff to attend to such a matter.

Of course it may be part of his means of assessing your suitability to hold firearms, some sort of test as to your balance or temperament, but I'm not readily convinced of this, it seems more likely to be a bit of overreach on his or her part; it's not the first time that such instances of such (possibly firearms using themselves) personnel attempting to stretch the guidelines somewhat beyond their reasonable interpretation to suit their own ends, or to attempt to 'dissuade' applicants by 'unconventional' or arguably irrelevant lines of questioning, presumably for one or more of a number of reasons, and quite possibly not always wholly professional ones.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Have you got permission to shoot on land with deer on it? Or have you got booking/s for stalking? If so then you fulfill the legal requirement for “Good Reason”.
The Home Office Guidelines are well worth reading. Specifically chapter 13, I have had a copy handy (digital copy will do) when dealing with the FEO. Funnily enough some obstacles disappear when you ask where it says X in here (HOG).

 

[Jamie956]

Yes On 2 of my own permissions I have been asked to control the deer population and a third where I’m sure I will be ok to go with the person who does it there aswell as I know the land owners, and the stalker himself. This is not a request on a grant, I have just had my renewal where I put in for a 204 ruger which was granted no problem, and a 6.5cm which seems to be a different matter even though I have experience of similar calibers, and permission, and what I would call good reason, and experience skinning/gutting, and as said before I know people who have just applied for 243 and got it no questions asked, literally. Like I say I’m in the process of booking some stalking to just get an insight into it all really

Cheers

J

 

[Magnificent 7]

Whats your location

 

[Apthorpe]

Your FEO has clearly exceeded the limits of what he is entitled to consider or regulate. Next he'll want to withhold variations until he has approved the recipes you use to cook it.

 

[finnbear270]

And what exactly has an FEO got to do with your handling of a carcass?
Sweet FA and he should be told so unless of course he twilights as an EHO for the LA.

This most definately!!!!

 

[finnbear270]

A short polite letter to your firearms licensing manager ALONG WITH cc to the Chief Constable's ADMIN officer.

 

[Roestalker39]

Utter tosh he’s talking , if you’re suitable to hold that firearm you’re suitable, nothing to do with the FEO what happens to the beast after its shot , these are the situations that arise when we constantly capitulate to them ... unnecessary restrictions

 

[baguio]

Any advice or info gratefully recieved

Yes, put where you're from on your avatar so people can possibly help you out.

 

[sikamalc]

This is a strange request from your FEO. And is not required in my opinion and those posting prior to me. I would certainly question it with your FEO and firearms manager.

 

[Magnificent 7]

The more you do the more they'll want complying like already said is making a rod for our own backs look at the medical some want it some don't the please themselves

 

[Popa ray]

Yes, put where you're from on your avatar so people can possibly help you out.

It is annoying when people don't, especially when looking at sale items

 

[Morgy]

ANYWAY...............

Tell us where in the world you reside and lets see if someone on here has some stalking fairly close to your home county.

Over zealous FEO are to be found all over the UK.

Welcome to the site

 

[Shabz]

Well that did cross my mind but who am I to argue.

I would consider it your duty to argue. It’s no business of his what you do with carcasses. Or how you handle them. You might want to pay for them to be cremated, that’s your prerogative.

 

[8x57]

Jamie I think the FEO may possibly have worded it slightly different to the way it has come across in your first post. He was probably well meaning and offering good advise even if he did not put it the right way. See if you can find someone experienced in the local area who will allow you to tag along on one or two stalks to give you a few tips, or book some stalks with a good professional guide then resubmit your variation.
Also see if you can get a copy of the DSC1 notes or the Deer Initiative good practice guide, so that you are better advised when you next speak to him so that you can reassure his concerns about deer welfare. While his concerns are really outside of his remit his concerns for animal welfare and health & safety are admirable.

 

[teyhan1]

I have said this before.
Write a strong but polite letter to your MP.
Copy in the Chief Constable.
Clearly state the law.
Clearly state what isn’t the law.
Then watch your ticket miraculously arrive.

Failure to challenge the Police only leads to more and more onerous conditions on our applications and licenses.

We all pay for MP’s and Police. Please start using them. If more people put pressure on their MP’s then they might just sit up and take notice that we do exist and expect to be treated fairly.

 

[Roedeer 1962]

BOOK YOUR DSC LEVEL 1 AFTER A FEW TRIPS OUT WITH A GUIDE