Canada geese

[Mmamonster]

Got a permission on a farm near to me and theres a couple of fields where canada geese keep going, the farmers been moaning at me to go up and shoot them all, they are mucking all over the place and wrecking the land.
I know they are classed as vermin and can be shot all year round, but would i get in any trouble if i went up and shot them ? Rspca or rspb or do gooders.?
My mate said that the law says i cant use my night vision to hunt at night, i already have a night scope on my rimfire or best to go up with a shotgun in the day.
I know alot of you might answer " i should already know the answer", thats the reason i am asking
If anyone fancies a weekend in staffordshire giving me a hand pm me or post on here.
Got to be sensible shooter.
Atb

 

[bogtrotter]

Shotgun at first light ,build a hide while still dark a cammo net and a few poles will do try and beg borrow or buy a few decoys set them up head into the wind where the geese are feeding ( check the day before) and about 20/25 yards from your hide.

 

[stalkerboydy]

Sound advice from Bogtrotter BUT i will add you must use Non Toxic Shot as you are in England

 

[Mmamonster]

Thanks for the replies, what sort of load would you use ?
There is a hedge line on the field so should be able to make a hide.

Thanks again for advice

 

[stalkerboydy]

Personally i use homeload Steel shot. In factory ammunition I'd use Gamebore 3" 36grm 1's or 3's - RC 3"same load shot size or Fiochi again same load shot size. Easy for me to say as I've shot a lot of Geese over the last 40+ yrs But DON'T aim/shoot at the big bit eg Body try to ignore it and at the head imagine you are shooting at a Snipe also don't be fooled into believing they are big lumbering slow birds trust me they shift along flying hight should not be a problem. Let them come in and enjoy some good shooting good luck

 

[Overlay]

Depending on how you are going to go about it, they are in season (at the moment) so as long as you comply to the general licence it's all good, you can use the best method, just make sure you use non toxic ammo, I use 35 grn non toxic rounds in my .222, which I've found is the best round by far for a goose cull, 22lr or WMR , HMR won't put em on the deck if you shoot them with a low cal head or kneck they will go ballistic and you'll only get a single shot of

Shotgun - I use a 20 gauge semi auto with #3 ( non toxic) shot a great calibre for normal range goose shooting with 1/2 choke

Don't over shoot it or they will come and go in the darkness hours, decoys will help and calling them in to one area

You will get a better result with a safe rifle shot from a distance it doesn't spook them so much


You could also use a non toxic application on the grass that embitters the grass and flags etc

If you think you may get people asking what you're up to, print off a copy of the general licence and if your near a road/ footpath get a cad number to reduce any problems from the local tree huggers

Good luck

Phil

 

[Chasser]

Depending on how you are going to go about it, they are in season (at the moment) so as long as you comply to the general licence it's all good, you can use the best method, just make sure you use non toxic ammo, I use 35 grn non toxic rounds in my .222, which I've found is the best round by far for a goose cull, 22lr or WMR , HMR won't put em on the deck if you shoot them with a low cal head or kneck they will go ballistic and you'll only get a single shot of

Shotgun - I use a 20 gauge semi auto with #3 ( non toxic) shot a great calibre for normal range goose shooting with 1/2 choke

Don't over shoot it or they will come and go in the darkness hours, decoys will help and calling them in to one area

You will get a better result with a safe rifle shot from a distance it doesn't spook them so much


You could also use a non toxic application on the grass that embitters the grass and flags etc

If you think you may get people asking what you're up to, print off a copy of the general licence and if your near a road/ footpath get a cad number to reduce any problems from the local tree huggers

Good luck

Phil

Rifle projectiles don’t need to be non-toxic, also, there is no close season for Canada geese In the uk.

 

[Overlay]

Rifle projectiles don’t need to be non-toxic, also, there is no close season for Canada geese In the uk.

You have to comply to the general licence, if you’re on SSSI ground and or if you are on some private ground you have to comply, some insist on Non Toxic shot whether it’s shotgun or rifle - don’t get confused - check it out first

If you undertake shooting on wetlands you should consider using non toxic ammunition as a preference

You really don’t want the local constabularies Wildlife crime officer giving you a visit outside of the normal wildfowl shooting season

 

[Chasser]

You have to comply to the general licence, if you’re on SSSI ground and or if you are on some private ground you have to comply, some insist on Non Toxic shot whether it’s shotgun or rifle - don’t get confused - check it out first

If you undertake shooting on wetlands you should consider using non toxic ammunition as a preference

You really don’t want the local constabularies Wildlife crime officer giving you a visit outside of the normal wildfowl shooting season

Confused as to why the local constabularies wildlife crime officer would be visiting? Also I’m aware no one is immune from the general license, often Canada geese will feed on arable land that is inland away from wetland.

 

[Overlay]

Ok

 

[Popa ray]

, often Canada geese will feed on arable land that is inland away from wetland.[/QUOTE]
Above is why they can be shot outside the normal season, providing you adhere to the other conditions.
Also geese can be shot on Sunday in some counties,,,Staffordshire being one.
I personally wouldn't shoot them with a rifle as a bit to many things to worry about but not saying you can't if you feel safe doing so.
As to shot size 3s in a heavy none toxic load is ok but if using steel then BB would in my opinion be better.
I have the choice of 12 ,10, or eight bore and would go with the ten and steel shot ,,,,,,enjoy.
Ray

 

[finnbear270]

Government department recommended centrefire cal is minimum .223, you can LEGALLY shoot them with soft points,& means now't being anywhere near water, we used to have them named specifically on ticket, but the AOLQ entry will suffice now.
(other than from a safety point of view,) I would get a few safe rifle shooters around the problem area, (obviously not in a silly crossfire scenario), backed up by a few safe shot gunners , with NON LEAD SHOT, we have done this regularly, It works.

 

[Popa ray]

Plenty of Canada's where you are finnbear ,I used to shoot the Dee but never raised the gun to Canada's as to far to carry back and lots on the farm at home.
Ray

 

[enfieldspares]

I'm sure that many would be happy to help AND to take away a fair share of the shot birds rather than see them dumped in a ditch. As long as you've got a written piece of paper from the person that has the sporting rights allowing you and any other person authorised by you (so be careful that may not always be the farmer that farms the land).

As others say you have to use, in a shotgun, non-lead shot. But there is no law that says that you cannot shoot the things once they have landed. If that's the case treat them as turkey are shot in America and go for a head shot. Out to say thirty yards and where and when allowed an ounce and a quarter of lead #5 with a plaswad and the fullest choke possible would have been ideal. But nowadays select a choke giving as tight a pattern as is possible for the non-toxic shot you must now use in England and Wales.

I had them on my pond. Pain in the bottom they were mucking and fouling everywhere. But you don't necessarily need 1's or 3's if you head shoot them even when they are flying. A head shot Canada with the same #5 or #6 you'd use on incoming duck coming into set down on the pond will kill any goose if you hit it in the head or neck. But in England and Wales that must, now, be non-toxic shot. What did some used to say? Ignore the body that's behind the neck and just think of its head as being a snipe you're shooting at.

 

[James0586]

If it’s away from water and in a field I thought that you don’t need non toxic shot?

 

[bogtrotter]

If it’s away from water and in a field I thought that you don’t need non toxic shot?

in Scotland you only need to use non toxic shot when shooting over water in England and Wales non toxic for all water fowl whether over water or not.

 

[Mmamonster]

Quick update,
Had man flue so not been on here, i will call you this weekend Ray to sort out meeting up
Also mickey will get in touch to sort meet up and shoot.
Hopefully be next weekend.
Atb
Mart

 

[25 Sharps]

Read the general licences, decide which one you are operating under and make sure you comply with the terms (which will exclude your NV)

Wild birds: prevent damage to your land, farm, fishery or business

 

[finnbear270]

We always rifle shoot through the wing body junction.