Carrying rifles on public footpaths

[arron]

several years ago , a part time keeper in a local village to me claimed he had his certificate revoked ( temporarily ) , because he claimed he was reported for walking out of his house ,which was a terraced cottage, going onto a main road with a foot path at the edge of it to his park vehicle ,with the rifle in no slip to go lamping , but reading these posts , he has done nothing wrong then , I have always been mindful not to fall foul of this , interesting ! perhaps there was more to it .

 

[NigelM]

I think there's more to it than just having a gun over your shoulder.

Dress in cammo kit, balaclava on slipping from tree to tree with a rifle in your hand doing your best to keep out of sight and you can probably understand why a few of the more paranoid members of the public might get a bit disturbed.

Dressed in plain green or something smart with rifle over the shoulder, approaching the member of the public and saying a polite hello as you go past, stopping for a chat if engaged and you are much less likely to get into trouble.

I never take a slip with me but always make a point of looking smart and being polite/waving to anyone I bump into and have never had a problem.

 

[Woodsmoke]

always make a point of looking smart and being polite/waving to anyone I bump into and have never had a problem

I was stalking with a friend on some forestry land a couple of weeks ago & when we met up for lunch at the truck we met horse riders, hikers, and even a woman out walking her young children along the public paths. None showed any concern at all as we went out of our way to smile & say hello. One couple even apologised in case they were talking too loudly, bless 'em

 

[mathieson]

I stalk on a large estate at least twice a week which has footpaths running through it in many areas which the estate allows public access,some of which I allso use for access usualy with my rifle over my shoulder maybe I have been lucky but on the many occasions I have encountered dog walkers etc I have never had any problems indeed some do stop for a chat and when I explain the reason I am there they in general seem to be really interested and understanding in the need in some areas particualy wooded/forest areas to control deer numbers.I think in general as long as you are sensible and as descreet as possible you shouldn,t hopfully have any problems