Highseat positioning.
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Ignoring the safety implications how long do you think a highseat placed on a public footpath would last ?
AI says it's a criminal offense under the Highways Act 1980 to wilfully obstruct the free passage along a highway, including footpaths, with penalties including fines or imprisonment. Landowners have a duty to keep these paths clear, and anyone can report obstructions to the local authority, who must take action to get them removed, potentially through court orders and fines.
Not illegal to pull the trigger if permissions and Certificates are in place, just unwise and Crowlcat says, unethical. Is there a wider context for the question? It’s also illegal to destroy or remove said high seat unless authorised to do so. Daft, but there we are.
Not illegal to pull the trigger if permissions and Certificates are in place, just unwise and Crowlcat says, unethical. Is there a wider context for the question? It’s also illegal to destroy or remove said high seat unless authorised to do so. Daft, but there we are.
That would be perfectly legal, provided that:
a) The highseat did not actually obstruct the footpath.
and b) The person shooting the rifle had appropriate authority to shoot on that land.
That may be stupid, but not illegal.
What do you mean by "not ethical"?
It is perfectly normal to shoot from, across or along footpaths and other public rights of way. Private land is criss-crossed with such routes.
It might not always be sensible or appropriate (the shooter makes a judgement on this, just as we do with every shot taken), but there's nothing illegal or unethical about it.
No wider context to the question except its just the other side of a boundary hedge on a footpath which enters my friend's land 50 yds above it. Anyone shooting at an animal more than 50yds away at any angle doesn't have a backstop as the ground all round it either rises or falls away on to other owners ground or footpaths.
It may well be a safety issue, but I can't see it being a legal issue unless the occupier of the seat starts sniping at quarry over the boundary.
If I were your friend, I’d want a word with my neighbour to point out the safety issue, which could take place on your friends land.
Leec6.5
Well-Known Member
I’ve got a high seat that backs onto a green lane and you have to sort of think about it that at the time of day that you’re going to be stalking are there going to be members of the public walking?
Jim Hutton
Well-Known Member
No backstop and on a public footpath is a definite no.
"Legally " I don't believe there is anything against shooting from adjacent to or even from the public footpath or bridleway, as long as the path isn't permanently blocked to below the minimum width for the right of way.
The rules for disturbing / interupting etc and the 50feet rule only apply to carriageways not public rights of way.
Up to the person pulling the trigger to decide if the shot is safe.
All depends on context .
I am looking to put a seat adjacent to a bridleway which is little used... Will be only used for fox control at night (minimal chance of horses on the path) to improve back stop potential.
I am happy I would be OK with it.
The rules for disturbing / interupting etc and the 50feet rule only apply to carriageways not public rights of way.
Up to the person pulling the trigger to decide if the shot is safe.
All depends on context .
I am looking to put a seat adjacent to a bridleway which is little used... Will be only used for fox control at night (minimal chance of horses on the path) to improve back stop potential.
I am happy I would be OK with it.
Jim Hutton
Well-Known Member
It might be legal but if you get reported then your next fac renewal might prove to be a challenge. I still think there is a problem with no safe backstop if it’s as described.
I have had a highest on a footpath overlooking a big field with a wood to left side where roe come out
Its been there 10 years and has a bushwear do not climb etc etc sign on it
Never had any issue
Been sat in it many times and a local saunters past with a dog, sees me last minute then apologises for buggering up my shooting
S
You're lucky, here it would be "Cruel bas.... can't you leave those poor deer alone" and thats just the women.
I’d be more concerned with somebody messing around with the seat and or injuring themselves doing so.
As for safety with the shot , that’s the individuals responsibility before pulling the trigger…. But this wasn’t the question asked.
We have high seats in areas that make the shots “safe shots” and wouldn’t discharge from the ground.
I’d imagine a fair chance that the safety aspect is probably why a high seat is being installed in the first place.
Without seeing the seat and the backstops etc …. We are all just taking pops .
But if the highway/footpath isn’t obstructed , then not illegal
Maybe frowned upon by some …. But isn’t everything we as countryman do?
As for safety with the shot , that’s the individuals responsibility before pulling the trigger…. But this wasn’t the question asked.
We have high seats in areas that make the shots “safe shots” and wouldn’t discharge from the ground.
I’d imagine a fair chance that the safety aspect is probably why a high seat is being installed in the first place.
Without seeing the seat and the backstops etc …. We are all just taking pops .
But if the highway/footpath isn’t obstructed , then not illegal
Maybe frowned upon by some …. But isn’t everything we as countryman do?
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