How would you handle it?

[paul o']

my 2p
I think i would have a gas guns going on his next shoot day , if the road was part of the highway should /could inform the police of this stupid chap but this should have been done at the time, if he puts a walking gun with his beaters then its armed trespass !! as for his given/sold rights to shoot over your land then over price or state any damage must be met by the group or by him to reflect any damage by foot traffic over your crops if not part of the rights already or just let him do as he wishes as he seems to feel he can do as he wishes on your land anyway, I think he feels like you owe a him big favour or something, it also sounds like he is a real bit of work. some nice close feed stations may make your day go better as well

Driving down a small country lane earlier today, and became aware that there was a driven shoot taking place in the woodland alongside. I passed the keeper and a couple of pickers-up, who stood aside to let me pass, and could hear the beaters working through the wood and shots.
Rounded a bend and found one of the guns in the middle of the lane, waiting to get a shot at birds as they passed over. He - somewhat reluctantly - moved to the side of the road as I approached, and stood with his gun held horizontally across his arm. POINTING STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD, LEVEL WITH MY HEAD!!!! He appeared totally mystified as to why I refused to drive past! Just gave repeated impatient (and rather pompous) gestures for me to get a move on!

Now, bearing in mind that this is the same shoot that owns sporting rights over part of my farm, and that my kids go beating there on the weekends, and the shoot owner has been a reference for my son's university applications, how should I have handled this?

(Also bearing in mind that this is the same shoot owner who sent pickers-up and flag waving flankers onto parts of my farm where he DOESN'T have sporting rights, when shooting adjacent woodland, and without asking permission, and then got annoyed when I quizzed him about it).

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Plenty of muppets on shoots, who ignore safety briefing, don't pick up,their cartridges after they eject them 7 feet away, etc etc, pay their money and you dared Inconvience him from his shooting, get past damn it.
something like this could have serious consequences for the shoot if the wrong person had driven past.

They might be the minority but I have had to bite my lip a few times, sometimes just over the general rudeness. But that is another story.

most gamekeepers are sensible, well the ones I have met have been and know the consequences and if told this should have a quiet word in the ear of the gun or if they feel the need give them a proper dressing down for stupidity.

unfortunate you didn't have your phone. But depending on your relationship with the gamekeeper I would have a word with him. Sometimes shoot captains are not as good as putting a message across as the keeper.

 

[VSS]

Well I've spoken with the shoot owner. I didn't want to 'phone him or see him on his own, 'cos I knew he'd just palm me off with a lot of smooth talk. So I made a point of going down to the shoot lodge on a Saturday morning, when there's be a few other folk about. As it happened I was a bit early, but at least the two keepers and a couple of the guns also heard what I had to say. Seems that particular gun has been cautioned before, and they usually stand someone with him to make sure he doesn't digress. Not on that day though. Anyway, I have the owners assurance that he will do something about it, but I won't hold my breath....
This is the same shoot where a gun fired at a rabbit running across in front of the line of beaters, as they emerged from a wood, despite the fact that the whistle had already blown for the end of the drive, and despite the fact there's a "no ground game" rule. When the beaters(including my son) complained about this they were basically told that nothing would be done because the gun was "a good client" or words to that effect.

Now following all this, another dilemma... Same evening, poacher taking short-cut through my ground to access his (ie, neighbouring shoot owner's) woods. Took five birds then hid up, as I was blocking his vehicle in a layby with my tractor and trailer, and he wouldn't come back with me there. How far mixed up with this do I want to be, or do I turn a blind eye...?

 

[Eric the Red]

Well I've spoken with the shoot owner. I didn't want to 'phone him or see him on his own, 'cos I knew he'd just palm me off with a lot of smooth talk. So I made a point of going down to the shoot lodge on a Saturday morning, when there's be a few other folk about. As it happened I was a bit early, but at least the two keepers and a couple of the guns also heard what I had to say. Seems that particular gun has been cautioned before, and they usually stand someone with him to make sure he doesn't digress. Not on that day though. Anyway, I have the owners assurance that he will do something about it, but I won't hold my breath....
This is the same shoot where a gun fired at a rabbit running across in front of the line of beaters, as they emerged from a wood, despite the fact that the whistle had already blown for the end of the drive, and despite the fact there's a "no ground game" rule. When the beaters(including my son) complained about this they were basically told that nothing would be done because the gun was "a good client" or words to that effect.

Now following all this, another dilemma... Same evening, poacher taking short-cut through my ground to access his woods. Took five birds then hid up, as I was blocking his vehicle in a layby with my tractor and trailer, and he wouldn't come back with me there. How far mixed up with this do I want to be, or do I turn a blind eye...?

No permission on your ground = armed trespass? Plus birds = poaching? You presumably have his regn, so report to Wildlife Crimes Unit. Leave letter on his car confirming he does not have permission to cross your land, esp with a firearm - and photograph as evidence. No need to get directly involved - too risky.

 

[long_range_rob]

Sounds like he may be a good client but a flaming liability! The shoot has a duty of care to the general public and their staff. Having a good client is not an excuse under law and the HSE would always prosecute a firearms injury!

Five years in clink for a good client, not me!

 

[welshwarrior]

My 2 pence worth, open the car "excuse please unload your gun so I can drive past safely." Not response or action no movement he'll realise his drive won't go well and eventually take the hint, then I'd park up and inform the shoot captain and embrass the ill educated heathen so he knows that saftey is paramount and doesn't do it again.

 

[G1963]

Thought the law states that you have to be 35 yards from the centre of the road to shoot?

 

[palmer_mike]

Thought the law states that you have to be 35 yards from the centre of the road to shoot?

Not exactly

 

[csl]

Thought the law states that you have to be 35 yards from the centre of the road to shoot?

I reckon this is the most frequently misquoted and misunderstood piece of legislation in shooting!

In England and Wales the Highways Act says it is an offence to discharge without lawful authority or excuse any firearm within 50 feet of the centre of the highway ONLY IF as a consequence the user of the highway is injured, interrupted or endangered.

A highway does not include footpaths or bridleways.

 

[trimix]

unslipped and loaded and on a public (?) road....perhaps even worse!

 

[palmer_mike]

unslipped and loaded and on a public (?) road....perhaps even worse!

Is that illegal? I guess lawful authority and reasonable excuse would have to be defined.....

 

[kimh]

"Excuse me, would you mind breaking your gun so I can drive past safely? Thank you." ??

If the gun refused or was rude in return then a complaint to the shoot captain along the lines of "you were lucky it was me and I'm a shooter, if it had been an anti it could be in all the newspapers by now". Keep it civil, as you say, you are somewhat stuck with them.

Alex

I'm with this?

if you didn't know the shoot was on, it could of been gerry on his third attempt of invasion! if that was the case shove the pitch fork in the ole huns ass (they don't like it up em, you know) that aside all seems well and sorted, well done, but please make sure your children are in safe hands...