I didn't take my own advice

[charadam]

"we have perfectly adequate laws already entrenched in our society, lets see those laws enforced instead of imposing more please".

Well said Limulus.

​

 

[Scots_stalker]

I am very sorry to read of your experience on this occasion and in the previous one. I'm relatively new to stalking and still have a positive view of the sport. Perhaps with experience, this may change.

By your account, you have been civil and responsible. You have not initiated any verbal or physical confrontation and have contacted the police to voice your concerns. I assume the police obtained your details? If so they may contact you to take a statement at a later date, if necessary. There is nothing to stop you contacting the police to enquire how the matter was resolved. You are a tax-payer. The police work for you (or at least they should. However, I am also painfully aware of their limitations and failings).

It's easy to be wise after the event and I am somewhat reticent about passing comment on other peoples experiences; I think though, if a similar situation arises again, I would be inclined not to engage these individuals (I will refrain from using some of the more descriptive four-lettered nouns I'm thinking of) in conversation and simply call the land owner and police immediately. The police are paid to deal with confrontation. You do not need to place yourself in a stressful position whilst in possession of a firearm. Although sometimes, it's hard not to challenge someone when presented with stupid, thoughtless behaviour.

As for the discussion about airguns, I have always thought that the problem isn't the object itself, but the people who have access to them. Airguns can still be dangerous in the wrong hands and whilst further government meddling in aspects of peoples lives goes against my libertarian tendencies, it may be worth considering incidents such as this (forgive me if anyone has seen this before):

Urban deer face death in agony from armed neds | UK | News | Daily Express

Not to mention the number of cats and dogs that get maimed with airguns by some of the more unscrupulous members of our society.

I would have no concerns about making access to airguns for oxygen-wasters (damn...and I was doing so well) difficult or impossible.

I hope you're OK.

Regards,

A fellow Lanarkshire man.

Hi. Make no mistake about it , if i had been off the beaten track. Then i would have let them pass and then contacted the police and landowner

 

[Cernunnos]

Ah,the good old Scottish Express!
The reason that this is in the headlines up here at the moment I would imagine is not for anything other than to push along the airgun licencing that Alex Salmond and Co are attempting to bring into force.
The running dog problem has been on-going for years and years.It looks like that because the deer are moving into the urban sprawl instead of the scroates having to get into the countryside to dog them dinner is being brought to them!
The penalties for poaching with air weapons or dogs can be quite severe if the police attending the scene of any capture see fit to push it or the CPS deem it as a worthwhile case.
The problem I found over the last few years is that there seems to be an unwillingness to take offenders through the court system.I have had guns given back to poachers and them sent on their way as well as having no help with "trespass in pursuit of game" prosecutions.
​Like has been said,the laws are there to be used but seem to be ignored.

The Express article is from 2009 and it's interesting as it does illustrate the deer population explosion across the UK. As does this one from the Telegraph in 2010:

Urban deer a growing problem for UK - Telegraph

You are spot on about the use of existing laws. There is adequate legislation to deal with offenders but insufficient willingness on the part of the police and courts to prosecute. On balance, these offences may be seen as lesser in severity compared to say an assault, robbery, burglary/housebreaking. Court cases end up being prioritised and some cases with sufficient evidence get binned. The irony being that these same people involved in poaching or irresponsible use of airguns are often involved in other criminal activity. Offenders know this. Hence the burgeoning underclass of scofflaws.

 

[perdix]

You're spot on there with them being involved in other stuff.
It was amazing how many sheds were broken into when poaching was rife!
We were very fortunate that at the height of the problem there was still a village bobby in place who had grown up on the next estate and was a very keen shot.Once he had gone,however,things took a turn for the worse

 

[Scots_stalker]

Landowner just off the phone. A car sat at the road end with five guys in it last night for a few hrs. Advised me to stay away for a few days

 

[norma 308]

You're spot on there with them being involved in other stuff.
It was amazing how many sheds were broken into when poaching was rife!
We were very fortunate that at the height of the problem there was still a village bobby in place who had grown up on the next estate and was a very keen shot.Once he had gone,however,things took a turn for the worse

Spot on ,I picked up several white goods for storage yesterday for my lad, while having a cuppa before unloading two different transits stopped and looked at the said goods on my Ivor Williams ,these people just happened tobe in a sleepy village not even on a main rd ? Someone may say they are having a good look around on the pretence of scrap collection ! In the old days our village copper would have $$$$ ed them right off .
​norma

 

[perdix]

Landowner just off the phone. A car sat at the road end with five guys in it last night for a few hrs. Advised me to stay away for a few days

The landowner is going to have to make this a police matter S.S as it sounds like they will not only intimidate anyone daring to stand up to them but will continue to cause problems until it is harshly dealt with.
I was very lucky to be part of a team of 7 keepers plus many others we could call on should push come to shove so a problem like this would have been dealt with differently but as you are not in this position you are not going to get anywhere without solid police support

 

[Scots_stalker]

So i went to the local gym tonight. Drove home. As i parked outside my house a silver vectra with 5 guys in it slowed down at the passenger smiled at me. Its the older guy from Friday night. Currently waiting on the police to arrive. What do i do guys.???

 

[6pointer]

You must shoot in some rough areas Mate christ you had had more problems in the last six months than i have had in 30 years of urban deer stalking in and glasgow.

 

[User00047]

I wish I had some positive advice for you mate but I think you'll just have to have a chat with the plod and leave it with them. Remain vigilant at all times, do not confront the prats and keep your phone on your person when you're out and about.

 

[Scots_stalker]

Police are just off the phone. There's not enough evidence to even go to his door. My word against those in the car. Feeling let down

 

[Grand Slam]

I wish I had some positive advice for you mate but I think you'll just have to have a chat with the plod and leave it with them. Remain vigilant at all times, do not confront the prats and keep your phone on your person when you're out and about.

+1

Not much else you can do mate, were you fully parked outside ur house? Just thinking if you just pulled up they might not know which house is yours. Just thinkin outside the box mate.

 

[User00047]

Chances are they are just trying to scare you, but you can't be too careful. Did you get the car number plate? Is this person already known to the police?

 

[Scots_stalker]

No mate. When the car slowed down I actually thought it was someone stopping to talk or something as I turned to face the car it sped off. It was a few seconds before I placed who it was. By this time it was out of sight

 

[Scots_stalker]

You must shoot in some rough areas Mate christ you had had more problems in the last six months than i have had in 30 years of urban deer stalking in and glasgow.

All on the same ground mate. Looks like I am gonna give it up. Too much hassle

 

[Grand Slam]

All on the same ground mate. Looks like I am gonna give it up. Too much hassle

Don't be beat by scum like that. Like Buckaroo mentioned they are probably just trying the scare tactics. Obviously escalation of any sort is not a good thing in a situation like this, all u can do is report it and hope these F***ers get what is coming to them

 

[Scots_stalker]

No. Not give up stalking. Just this bit of ground

 

[Grand Slam]

No. Not give up stalking. Just this bit of ground

Understood pal.

 

[Hornet]

I understand your concerns but have to disagree.
Where does it stop? Nail guns for the workplace? A kid making his own bow and arrows? A catapult? The elastic to make a catapult?
I just despise the ever increasing mamby pamby 'it's for your safety' attitude to the diminutae of every day life.
we have perfectly adequate laws already entrenched in our society, lets see those laws enforced instead of imposing more please.

Well said that man, spot on

 

[craigievarkiller]

Scots - stalker ..... do you have any CCTV cameras at your house ?
If not, it might be worth investing in a couple...one out front and the other out back.
You can pick up real cheap systems these days ....try CPC website.
At least if something was to happen to you outside your house, or some damage was done to your vehicle / property, then at least you should have some evidence for the police to work with.
Hope you get the problem sorted ..... hopefully the 'oxygen wasters' will just get bored and go back to watching Jeremy Kyle !

ATB
CVK