Legality of baiting deer?

[Tim.243]

Good afternoon everyone
I have a friend of mine who is struggling with some muntjac damaging some woodland. I have had a look around the last 2-3 days without the rifle just to get my head around the land and where all the tracks run.
And it’s absolutely bloody full of walkers, not so many as the sun is going down but even then he says he still gets them around at all times.
The only part I can find where isn’t on a footpath has very few tracks and signs of muntjac. So I spoke to the guy and he says he’d be happy to pop down some beets in a hope to try to pull the muntjac over there with the hope of shooting them.
I can’t find out online if it is legal to do so with any clarity and I can’t seem to get a hold of my fire

Shoot them using the 1hr before/after rule,(that is why it was written that way) a digital scope +IR (foxing set up) assuming they move through at those time,
1st muntjac then the fox and then a second muntjac last legal light was 7.34.
Putting "bait" down then other things will turn up, then the don't use salt lick police will start chipping in a badgers will eat what you put down.
Not easy and you need to be on your "A" game, also weigh up the risk/fall out factor and if you are not feeling it then DON'T

 

[Beagle boy]

Are the walkers on footpaths or just roaming his wood?
It's in the title Firearms Enquiry Officer = firearms law not shooting law.
BASC, NGO BDS ....... would be the people to ask.

He went from dairy to forestry a part of it has a lot of foot paths. The there is his private 3-4 acre wood full of willow and poplars that has not foot path on it.

 

[ColinJ]

Deer legislation is not within the remit of a Firearms Officer. Not their department at all. They wouldn't have a clue.

Given how many FEO’s are members here that’s a silly thing to say. (Not because they might hold it against you, but because many are keen stalkers.)

 

[VSS]

Given how many FEO’s are members here that’s a silly thing to say. (Not because they might hold it against you, but because many are keen stalkers.)

Being a keen stalker doesn't make someone knowledgeable about deer legislation either, it would seem.
Otherwise we wouldn’t get threads like this

Anyway, I stand by what I said: Deer legislation is not within the remit of a Firearms Officer.
(That's irrespective of whether he also happens to be a stalker).

 

[palmer_mike]

Given how many FEO’s are members here that’s a silly thing to say. (Not because they might hold it against you, but because many are keen stalkers.)

None I have ever had dealings with have ever been stalkers

 

[Bo Diddley]

None I've encountered even wanted to engage in conversation about themselves in any way, let alone being drawn on their hobbies.
And forget about accepting the pot of tea and chocolate Hobnobs.
They appear to have a job to do, and it doesn't seem to involve being overly friendly.... might just be me, I suppose

 

[Dickie]

None I've encountered even wanted to engage in conversation about themselves in any way, let alone being drawn on their hobbies.
And forget about accepting the pot of tea and chocolate Hobnobs.
They appear to have a job to do, and it doesn't seem to involve being overly friendly.... might just be me, I suppose

I must be lucky where I live then as I’ve never met a bad one sadly a good few of them have crossed the bar.

 

[Bo Diddley]

I must be lucky where I live then as I’ve never met a bad one sadly a good few of them have crossed the bar.

They have all been fine with me, just seem to have a job to do, and they take it most seriously, never being overly "Friendly", just professional, I suppose.

 

[Frank Homes]

Being a keen stalker doesn't make someone knowledgeable about deer legislation either, it would seem.
Otherwise we wouldn’t get threads like this

Anyway, I stand by what I said: Deer legislation is not within the remit of a Firearms Officer.
(That's irrespective of whether he also happens to be a stalker).

Wha

Being a keen stalker doesn't make someone knowledgeable about deer legislation either, it would seem.
Otherwise we wouldn’t get threads like this

Anyway, I stand by what I said: Deer legislation is not within the remit of a Firearms Officer.
(That's irrespective of whether he also happens to be a stalker).

What a ridiculous generalisation that only goes to show your ignorance of deer legislation.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

Wha

What a ridiculous generalisation that only goes to show your ignorance of deer legislation.

It’s really not ridiculous. 90% of the firearms officers I have dealt with only have a very basic understanding of deer legislation if any at all. I think you need to chill your beans, I don’t doubt that there are knowledgeable firearms officers out there, but it certainly isn’t always the case.

 

[Freeforester]

Good afternoon everyone
I have a friend of mine who is struggling with some muntjac damaging some woodland. I have had a look around the last 2-3 days without the rifle just to get my head around the land and where all the tracks run.
And it’s absolutely bloody full of walkers, not so many as the sun is going down but even then he says he still gets them around at all times.
The only part I can find where isn’t on a footpath has very few tracks and signs of muntjac. So I spoke to the guy and he says he’d be happy to pop down some beets in a hope to try to pull the muntjac over there with the hope of shooting them.
I can’t find out online if it is legal to do so with any clarity and I can’t seem to get a hold of my fire arms officer.
Has anyone got any advice?

Cheers Rob

If you’re concerned about the public, print off and laminate a few signs to erect at the entry and exit points of the wood where they are likely to pass, indicating deer culling in progress. This demonstrates responsible attitude (- but take pictures once they are placed, to show you indeed did so), and may even encourage the access takers to venture elsewhere. A red signal flag put out on the days of shooting may even enhance this effect. Don’t leave it out for days though, or the impact is lost.

A couple piles of spade-chopped carrot,
Apple or beet ( put a camera out to gauge their preference), or a pheasant feeder or two with maize and wheat can all be tried.

 

[tom308w]

Put your signs shooting in progress on a wooden stand .put them on footpath entrances before stalking and remove after.just saves people seeing them all the time and getting used to no one being about

 

[Beagle boy]

Being a keen stalker doesn't make someone knowledgeable about deer legislation either, it would seem.
Otherwise we wouldn’t get threads like this

Anyway, I stand by what I said: Deer legislation is not within the remit of a Firearms Officer.
(That's irrespective of whether he also happens to be a stalker).

Sorry for my cluelessness I just thought it would be safer to seek guidance from people more experienced and knowledgeable than myself

Cheers Rob

 

[BenBhoy]

Be worth the OP putting 2 or 3 trail cameras out - show you were the deer want to be & where the walkers probably shouldn't be.

 

[Mike1979]

Sorry for my cluelessness I just thought it would be safer to seek guidance from people more experienced and knowledgeable than myself

Cheers Rob

I wouldnt worry mate...we all have to learn. You will also see that a load of us are grumpy old farts but curt rather then rude

I personally find the general public and countryside should be kept apart as much as possible....makes our pursuits much more complicated then needs be

 

[Beagle boy]

I wouldnt worry mate...we all have to learn. You will also see that a load of us are grumpy old farts but curt rather then rude

I personally find the general public and countryside should be kept apart as much as possible....makes our pursuits much more complicated then needs be

Yeah I agree they are definitely safer apart. Especially as more people than ever seem to think they can wander where ever they feel like.
I don’t mind any advice Mike to be honest, it’s like being at work with a lot of the ex pit lads it all comes from the rite place

Cheers Rob

 

[Camdig]

These three and a Doe with a single spend at least an hour in the evening and before sunrise eating out that pheasant feeder.

 

[25 Sharps]

None I've encountered even wanted to engage in conversation about themselves in any way, let alone being drawn on their hobbies.
And forget about accepting the pot of tea and chocolate Hobnobs.
They appear to have a job to do, and it doesn't seem to involve being overly friendly.... might just be me, I suppose

Have a beer with mine once or twice a year at charity shoots, where they work one of the stands. All good guys and girls, some shoot, some stalk.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Have a beer with mine a couple of times at charity shoots, where they work one of the stands. All good guys and girls, some shoot, some stalk.

You're lucky then, Sharpie. The ones that visit me seem to want to maintain a certain distance. Can't say I blame them tbf, after all, it is a job.
I had a decent conversation with one when land was being accessed, he didn't want to look at it all, though, so it was brief.

 

[25 Sharps]

You're lucky then, Sharpie. The ones that visit me seem to want to maintain a certain distance. Can't say I blame them tbf, after all, it is a job.
I had a decent conversation with one when land was being accessed, he didn't want to look at it all, though, so it was brief.

I think we are pretty lucky with the team we have in Wiltshire, long may it continue!