I'm just a nosey bast@rd.
Open Cert Upgrade
- Thread starter Nimrod1960
- Start date
marktherebel
Member
So I am in a very similar position.
My FEO seems very strict, to the degree that he isn't happy on me even shooting on land I know is cleared from the landowner / other shooters on the land.
He wants me to submit a 'Land Authority' form for all land I plan to shoot on and he wants to contact all landowners, ie he is not willing to take my word that I have permission and that it is cleared.
I am in a similar situation to another commenter on here in that I am down South (Hampshire) but grew up in Scotland so have a few bits to shoot on up in Scotland.
My FEO wants Police Scotland to clear the land but I think that is going to be futile task as I don't believe they clear land at all. I even tried contacting Police Scotland myself and they gave me a stock response of
'We don't calibre clear land, it is down to the shooter and land owner to agree and understand what is safe and reasonable'.
Which I thought was pretty reasonable. He has just e-mailed me stating he has asked Police Scotland to clear some land so will see what comes of that.
My FEO seems very strict, to the degree that he isn't happy on me even shooting on land I know is cleared from the landowner / other shooters on the land.
He wants me to submit a 'Land Authority' form for all land I plan to shoot on and he wants to contact all landowners, ie he is not willing to take my word that I have permission and that it is cleared.
I am in a similar situation to another commenter on here in that I am down South (Hampshire) but grew up in Scotland so have a few bits to shoot on up in Scotland.
My FEO wants Police Scotland to clear the land but I think that is going to be futile task as I don't believe they clear land at all. I even tried contacting Police Scotland myself and they gave me a stock response of
'We don't calibre clear land, it is down to the shooter and land owner to agree and understand what is safe and reasonable'.
Which I thought was pretty reasonable. He has just e-mailed me stating he has asked Police Scotland to clear some land so will see what comes of that.
63
Well-Known Member
That feels bizarre.
I last had land cleared 20 odd years ago I’m Dyfed Powys for my first grant. We did it at the same time as my home visit, as the land in question was close. The FEO and I walked around the land and he asked some questions about ‘where are the footpaths’ and ‘if you were stood here with your rifle where could you/could you not shoot’. Overall the process seemed as much about checking my decision making, and that I knew the land, as the land itself.Doing it with the landowner, who might well not shoot at all, seems to be a bit illogical.
When chatting to a now retired FEO from the old Northern Constabulary, he said that he was fed up with forces from England contacting him and asking if X piece of land was cleared for X calibre.
He said that he told them all the land in his area was cleared for 50 BMG and never heard from them again.
I sent an email today requesting info on having my .308 and .30-30 opened up to all lawful quarry as currently only for target shooting on ranges. I was contacted by phone in reply and advised that I would have to provide proof of a stalking booking and proof of experience in the field with these calibres before they would be granted for shooting over land. After these two criteria were met I would only be granted “on land cleared by chief officer of police” until I had shown further experience. I already have “open” conditions for all of my rimfire rifles and have been shooting mainly rabbits with these for over 10 years. When I raised this as grounds to show experience and mentioned that appropriate backstop and safe shot is just as important with rimfire I was advised that rimfire and centrefire are different. Also advised that I would currently only be stalking with a guide on paid stalking outings as I don’t have any permissions for deer stalking. Still insisted that land would need to be cleared by chief officer of police.
In the meantime it is fine for me to use estate rifle on any land that I book stalking on “to gain experience” whilst not being able to practice with the rifles in question.
I would be more restricted on the use of my own rifles than I am with someone else’s.
In the meantime it is fine for me to use estate rifle on any land that I book stalking on “to gain experience” whilst not being able to practice with the rifles in question.
I would be more restricted on the use of my own rifles than I am with someone else’s.
marktherebel
Member
Update to this...
Scotland must still do some form of land clearances (or at least the admin team at Glasgow seem to think they do) as I've just seen the response e-mail that Scotland (Glasgow office) had replied to my FEO.
"I have attached the details from our Shogun records, as you can see the last time this was checked was 2019. Unsure if this is suitable for you, or if you would like another land check carried out?"
Brad93
Well-Known Member
When my FEO (essex) had to clear some land we turned up, said hello to landowner, looked over the gate and pointed out the boundaries, footpath on the boundary and away we went.
It was a sensible piece of land - 40 acres with a bit of a valley where the stream runs through the middle of it. Any shots made from the boundary would be down into the ground, a solid backstop.
It was a sensible piece of land - 40 acres with a bit of a valley where the stream runs through the middle of it. Any shots made from the boundary would be down into the ground, a solid backstop.
LOL can you believe each force can and often does act differently? ! If i was in your position I should phone your FEO and tell them your problems and make it clear that its got nothing to do with with the wood but the shot you take or pass up on . In many cases the FEO or even the Chief constable might not actually know that though.
My experience is the vast majority still miss the fact that the 222 / 223 our smallest legal deer rifles ( for the smaller deer only ) will still need far more than 1000 yards plus before it drops out the sky if you shoot it in the wrong direction .Also a 300 magnum will can be stopped within a couple of feet into a steep rising grassy field .
Fully understand why your landowner doesn't really want the police or FEO looking around , especially . Some police forces have never looked at land and some shooters have never had a land check . I bet a lot / most of FEOs have never used deer rifles themselves on real hunts So don't push them on the matter just explain yourself clearly and politely.
Perhaps the Guy in Question might ask " how about if i take my shots from high seats" ? Just a thought on a similar vein
Quite possibly too busy.
Farmers busy? The ones around here dont know the meaning of it
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Er, yes. I'm in Hampshire & Isle of Wight too, this problem is not unique to you. In my experience with a well thought through discussion with Hants FLD they will eventually comply with what the Firearms Act requires of them!
Unusual, every farmer I deal with around here is rushed off their feet, especially those with livestock.Farmers busy? The ones around here dont know the meaning of it
To be fair some of them are here also, especially the dairy farms. Sheep and beef not as busy as years ago this time of year as mostly contractors doing everything now
Too busy to help someone that wants to help him remove his pest problem?
Then I suggest there may be no problem, or at least not a serious problem.
Probably not.
Possibly also aware there are plenty of people around who will fall over themselves for a permission to shoot deer, so not fussed with faffing around for the police.
Similar threads
