Pheasants out of season

East Anglia Optics - www.eastangliaoptics.co.uk - 01473561205
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rwade545

Well-Known Member
A commercial shoot where I control vermin has asked if I will help reduce the pheasant population. A vet has identified a large number of birds with mycoplasosis. The head game keeper has a letter stating this and that pheasant numbers are to be reduced. As this was issues after the shooting season would it be an acceptable reason to carry out a population reduction exercise out of season? What would be acceptable forms for this? Rifle shooting/ dogs and shotguns and risk this being mistaken as game shooting?
thoughts please.
 
I’m sure someone will offer a far more qualified reply than this - but I recently had some quite unclear views from a few sources over the control of some Canada’s and shot a quick email to SNH Licensing Department and got a very thorough reply very quickly. Might be worth a shout to keep yourself right?
 
375 mag said:
Live catch trap then neck them.
Click to expand...

That'll come under the same legislation as shooting them. Out of season, you can't do anything to them, like any other protected bird. But...

It is a different matter if you are killing something to put it out of it's misery. But doing it on a large scale, on the likes of a commercial shoot isn't something that I'd want to get into without authorisation. Before helping them out, I'd broach the subject with them and ask if they have that authorisation, which I expect will be from DEFRA. Of course the letter from the vet that diagnoses it and recommends that would help. But to be honest, it isn't up to you to do that, but those responsible for the running of the shoot. As an aside, I'd also, once authorised, let the police know what you are doing and when. Not really one for telling the police when shooting normally, but this would be one occasion it would be good to. You'll be bound to get someone calling it in to them.
 
Always get it in writing....avoids any subsequent ‘misunderstandings’ also known as back-pedalling when it all goes wrong and somebody starts making allegations....
 
Sounds to me you might be on a fool's errand here ,, surely the keepers would catch up and kill/dispose of , also think about bio security walking in infected bird **** then going else where , ?? Get the lazy buggers to it themselves !!! IF you feel you have to do it or help ,, do it discreetly ie not with dogs and shot gun ,, that would give fire to the antys, I am sure they would have pheasant catchers around and that would be the best method rather than using it as an excuse for a bit if 'sport' as some may see it
 
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A license is needed from natural England....
Lots of.paperwork !
I had to go around informing farmers and other other syndicateshoots on the estate that they shouldn't be catching up pheasants after the season (this was april) as it was illegal without a license from NE, ...
 
As monarman says, a licence from NE will be required and he's not exaggerating by saying it can involve lots of paperwork. The vets letter should help in the application. There's advice on the NE website but I would advise phoning them and explaining the situation as clearly as you can and they'll tell you which licence application you need to complete.
 
The OP seems to be in Flintshire, which probably means NRW (Natural Resources Wales) and the Welsh Assembly Government has a record of ignoring NRW whenever they like so be very careful. Also don't post too much information on an open forum, in my opinion this post gives ammunition to the antis. Sorry to be so negative.

David.
 
I would be extremely careful. Why are they asking you? Why can they not do it themselves? IF you do decide to carry this out then I would insist on the vet letter I would insist on a written permission from the land owner and shoot owner if they are not one of the same. I would insist on taking proper advice from NRW. Then I would study the terms of you FAC carefully if you decide to go down the rimfire or small centrefire route as out of season pheasants and indeed birds of any kind would not normally be covered on you FAC as AOLQ so be very careful. You may have to have a condition added stating that you .22/.17 etc etc is licensed for use to control diseased pheasants at such and such an address blah blah blah.
I speak from experience as I have had to have similar conditions added to my .17hmr to allow me to control corvids and Canada geese subject to the conditions of the GL of course.
I would strongly advise against using shotgun and dog(s) combo for fear of providing ammo (no pun intended) for any anti out there

regards Steve
 
That’s for all that, as I thought not something I will be rushing into with out legal advice and ensuring I have all legislation in place.
Thanks all
 
Just playing devils advocate here. A lot of pheasants have been released for shooting. There was plenty of opportunity to reduce numbers during the season. Why now go about reducing the numbers - they are now wild birds and many will survice through to next season when they will be fully mature and be really strong birds. Many will also breed and produce you more for the next year.

And any sick ones will soon be taken care of.
 
I've never thought HEYM that released hen birds even though they have survived the shooting season make good natural mothers. I also wonder as you've said why weren't these shot during the season? It's not beyond sense to have made a late listing on Guns on Pegs and sold a day, or two, at even a mere £10 a bird. Something doesn't sit aright. Is it that the estate have underestimated their feed bill through the winter also?
 
Mycoplasma is a caused by bacteria without cell walls - treatment is difficult (highly infectious) so if you are re-stocking you have to (as far as possible) eradicate the hosts or you will re-infect. I agree with the majority and the old Yorkshire phrase - hear all, see all, say nowt. Now what were you saying about your chickens ?
 
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