Rabbit Hunting in A Remote Land Allowed?

[zakmuh]

Hi,

Im a newbie and all new to this hunting in Highlands. I bought an air rifle after making calls and confirming with English and Scottish firearm departsments for buying and carrying in a car an air rifle without FAC (fire arm certificate). Now, Im here to ask you kind people that If I can hunt rabbits and pheasant if I see them in a land where I wouldnt see general publics, houses or farm animals (like pictured below). I know there is no 'common land' anymore as it belongs to someone.

So am I allowed to do hunting in a remote land at all?

Any advice on this much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[deerstalker.308]

No, No, No and no...... very simple.


Edit, even if it was on common land, only people with the commoners rights to that land would have the right to take game/vermin.

I know everyone has to learn, etc, and no such thing as a stupid question, but I'm quite surprised by this one!!

 

[zakmuh]

Thanks!

Where do people hunt then? Is there a designated place in Highlands where rabbit hunting is allowed?

Cheers

 

[deerstalker.308]

they get permission from the land owner....... its the only way.
Knock on doors, but if I were you, it sounds like you could do with learning a bit more about the do's and don'ts before embarking on that mission, as I doubt you will get very far at convincing farmers you know what you're doing with your current level of questioning.

 

[spandit]

Look for an air rifle club near you. Get yourself insured - it's not terribly expensive - and will give landowners some piece of mind which will help to gain permission. Don't shoot where you don't have permission - this is against the law and will only serve to strengthen the anti-shooting arguments.

 

[zakmuh]

...Knock on doors....convincing farmers you know what you're doing with your current level of questioning.

Great answer deerstalker and spandit. Thanks
I have to ask for land owners permission in such a way that they wouldn't say no. Im not good at that . Please excuse my unawareness, just to get a good understanding, those lands are hundreds of acres and how would I find the owner?

 

[deerstalker.308]

Great answer deerstalker and spandit. Thanks
I have to ask for land owners permission in such a way that they wouldn't say no. Im not good at that . Please excuse my unawareness, just to get a good understanding, those lands are hundreds of acres and how would I find the owner?

there begins the fun, trying to work out who owns what, only way is to knock and ask.

 

[spandit]

there begins the fun, trying to work out who owns what, only way is to knock and ask.

Not strictly true - you can find the land on the land registry but you have to pay to get the deeds which will tell you the owner. My advice is, don't be greedy with permissions - get one and do a good job. Land owners will often want people to control vermin but if you're spreading yourself too thin, then don't get surprised if they let others start shooting there

 

[zakmuh]

Oh Okay. I really appreciate both of your advice on this. Many thanks!

I thought I could just buy any air gun but when I walked into the shop, the sales person advised me to ring fire arm departments to see if they'd be happy Im buying a gun and taking it all the way to Highlands from Notts- thats first lesson. The second lesson from here, getting to know that I cant even just park the car in the tip of the mountain for hunting. Im pretty sure there'll be more lessons to be learnt once Im out there...

Live and learn eh!

Cheers

 

[spandit]

Not sure why you want to trek all the way to Scotland for rabbit shooting - there are millions of rabbits closer to you and plenty of farms, I'd warrant. Do you have a garden you could practice in to make sure it's at least zeroed? What rifle did you buy?

 

[zakmuh]

Yes, Ive already zeroed my rifle, its Umarex Ruger Blackhawk 177. Im doing a 7-day road trip in Highlands next week. So I thoughi I would do hunting as well.

Found this thread on asking landowners permission: asking a farmer or landowner permission to shoot his land. - Page 2

 

[spandit]

Good luck! Don't be tempted to shoot where you don't have permission - you won't do any of us any favours and you're facing a criminal prosecution which will possibly preclude you from EVER owning guns in the future

 

[Apache]

Good luck! Don't be tempted to shoot where you don't have permission - you won't do any of us any favours and you're facing a criminal prosecution which will possibly preclude you from EVER owning guns in the future

It's one way of finding out who the owner is.........

 

[zakmuh]

Thanks spandit and I wont even touch my gun without a hunting permission. If I remember correctly there is a gun shop off A87, on the way to Isle of Skye. I'll ask them for permission advice.

Cheers

 

[sauer]

In mean time while looking for permission
Try farms first for feral pigeon , rats , maybe rabbits

At same time look for some good books in introduction to air rifle shooting and read it ... Then read again ...
First aspect to learn , which will take you through whatever guns you end up with is gun safety / muzzle awareness at all times
( you aware of where you pointing it , unloaded or not!)
Loading & unloading procedure etc

And as an added thought ... See if you have a local air rifle club you can join , then learn off of other people also


Hope this helps
Paul

 

[artschool]

something else to note.

It is illegal to have an air rifle loaded or in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse: this restriction applies even when airguns are being carried in securely-fastened gun cases.

it is worth noting that your car boot counts as a public place.

 

[norma 308]

Should you be unfortunate enough to be stopped by the police whilst searching for the elusive permission you may need to think up a pretty quick excuse for having an air rifle in your car should you meet a tricky police person !i think I'd use the road trip to scout for a permission .then once you have a permission then take your air rifle with you .obviously it's up to you but be prepared to knock a lot of doors !!
Good luck
norma

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

another point for you zakmuh and i dont know if you know this but unlike rabbits pheasants, which you said you have a intrest in shooting have a season in which you can shoot them (1st oct-1st feb) and a close season in which you cant have a look on the basc web site and that will give you all the seasons for what you can shoot. good luck with your journey into shooting it is easy but its worth it in the end and maybe try and tag along with another air gun hunter in your area even if your just watching and dont even have a gun with you

 

[Fursty Ferret]

Is this post for real!!??

 

[deerstalker.308]

Is this post for real!!??

Oh yes!! Very inexperienced and a Foreign national with no prior knowledge of rules and regulations..... At least he's asked though (I suppose....)