UK Hunting Licence

[BuckRogers]

What is everyone’s thoughts on a mandatory hunting licence and hunter training in the UK? I’m personally going through the FAC application process. It seems so much more logical to streamline the process at the moment you have to jump through a load of hoops to get an FAC and if you are not careful or lucky you could end up shooting without really know what you are doing. For sure the mandatory requirements are not the same for everyone at the moment and shooters are leaving themselves at the mercy of their local police who seem to be increasingly unsupportive of shooters.
Fieldsports in general in the UK have a terrible PR problem. We try to quantify the economic and conservation benefits of the Fieldsports we enjoy, I personally feel that, if the revenue generated from mandatory education and licensing can be ploughed back into conservation antis would not have a leg to stand on as the hunting and shooting community would be generating more funding than they could dream of. I’m not suggesting that people with a lifetimes experience should be dragged to a classroom for two weeks and taught to suck eggs but for the future generations to continue shooting and hunting then our attitudes need to change. A small cost to each hunter would benefit the hunting community enormously.
A bit of a rambly post but I just wondered what people’s thoughts were?

 

[Uncle f]

Is all I’m saying

 

[BuckRogers]

Is all I’m saying

I was hoping for civil discourse, now im scared..... What have I done?

 

[Uncle f]

Yep just wait and see it will be enlightening I feel !!!!

 

[Sampo]

mandatory hunting licence and hunter training in the UK

And the purpose of that would be to?

 

[reloader54]

 

[palmer_mike]

And the purpose of that would be to?

To generate money for the course providers and restrict lawful gun ownership further

 

[Highlandsjohn]

And the purpose of that would be to?

Perhaps to help your back posture?

 

[Greenmist]

I personally feel that, if the revenue generated from mandatory education and licensing can be ploughed back into conservation

The same way our taxs are ploughed back into health care, policing and transport

 

[Sampo]

To generate money for the course providers and restrict lawful gun ownership further

Yep, total waste of time. I am no big fan of mandatory stuff.

 

[BuckRogers]

And the purpose of that would be to?

I can think of a lot of benefits and some cons obviously. A brief summary of some pros:-

1. A consistent route into shooting that provides a baseline of safety, and education
2. Revenue generation for conservation
3. Improved public support for the aforementioned reasons
4. DSC 1 is normally a requirement to stalk anyway so already having the knowledge would remove the need for this.

I can see how if implemented incorrectly firearms laws could be affected negatively but if correctly it should standardise the application process and provide easier entry to shooting for more people.

 

[BuckRogers]

Yep, total waste of time. I am no big fan of mandatory stuff.

I totally agree with the mandatory point. I travel loads around Europe and I find the UK mentality regarding rules and banning things a real annoyance. But the UK firearms certificate is already mandatory, I just don’t think it’s very clear or available to everyone.

 

[Sampo]

Will become the sport of only the previledged who can afford it, which I believe is where the trend seems to be going. Doubt if it will have any change from a public support perspective but will provide a single database of everyone who hunts, making it easier to come up with new requirements to revoke FACs for many. DSC1 is not a requirement for stalking as far as I am aware.

I am fine with the way things are currently without the need for another legislation that isn't going to make it any easier to get anyone to start shooting but a lot easier to prevent a lot of people from enjoying a way of life they choose. Just my opinion.

 

[VSS]

I sit on the fence a bit here. While I'm basically against any further hoops for us to jump through (mandatory, or just made up by regional police forces), I do sometimes feel that many run-of-the-mill shooters are woefully ignorant when it comes to general rural topics such as wildlife, conservation, habitat management etc etc, and in that respect some background training would be good.

 

[ndt man]

When you have an Fac and have have some experience. ( please come back and give us all some more words of wisdom). when you have had an Fac for as long as some on the sd you will by that time of changed your mind . All I can say on this subject is ( be careful what you wish for).

 

[BuckRogers]

Will become the sport of only the previledged who can afford it, which I believe is where the trend seems to be going. Doubt if it will have any change from a public support perspective but will provide a single database of everyone who hunts, making it easier to come up with new requirements to revoke FACs for many. DSC1 is not a requirement for stalking as far as I am aware.

I am fine with the way things are currently without the need for another legislation that isn't going to make it any easier to get anyone to start shooting but a lot easier to prevent a lot of people from enjoying a way of life they choose. Just my opinion.

Interesting points of view, I can definitely see your points I appreciate you points of view and I know your probably not looking for a any rebuttals but I thought I’d go ahead and list a few to the points above.

1.id argue that the UK probably has some of the most exclusive and privileged hunting and shooting already which many people can’t afford already. I’m not saying that there isn’t shooting for everyone but most is prohibitively expensive.

2. All firearms holders are already on a database, I don’t agree how better standard education would lead to more people having their FACs revoked.

3. If hunters could point to the pot of money generated through licensing and say we put this amount of money back into conservation I can’t see how public support wouldn’t increase.

4.the current route into shooting is already expensive. My personal route tothe point where I can apply for my license.£210 pounds for a local range membership, basc membership for insurance I think is about 70 (don’t quote me), stalking syndicate membership my application is ongoing and I haven’t been presented with an outline of the fees but it think it’s to the order of 300 per year. FAC app is £90 coterminous. If I want to do any of the pay to stalk a quick flick through the classifieds the vast majority state dsc1 as a prerequisite, I think the going rate is about 300. I think that’s 970 quid all in. Just to get to the point where I was advised I would need to be to get my application approved. I’m not saying it’s the optimum route but that kind of highlights my point.

mum not trying to argue btw I’m just verbalising my own point of view. Cheers BR

 

[Shootgun]

DSC 1 is normally a requirement to stalk anyway so already having the knowledge would remove the need for this.

Really? Since when????

 

[BuckRogers]

When you have an Fac and have have some experience. ( please come back and give us all some more words of wisdom). when you have had an Fac for as long as some on the sd you will by that time of changed your mind . All I can say on this subject is ( be careful what you wish for).

When you have an Fac and have have some experience. ( please come back and give us all some more words of wisdom). when you have had an Fac for as long as some on the sd you will by that time of changed your mind . All I can say on this subject is ( be careful what you wish for).

A bit predictable response, I’m not purporting to be an expert, I quite clearly laid out my position and experience. I even tried to highlight how experienced shooters wouldn’t benefit from any of this. I’ve only been involved in the shooting community for a short space of time and I can already see changing public opinions. My worry is that in 20 years when I am experienced I won’t be able to hunt with the same freedoms. Do you think the way shooting and hunting is going it will be better in future if nothing is changed. By the way I’m not calling for change I just wondered what people’s thoughts were. Looks like I’m starting to get my answer

 

[VSS]

Interesting points of view, I can definitely see your points I appreciate you points of view and I know your probably not looking for a any rebuttals but I thought I’d go ahead and list a few to the points above.

1.id argue that the UK probably has some of the most exclusive and privileged hunting and shooting already which many people can’t afford already. I’m not saying that there isn’t shooting for everyone but most is prohibitively expensive.

2. All firearms holders are already on a database, I don’t agree how better standard education would lead to more people having their FACs revoked.

3. If hunters could point to the pot of money generated through licensing and say we put this amount of money back into conservation I can’t see how public support wouldn’t increase.

4.the current route into shooting is already expensive. My personal route tothe point where I can apply for my license.£210 pounds for a local range membership, basc membership for insurance I think is about 70 (don’t quote me), stalking syndicate membership my application is ongoing and I haven’t been presented with an outline of the fees but it think it’s to the order of 300 per year. FAC app is £90 coterminous. If I want to do any of the pay to stalk a quick flick through the classifieds the vast majority state dsc1 as a prerequisite, I think the going rate is about 300. I think that’s 970 quid all in. Just to get to the point where I was advised I would need to be to get my application approved. I’m not saying it’s the optimum route but that kind of highlights my point.

mum not trying to argue btw I’m just verbalising my own point of view. Cheers BR

You do seem to be taking the expensive route, but maybe that's the norm these days? Pay your money and jump straight in! On the other hand, a lot of us took the longer, cheaper route, by starting out as country kids with airguns and catapults, absorbing country lore as we grew up.

 

[BuckRogers]

You do seem to be taking the expensive route, but maybe that's the norm these days? Pay your money and jump straight in! On the other hand, a lot of us took the longer, cheaper route, by starting out as country kids with airguns and catapults, absorbing country lore as we grew up.

that’s a big assumption, I am a country boy and I did grow up shooting airgun but tbh less catapults outside of fishing. I’m not sure if the local Firearms licensing department would approve my FAC application if I stated that I am a country boy with a proficiency with an air rifle and catapults.