LAND                  Getting landowners permission

Landowner friends

The easiest way of acquiring permission to shoot over land is to have friends who own land and are willing to allow you to shoot over it. This can be surprising easy  for people who live in the countryside or whose occupation involves meeting landowners, but not for those of us who have moved to a town / city and are not 'locals'. Even if one is lucky enough to acquire shooting permission in this manner it is advisable to take out insurance cover even though it may not be a prerequisite of obtaining permission. 

Gun Club

If a gun club operates nearby becoming a member is a practical way of obtaining a lot of varied shooting ground and also mixing with people who have similar interests. Many gun clubs have a limit to the number of members the club will accept. If a club nearby is full it is advisable to apply and have your name put on a waiting list, should a vacancy arise. In the meantime, if the club holds clay pigeon shoots where members and non-members are allowed participate one could ask to be notified when such events are taking place. 

The benefits of this action are two-fold: you get to meet club members and can demonstrate that you are a safe 'gun' who is willing to assist in the setting up and clean up operation afterwards; the club members get to know your face and are familiar with your record and behaviour and your interest in the sport, marking you as a  suitable future member, should a vacancy arise.

If no club exist in surrounding areas and you are willing to travel there is nothing lost by applying to gun clubs some miles away. They may be full, or not take members from outside the parish but may be able to offer some advice on where to go next. Locals have knowledge that is not easily accessed through newspapers, internet, etc.  and may know of other clubs looking for members. 

Find land yourself

If all else fails then one has to travel the countryside to try to find land to shoot over by meeting landowners and asking permission. Never go on to land without permission, no matter how severe the attack on the crops is: landowners like to know who is on their land and nothing infuriates them more than shooters thinking they have a God given right to wander where they please without due consideration and permission - and when the landowner does eventually catch up with you,  you can be guaranteed of a definite NO as a reply. 

Have your homework done - 

1. Have a valid insurance card with a reputable organisation which you can show the landowner.

2. Be able to demonstrate to the landowner that you are interested in shooting crows and pigeons that are causing crop damage. This can be achieved by showing photographs of past shoots or by having decoys, nets, camouflage in the boot to illustrate you are serious about the matter.

3.  Point out to the landowner that you are  not just using the vermin shooting as an excuse to get onto the land to shoot game during the winter months. It is advisable to point this matter out to the landowner - it is strictly vermin you intend to shoot, even during the winter months. If lucky, after some time, if the landowner is pleased with your behaviour and attempts to control the vermin he / she may offer you permission to shoot game during the winter, which would be a bonus. Do not shoot game while vermin shooting unless permission has been granted. The landowner may be happy with you shooting the vermin but may have given the sporting rights to others, or indeed may shoot some game himself / herself during the season and would not be impressed with you taking all the shooting for granted. 

4. Relate to the landowner where you have seen his crops being attacked - a scout around before calling, checking flight lines with binoculars will demonstrate that that you are seriously interested, have prior knowledge of vermin shooting and displays that you know what you are talking about.

5. Have a card made that displays your name, phone number, ( not just a mobile number) and the types of vermin you intend to pursue, insurance company, etc. 

6. Do not be too disappointed with a refusal. Thank the landowner for his / her time and offer to leave your card, in case they change their minds. Remember it may be nothing personal - other vermin shooters may already have received permission. If the landowner does not need your services there is a possibility that they may pass on your card to another landowner. 

7. If lucky enough to obtain permission check with the landowner regards times that are unsuitable to shoot  -  Sunday mornings? .....stud farms nearby? .....young lambs nearby? ..... early morning?.....late evening? .......does the landowner want you to call to the house each time you visit? .......are you allowed bring one friend? .......dog allowed on land?......rooks in rookery near house?  ....local shoot rearing birds nearby?.....how do neighbouring landowners feel about you shooting in a hedge near their boundary?........etc.....etc. All of these types of questions will display experience, thought and insight on your behalf. 

This methods could take many attempts and outing before success is encountered. One would be extremely fortunate to achieve success on the first or second outing; persevere - landowners, in general, understand the difficulties shooters encounter in obtaining permission and most are grateful that a person called to ask for permission rather than just venturing onto the land unannounced. Eventually you should be lucky and meet a landowner who is in a position to offer you some land to shoot over.

When permission is obtained do not take it for granted. A person who is enthusiastic at the beginning and then becomes lazy, not keeping in touch with the landowner and not controlling the vermin on a regular basis, in all weathers,  can find permission withdrawn quite easily.

Likewise, if you encounter another shooter on the land be courteous and approachable. They may be the landowners brother / relation / friend etc. and will be quick to inform the landowner of your behaviour. Be aware that you may not be the only person who has permission to shoot over the land. Be sure to inform the landowner of meetings with others on the land - they like to know who is about at all times.

A token of appreciation at Christmas each year, to each landowner,  (e.g. bottle of spirits, case of beer, small hamper etc. ) goes a long way towards strengthening bonds and assists in obtaining permission the following year!

Also, if a landowner needs assistance with a task when you are in the vicinity be sure to offer some help, if in a position to do so. On one occasion while hide shooting we noticed the landowners jeep was stuck in some deep mud. We stopped the shoot and offered assistance. The fact that we had stopped our sport, walked some distance to our own jeep and succeeded in towing him out was invaluable in building good relations.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SEARCH