You and the law
Sporting Gun|March 2021
Geoff Garrod marks the card of shooters as a new general licence regime beds in
Geoff Garrod
You and the law

Here we go again. New general licences are in place, having taken effect both in England and Scotland on 1 January, issued by Defra and NatureScot respectively.

Are you aware of this and have you read them? If you shoot pigeon, I’d strongly recommend that you do, as you may be breaking the law unwittingly if you don’t know how they cover your shooting. If you’re in Wales or Northern Ireland, then a great deal of the following advice applies to you, too, but you’ll be working under your own set of licences, so check what they permit and ensure you comply with them.

Responsibility

The good news is that the new licences, broadly speaking, won’t stop us from going about our business of protecting crops. Don’t take this for granted, however, and make sure that your situation is covered – the onus is on you to make sure that you’re clear which licence covers you and why. Read them carefully, and it’s a good idea to keep copies of the licence or licences you work under when you’re out shooting.

Sorry to keep banging on about this, but the shooting community is only as good as the ‘weakest link in its chain’ and there are plenty of people who either don’t understand what we do and why, or are keen to stop us shooting. We are all ambassadors for shooting and if challenged by somebody when you’re out, look at the situation as an opportunity to explain pigeon decoying. Show them the general licence that covers you to prove that everything is above board and legal; you never know, you may just be able to convert somebody to the cause.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2021 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 2021 de Sporting Gun.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE SPORTING GUNVer todo
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 minutos  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 minutos  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 minutos  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 minutos  |
August 2023