Air Arms Owners Club

Looks like things are changing for me. I was in work 15 or so months ago making a cuppa and was chatting to someone about my recent purchase of a new TX200 (the bestest calibre), after that I was approched by a colleague who had overheard my conversation and asked if I would shoot as many rabbits as I could as he keeps horses and the damage to his fields is getting to be a problem. Anyway, shortly after a field was being prepared for allotments next to his, I was amused by this as there are shed loads of rabbits/pigoens/corvids etc which could/would damage any crops these allotment owners choose to grow. OK, my land owner was chatting to the Chairman of this allotment association and put my name forward to "protect" their crops from these "frightful beasts"......

lord of the rabbits to protect and serve,

eddie666 wrote:lord of the rabbits to protect and serve,

Got to sell it eddie, their crop return should be fourfold once they let me shoot there, I'm not signing anything to garentee it though It was when he said "frightful beasts" it nearly killed me

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Good point Steve, I have spoken to my land owner and he assures me that the land is "Private", but I work in the Local Authority that the land is under so I will make my own enquiries with the relevant department before commiting to it.

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I think the big thing here having gained written permission is one of communication. One allotment holder - and its not fair to call folks 'antis' because they have a different view on living things (pest or not) that the shooter - not knowing that shooting is taking place and could feel 'concerned'. I think if I was going to undertake pest control duties on what is private land but available to a wide group of people is to have some laminated notices made and pin them to the access points when you are shooting. Normal safety rules of course and if someone is digging their spuds at the other end let them know you are there and be sure of your backstops.

I agree,rabbits in particular seem to retain their Watership Down image in many people's eyes,they're in complete ignorance of the damage and hazards they cause.
All permissions need to be in writing,if the land owner or lease holder refuses to sign up, walk away,and make sure you have public liability insurance in respect of shooting.

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For your own sake though you still need to communicate with other land users.