Shooting birds with air-rifles...

[lovfinion]

I live in a small village of cardenden fife, I live right next to carden woods, at this time of the year it resplendid with birds, so far this year I have spotted in the woods & local area,,

Willow warlber
Chiffchaff
blackcap
Chafinch
Bullfinch
greenfinch
goldfinch
linnet
Grey wagtail
jackdaw
carrion crow
Magpie
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
Blackbird
Song thrush
Mistle thrush
Yellowhammer
reed bunting
Greater spotted woodpecker
Tufted duck
Mallard
moorhen
coot

well basically alot of species & more, my concern is in the past 2 weeks I have seen two separate groups of people around the woods taking pot shots at birds, the first I met was a father & his 3 chlidren all with air-rifles over their backs & 2 dogs, I even saw from a distance the father taking pot shots at something, I am sure it was the family of grey wagtails

The next group consited of 3 males I know & they are extremely unsavoury indivduals, heavy drug users, one I was at school with yelled over to me "shooting at birds" & they all roared with laughter obviously high.. I have seen this bunch twice so far..

My problems is I am not a confrontational type person even though these people made my blood boil, I also know the repercussions that could befall me & my family if the second group found out I reported them..

Really sadens & sickens me that people are still willing to kill birds or any animal, out of sheer enjoyment & total disregard for nature

I know I must report them to the local constabulary, I just fret about the consequences, even though to have these people stopped should be a priority..

[Dae]

I don't suppose there's any way to put in an annonymous tip to the local constable? I don't know how UK law works at all, being american originally and newish to the UK, so I can't help there. But it really makes me mad as well, and I don't know if I could in good conscience ignore what was going on there - and I'm NOT the confrontational type either.

[lovfinion]

Originally Posted by Dae

I don't suppose there's any way to put in an annonymous tip to the local constable? I don't know how UK law works at all, being american originally and newish to the UK, so I can't help there. But it really makes me mad as well, and I don't know if I could in good conscience ignore what was going on there - and I'm NOT the confrontational type either.

My conscience is certainly gnawing at me, another reason for me posting..

I would imagine an annonymous call might do the trick, my only concern is, would they need to catch them in the act, rather than just turn up at their door step, I would imagine they would & could be tricky..

As I have noted these guys would retaliate if they found out who shopped them in

[mrs fish]

Whose land is it ?

They may have permission to shoot or not ?

If it is public land then you should inform the police.

I don't know the law about what birds you can or cannot shoot ?

[Lance Morgan]

You're between a rock and hard place. If you inform the police nothing will happen unless they are caught in the act of being in possesion of guns, ammunition and live or dead protected birds.
They will not be guilty of an offence if they are using air rifles, shotguns and small bore rifles require a licence.
If you shop them and they are not arrested they will more than likely guess it was you who informed the police because you say they have seen you and one possibly knows you from school.

[lovfinion]

The land is owned by the forestry commission & the second group are just indescrimantly shooting at anything that moves, not sure about the father & children, but he was aiming towards where the family of grey wagtails were located..

[Stewy]

Call the police.

[snake]

I would suggest you get in touch with the landowner. The Forestry commission will have a warden or ranger that comes across this type of person regularly, they will know how to deal with it. Give them a call ( Withhold your telephone number ), explain your concern and the damage they are doing to the wildlife, also tell them the type of people they will be dealing with and your reason for not wanting to get involved.
They will sort it out.
The Forestry Commission have a huge area to police and unless they are told of problem areas they can do nothing about it.

Get the ball rolling.

[demicav]

As far as I'm aware, (where's eeyore when you need him), it's illegal to shoot most Birds with the exception of Magpies, Crows and the like. Even then you would need the landowners permission. Birds of prey are definately protected by law. These people are idiots that need reporting to the police. I for one would welcome tougher laws governing the sale and use of air rifles. It's getting popular to go around shooting pets now as well. Why can't these people get a life ?

[Jez]

I'd report it but keep close observation!!! As Demicav says there is nothing you can do if some one has a license and permission to make a Rook pie. If they are barbitual perpetrators, it would be sweet glory if they got nicked!

[ellen h]

I once came across 4 boys(about 12yrs old) with a ballbearing gun shooting point blank at a herd of cows.I heard one of them "say lets get the horse"(who was in the same field)
I walked behind some bushes where I phoned the local police station on my mobile.I told them what was going on and I was put straight through to the incident room.The outcome was that the police responded and within 5 minutes a police car was on the scene.I was able to point out where the kids were-by that time they had seen the police and were legging it-and after a short chase they were caught and placed in the police car and driven away.They looked very scared and so they should have been!!!
I think if you say that someone is armed and appears to be shooting indiscriminately then the police have to respond.After all some innocent person could be shot by these imbeciles especially if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol!
If you see them or anyone shooting(whatever sort of gun) in a public place you should phone the police(anonamously if you must),after all they could start targetting people next!!!
ellen

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by demicav

As far as I'm aware, (where's eeyore when you need him), it's illegal to shoot most Birds with the exception of Magpies, Crows and the like. Even then you would need the landowners permission. Birds of prey are definately protected by law. These people are idiots that need reporting to the police. I for one would welcome tougher laws governing the sale and use of air rifles. It's getting popular to go around shooting pets now as well. Why can't these people get a life ?

There are certain species which can be killed or taken but you have to be able to meet the terms of a general licence none of which includes 'fun' . and many of which can be difficult to meet in an urban or suburban environment.

Chances are the group of people one of which you know sound like the type of people the police may already be aware of and watching - a little more evidence of unruly behaviour may help them.

[Jason Green]

Firstly, shooting most birds I believe IS illegal apart from those 'pests' - even these species I dissagree with - particularly if they are users; this being a crime in itself. I doubt they'd necerssarily guess YOU'D reported them. On public land ANYONE could have done it. Do they DEFINATELY recognise you?

As far as confronting the 'users' - DON'T. Particularly if they are armed.

Call the police and be honest about any risk you feel the group are popsing to the public. Give the location - maybe a grid reference if they are out of sight of a road - and just tell them there is a group of possible drug-using males with firearms randomly shooting and state whether children use the area. This should get a quick response, Armed if it is needed. Police marksmen pointing shotguns at them should give them a scare !

Lovfinion - please remember -
DON'T TAKE RISKS AROUND THOSE ON DRUGS OR WITH FIREARMS, CALL THE POLICE!

[lovfinion]

The group I have witnessed on 2 separate occasions, well I know all 3 of them & one of them used to be a friend when we were teenagers.
These guys are all in their mid to late 30's & they know I am a bird-lover.. One had the gun & he is obviously under the influence 24/7 another sported a pair of binoculars with the last a dog, It distressing that people this age can indiscrimantly & without conscience kill wild animals only good think here is none of them have children..

I am going to contact the forestry commision tomorrow morning & give them as much details as possible, guess it is the only decent thing to do, I hate the thought of them killing birds, but would regret it more if the snagged a rare bird & I could have done something...

[ellen h]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Firstly, shooting most birds I believe IS illegal apart from those 'pests' - even these species I dissagree with - particularly if they are users; this being a crime in itself. I doubt they'd necerssarily guess YOU'D reported them. On public land ANYONE could have done it. Do they DEFINATELY recognise you?

As far as confronting the 'users' - DON'T. Particularly if they are armed.

Call the police and be honest about any risk you feel the group are popsing to the public. Give the location - maybe a grid reference if they are out of sight of a road - and just tell them there is a group of possible drug-using males with firearms randomly shooting and state whether children use the area. This should get a quick response, Armed if it is needed. Police marksmen pointing shotguns at them should give them a scare !

Lovfinion - please remember -
DON'T TAKE RISKS AROUND THOSE ON DRUGS OR WITH FIREARMS, CALL THE POLICE!

Have seen armed response in action at country park too.Was walking my dog down a hill when I saw 3 youths running amongst bushes at the bottom.One of them turned round,knelt on one knee and pointed what I believe was a gun at me! My first thought was he was aiming at my dog,I put him on his lead and legged it up the hill where I met 2 policemen.I told them what happened and they informed me that there were 3 youths possibly armed in the park and they were responding to a phone call about them.
They requested a short statement and details from me which I gave,suddenly we were interrupted by the police helicopter flying in very low in the direction of where the youths were last seen.The police left me to go back down the hill.I sat down and watched the whole scenario unfold before me.In the distance where the youths were heading could see a number of police-sure they were armed-blocking of there escape.Voice from the helis loudspeaker "you are surrounded"blaring out too. Very exciting to watch but never found out the outcome which was frustrating!!!
ellen
It was only later that I realised they could have been pointing the gun at ME!!!

[Jez]

Some guy went to Worcester and robbed a bank and got on a train that a mate of mine got on. He just finished a days work at his shop on the High St. Coming to Kiddy train station, armed police forced my mate off and to lie down with armed rifles pointing at him , only for the culprit to travel back with a big sigh of relieve & quite possibly the biggest smile under his face imaginable

Never did find out if he was caught!

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by ellen h

...It was only later that I realised they could have been pointing the gun at ME!!!

So glad they didn't shoot!

[ellen h]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

So glad they didn't shoot!

Thanks-me too
ellen

[Jez]

Originally Posted by ellen h

Thanks-me too
ellen

Hallelujah to that Ellen!!!

[franco50]

lovfinion, this would make my blood boil also. You say they are in their mid 30's which by any stretch of the imagination would suggest they should know better at that age - mind you a dic*head is a dic*head irrespective of age. A few years back I saw a group of youths from my front window in a field across the road and one of them was firing an air rifle, or at least pointing it at, two horses. The horses were running away from him in the opposite direction which made me convinced he was firing at them. I blew a fuse and went outside and shouted to them asking if they were shooting at the horses, using some choice language which was probably the wrong thing to do. The reply I got was that they were shooting Rabbits and they held one up to confirm this. I didn't call the police but in hindsight I probably should have, although, like lovfinion one of the gang is a neighbour's son so repercussions might have occurred.
With a bit of luck your gang might get done for drugs if not for shooting at innocent birds and animals - they are walking proof of the need for a total ban on air weapons, not just for kids but everyone!

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by franco50

...they Are Walking Proof Of the Need For A Total Ban On Air Weapons, Not Just For Kids But Everyone!

I Agree!

[Jez]

The whole system has gone potty!!!!

[APC]

It is illegal to:

Carry a loaded or unloaded airgun or imitation firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Trespass in a building or on private land with an airgun whether it is loaded or whether or not you have ammunition.

Possess or use an airgun if you have been sentenced to three months or more in custody.

If the sentence was up to three years you are banned from using or owning any airgun or firearm for a period of five years from the date of release. If the sentence was over three years you are banned for life.

Kill or injure any bird or animal protected by law unless you are authorised to do so under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.


Protection of Birds

Most birds are completely protected by law. It is sometimes thought that those birds which are often called vermin can be killed at any time by anyone. That is not so. Birds which are regarded as pests (magpies, woodpigeon, crows etc.) may only be killed by what the law calls an 'authorised person', that is the person who owns the land or who has permission to shoot pests. A trespasser or a person who shoots at such a bird in a public place will commit offences against the Firearms Act for having a gun and also against the law on the protection of birds by killing, or even trying to kill, a wild bird when he is not an authorised person

(Airgun Law in the UK)




I recently came across a pair of kids shooting on my site. I didn't even notice them until they ran away. They got into a bush and shot at me but I was more wanting to ditch the quad bike somewhere safe and go after them on foot so I sped into another field and then went after them. I lost them briefly then saw them again but they had the benefit of youth and scarpered, leaving their gun stashed in a bush as I found.

Called the police who came and picked up the gun. No further action as I got no look at them.

I will not have anyone shooting anything at my place if I or my boss haven't invited them.

You definitely need to call the police next time. Don't mention that it's an air-rifle. Just say you don't know what it is and they should send armed response, hopefully putting the oeoeoeoe up them.