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Full Member
Join Date: 12th Aug 2004
Location: harlow , essex
Age: 33
Posts: 375
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Re: permission
this was posted on the bbs a long time ago, hope it helps.
Firstly, why do you want a shoot?
If it's just to pursue your hobby occasionally, forget it. A land owner that has a problem and allows you on the land to control pests will expect to see some improvement. This entails going out regularly sun, rain, no matter what.
Have you any shooting experience and can you shoot accurately? E.g. hit a 1 inch circle @ 25yds?
If the answer to the above is "No", get some shooting skills first. The best way is to join a club, you should find many members who will be happy to give the tuition/advice so that you can answer yes. Have you got insurance? Going onto a property without it can lead to disaster. Insurance can be arranged by B.A.S.C. (British Association for Shooting and Conservation). "Can I shoot on your land?" Will never work. What's in it for them?
Having got the basics out of the way, no one can tell you how to get a result, only what has worked for them in the past. In the end it will be your effort that gets the land. No one will give it to you, and you won't get it sitting on your backside. Asking to go with someone else is not likely to get you far either.
I have a couple of times taken introduced people out with me for an evening, and I know others have done it, but I don't think anyone would share what they may have taken years to acquire. It is not easy, think of it like placing a bet, you could win three times in a row but you are more likely to lose. Now if you can reduce the odds, the more chance you have of winning. So here is how you can do just that.
A starting point is your own attitude. Care about others, the land owner in particular. Care about the wild life also, a land owner may be worried that you will shoot at everything in sight. Things like this need to be in a letter or mentioned in an interview, treat it as though you are applying for a job, you have to sell yourself. The fact that you are around can add to the security of the property. Let the land owner know you are insured. Your age can help also. 30+ years old, usually says you are a mature responsible adult and may give a better impression than a teenager.
Always be on the lookout for land/property with a vermin problem, those are the ones to target. The smallest bit of land can get you started so even the local churchyard is an option. Industrial sites, nurseries (plant growers) and equestrian centres are some of the less obvious. Once you are in, you can use that as an introduction to other properties.
I found letter writing both expensive and non productive, Letters to a farmer are likely to be treated as spam and binned , he'll have enough on his mind without reading everything that comes through his door. Do you? A personal visit wearing clean casual clothing and having had a shave first is the most productive method. Cammo clothing, gun in hand will give the wrong impression and I don't see a suit and tie as good either.
Don't expect a discussion there and then, the person may be too busy and you taking up his time will not help you. A suggestion of a chat at their convenience is better and if they have the time, the chat will continue anyway. If it gets a bit negative, always make sure you leave your name/phone number. If you live locally, say so. If you know there is a vermin problem, mention it, he will be aware already but it shows you have taken an interest in him. You can say that there is a legal obligation to control vermin on a property, putting the thought of spending money into his mind can be a help. (You cost nothing). Say that you are familiar with livestock and would never for any reason, cause any harm or distress to them. Your rifle is fitted with a moderator and is virtually silent so noise wouldn't be problem.
Is there a public footpath? Walk it and look at the land noting any signs of vermin damage. Obvious damage by other walkers/dropped litter, a broken fence, anything you can use in the conversation. This helps to get over the impression that you are the good guy and he needs you on his property. A lot of land may be taken by syndicates (pheasant shooters). You can still get in there. Do they control the vermin? Perhaps not and they may want someone to keep the rats/foxes away from the pens. Can you contact them? (They will have the shooting rights).
If the situation isn't going as you would like, try asking if there is a bit of space to target shoot, perhaps alongside a hedge row or farm building. That would get you seen and nearer to what you really want. I have often done things like repairing a dodgy gate or fence or reporting any thing that may cause him a problem. Pick up any litter you see. I view these examples as a part of what I am there for.
Have ready a Permission To Shoot document, something similar to what follows, but the owner may want additions such as times/days when you can be on the property or the permission may be limited to you. He may want all dispatched vermin removing from the land (don't leave it lying around anyway). So ask if there is anything he wants to add. You may only get verbal permission. Don't push for a signature if the owner doesn't seem to want to, I had one and found out later that he couldn't read or write!
Mr. ******* has permission to shoot vermin at *******. Permission is granted on the understanding that all boundaries will be respected. The cost of making good any damage caused will be met in full. The permission may be withdrawn at any time without a reason being given and the holder will give up this document immediately the permission ceases. The permission applies to the above named and one other person who the holder of this permission will be responsible for during the time they are on this property.
Owners signature........ Date.......
If you want to write letters, don't do it because you haven't the time for personal visits, you will not have the time to look after the land either. Do it in conjunction with the footwork.
Putting into print what I have in my mind has never been a strong point but I spent a lot of time setting out some of the above mentioned facts until I was happy with the finished article. I went 50/50 with someone wanting land, out of 100 (that's 200 stamps) we got 5 replies none of them were 100% "Yes come see me".
Enclose a separate sheet something like this along with a S.A.E. This gives a quick and easy way to reply without having to waste time and money. Put the name, address of the landowner at the top so that you know who has returned it.
I can be contacted on Home phone........ Mobile phone........
Or please tick one of the following options and return in the S.A.E. provided.
Would you like me to call and talk to you? Yes/No
I already have someone thank you. .......
Contact me again in 3 months. .......
Thank you for your time reading my letter and filling in this reply.
As a final note to all this, permission difficulty can vary in different areas, where I spent a lot of my younger days, one farmer had five different people shooting on his land. As long as you didn't shoot him or his cattle, he wasn't bothered! If one person gains a shoot I will be pleased that my efforts were not in vain. Never give up trying. If you use all the ammunition you have available, eventually you will hit something. Some of this was written in 1990, with further experience and additional information from others, it has been updated.
Jack g8zxa. 2004.
Airgun bbs
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