Original post by @frenchie
It seems that many shooters, especially new ones to the sport are asking the same or similar questions about how to go about getting permission to shoot. Rather that trying to answer the same question time and time again I think it would be better to use this thread solely to pool all of our thoughts, ideas, hints and tips so the we can help each other out!
I am very lucky in the fact that I seem to be able to get all the permission than I can handle (My mother always said that I could sell oil to the Arabs). I have a "method" that seems to work well for me and am willing to pass my hints and tips on to others but I can't do this alone, in order for this to work we all need to pool our ideas, so come on lads, let's try to help other members out here.
First of all we have to look at the reasons why we are not getting permission from the farmers. Farming is going through a rough patch (As are many other businesses during this recession) and the farmers are having to find ways of diversifying and making an extra income from their land, the most obvious is by letting the shooting rights out to "syndicate shoots". If this is the case then you are almost certainly going to get a refusal when you ask permission as most syndicate shoots insist on paying for "sole rights" and the farmer, no matter how good hearted he is, will not jeprodise his income from the syndicate. However, for those farmers that are not letting the shooting rights out you have an advantage in the fact that the farmer wants to utilise his land to gain the highest harvest yields and protect it from "vermin". With this in mind a farmer that "has his head screwed on right" will often allow an air gunner on his land no matter how good or how poor a shot they are. Just their presence alone can be a deterant for the vermin.
So, how do we go about starting the process of getting permission?
One of the first things you have to think about is giving the right impression, there is an old saying that really does stand out "First impressions are important", so you need to be able to show that you are responsible, so make sure that you have adequate insurance cover, and always carry your insurance certificate with you to show the farmers! I am insured through County Cover Ltd. They are pretty cheap and the cover they offer is very comprehensive, full details can be found at:
http://www.ccc3.org.uk/
Ok, so we have our insurance, where do we go from here? The next step is to find what looks like land that might have a "Vermin Problem" that could be effecting the landowners livelihood and income! In saying that what exactly am I refering to. What I do is to have a "drive out in the country" with the wife. (Its surprising how much they appreciate you taking them out for a drive, especially when they don't realise that you have an ulterior motive for taking them out) You are looking for fields that have rabbits feeding feeding in them (Best time for this is in the evenings) or where there are signs that the fields are being "raided" by foraging rabbits, this is usually apparent by the areas around the outsides of the fields being cropped much shorter than the middles of the fields. If you are in an area where the farms grow crops of grain or "vegetables" you have a better chance. The same applies to flocks of feeding pigeons! When you find an area like this you have jumped the first hurdle. The next thing you have to do is find who the landowner is. This is not always the easiest thing to do so what I do is to make a "mental note" of the location and mark it (In pencil) on a large scale Ordnance Survey Map.
The next step is the actual approaching of the landowner. This is something that different people have various opinions on, but my advice is to dress tidily but casually, a farmer is not so likely to "entertain you" if you turn up dressed like Rambo wearing full camo gear and carrying an array of guns as he will if you look clean and tidy. Jeans and shirt/jacket are usually sufficient, there is no need to go for the "overkill" by wearing a three piece suit as it will look somewhat out of place on a farm.Farmers are human, just like you and me, and they have an uncanny knack of detecting when someone is putting on "airs and graces" so be yourself! Unless you have a reasonable knowledge of farming don't try telling the farmer things that he quite likely knows much better than you, but do show in interest in his farm and livestock! I usually start off by introducing myself and saying sorry for taking up his valuable time. From there I say about seeing a potemtial rabbit/pigeon/vermin problem and saying something like "Would you be willing to allow me to try to help out with the vermin control, using one of my air rifles?" You can follow that by telling him that you are fully insured and offer to show him your insurance certificate. If you already have permission on another farm tell him so and offer him the contact details to show that you are respected on the farm in question. (If, like me you are from a farming background you can talk a little about his method of farming or his livestock, but be warned, if you are going to do this make sure that you know what you are talking about, a farmer will very soon detect a bulls**tter)
From there to is down to the farmer to say yes or no and to ask you any questions and, if he is agreeable to let you know any conditions he would like to impose. You will almost certainly get some knock backs but, as long as you are polite this method will pay off eventually.
Should the farmer refuse you permission do not question why, he obviously has his reasons, and more importantly do not be rude about it, he may change his mind in the future but if you are rude he most certainly not!
If you find yourself in a position where the land you are asking about does not belong to the farmer you have visited ask him if he can tell you who you need to speak to about it and explain why, you never know, even if you are at the wrong farm you could end up with permission on the farm where you are at the time.
When you do find a farmer that is willing to allow you to shoot on his land offer him you contact details and ask him if he would like you to contact him before you arrive for a shooting session. Also, if you expect to shoot some rabbits on his land ask him if he would like one or two now and again, you would be surprised how many enjoy a nice bit of rabbit just the same as you or i do. Around Christmas time each year take him a bottle of Wine or Scotch as a token of your gratitude, remember, it is him who is allowing you onto his land, it is not your right to be there. Another alternative to this is to try to find out if he goes to the pub for a drink now and then, and if so find out which pub he uses, a pint now and then by way of thanks is worth more than any verbal thank you!
Well that just about covers it for farmers, Golf Courses are a slightly different matter.
I have permission on our local Golf Course to hunt rabbits, crows, pigeons etc with both my gun and Harris Hawk. The thing that the greenkeeper suggested was that I put my request in writing to the secratary and that I included a photo copy of my Insurance Certificate and a charactor reference (Fortunately I have a long standing friend who is a member of that club)
Going and taking the letter by hand with a reference and copy of your insurance certificate may sound like a bit of a "messing about" but you are likely to find that it pays better dividends than a simple e-mail. You may find that even if they grant you permission there are restrictions as to when you can shoot, bearing in mind that most good golf clubs are in use during the daylight hours most days.
Well Guys, thats my bit for now. I will no doubt think of some other things that might help in getting permission but till then its over to the rest of you. Please add your advice, hints and tips so that the more fortunate of us can help the less fortunate and encourage more newcommers. I might even learn something new and useful from you myself!
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