Shooting on forestry commission land

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Gwennies

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Is there anything you can do to stop it? The woods are being shot to pieces making hacking dangerous and impossible and I really fear that someone will get shot soon as the woods are crawling with guns every Saturday and lots of people walk their dogs, children in pushchairs etc. It's all legal! :eek:
 
Is it an organised shoot? Mind you I have to question the sanity of anyone entering woodland where there's shooting taking place.
 
They stick up tiny notices. It used to be a quiet wood with shooting only twice yearly that was properly organised Now tenders have gone out for the shooting rights and people are being invited to join a syndicate. But it is every weekend. And lasts all day long/ We used to be able to safely walk our dogs and hack there, now I refuse to go but apparently there are tens of people who still walk their dogs there as ther are no other places to hack or walk dogs around here. I think it's only a matter of time before a person or dog gets shot.Just wondered if there is anything that could be done to stop tenders going out in future years for shooting, and if it truly is legal in such a public space.
 
I imagine its organised. Maybe have a word with forestry commission they could maybe rope off or at least put signs up warning a shoot is occurring.
Agree tho if people walk into a woodland with shots going off- and you can't mistake them they are loud i too question there sanity.
As it only occurs on Saturday don't ride there then.
Not much you can do tho as its legal.
 
Yes but I work full time and don't have a school and so am down to only one days riding a week. Sometimes they also shoot on Sundays. I just think it is stopping a lot of the public using the woods. There are plenty of other organised shoots on all the thousands of acres of estate land. But they only shoot about once a month. I have no problem with that. The wildlife is being dessimated in the woods. They shoot all through the year when birds are nesting etc.
 
Shoots are often set up in certain areas of the forest. If you know where they are shooting then can't you just go and ride in a different part of the forest? I live in a country where hunters have seasons and they can be anywhere. If I meet up with them while I'm out riding I just say sorry and go off in a different direction. We have to share resources and around where I live we all seem to manage without any problems.
 
Are there legal rights of way through the wood (deffinitive map)? If there are then there are laws about shooting across them. If they are permissive paths, then unless you or others are prepared to put the work into claiming them, then there isn't much you can do.
 
I would suggest that you first refer to 'The Code of Good Shooting Practice'.
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/code-of-good-shooting-practice.cfm

You have every right to ride your horse out without being intimidated by a shooter or shooting party.

Those that use guns must discharge them with great care.

I would suggest that when you ride out in the forest that you and your horse always wear Hi-Viz so that any shooting parties can clearly see you. I would also carry a whistle so that if you think they have not seen you you can use it to attract their attention.

If you are riding on a public right of way or on a road then the shooters may not discharge their firearms when they are close to you.

If you have any problems at all then simply pay a visit to your local police station and ask to speak to the 'Firearms Officer'. He will be only to pleased to assist you and visit the syndicate concerned and advise them that if tey discharge their firearms in such a way as to endanger other persons their license will be revoked.
 
PeterNatt said:
I would suggest that you first refer to 'The Code of Good Shooting Practice'.
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/code-of-good-shooting-practice.cfm

You have every right to ride your horse out without being intimidated by a shooter or shooting party.

Those that use guns must discharge them with great care.

I would suggest that when you ride out in the forest that you and your horse always wear Hi-Viz so that any shooting parties can clearly see you. I would also carry a whistle so that if you think they have not seen you you can use it to attract their attention.

If you are riding on a public right of way or on a road then the shooters may not discharge their firearms when they are close to you.

If you have any problems at all then simply pay a visit to your local police station and ask to speak to the 'Firearms Officer'. He will be only to pleased to assist you and visit the syndicate concerned and advise them that if tey discharge their firearms in such a way as to endanger other persons their license will be revoked.
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The right of way has not been established - and most shoots would not be given permission if a public right of way was established. Maybe this is people that have taken to "use" the woods without the correct permission. TBH I am sick of dog walkers, and cyclist that think they can roam over the Estates land without a care in the world - and some of the cheeky so and so's have challenged us about what we are doing on said Estate.
 
Agree with PeterNatt, but it must be remembered that the shooters are paying to be there. It may well be that the riders do not have a right, but have had a blind eye turned to their being there. If the riders push this, they may find, if they are not on public rights of way that the paths are closed to them, meaning that they have to put in claims with the LA
 
FestiveG said:
Agree with PeterNatt, but it must be remembered that the shooters are paying to be there. It may well be that the riders do not have a right, but have had a blind eye turned to their being there. If the riders push this, they may find, if they are not on public rights of way that the paths are closed to them, meaning that they have to put in claims with the LA
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But this is where it is so wrong - why should folk that have no legal right to being on your land be able to stop you earning money off your property?
 
As long as the public (ie horse riders / dog walkers) stick to public rights of way then you won't get shot! Shoots won't fire over a public right of way. If they do then you have grounds for further action. Furthermore if you wear high viz when out, then in my experience shooters are very vigilant and incredibly polite (unlike many horse riders!) and will hold fire to let you pass.

If they have shooting rights over the land then IMO you should stop whining and get on with things - they are as entitled to their hobby as you are to yours, we kind of need to stick together where countryside sports are concerned not bitch and fight ....
 
I can see where you're coming from Crimbowitch, but getting a path/bridleway through from establishing a claim, to being granted is a slow and tortuous job, with no rights being granted until the end of the process. Plus you must have evidence that the path has been ridden for at least 12 years. It does sound more in this case that people have ridden the paths, without anyone challenging them and so are a bit put off that what they have assumed was a right has in truth been shown to be a privilge that can be removed. One other way forward would be for people offering to pay to ride on the estate, thus giving them bargaining rights with the shooters.
 
FestiveG said:
I can see where you're coming from Crimbowitch, but getting a path/bridleway through from establishing a claim, to being granted is a slow and tortuous job, with no rights being granted until the end of the process. Plus you must have evidence that the path has been ridden for at least 12 years. It does sound more in this case that people have ridden the paths, without anyone challenging them and so are a bit put off that what they have assumed was a right has in truth been shown to be a privilge that can be removed. One other way forward would be for people offering to pay to ride on the estate, thus giving them bargaining rights with the shooters.
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Its allright I have had a belly full of calls this holidays .... people complaining that the long horn cattle are in the field THEY USE - a complaint that people are having to put their pack of dogs on leads because we have moved the sheep WTF????? who do you think you are.... at least our Estate owner stands up for his rights - one of the tenants complained about the shoot on Boxing Day and was causing an issue about the siteing of a peg..... he was served the end of his tenancy yesterday - that did make me smile :)
 
i think it was peternat who advised something very very wrong:mad:

DO NOT BLOW A WHISTLE

if you do you might not be shot but someone else might (beaters)

A whistle is blown on a shoot when the guns are in place and the beaters start to move,usually with in seconds of a whistle being blown you will here the guns.

i shoot and yes there are alot of people walking where they shouldnt, in some cases straight infront of the pegs:eek:
at the end of the day we pay alot of money for a days shoot and dont exspect to see a walker,cyclist or definetly a horse rider in view of the guns.
 
If it is Forestry Commission land then you should make a complaint tot he managers. They must be aware that people ride and walk in the woodland.

The only thing that puzzled me is that you said there is shooting on Sunday. It is illegal to shoot game on a Sunday. There may be a clay pigeon shoot, however. If it is a properly run shoot, and should be if it is rented off the FC, then you will not be in danger as shooters look to see what is beyond what they are aiming at.

I think this needs more investigation to find out exactly what is going on. If it is game shooting then it will finish at the end of January.
 
I really don't see the issue , I ride through shoots round here all the time when I see the guns I make a detour to avoid them.
It's great that riders and walkers and cyclists have access to FC land but why should they not have an income from a shoot ? It cuts down the cost of the woodland to the tax payer so thats a good thing.
Finally blowing a whistle round a shoot is no different to an anti hunt person using a hunting horn but in the case of a whistle and a shoot you might just get some one shot rather than lure a confused hound onto to a road where a car hits it not a good idea at all.
 
Are you paying for access? At last yard we could pay 50 for right to whole woods, I would make a point of wanting better notices then. If you aren't paying then I don't see the problem... The funding doesn't come out of thin air and the shoots probably go some way to ensuring you still have a place to ride the other 6 days of the week
 
Crimbowitch said:
. at least our Estate owner stands up for his rights - one of the tenants complained about the shoot on Boxing Day and was causing an issue about the siteing of a peg..... he was served the end of his tenancy yesterday - that did make me smile :)
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This makes me sad. I hope he wasnt kicked off for complaining.
 
Crimbowitch said:
The right of way has not been established - and most shoots would not be given permission if a public right of way was established. Maybe this is people that have taken to "use" the woods without the correct permission. TBH I am sick of dog walkers, and cyclist that think they can roam over the Estates land without a care in the world - and some of the cheeky so and so's have challenged us about what we are doing on said Estate.
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How would you like it if your only place to hack was completely taken over at the weekends by guns? If you had nowhere else to ride your horse? I wouldn't mind if they just did it once a fortnight or so, but every weekend? :mad: And if nesting birds (which I love) were being disturbed by shooting out of season? There is also a public footpath that goes through a part of the wood and which they also shoot across.
 
Thank you to all who showed a little bit of sympathy and the practical suggestions. I am not against shooting per se, but this is more like gung ho run amock. They were all over the main road today shouting and yelling, trying to scare what scaps of pheasant still remain there. Perhaps it will peter out as I doubt there is anything left in there to shoot.
 
Gwennies shooting season is 1st feb finish for pheasant its not long till the end of season, unless you are paying for the right to ride your horse through the area then I would heed warning of the signs that have been put up they are for YOUR SAFETY and you have an obligation (at least under your insurance terms) to abide by them.

It is sad that this is disturbing your riding but in all honesty you are undisturbed out of the shooting season and the forestry commission like everyone else has to make money to allow you the pleasure of riding free on the land. There is always a pay off for access to these places.

I find it infuriating when someone fails to heed the signs because it places everyone in danger unnecessarily. Believe me the last thing you would want is either yourself or your horse shot :( What would happen if something were to spook said horse??? You would have no control and both could end up dead.

Surely you must have somewhere else to ride?? Most shoots only run alternate weekends why don't you get in touch with the shoot captain and ask when and where it is safe for you to ride. Most are very accommodating.
 
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Gwennies, this is not out of season.

If its your only place to hack then you chose that when deciding to have horses where you are. Shoots do not just happen, they are done by the book and I should imagine have more right to be there than you do.

Good idea FG. Lots who are very accommodating for that our way.
 
Orangehorse said:
If it is Forestry Commission land then you should make a complaint tot he managers. They must be aware that people ride and walk in the woodland.

The only thing that puzzled me is that you said there is shooting on Sunday. It is illegal to shoot game on a Sunday. There may be a clay pigeon shoot, however. If it is a properly run shoot, and should be if it is rented off the FC, then you will not be in danger as shooters look to see what is beyond what they are aiming at.

I think this needs more investigation to find out exactly what is going on. If it is game shooting then it will finish at the end of January.
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This is wrong,

You can shoot pigeon, deer and released pheasants on a Sunday.

However, it won't have been deer if they were out during the day, pigeons, maybe, and as has been said, pheasant shooting finishes on 1st February.

However, why should you have the forest to yourself? They can only shoot in there, or similar places, at great expense, you can ride elsewhere.

We should live together as countryside pursuits, not fight. Beleave you me, shooters are a lot more safety aware than riders.

What gives you the right to try and stop it?
If I was the FC, I would look at who was paying me to be there. It isn't you. Who would I ban? Not rocket science really is it.
 
ihatework said:
As long as the public (ie horse riders / dog walkers) stick to public rights of way then you won't get shot! Shoots won't fire over a public right of way. If they do then you have grounds for further action. Furthermore if you wear high viz when out, then in my experience shooters are very vigilant and incredibly polite (unlike many horse riders!) and will hold fire to let you pass.

If they have shooting rights over the land then IMO you should stop whining and get on with things - they are as entitled to their hobby as you are to yours, we kind of need to stick together where countryside sports are concerned not bitch and fight ....
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Completely agree with this, they will not be shooting on Forestry Commission land without proper paperwork and monies paid. The guns will be shooting above any tree line, into the sky.
 
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