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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthn ... paths.html

Having read the entire article I can actually see the point that the landowners are making.

Our local club shoot on MOD land and there is a footpath running straight past the butts, so we have to stop shooting if somebody feel inclined to walk past.
Would be a lot easier for everybody if that footpath was diverted.

What about all you fox/rabbit shooters out there? Do you have to stop if people want to walk through the woods you are shooting in?

If our club shoots at Middlewick in Colchester , MOD range , we have to post sentries to stop people crossing the end of the range , some of them choose to ignore the warnings . So legend has it years ago during shooting a guy decides to cross the range between the firing point and the butts carrying a roll of carpet .


Dave

I have a dear stalking friend who has this happen on a infrequent basis. He said that it is always a decision as to stay still and let them walk by, possibly not noticing but then again possibly getting the fright of their lives should they see him. Or, stand up, with likely the same effect of scaring them silly.
He did once have one couple approach him and started trying to have a conversation about the wrongs of hunting. He said that he had no opinions on hunting, he just did what his rifle told him to and with that they walked off in disgust.

I would be less than impressed if I had paid and had a mornings work ruined, but then it is arguable that if they are on a footpath, they have as much right to be there as the shooter,

DM

Many years ago we had some friends who frequented a naturist club who camped on a farm. Everything was fine for years, nobody could see in as the main sunbathing area was well fenced. Then someone decided that a public footpath actually went right through it, ramblers who were out to prove a point. Eventually it had to go to court. I believe the land used to be an RAF radar station so the footpath was suspended so in effect it was still open for use. They had to put a new fence up along one edge so it could be used without causing the ramblers offence. Lots of time and money for probably half a dozen people.

A mate stalks deer over Loch Lomand and despite posting warning signs and locking the large gates, he's had people literally climb over the gates and the signs in order to walk right into his stalk. In one case a numpty in a bobble hat appeared between him and the deer whilst he was lining up for the shot.

I did once sit up in a highseat during a summers evening whilst a couple walked right in to my tree line and decided to have a shag less than 30ft from me. They just didn't bother to look up. Waiting until they were in full flow, i called over and asked how they'd like me to score their performance. The guy was very embarassed and didn't say a word but the female had a foul mouth and started swearing at me. She called me a pervert and called me down so that her 'lover' could beat me up. The fact that i couldn't stop laughing at her just wound her up all the more and the guy soon stumbled away, leaving her remaining - screaming at me.