Named land for stalking.

[Jenks]

I am currently going through the necessary rigmarole for the renewal of my FAC and Shotgun certificate. The visiting firearms officer came and had a chat. No problems were identified. Some time later I had a phone call from him to say that the piece of land I wanted to use as the named bit of land for the purpose of granting permission for stalking Has in fact never been cleared for a full bore rifle, he would have to come and have a look at it. The previously land that I used for permission was no longer available to me, hence the new bit of land. I have in fact been shooting deer on the place for over fifteen years because I have an open certificate that is/was not a problem, but for me to use it as the named bit of land for my certificate it had to be cleared as fit for the use of a full bore rifle. I met the officer this morning and walked him round. I showed him where high seat were usually sited, where I had shot deer etc . To be fair this is a difficult piece of land to shoot over. At the end of our walk around he said he was going to recommend that it be cleared for a full bore rifle subject to two conditions. The first that high seats were to be used and that any shooting on foot should be carried out by an experienced Stalker only. ie one having an Open shooting condition on his FAC . I have to say it was a pleasure to show him round he asked all the relevant questions and clearly knew his stuff. Oh! and as if on cue a Roe Doe jumped out in front of us.

Jenks

[Porcupine]

Oh! and as if on cue a Roe Doe jumped out in front of us.

Dinner for two??

[ovenpaa]

I have to say it was a pleasure to show him round he asked all the relevant questions and clearly knew his stuff.

This is the thing, they invariably do know their stuff, are often if not always shooters and I have always been treated with the utmost professional courtesy. In fact I have a feeling my needs and wished are important to them. They are also civilians and I do worry what would happen were we to loose our current FEO's and see them replaced with uniformed officers who have 101 other things to do as well as deal with firearms enquiries.

Good news Jenks

[Jenks]

Oh! and as if on cue a Roe Doe jumped out in front of us.

Dinner for two??

Out of season and had in not been, it would not have been a safe shot.

Jenks

[Jenks]

I have to say it was a pleasure to show him round he asked all the relevant questions and clearly knew his stuff.

This is the thing, they invariably do know their stuff, are often if not always shooters and I have always been treated with the utmost professional courtesy. In fact I have a feeling my needs and wished are important to them. They are also civilians and I do worry what would happen were we to loose our current FEO's and see them replaced with uniformed officers who have 101 other things to do as well as deal with firearms enquiries.

Good news Jenks

Ovenpaa..

Good news Jenks

Yes it certainly is. This next five years will probably see me out as far as stalking is concerned. I have already had to pack in 'Hill Stalking'. What I love about the place I went to this morning is, it is perfect for using my little Winchester 3030 carbine. The longest shot I have ever had there was only about sixty yards.

Jenks

[Chapuis]

Quote Ovenpaa "This is the thing, they invariably do know their stuff".
I wish I could agree totally with you Ovenpaa. It very much depends on the area in which you reside. I have had experience of both the very good and the very bad in respect of FEO's. The lack of knowledge displayed by the FEO on some occasions previously begs the question why was he employed? It's one of those jobs that requires a fair degree of profesional judgement to be employed, and to do that you need quite a bit of relevant experience.