Does anyone know the legal position on shooting wild birds, specifically geese (greylag/pinkfoot).
Talking to an acquaintance (note, not friend) he went on to explain his weekend, in the highlands of Scotland shooting geese. When asked what he did with the birds, he said nothing, gave them away. I was appalled but did not know what the legal position was regarding wild geese. Birds I like to spot, (in the midlands that is rare), being killed for fun.
We go on about birds being trapped and killed in Cyprus and Malta but I did not think we did the same in Britain.
Thoughts?
Hi Russ
I can understand your concerns over this and I am sure that one of the Staff or Moderators will respond to you tomorrow - not sure if they are likely to be around this evening. Forgive me for asking but he did, definitely, say geese and not grouse, I take it.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
russ p said: Does anyone know the legal position on shooting wild birds, specifically geese (greylag/pinkfoot). Talking to an acquaintance (note, not friend) he went on to explain his weekend, in the highlands of Scotland shooting geese. When asked what he did with the birds, he said nothing, gave them away. I was appalled but did not know what the legal position was regarding wild geese. Birds I like to spot, (in the midlands that is rare), being killed for fun. We go on about birds being trapped and killed in Cyprus and Malta but I did not think we did the same in Britain. Thoughts?
I think he may have been shooting grouse as it is the season (although at this time of year there will be a large number of geese migrating over Scotland), The management of grouse moors and of gamebirds (pheasants, partridge, etc) is always a contentious issue between land owners and conservationalists and to start discussing it here really would be opening a can of worms.
This item from The Times last week may be of interest:-
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6857722.ece#
I notice that Egyptian Geese have been added to this list, for those of you not familiar with this species they are an introduced bird that has escaped and a feral population has built up, fairly common here in Norfolk.
Although they do little damage to crops (or livestock) they nest in holes in trees and have the unfortunate habit of taking over barn owl nests, should that be a reason to 'eradicate' them? They are here now and part of our local wildlife, I for one would not want to see them go.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Yes, greylag and pinkfoot geese (along with other species of geese and duck) are considered legal game in the open season, so it is legal to shoot them in some areas. Most hunters I know shoot for cooking and there was a lot of disgust here a couple of years ago when a load of shot pinkfoots were found just dumped in a ditch. Unfortunately there is little that can be done to stop that. While I don't agree with hunting for the sake of it, I don't object to sustainable hunting for food.
The reason there is so much opposition to trapping and killing in Malta and Cyprus is that it is being done in the breeding season and the shooting of protected species, which is against the EU birds directive, both countries also have an autumn shoot but this is less opposed.
As far as I'm aware, a close eye is kept on the populations of the geese to ensure that they aren't overhunted.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
While I can totally understand the appeal of shooting for the purpose of catching something to eat, I just can't get my head around the idea of shooting for just sport.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
hi Heron
I have to agree with you as I find shooting for the sheer hell of it quite disturbing, and distasteful to be honest.
There is no need to hunt these days (as with the caveman era when food was short). So I personally think a lot of the so called 'modern' shooting is an egoistic thing.
Simple thing that it needs to be stopped end of story,
Not clever, and very distasteful to others.
If it is Pinkfeet and Greylag Geese it is illegal and immorial. It should be reported simple as that - friends or no friends it is unacceptable. {angry}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Nicki C said: hi Heron ....If it is Pinkfeet and Greylag Geese it is illegal.... Regards Kathy and Dave
....If it is Pinkfeet and Greylag Geese it is illegal....
As with all game there is a "season" which appears, from the few sites I found on doing a simple google search, to have started in September. On one site greylag and pinkfoot are specifically mentioned as being as likely as other geese.
Squirrel B said: As with all game there is a "season" which appears, from the few sites I found on doing a simple google search, to have started in September. On one site greylag and pinkfoot are specifically mentioned as being as likely as other geese.
Yup, open season for geese started on the 1st September so it is legal to shoot them at this time of year.
Thanks everyone, my question has been answered, albeit not the way I would have wished. It does appear legal to shoot geese in the UK, regardless of the reason you do it (for pot or for fun).
The only recourse I have is not recommending my aquaintence for future jobs, he is self employed, as I am, and most of our work comes from word of mouth. It will make me feel a little better.