Night Shooting on the General License - Crows

[Hartshot]

Does anyone know if shooting crows at night is illegal ? I have looked and cannot see any reference to it.

Before you ask, Yes, I am going losing my marbles. There is a reason for asking which will become clear, once I have a definite answer !

Cheers

H

[Evo]

as far as i know its not illegal as team wild did it on one of their programmes but i might be wrong

[Marky610]

I didn't think it was legal to use artificial light to shoot birds at night but I might be wrong?

[some bloke]

I'm sure its OK if not using any illumination aid - or I might be in a lot of bother.

Branching out a bit on the vids perhaps?

[Marky610]

Yep, quick read of the general licence and you can only use illumination or nightvision devices for the taking of feral pigeon.

[Hartshot]

Cheers lads,

I'll need to be a little more specific - Shooting roosting crows at night WITHOUT ILLUMINATION AND WHILE ON THE NEST.

Can't find any reference so I assume it is ok but really need to be sure, for obvious reasons !

Cheers

H

[sunndog]

i think i read sommat about not shooting birds at roost once. i cant remember where i read it but i'v always thought shooting birds out of there nest was a no no

not quite sure what difference it makes but thats laws for ya

[Hartshot]

Tricky one aint it

I will ask BASC for their "infinite wisdom" !!!

H

[some bloke]

Tricky one aint it

I will ask BASC for their "infinite wisdom" !!!

H

Please do H - as I'd like to do what I think you are contemplating too.

Very sticky ground if the 'evidence is made freely available. My take on the bit about feral pigeon is that it is used as an example of why it might conflict with human interests. I'd hazard a guess that at certain times of the year, blackies can also conflict with human interests: an example that concerns one of the golf clubs I shoot on is that blackies are currently ripping the greens up looking for daddy long leg grubs etc.

I asked the same question on the PW but it is a bit too complicated with regard to night vision devices. I suspect the law was made at a time when NVD's needed illumination.

To stretch a point - which is what we are doing: Could digital CCTV gear still be construed as using night vision if it was used in the daytime, dawn or dusk - as digital can be used in daylight but tubed can't. In addition, is there an exemption if the quarry is on the list?

[Marky610]

I can't see the problem? It's in pure black and white on the general licence

WHAT THE LICENCE PERMITS
2. For the purposes set out in paragraph 1 above, and subject to the terms and conditions, below, this
licence permits:
(i) Authorised persons to kill or take any of the wild birds listed at (a) and (b) below, to take, damage
or destroy their nests or to take or destroy their eggs:
(a) Crow Corvus corone
Dove, Collared Streptopelia decaocto
Gull, Lesser Black-backed Larus fuscus
Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Jay Garrulus glandarius
Magpie Pica pica
Pigeon, Feral Columba livia
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
(b) Goose, Canada Branta canadensis
Parakeet, Monk Myiopsitta monachus
Parakeet, Ring-necked Psittacula krameri
(ii) Authorised persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i) above:
WML - GL04 (01/12) 2
(a) to use a semi-automatic weapon;
(b) to use a cage trap, the dimensions of which do not satisfy the requirements of section 8(1) of
the Act;
(c) to use any hand held or hand propelled net to take birds whilst not in flight; and
(d) in relation to the killing or taking of Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) only:
i. to use any device for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting;
ii. to use any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device.

When reading these legal documents you have to consider that everything is illegal apart from what's on the licence. So as I read it shooting any of the birds listed at night (apart from feral pigeon) is perfectly legal as long as you don't use any illumination or nightvision device. I would include an illuminated reticule as form of 'illuminating a target'

The special conditions for feral pigeons is for clearing them out of buildings, factories/shopping centers etc.