wood pigeons (AKA the flying rat)

As the rape takes hold and starts growing the pigeons seem to home in. On one of our local shoots ,pigeon is the only quarry we seem to be taking care of as there are hundreds to go at.

We set our hide up about 10-12 yards from a prime perch and sat 3 deeks in the low branches and waited for them to come in. We didnt have to wait long before 10 passing pigeons spotted the deeks and came in to land. We sat under the hide astonished that we could sit so close to the tree and still have them come in to land. Shortly after they landed they hit the floor and it wasnt long before we had collected a good bag between us.

As usual i am always on the look out for more land and i have just secured another 20 acres of prime pigeon feed for us to protect, thus resulting in petes freezer being full again.

Not seen many rabbits on our shoots but i have spotted a few on a small holding that we shoot rats on so we will be lamping them sometime next week (wish us luck).

Thats all for now. Keep well and shoot safe

Richard.

guest book

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Also if you need some help or advise then please email us and we will try to answer your questions or give you the best advise we can.
Email us at rnpk-dvs@fsmail.net

Rabbit Huning

To successfully hunt rabbits you must be of a patient nature, especially if you are using a .22 rifle or air-rifle, the weapons of choice for many hunters especially in the UK.
Rabbits are by their nature very wary animals, having so many natural predators has created in them an extremely honed survival instinct, so anything that looks out of place will be avoided for a long time until it becomes part of the natural background. Because of this good camoflague clothing is a must, by being able to blend into the natural vegetation is only to your advantage.
Before approaching your hunting area you must first check wind direction, always approach with the wind in your face wherever possible, your smell travels much further than you realise and this will cause your targets to dissapear way before you are anywhere near them. As you get closer to your lying up area you will need to lower your body and create as low a profile as possible, not only will this help you to move closer towards your quarry but will also cause you to slow down your movements, and slow movements are vital to get you as close to the rabbits as possible.
OK, you are now in position, your rifle is loaded and you are taking aim, the kill zone of a fully grown rabbit is about the size of a clenched fist so now is not the time to practice getting your marksmen skills. You should by now be able to group at least 5 shots in a 5cm group from out to 25 meters, if not you should not be taking aim at any living creature. If you cannot take a clean shot and achieve a clean kill then keep practicing on paper or knockdown targets until you can.
Many times when hunting rabbits you will be taking shots at a grazing rabbit, the kill zone is covered and you cannot guarantee a clean kill, I have found that by making a "tutting" noise the rabbit will raise its head, giving you enough time to take the shot. If you are using an air-rifle you may be able to bag more than one rabbit before the more alert turn and run for home. A rim-fire rifle may create too much noise, but I have known the crack of the shot only raise heads throughout the field before they turn back to nibbling on their grass.
When hunting, always remember to gain the landowners permission, a person running about a field in camoflague clothing and a rifle may creat the wrong kind of interest. Always remember to shoot responsibly, shoot safely and use your marksmenship principles to cause the least amount of suffering to the animals you are hunting.

Game species

The law allows authorised persons to control certain species, which include crows, magpies, some gulls and feral pigeons. This must be done for one of the specific purposes covered by the open general licences which the government issues. These include crop protection and public health and safety.

Game species
Laws passed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries classified various species of birds and mammals as game, and formalised the concept of close seasons, related to breeding cycles, when shooting does not take place. The principal game species are pheasant, partridge, grouse, deer and hares.

GAME LICENCES
Game licences in England and Wales were scrapped on 1 August 2007. They are still required by law in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These should be acquired from your local post office or through BASC Scotland. ("Game" means hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath and moor game and black game. Rabbits are not included).

SHOOTING SEASONS
Species may be killed or taken (dates are inclusive)

Grouse 12th August to 10th December
Ptarmigan 12th August to 10th December
Common snipe 12th August to 31st January
Black game 20th August to 10th December
Partridge 1st September to 1st February
Duck and goose (inland) 1st September to 31st January
Duck and goose (foreshore) 1st September to 20th February
Coot 1st September to 31st January
Moorhen 1st September to 31st January
Golden plover 1st September to 31st January
Pheasant 1st October to 1st February
Woodcock (England & Wales) 1st October to 31st January
Woodcock (Scotland) 1st September to 31st January
Hare No close season. Cannot be sold 1st March to 31st July

HARE SHOOTING

Yesterday i was asked if we airgunners can shoot hares. So i went on the hunt for a answer that i could post on my blog and i found this. It has been published by the goverment, in response to a petition to impose a closed season on hare hunting, so you dont get much closer to the law than this:

The brown hare is a widespread and conspicuous farmland species in Britain. It was formerly considered abundant, but underwent a substantial decline in numbers during the twentieth century. In response to this decline, the brown hare became one of the first species to be listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 1995. The key objectives of the resulting Species Action Plan were to halt the decline in hare numbers and, more ambitiously, to double the population by 2010.
Brown hares are not protected by a close season in the UK. In part, this is because it is recognised that hares can cause serious agricultural damage, and farmers need the flexibility to address problems when they occur. A close season is also likely to create significant problems in the east where hares are already regarded as a pest species. Even if a close season was introduced, it would remain necessary to permit control to prevent damage. As most culling that takes place from March onwards is likely to be in the context of pest control, except for illegal poaching activities, a close season may provide only a limited welfare benefit for hares.
Although there are animal welfare arguments to support the introduction of a close season by reducing the numbers of lactating females with dependent offspring that are culled, published available data on pregnancy, gestation length and weaning indicate that to attain a virtually complete prevention of nursing hares being killed would require a close season lasting most of the year, leaving only mid-December through to the end of January as an open season. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence that the introduction of a close season would significantly enhance hare numbers. Hare numbers have declined throughout Europe despite protection with close seasons and the available data on population dynamics suggest that intensive culls in February, typical of game shoots, have no long term impact on hare numbers. In addition, the majority of hare shooting in England currently occurs in regions, such as East Anglia, where hares are abundant.
The current view of the Brown Hare Species Action Plan Steering Group, which advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this species, is that habitat changes due to modern farming practices, rather than hunting or shooting, are the main cause of population decline in the brown hare. The Steering Group has therefore not recommended the establishment of a close season. If there is any change to this advice then we would consider the case for new legislation to protect the brown hare. The Central Science Laboratory report which was made available to them can be accessed on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/Reports.htm
The Government remains committed to achieving the goals set out in the Species Action Plan and to improving the welfare of animals. Further details of the Species Action Plan for the brown hare, including progress towards the Plan's targets, are available from the UK Biodiversity Website (at: www.ukbap.org.uk).
It is important to remember changing legislation is only justified if there is clear evidence that the changes are necessary and that they will achieve their stated goal. It does not appear that the case for a close season for the brown hare has yet been convincingly demonstrated.

shooting from a hide

Hide Shooting

This involves using arranged materials to simulate a natural appearance, so enabling you to set up a comfortable and concealed shooting base within range of your targets, without arousing their suspicions.

The first factor in hide building is location. If the hide is 60 yards from the field where your quarry lurk, you aren't going to have much success. Observation is the key to a successful placement- remember that wind and weather may have an effect on where your quarry will be, and if the wind changes you don't want to send your scent to them.

Prowl the area in full camouflage, but only take binoculars- watch where game congregates, then search for a suitable site there. The ideal hide has a hunting field of less that 180°, as it is tiring and awkward to turn yourself and the rifle to check if anything is behind you (not just to check for opportunities, but to check if anything is creeping up on you, it may raise a racket that will warn your intended quarry).

The best start to a hide is a natural hide, e.g. a fallen oak tree. A few pieces of suitable vegetation (preferably natural to the area) can then be woven in to cover any obvious gaps, but leaving sufficient space for a good field of fire. (Thistles are good for this- they don't take much careful arrangement, but a decent thickness will give you good camouflage). Failing this, a piece of camouflage netting is another good base. Size depends entirely on the area that you need to cover, but too large is always better than too small- you can tuck the edges under tree limbs or peg them down, making a better hide anyway. The better types of cam netting have scrim sown to the panels. Scrim is strips or leaf shapes of cammo material, and when out hunting, they blow in the wind and looks like leaves, branches etc. However, before using a scrim net, it is wise to blend the colours and get rid of any "shop" smell. To do this, leave the net out in the vegetable patch (or any other suitable patch of moist, muddy ground) for a month or 2, trampling and turning it occasionally. The colours will blend and flow, and the harsh outlines of the net panels will be softened by mud patches etc.

Two of the most important points in hide building are backlighting and removal of any hard, unnatural lines. Backlighting is one of the most important factors when hunting any creature with good eyesight (e.g. crows). No matter how good your hide, there have to be gaps in it to put your rifle through, and if the sun shines through these from the back of the hide (usually less well built), then any movements you make are as plain as though projected onto a white screen.

Make sure you cover the back of the hide too, especially if hunting with the sun behind you. The hard shape of your rifle can be softened with strips of excess cammo material, or even loose bits of scrim. (Just a couple of panels around butt and barrel, and leave some bits dangling). Another use for any left over scrim is to fix it around your scope front lens with an elastic band to dull the glint when the sun catches it. If you use black stocking material, you can actually fix a couple of thicknesses over the front lens, and still see sufficient of your quarry. (Make sure you can still shoot accurately after any modifications of your kit, no matter how small- you don't want to find that you actually put the scrim too far over the lens and can't actually see anything out in the field!)

New chat room

If you fancy a chat or have something to say then try this new chat room:

http://www.chatzy.com/284231160647

This is the new chat room for Duckmanton Vermin Services so why dont you pop in and say hello.

Thanks

Richard.

General licences 2008

To download your own copy of this licence do to the DEFRA website (link opposite)

General licences are issued to allow certain actions to be carried out that would otherwise be illegal under the legislation, without the need for people to apply for a specific licence.
However, if you plan to act under the authority of a general licence, you must be satisfied that you are acting within the provisions of that general licence and therefore the law. This means that it is your responsibility to read the conditions attached to licence to ensure that your situation is covered, and to comply with the conditions.
General licences are issued for a range of activities, including the sale, exhibition and possession of protected species, the investigation of crimes, the rehabilitation of injured animals and the control of certain species that are, at times, in conflict with people's interests (e.g. air safety, damage to crops and the conservation of other species).

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

Licence to kill or take certain birds
to prevent serious damage or disease
Guidance Note: The licence permits authorised persons (commonly landowners
and occupiers – see note j ) to carry out a range of activities against birds of the
species listed. This licence may only be relied upon where the activities are
carried out for the purposes of preventing the spread of disease or preventing
serious damage to livestock, crops, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables,
fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters. This licence does not permit
action to prevent damage to other forms of property or to prevent nuisance.
Persons relying on this licence must be satisfied that non-lethal methods of
resolving the problem are ineffective or impracticable. Users must comply with
the terms and conditions; Notes are provided as further guidance and advice on
best practice.

LICENCE
1. The purposes for which this licence is granted are preventing the spread of disease and preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions below, and for the purposes set out in paragraph (1) above, this licence permits:

(i) any authorised person to kill or take any of the wild birds listed in this subparagraph, to take,
damage or destroy their nests or to take or destroy their eggs:

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis

Crow - Corvus corone
Dove, Collared - Streptopelia decaocto
Gull, Great Black - backed Larus marinus
Gull, Lesser Black - backed Larus fuscus
Gull, Herring - Larus argentatus
Jackdaw - Corvus monedula
Jay - Garrulus glandarius

Magpie - Pica pica

Pigeon, Feral - Columba livia
Rook - Corvus frugilegus
Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus

(ii) the use of a semi-automatic weapon by authorised persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i)
above;
(iii) the use of a cage trap, the dimensions of which do not satisfy the requirements of section 8(1) of the Act, by authorised persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i) above;

(iv) in relation to the killing or taking of Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) only:
(a) the use of any device for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting, by
authorised persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i) above;
(b) the use of any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device, by authorised
persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i) above;
(v) the use, by authorised persons acting under subparagraph (2)(i) above, of any net, except the use of any net for taking birds in flight or the use for taking birds on the ground of any net which is projected or propelled otherwise than by hand.
3. Failure to act within the purpose of this licence as set out in paragraph 1 or failure to comply with the terms and conditions below may mean that the licence cannot be relied upon and an offence could therefore be committed. The maximum penalty available for an offence under the Act is, at the time of the issue of this licence, a level 5 fine (£5000) and/or a six month custodial sentence.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

4. Except as specifically permitted under paragraph (2) above, this licence does not authorise the use of any method of killing or taking which is prohibited by section 5 or section 8 of the Act.
5. This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable.
6. Where any cage trap, including a trap authorised under subparagraph (2)(iii) above is used, then only the bird species listed in this paragraph may be used as decoys. Such decoy birds must be provided with adequate food, water, appropriate shelter and a perch for the entire period during which it is used:

Crow - Corvus corone
Jackdaw - Corvus monedula
Jay - Garrulus glandarius

Magpie - Pica pica
Rook - Corvus frugilegus

7. Any birds killed in accordance with this licence must be killed in a quick and humane manner. Greater Canada Geese held captive prior to being killed must be killed out of sight of the other raptive birds of the same species. (see note g)
8. Where any live animal, other than a bird included in the list at subparagraph (2)(i) above, has become confined in the cage trap it must be released immediately upon discovery. Birds included in the list at subparagraph 2(i) which have become confined in the cage trap and which are to be killed under this licence, must be killed in a quick and humane manner as soon as reasonably practicable after discovery.
9. When in use, every cage trap used pursuant to this licence must be physically inspected at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours except where this is not possible because of severe weather conditions. In such cases, every effort must be made to inspect the cage trap as soon as possible. (see note h)
10. At each inspection any dead animal, including any dead bird, caught in the trap should be removed from it. (see note g)
11. Where a cage trap is not in use, it must be rendered incapable of holding or catching birds or other animals. Any bait, food, water or decoy birds must also be removed. (see note 10)
12. This licence is valid in England, unless previously revoked, for the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008

Definitions

13. In this licence-
I. “authorised person” has the same meaning as in section 27 of the Act; (see note j )
II. “to kill” includes accidentally to wound whilst attempting to kill in accordance with this licence;
III. “semi-automatic weapon” means any weapon which is not prohibited by section 5 of the
Firearms Act 1968 as amended and which has a magazine capable of holding more than
two rounds of ammunition, where the depression of the trigger ejects a single shot, each
subsequent shot requiring a further depression of the trigger;
IV. “Wild bird” has the same meaning as in section 27 of the Act. (See note l)

Edward Blane
for and on behalf of Natural England
1 January 2008

Wildlife Licensing Unit
Natural England
Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol BS10 6NJ
T 0845 601 4523 F 0845 601 3438
Email wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk

hunting hides

Anyone got any good ideas on hide poles ie. a cheaper alterative to the £40+ ones on the market.I have seen "washing line props" in morrisons that look like the expensive ones only longer...so would it be wrong to asume one could buy these, cut them down a tad,and return the £30+ back to my wallet.£2.99 each....dark green outer....black inner and black top "also available in blue and orange"

The screw thing in the bottom of the expensive ones are available from b&q. Pack of 5 for £4.99 . If you think this cant be done then let me know.

The other way i have found is using the fiberglass poles from a large tent (one that the kids have destroyed first)and create a dome, pushing the engs into the ground, and then put you scrim/net over it. Trush me ...this one realy does work. Ask the woodies who didnt see me Thanks for reading

Richard DVS

Another new addition

I have just got this crossman 2250 (aka the king ratcatcher) and I am quite shocked as to how powerful it is. I always thought that they were quite underpowered but this one has impressed me loads.

Not too keen on the loading aspect because of the scopes and I do think that if you could get one, a mag would be great.

Overall I have found this to be a very lightweight, compact, almost silent rifle with practically no recoil.

Our guest book

After you have looked through the blog, please click the link to the guest book and leave us a message to let us know what you think .To get bak to this site just click the link on the guest book "return to website" and this will bring you back to the D.V.S home page.
Thanks for looking
Richard

very cheap co2

If you are wanting very cheap co2 in 12 or 88 gram then go look at this website:
www.tyreinflators.co.uk
example: 1 box of 50 12g co2 £16.50 inc vat + postage (threded or un threded)
1x 88g co2 £3.75 inc vat + postage
COMPARE THESE PRICES TO UTTINGS AND AIR SOURCE AND TELL ME YOU CANT SAVE £££

another great service brought to you by us

The British Airgun Shooters Association

£2,000,000 SHOOTING INSURANCE* for a little over five pence a day!

Join the British Airgun Shooters' Association today and you are automatically entitled to up to £2 million Third Party Public Liability Insurance cover* for any one incident.
The B.A.S.A. is the only association exclusive to airgun shooting and runs in partnership with Britain's largest shooting organisation - the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (B.A.S.C.) - to protect the future of airgun sport in the U.K.
Your sport needs you - so apply on-line and add your weight to the U.K's only airgun organisation!
Not only will B.A.S.A. membership provide you with comprehensive shooting insurance (covering use of both non-licensed airguns and those used under Section One Firearms Certificates), but it brings you a whole host of other, member-only privileges, too...
Membership of B.A.S.A. brings you these privileges...
Your own airgun ID card and insurance docket.
Free Competition Entry Tokens for Air Gunner and Airgun World magazines.
Free entry to the B.A.S.A. Share-a-Shoot directory.
Save £££ on shooting books, magazine subscriptions and binders.
Member-only discounts at selected gun shops.(Full details will be included with your member pack)
* Third party liability indemnity - excess £250 property damage only.
The Public Liability Insurance is arranged by Archibald Reid (Insurance Brokers) Ltd. who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

AIRGUN LAW GENERAL
Airgun shooting in the U.K. is governed by extremely strict firearms laws and there are severe penalties for anyone who breaks them, even if they do so unintentionally.
With the introduction of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004, there have been certain amendments to the Firearms Acts 1968-1997. You can no longer have an airgun (loaded or unloaded) in a public place – even cased – unless you have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse. This may be that you are on the way to a gun shop, to a shooting club or to grounds where you have permission to shoot.
You can only take your airgun onto land over which you have permission to shoot, regardless of whether or not you intend to shoot it. If you trespass with your airgun, you are committing an offence of ‘armed trespass’.
The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 has also made changes to airgun law and the primary changes are detailed elsewhere on this site.
The important aspects of the airgun laws are abridged as follows:

OWNING AN AIRGUN
You do not need a licence to own an air rifle or air pistol providing it is not capable of exceeding a certain power limit with any brand of airgun pellet. The power limit it set at 12 ft. lbs. for air rifles, above which you need a firearms certificate (FAC). You cannot own an air pistol over 6 ft. lbs..
You must be 18 years of age or older to buy or acquire an airgun and it is an offence for anyone to give someone under 18 an airgun as a gift.
You must be 18 years of age or older to buy ammunition for an airgun.

CARRYING YOUR AIRGUN
Your airgun should be contained in a secure case if being carried in a public place.
You must be at least 18 years old to carry your airgun in a public place and you must have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse for doing so.
Your airgun is considered ‘loaded’ if there is any form of projectile in the breech or magazine, regardless of whether or not the gun is cocked.

SHOOTING YOUR AIRGUN
It is an offence to shoot your airgun on land where you have not been given permission to shoot by the occupier, usually the landowner or tenant. You cannot shoot on ‘common’ land.
You cannot shoot your airgun within 15 metres of the centre of a public highway if, in doing so, you are causing a nuisance or endangering the public.
It is an offence if you fire your pellets so that they travel beyond the boundary of the property where you have a right to shoot.
It is a serious offence to kill or injure any bird or protected animal with an airgun unless you are an ‘authorised’ person – i.e. you have proper shooting permission. Provided you are, the Secretary of State automatically issues you with a general ‘open’ licence every year for this purpose.

YOUNG PERSONS
Under 18 years of age, you cannot be in possession of an airgun unless you are supervised by someone aged at least 21, or are using it at an approved club. However, from the age of 14, you can shoot your airgun on your own and without adult supervision provided you are on private land and have consent of the landowner.
However, until you are 18, you are not allowed to carry your airgun to that land unless you are supervised by a person aged at least 21. In any event, the rules outlined in ‘Carrying Your Airgun’ (above) apply.
If you are aged under 14 years old, you can only shoot your airgun under the direct supervision of someone aged 21 years or older on land over which you have permission to shoot. The supervisor is legally responsible for the actions of the person they are supervising and no pellet must go outside the boundaries of the land. You can also use an airgun at Home Office-approved clubs or at a fairground shooting gallery for target shooting.

AIRGUNNERUK FORUM

Does anyone know what has happend to the airgunner forum as we cant find it anymore

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR

Hello and welcome back to our blog.

I am hoping this year will bring us more land , so we all can enjoy our sport and help the land owners and farmers protect there crops.

The new addition to my rifle is the improved logun hunting lamp and i am pleased to say it works better thanthe older version. Well impressed.

The new addition to the dvs collection is this cp88. A co2 powered 1.77 8 shot Walther. I know that most people don't see the point of these things (because you shouldn't use them for hunting due to lack of power), i thought that having one for those times where you need to dispatch quarry quickly after a "failed one shot kill" may prove useful.

Testing this pistol was both fun and rewarding as i took it to one of our shoots where we have rats and set myself a task. At 20 yards this pistol sunk a 1.77 flat practice slug 2.2 inch into block of "silicone" that was 6 inch square ,so i found it hard to believe that at 15-20 yards i would not be able to cleanly kill a rat and after all i had 8 shots to ensure a positive hit.

So after 45 Min's and 6 dead rats later, i can conclude that it is a very productive tool with its 8 shot mag. Clean kills all round and in my opinion a worth whilst addition to any collection.


Short note about 12g co2 capsules. Don't buy them from uttings or the like as they are quite expensive. I have found a site where i can buy a box of 50 12g capsules for £18.00+vat with only £5.00 p+p. Total was £23 instead of the £35-£40 from eBay or gun shops.
You will find the address in the links box opposite.