Firearm for target shooting and hunting/vermin control: General Questions

ExtractorSpring72

Ive been a member of my gun club for around a year now and im getting my license in the following weeks. Its taken me this long to get my license as im 16 and a training license would've been too much hassle. As you all know, in the FCA1 it gives you multiple options to tick and of course im going to tick target shooting for the gun club. But im also seeking land permission to shoot rabbits, so would that go under hunting or vermin control? And will i also have to just tick two boxes and explain why? I already have land permission from a family member but considering they live 4 hours away id be looking for something more local, but im not sure many farmers would be too enthusiastic about a 16 year old with a gun roaming around shooting rabbits on their property so how should i go about seeking permission, im thinking my gun club would be a good start. Now if i get land permission after i get my certificate what do i do then? Sorry for the bombardment of questions but all help is appreciated

TheEngineer1

In general, the term "gun club" refers to game clubs so you will be ticking hunting, not target shooting.

You don't need to have additional land permissions because the gun club will have land permissions on which to hunt game, and you by being a member of said club will be entitled to hunt on those lands.

If you want to shoot targets, you need to join a target shooting club that has access to authorised target shooting facilities.

Unless you mean clay target shooting? If your gun club runs clay shoots then you will be ticking the "other" box and specifying clay target shooting. The target shooting box is only for rifle and pistol shooting at a proper shooting range.

ExtractorSpring72

Sorry yeah its a target shooting club i shouldve specified. I shoot .22 target rifle. So ill be target shooting and i have permission from a family member to shoot crows on her property (which are a nuisance) so would i be right to tick both target shooting and vermin control?

Cass

If you're a member of a target shooting range then tick target shooting in section4.2 and in section 4.3 provide the details of the range and a copy of your range membership.

If you intend to hunt then in section 4.2 you can tick both hunting and other. Provide copies of any/all land permissions you have and on your separate sheet of paper (of additional information) and simply state you intend to hunt any/all quarry, including those classed as vermin, during the open seasons as permitted by your license under the wildlife act(s).

The more permissions you have the better. There is no legal necessity for two land permissions as most people believe and one will suffice presuming it's of sufficient size and capable of sustaining the shooting which may take place on it. There is the possibility that the land(s) may be inspected by AGS to verify suitability, however as said previously the more you have the better it is for your application.

It does not matter where the land is, if you have permission to shoot on it, you can list it. As for getting more,.knock on doors is the only way. That or join a gun club, but get known, knock on doors and expect more refusals than permissions, however keep at it and they'll come eventually.

JJJF

Hi Cass, great response above! Alot of info!

Question on it, you mention if the lamd you have permission for is of suitable size and capable of sustsining shooting on it. What is the minimum size and what do you think classify as suitable?

I just got permission to shoot rabbits on 10 acres (mostly wooded and the rest wild open ground) and am in the middle of getting my application in order when I saw this thread.

Thanks!

Cass

There is no minimum amount of land, in law, afaik. Most people provide two permissions just to cya, but like the 100 acre minimum for deer, it's not a law but has been used as such for so long it's believed to be one.

As for my opinion.

If you have 10 acres but a need for shooting for, as in your case, control of vermin then ten is enough.

The more appropriate question would be are you the only one shooting on it. If so then you're set, but if there were say ten others shooting it'd be a hard sell to convince AGS that it's of suitable size to accommodate 11 people on such a small parcel of land.

So it's not just one factor but a combination of multiple factors.

Obviously if you can get more then it'll be better but in your application you could provide a separate piece of paper with a written explanation of why the land is suitable and the need for vermin control on it.

Ita beat to be prepared but don't "overthink" it either. AGS are not out to try and catch people out, if your reason for the firearm is valid, and the land supports your intended shooting then there should be no reason for problems.

minktrapper

If you have not bought a firearm yet buy an air rifle. You will have a better chance of getting permission to shoot vermin on someone elses property with an air rifle. But get a decent one. They are very versatile. And you will have it for years to come.

Grizzly 45

Good point MT. There are some airguns out there today that can be tuned up or down in pressure by the shooter to make them as hard-hitting as a .22 rimfire round in a big[for airguns] caliber.

minktrapper

And a lot more fun to shoot as you are taking a lot of the danger element out of the equasion.