shooting birds

[jkelly24]

Is it legal to shoot birds in your garden with an air rifle. A neighbour of mine has been doing it. He has had a visit from the police but he says it is not illegal. Just want to get the facts for myself. Thanks

[New Judge]

As far as I am aware the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking of any wild bird. There are one or two exceptions, such as those allowing the killing of �game�birds (which are not considered wildlife for the purposes of the Act) and the killing of certain �pest� species by licensed operatives.

With the exception of particularly powerful examples, air weapons do not usually fall under the control of the Firearms legislation. However, offences may be committed if they are discharged close to a public place and a danger to the public is evident.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is keen to hear of instances where birds are being illegally killed and they have a reporting form on their website:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/wildbird slaw/wildbirdcrime/shooting_and_destruction.as p

[Ethel]

Yes, it is perfectly legal to shoot some wild birds in your own garden, or anyone else's garden with their permission.

You can legally shoot crows, rooks, magpies, jays, wood pigeons, collared doves, brown rats, grey squirrels and rabbits (but not your neighbour's pet).

Google 'air riflle quarry law' for clarification

[Oneeyedvic]

You can only shoot the birds mentioned for certain reasons:

These are covered by open general licences which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner�s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the licence.

These reasons include:
� to protect crops
� to protect game and wildlife
� to protect public health or safety

From the British Association of Shooting & Conservation
http://www.basc.org.uk/content/airriflepractic e

[hammerman]

So how would i stand on shooting a heron or herring gull that are constantly trying to eat my koi in my garden despite various efforts to stop it ? (using a legal .22 air rifle)

[teag1rl]

I wouldn't advise shooting a heron, although I was tempted when the b*stard ate my 4 year old goldfish I'd had from the Fair!
In Great Britain the heron is protected at all times under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with fines or prison sentences available for anyone killing or attempting to kill one (see A brief guide to birds and the law, linked from this page, for further details). The heron is also protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Special licences occasionally granted for problem herons. See http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwant edvisitors/heronsandponds/index.asp

[teag1rl]

hammerman, I meant to add that you could try a decoy heron as they're very territorial and won't like to share the pond with another.

[hammerman]

Thanks teag1rl....they're far too quick for me anyway lol. Shame because they're bloody lovely birds.

[BRAVO1]

My god !...Why the hell would anyone want to shoot wild birds in their garden anyway.

That has got to be one sick person who finds pleasure in killing a sparrow or a blackbird just for fun.

I will never understand the minds of people who kill just for the hell of it.

Tell your neighbour he needs medical help...FAST.

[hammerman]

BRAVO1...where on earth does it say he was shooting blackbirds or sparrows.

Some birds are pests and some, such as herons, cormerants and gulls are a threat to sometimes very expensive fish collections....whether that's ornamental fish in garden ponds or wild native species in commercial fisheries.

By the way...what do you think of swans BRAVO1 ?...personally, i'll only eat them if they've been corn fed.

[BRAVO1]

What a prize **** !.

Just the type of foolish answer one would expect.

Why don't you masturbate over your Koi carp.

[lovemyferrets]

lmao at bravo1, i also seen no where sayin blackbirds and sparrows where being shot, im glad i came across this as i hav a .22 air rifle and hav been wanting to get rid of some crows and magpies 2 help all the small protected birds in my garden as crows and magpies work 2gether here 2 steal baby birds from there nests, i hav rights 2 shoot the land at the back of my garden to so wont be sooting with any danger to my neigbours as its all farmland :) ideal cheers everyone, and yeah hammerman i bet swan tastes great corn fed! hahaha

[Purplegaily]

I've got a crow/rook (big black bird) taking chunks out of the cars in our road (Audi TT, New Astra, BMW etc) and whilst we're concenred about the damage, the amount of blood it is leaving means it's been injured too. Thanks for this thread, as we're thinking of putting it out of it's misery, no fluffy cute birds will be harmed during the shooting of this menace!

We also have problems with herons in the garden and the fish - but having had kids, and putting a cover has cured that problem. Wouldn't shoot a heron (tempted, but no cigar!)