Trans-pond,

While agree with you with regards the early mornings so far as the bucks go, but what about the doe cull in winter? 8am is first light in the winter!

Part of my stalking is in Thetford and dog walkers ect are a major problem. We place out signs at the entrances to the forest saying that certain areas are closed because shooting is taking place, and no end of people simple ignore them and walk blindly on.

I have "politely" stopped some of these people and gently informed them that they should be here for safety reasons ect and asked them if they did not see the signs?...Some, a small minority, equally politely appologise and go back...most simple shrugged their shoulders and say they did not think the signs applied to them or something similar ( "But i always walk my dog this way") and then a small minoity get quite abusive. These signs are a requirement of the FC by the way, as a condition of our lease.

I have mixed feelings about stoping joe public while I am carrying a rifle, but if I don't, and knowingly let them go on into a dangerous situation where they are injured, I suspect I might be liable.

Up in the highlands, ramblers and walkers also have a big impact on the stalking operations on a lot of Estates. A friended treated himself to a weekend on the stags and had his stalk spoilt both days by ramblers winding the deer.

Regards,

Pete

I have seen this term used in another thread.

Can someone shed some light on what exactly it means.

Thanks.

Nitro



In England and Wales, in certain areas of land that are not stock-fenced, the public are being given a right to roam where they please, despite the fact that the land is privately owned and it is against the wishes of the land owner/farmer.



It has been introduced by Tony Blair and his socialist mates.



Griff will correct me but in Scotland I think people have had a right to wander wherever they want for a long time.

So even if you put up no trespassing/private property signs, they still can "roam"?

Also with so manner public access walking paths on private land I guess even if the land is fenced they have a right to "roam" off the unfenced path?

Does this mean if they have a front yard that is not fenced you are free to roam and have a BBQ in their front yards too?

NitroxX,

As I understand it, the right to roam does not apply to residential or industrial property. On farm land, it is also restricted if there is a "standing crop" and i believe there are other restrictions too.

There was much debate as what qualifies as a "standing crop" as grass (cattle food not dope!) could be said to be a crop and as could forestry. The whole is a mess at present,

Regards,

Pete

Trespassing is not a crime in Scotland, but a delictual offence. There are no real remedies as an interdict is granted only if it is a repeated offence (+the person has to give you their details etc). This will change on the 28th of November 2004 when the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2002 comes into play. NOT only will crofters (tenant farmers) in highland estates be able to COMPULSORILY PURCHASE the property from the estate owner, but now everyone can trespass over land (camping is even allowed) and it is illegal to put a bull/dogs on your land for the specific purpose of preventing it.
There is a lot I could say about this, but I think we all agree on the fairness of these "class envy" rules.
I wonder how the antis will use this rule to ruin grouse shoots or disrupt salmon fishing/deer stalking....on the other hand they may get shot by accident!

I remember hunting roe deer in Northumberland and sitting in a high seat. A private road through the private forest was only 250 metres away in one direction. I was in the high seat by myself as the Gamekeeper wanted to do a couple of chores while I was there.

When the time arrived for the end of the morning's hunt I made my way to my car and found about 200 bloody walker's walking along the private track as it was also a public walking track. I was more than surprised.

And the supposed big roe buck was there but he had spotted me and was barking at me from within the deep shadows of the pine forest. He lived to be hunted another day.

Thankfully in Australia private property IS private property and can be sign posted and it is then an offence to enter without permission. Also next to no historical public rights of way or ramblers paths.