Would anyone have the best idea on how to approach a local landowner about hunting (with a catapult); I'd rather use my xbow but uk kneejerk regulations mean I can't use an air rifle without a licence (northern Ireland; where pistols are still legal to own with a licence but you can't get a bloody air-gun without one. So a xbow kill would essentially be quick and painless but a slingshot (provided it hits the chest) will cause massive internal damage, punctured lungs and all that whereas a judo point arrow would kill the rabbit outright, as would an air rifle. If they're so worried about Tom Dick and Harry getting xbows and firing field tips into targets make people complete a bowhunting licence (much like a driving licence; I can drive a car or bike round a track legally without a licence but I can't drive one on the road without facing serious consequences. A theory and practical section shouldn't be too hard to do and if they're worried about hunters injuring other hunters make it a legal requirement to wear a transponder which vibrates when you get within 300m of them; well out of bow distance; transponders and two way radios would essentially do away with that worry and make bowhunting safer than all other types and more humane whilst not hurting target archers in the slightest. Once again I completely go off on a tangent: I'll give a brief run-down on the landowners:
- Happy to let people walk in their fields, they just have a 'please close the gate sign'
- Happy to let teenagers camp in their field/s, was round with a friend and a bunch of strangers, most were under-age and all were drinking. Next thing the police showed up, thought they'd be getting the booze confiscated and kicked out, the police just said the landowner would prefer if they kept the noise down as they live within earshot are trying to sleep and to extinguish the fire and not light another one, as people were clearly drunk.
- Happy to let people pick 'wild mushrooms' in their fields
That's about all I know about them but they seem friendly enough; I was thinking of approaching, well dressed (long hair trimmed at the fringe), mentioning that they have plenty of rabbits on their land and asking if I could hunt without firearms, using UK legal snares (put in a comment that I'll check twice as often as is legally required) and a ghillie suit and slingshot combo. Then offer to give them every second or third catch if they want (after gutting, skinning, cleaning and removing the head as a skinned rabbit can look a bit disturbing with those always open staring eyes) as well as that I'll ask if there's days or times they'd rather I not be there (if permitted) and finally if all goes well get a pre-printed note of permission signed by them, just to keep me covered when carrying my knife, snare wire and slingshot up there, to show to police in case I'm stopped by them on the walk up, or they think I'm poaching. Letting the owners know this is to save them the trouble of having the police come to the door with me in cuffs until they confirm. Papers would include my photograph and the home-owners contact # (if they want to give it out) as well as their names, address and signatures.
Would this be the best way to go about things? Or is there a better way to sweet-talk owners into letting me essentially lease land for hunting purposes? I suppose if they didn't want Rabbit meat I could offer to pay for the privilege. Any idea on the price? £20-30/month? Since it's basically 'come in and close the gate' I couldn't see them asking a huge sum for my presence on their land.
- Happy to let people walk in their fields, they just have a 'please close the gate sign'
- Happy to let teenagers camp in their field/s, was round with a friend and a bunch of strangers, most were under-age and all were drinking. Next thing the police showed up, thought they'd be getting the booze confiscated and kicked out, the police just said the landowner would prefer if they kept the noise down as they live within earshot are trying to sleep and to extinguish the fire and not light another one, as people were clearly drunk.
- Happy to let people pick 'wild mushrooms' in their fields
That's about all I know about them but they seem friendly enough; I was thinking of approaching, well dressed (long hair trimmed at the fringe), mentioning that they have plenty of rabbits on their land and asking if I could hunt without firearms, using UK legal snares (put in a comment that I'll check twice as often as is legally required) and a ghillie suit and slingshot combo. Then offer to give them every second or third catch if they want (after gutting, skinning, cleaning and removing the head as a skinned rabbit can look a bit disturbing with those always open staring eyes) as well as that I'll ask if there's days or times they'd rather I not be there (if permitted) and finally if all goes well get a pre-printed note of permission signed by them, just to keep me covered when carrying my knife, snare wire and slingshot up there, to show to police in case I'm stopped by them on the walk up, or they think I'm poaching. Letting the owners know this is to save them the trouble of having the police come to the door with me in cuffs until they confirm. Papers would include my photograph and the home-owners contact # (if they want to give it out) as well as their names, address and signatures.
Would this be the best way to go about things? Or is there a better way to sweet-talk owners into letting me essentially lease land for hunting purposes? I suppose if they didn't want Rabbit meat I could offer to pay for the privilege. Any idea on the price? £20-30/month? Since it's basically 'come in and close the gate' I couldn't see them asking a huge sum for my presence on their land.
