This page will be used to keep you informed of news affecting wildfowling, covering such things as legislation, foul weather bans etc.

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE - A BAG LIMIT WILL BE APPLIED TO OUR FORSHORE AREAS

A bag limit of 3 geese per permit per flight will be in place on all foreshores over which the SHAJC have control. This was voted in at the AGM in April 2008 and commences from the 1st of September 2008 onwards.

STOLEN AIRGUN - WARRINGTON AREA

Would people please keep an eye out for the following air rifle (pictured below) this was stolen from the Warrington area on the 2nd April. It is a Daystate Air Ranger .177 with a GinB Stock, Serial number SB 0255, together with a Falcon Merlin 10x42 scope  Please contact the author with details if you are offered this air rifle, it should be easily identified with the GinB stock.

Thanks all in advance.

GENERAL LICENCES NOW ISSUED BY NATURAL ENGLAND

From the 1st January 2008 Natural England are responsible for the issue and administration of General licences. 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). Further information can be found here http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/genlicences.htm

DEER LAWS AMENDED

Shooters with smaller calibre rifles will now be able to hunt Chinese water deer and Muntjac without getting a variation on their certificates (NB it is illegal to shoot these deer or any other with shotguns except in special circumstances). Changes to the 1991 Deer Act permits some of the traditional fox calibres to be used for some of the smaller species of deer. Permission must have been granted by the landowner or the person having the shooting right and the rifle must meet the legal requirements as outlined below. Chinese Water Deer are now subject to a season (bucks and does) which runs from 1st of November to 31st March inclusive

Any rifle used for Chinese Water Deer or Muntjac must meet the following criteria Calibre :- not less than .220" Muzzle energy :- not less than 1.356 joules (1,000 ft/lbs) Bullet Weight :- Bullets must be soft nosed or hollow nosed and not less than 3.24 grammes (50 grains) This covers most of the .22 centre fire rifles except the .22 Hornet.

 BASC ANNOUNCE AN INCREASE IN THEIR SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES / BASC MEMBERSHIP STILL ON THE UP

BASC has announced an increase in membership subscriptions of £3.00 across the board with the exemption of Junior members whose rate will remain unchanged. The rise will come into effect from March 1st 2008 and will apply to all renewals and new memberships after that date. BASC membership now numbers over 125,000 according to latest figures. This year sees BASC celebrate it's centenary year being founded in 1908 as WAGBI by Stanley Duncan fzs.

VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION

Under the Violent Crime Reduction Act legislation has been passed that effectively bans the sale of airguns by dealers by mail order, as from October 1st 2007 airguns can only be sold face to face. Several retailers amongst them Uttings and J.S. Ramsbottom who formerly carried on mail order business for the purpose of selling airguns have announced they will no longer sell airguns but will carry on selling accessories and other items for them. The new laws are outlined below

Sections 31, 32 & 33

If you wish to continue selling air weapons by way of trade or business you must:

· Be registered as a Registered Firearms Dealer by October 1st 2007.

· From October 1st all air weapon sales and transfers by a Registered Firearms Dealer must be entered into a Statutory Firearms Register.

· From October 1st air weapon sales by way of trade or business must be completed face to face (this means that mail order sales will be banned).

· From October 1st it will be an offence for anybody under 18 to purchase or hire an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon.

· From October 1st it will be an offence to sell or let on hire an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon to a person under the age of 18.

DEFRA PLANNING NEW CHECKS ON THE USE OF LEAD SHOT

BASC have announced that DEFRA may re-convene its Lead Shot Review Working Group as it examines new ways of checking the compliance with the lead shot ban for Wildfowl in England and Wales. The study of compliance will likely take place during the 2007/2008 season and non compliance with the law as it stands could result in dire consequences for the future of lead shot. Please ensure that you are complying with the law when out on the foreshore, it's in our best interest.

GAME LICENCES ARE NO MORE

A Revision of the outdated Game Laws has lead to the scrapping of the Game Licence in England and Wales from the beginning of the 2007/2008 season, amendments will be made to the Game Act 1831, the Game Licenses Act 1860 and the Deer Act 1991. The proposed Order will also remove the requirement to hold a game licence to take or kill game; remove the requirement for a local authority licence and an excise licence in order to deal in game; and remove the restriction on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season, permitting sale all year round provided the game was lawfully killed.

Certificate Fees as of 6th September 2005

Initial firearms certificate - £50 ... Initial shotgun certificate - £50 ... Co-terminous initial certificate - £60 (£50 - Firearm & £10 Shotgun) ... Renewal firearm certificate - £40 ... Renewal shotgun certificate - £40 .... Please also note that co-terminous renewal is £50 (£40 firearm & 10 Shotgun) ... If an applicant applied late for renewal they are charged the Grant fee.

 

H OME / TOP