The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I go and shoot crows and pigeons with my 12 bore at my dad's field a couple of times a month. On a usual outing I'd probably fire 25-50 cartridges well before dusk. Last time I shot was about midday on a Saturday.

This morning I had a call from my dad saying that someone from the village had complained about the noise and claimed that pellets had landed on their house. My hide is about 250 meters from the nearest houses and none of my shooting is directed towards the village, the hide is set up in such a way so all shot lands in the field.

What is the best way to go about this? I already have a moderated .410 but it lacks the punch of a 12 bore for crows.

Depends what shot size you're using, #6 shot will travel about 250yds and larger shot will travel further.

Print off an aerial view of the land from Google Maps or Google Earth and indicate where you shoot from and in what direction.

Also keep a diary of the times you are there so you can show whether or not you were shooting at the time of any complaint. Is there anyone else shooting in the same area that you know of?.

Salut ,

Organise a roasted crow party in the village hall.
The villagers motivated by the cask of free ale you will have provided will shut up that annoying tw*t in no time


NB - why do you shot crows ? did a farmer/your dad asked you to do it for "control" ?

froggy wrote:Salut ,

Organise a roasted crow party in the village hall.
The villagers motivated by the cask of free ale you will have provided will shut up that annoying tw*t in no time


NB - why do you shot crows ? did a farmer/your dad asked you to do it for "control" ?

There is a very large roost of them in a nearby field. My dad keeps sheep and we had the eyes of 2 lambs taken out last spring.

phaedra1106 - Yes, I believe the farmer that owns the land with the crow roost shoots them too. His land is about 100m closer to the village.

I so want to say, "Tell him to eff off, it's the country. And prove it was pellets from your gun that allegedly landed on his roof...."

But the reasonable side of me says .... Who am I kidding!

Ask to see the pellets he claims landed on his house. After all, this person is accusing you of armed trespass, which is a serious matter.

More likely to be some NIMBY trying it on than a serious complaint.

Gaz wrote:Ask to see the pellets he claims landed on his house. After all, this person is accusing you of armed trespass, which is a serious matter.

More likely to be some NIMBY trying it on than a serious complaint.

From what my dad told me it was a police officer he spoke to. They said it was just a noise complaint at the moment.

But I've had a complaint before from a lady in the village claiming that the noise was worrying our donkey in the field. Which is absolute bulls**t since he comes to see what I'm doing! She's known to the locals as being a bit of an old bat so I imagine it's her that's complaining again.

Noise from a S/G isn't that loud unless you're right next to it anyway. It's a 'thumb' noise, sounds like the residents are being a little sensitive.

I've been told that a police community support office came to my parents house and spoke them about the complaint. They asked what I was shooting and how often and if I was a certificate holder .

The PCSO had been to see the lady that complained, and basically told her that it's the countryside, expect gunshots from time to time.
However my step-mum gave the woman my phone number, so will see what she suggests.

Your step mum gave her your number?

I'd have a few words with the step mum.