What pests can you shoot in the UK?

You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner's permission. Air rifles are suitable for brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.

What birds are legal to shoot in UK?

You can shoot carrion crows and magpies all over the UK, hooded crows only in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Jackdaws in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but not England, jays England Scotland and Wales but not Northern Ireland, rooks England, Scotland and Northern Ireland but not Wales, and Indian house crows only ...

What can I legally shoot with an air rifle UK?

It is legal for persons authorised by the landowner or tenant to carry out vermin control with an air rifle. The legal airgun quarry species include brown rats, magpies, carrion crows, rooks, jays, squirrels, woodpigeons, feral pigeons and collared doves.

Is it legal to shoot rooks UK?

You can now only shoot rooks and jackdaws to protect crops, but the law now says that you have to prove you're growing crops. You can only shoot pigeons while crops are actually growing, not before you sow. You have to scare crows off birds' nests in a manner that doesn't scare nesting birds.

Can I shoot a magpie UK?

As of 25^th April 2019, birds that are classed as “pests” such as woodpigeons, crows, rooks, magpies and jays can no longer be freely killed in England due to the revocation of three General Licenses. Here is everything you need to know about the law changes and how it might affect you.

Airgun law UK - what you can shoot in your garden

Can you shoot starlings UK?

Starlings are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take a starling, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. Preventing the birds from gaining access to their nests may also be viewed as illegal by the courts.

Can I shoot rats with an air rifle UK?

You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner's permission. Air rifles are suitable for brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.

Can I shoot Magpies with an air rifle?

The quick answer is yes. It is safe to shoot a magpie with an air rifle. It is also acceptable to use a sub 12 ft/lbs air rifle to target magpies. This is because magpies are one of the weaker quarry animals meaning that aiming for heart shots with these guns can result in clean kills.

Do I need a licence in UK for a .22 air rifle?

In the UK, in all cases, the owner of an air gun has to be 18 years of age. However, if one of these guns has a pellet discharge under 12ft/lb, the owner is not required to hold a licence to buy and use it. If any air guns have a pellet discharge over 12ft/lb, then a licence is always required to buy and use it.

Can I shoot wood pigeons in my garden?

Briefly, it is up to the shooter to prove the birds are causing or are likely to cause a problem in the immediate area. It is no longer acceptable to shoot wood pigeons just for sport.

Can you shoot Robins in the UK?

All wild birds in England are fully protected in law by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Whilst the Act offers all species general protection, it also provides exemptions for licences to be issued by Natural England on behalf of the government.

Can you shoot pheasants UK?

The pheasant shooting season runs from 1st Oct - 1st Feb in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Can you shoot intruders in the UK?

Yes, it is perfectly legal to use deadly force in the UK. There are a few conditions. 1. Any firearm used must be legally owned and licenced.

Is shooting foxes legal UK?

Fox hunting is illegal, it was banned by the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales and the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002. There are exemptions in the Hunting Act to allow certain types of pest control, please see the link in 'related information' for details.

Is it illegal to shoot foxes?

Fox hunting is illegal with some exemptions. It's illegal to hunt foxes using: dogs with some exemptions (see 'Hunting with dogs' on Types of illegal hunting) illegal traps and snares (see 'Using traps and snares' on Types of illegal hunting)

What vermin can I shoot?

Grey squirrels, rats, rabbits are fine to shoot, as are stoats and mink.

Can you shoot vermin in your garden?

“You have the legal right to shoot grey squirrels and rats on your property, or property where you have permission to shoot. For most urban and suburban homeowners, that means their garden, and the air rifle is the perfect tool to do the job.

Can I shoot crows in my garden UK?

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects crows as well as all other wild birds in the UK. This means that it is illegal to take, injure or kill a crow, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.

Can I shoot air rifle in public woods?

Air Gun Laws

If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it wherever you have permission to shoot.

Can I carry an air rifle in my car in the UK?

When the rifle or pistol is in the car, never keep it loaded, and it is a good idea to keep your ammunition in the glove box. Also, it is recommended that you keep all magazines unloaded. It is perfectly legal to transport your rifle in your car, but it must be stowed either in the boot or in a case.

Can you keep an air rifle at home UK?

Never store a loaded air weapon. Air weapons should be stored out of sight and separately from pellets. Air weapons should be stored inside a house rather than in an outbuilding, such as a garden shed. Consider ways of rendering a stored air weapon incapable of being fired.

Are Magpies vermin?

Magpie numbers have tripled over the last three decades and are considered by many to be the vermin of the bird world, but even though they are not the most popular bird, you never know who might take umbrage with seeing them being shot. As with all hunting, be respectful and make sure you kill quickly and cleanly.

Is it illegal to shoot pheasants out of season?

It is illegal to: hunt game birds outside of their open season.

Can you shoot pigeons with an air rifle in your garden UK?

Can I shoot pigeons with an air rifle? Target shooting, pest control, and hunting small ground wildlife are just some of the applications for air weapons. Assuming your air weapon is legally compliant, the same general pigeon shooting licences apply.