Quick Answer
To comply with GL42 in England for pest bird control, you must demonstrate reasonable endeavours to use lawful, non-lethal alternatives before and during lethal control, unless those alternatives are impractical or ineffective. Additionally, maintaining accurate records of all actions taken, including species, numbers, methods, and outcomes, is a critical requirement.
# How to Comply with GL42 in England: Reasonable Steps, Records, and Pest Bird Control
## Quick Answer
GL42 lets authorised people in England control certain wild birds to prevent serious damage, but it is not a free-for-all. In 2026 the licence runs from 1 January to 31 December, and for species such as carrion crows, jackdaws, magpies, rooks and woodpigeons you must make reasonable endeavours to use lawful alternatives before and during lethal control unless those alternatives would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate.
## What is GL42 and when can you use it in England?
GL42 is Natural England's general licence for preventing serious damage caused by certain wild birds. The 2026 licence states that it is valid in England from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 and can be used landward of the mean low water mark.
The licence covers prevention of serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, fisheries and inland waters. It applies only to the permitted target species and only for the purposes listed in the licence table, so the first check is always whether both the bird and the type of damage fall within the licence wording.
Natural England says you do not need to register to use GL42, but you do need to comply with all of its terms and conditions. If the action you want to take is outside the scope of GL42, you must apply for an individual licence instead.
A natural outbound reference here, if used in the published post, is the official licence itself: GL42 on GOV.UK.
## Which birds and types of damage does GL42 actually cover?
GL42 only covers specific species and specific types of serious damage. In practice that means you cannot assume that because a bird is causing a problem, GL42 automatically applies.
For 2026, the permitted species include birds such as carrion crow, jackdaw, rook, woodpigeon, feral pigeon, Canada goose, ring-necked parakeet and several others. The licence table then sets out where each species may be controlled, for example to protect crops, livestock foodstuffs or fisheries.
That matters because the legal question is not simply, "Is this a pest bird?" It is, "Is this one of the named species, causing one of the listed forms of serious damage, in circumstances covered by the licence?"
Before acting, it is sensible to note:
- the species involved
- the location and type of land use
- what is being damaged or threatened
- why the damage is serious rather than merely inconvenient
- why GL42, rather than another licence, fits the situation
## What does "reasonable endeavours" mean under GL42?
"Reasonable endeavours" means you must consider and, where appropriate, use alternative lawful methods before and during lethal control for certain native species. Natural England expressly applies this condition to carrion crows, jackdaws, magpies, rooks and woodpigeons.
The licence also says you do not have to use alternative lawful methods where doing so would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate in the circumstances. That is important because the law does not require token gestures. It requires a sensible, defensible approach.
In plain terms, you should be able to explain what non-lethal or less intrusive measures were tried, why they did not work, or why they would not have worked in that situation. That explanation is exactly where good record keeping helps.
Examples of alternative lawful methods may include:
- visual scarers
- acoustic scarers
- changes to husbandry or feed storage
- proofing or exclusion where practical
- human presence or disturbance
- crop-specific scaring measures
Whether those measures are reasonable depends on the site, the crop, the bird pressure, the timing and the likely effect on the problem. A smallholding, a fishery and a large arable unit will not look the same.
## Do you have to keep records when using GL42?
You are not legally required to submit routine reports under GL42, but Natural England recommends keeping records, and that is good practice. If your use of the licence is ever questioned, contemporaneous notes are far more persuasive than relying on memory.
Good records help show four things. First, that serious damage existed or was likely. Second, that the species and purpose fell within the licence. Third, that reasonable endeavours were made where required. Fourth, that any shooting or trapping was carried out lawfully and humanely.
A practical GL42 record should include:
| Record item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Shows when action was taken |
| Exact location | Links action to land and damage risk |
| Bird species | Confirms the licence applies |
| Type of damage | Connects action to the permitted purpose |
| Alternative methods tried | Supports the reasonable endeavours condition |
| Outcome of those methods | Shows why lethal control was or remained necessary |
| Method used | Helps show lawful, proportionate control |
| Number of birds taken | Useful for internal review and accountability |
| Person authorised | Confirms who acted and under whose authority |
For Vectis users, this is where a digital shooting log becomes genuinely useful. If you already track outings, land, quarry, ammunition and notes in one place, you can create a cleaner compliance trail without having to rebuild it months later.
## Who counts as an authorised person under GL42?
GL42 can only be used by an authorised person. In practice that means the owner or occupier of the land, or a person authorised by them.
That authorisation should be clear. If you are shooting over land for a farmer, fishery or keepering client, it is wise to have written permission that identifies the ground and confirms you are authorised to act for the relevant pest bird control purpose.
This also lines up with broader firearms law expectations. The Home Office guide on firearms licensing law makes clear that good reason and land use matter in firearm certification and conditions. For pest control shooters, clear authority and suitable land are part of staying within both certificate conditions and wider legal expectations.
A natural source if used in context is the Home Office firearms licensing guidance: Guide on firearms licensing law.
## What methods are allowed under GL42?
GL42 allows several control methods, but only within the licence conditions. These include killing or taking birds, destroying nests or eggs, shooting with firearms including shotguns and air guns, targeted falconry and certain trapping methods.
The exact list matters because you should not assume that a method is lawful simply because it is common. If you are trapping, the licence points you back to the standard licence conditions for trapping wild birds. If you are shooting, humane dispatch and general firearms safety still apply.
There is also a specific provision in the 2026 licence for feral pigeons, allowing devices for illuminating a target, shooting at night and artificial lighting. That does not create a blanket night-shooting permission for every species on GL42, so users should read the wording carefully.
## What are the main mistakes people make with GL42?
The biggest mistake is treating GL42 as a general permission to shoot nuisance birds. It is narrower than that.
Common errors include:
- not checking whether the species is actually listed
- not checking whether the damage type is one covered by the table
- failing to consider alternative lawful methods where Condition 1 applies
- acting without clear authority from the landowner or occupier
- keeping no notes at all
- confusing inconvenience with serious damage
- assuming one species-specific allowance applies to all species
BASC has repeatedly described GL42 as an essential management tool, but that does not reduce the need for careful compliance. Their England general licences pages are useful for practical awareness and updates, especially when licence wording changes between years.
## How can you show your use of GL42 was proportionate and defensible?
You show proportionality by linking your actions to a real problem, choosing methods that fit the site, and recording why you acted when you did. A court, regulator or police officer will not see the situation as you did on the day unless your records make that clear.
A sensible compliance routine looks like this:
1. Identify the species correctly.
2. Confirm the type of serious damage or risk.
3. Check that GL42 covers both the species and purpose.
4. Consider alternative lawful methods.
5. Record what was tried, or why it would have been ineffective or disproportionate.
6. Ensure the person acting is authorised.
7. Use a lawful, humane method.
8. Record the outcome.
This is also the practical answer to many legal anxieties. Most GL42 problems come from poor decisions at the margins or poor paperwork afterwards, not from the basic idea of crop or livestock protection itself.
## Why does record keeping matter for certificate holders and professional pest controllers?
Record keeping matters because pest control work often sits at the junction of wildlife law, firearms law and landowner expectations. Even if the licence does not force you to submit a formal return, your notes can protect you if there is a complaint, an insurance question or a licensing query.
For certificate holders, clear records can also support the broader picture of responsible firearm use. Logged outings, land permissions, quarry notes and ammunition usage help demonstrate consistent, lawful activity rather than vague recollection.
For professionals and regular controllers, records also improve decision-making. Over time you can see where scaring works, when bird pressure peaks and whether particular sites justify repeated intervention.
## What should a simple GL42 compliance checklist look like?
A simple checklist is often enough, provided you complete it honestly and keep it with your other shooting records.
Use this before each control session:
- I have identified the species correctly.
- The species and damage type are covered by GL42.
- The land is in England and within the licence scope.
- I am the authorised person, or I have clear authority from one.
- I have considered or used alternative lawful methods where required.
- My chosen method is lawful and humane.
- My firearm, ammunition and permissions are in order.
- I will make a record of the action taken.
## Key Takeaways
- GL42 in England is valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
- It only applies to named bird species and listed serious-damage purposes.
- For certain native species, you must make reasonable endeavours to use lawful alternatives unless they would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate.
- Routine reporting is not required, but record keeping is strongly recommended.
- Good records make GL42 use easier to justify to landowners, police and regulators.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Do you need to register to use GL42 in England?
You do not need to register to use GL42. Natural England's 2026 licence says registration is not required, but users must comply with the licence terms and conditions.
### Does GL42 let you shoot any pest bird in England?
GL42 only applies to the species listed in the licence and only for the listed serious-damage purposes. If the bird species or the damage type falls outside the licence wording, GL42 does not authorise control.
### What does serious damage mean under GL42?
Serious damage is not the same as minor inconvenience or annoyance. In practice you should be able to explain what was being damaged, why the damage was significant, and why action was necessary to prevent or reduce it.
### Do you have to try non-lethal methods before shooting under GL42?
For carrion crows, jackdaws, magpies, rooks and woodpigeons, you must make reasonable endeavours to use alternative lawful methods before and during lethal control. The licence also says you do not have to use them where they would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate.
### Do you need written landowner permission for GL42 pest control?
Written permission is not stated as a GL42 condition in every case, but clear written authority is best practice where you are acting for an owner or occupier. It helps prove you were an authorised person and also supports your firearms compliance position.
### Do you legally have to keep GL42 records?
Natural England recommends making records of activities under GL42, but the licence does not require routine reporting. Keeping records is still strongly advisable because it gives you evidence if your actions are later challenged.
### Can you shoot birds at night under GL42?
Night-use permissions under GL42 are species-specific rather than general. The 2026 licence contains a specific provision for feral pigeons, so users should not assume that night shooting or artificial lighting is automatically allowed for every species covered by the licence.
### What should you write in a GL42 record?
A useful GL42 record should include the date, place, species, type of serious damage, alternative methods considered or tried, method of control, number taken and who authorised the action. Those details help show that your decision was lawful and proportionate.
### Can GL42 replace good firearms compliance?
GL42 does not replace firearms law or certificate conditions. You still need lawful authority to possess and use the firearm, suitable land, safe shooting practice and compliance with any certificate conditions that apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to register to use GL42 in England?
Registration is not required for GL42 in England, but users must still comply with every term and condition in the current licence.
What does GL42 allow you to do?
GL42 allows authorised people to control certain listed wild bird species to prevent specified forms of serious damage, including damage to crops, livestock foodstuffs, fisheries and inland waters.
What are reasonable endeavours under GL42?
Reasonable endeavours means considering and, where appropriate, using lawful alternative methods before and during lethal control for the species covered by Condition 1, unless those alternatives would be impractical, ineffective or disproportionate.
Do you have to keep records under GL42?
Natural England recommends keeping records of activities under GL42 even though routine reporting is not required. Good records help prove species, purpose, authority and proportionality.
Who is an authorised person under GL42?
An authorised person is usually the owner or occupier of the land, or someone they have authorised to act on their behalf for the licensed purpose.
Can you shoot any pest bird under GL42?
GL42 only applies to the species listed in the licence and only for the specific serious-damage purposes shown in the licence table.
Can GL42 be used at night?
Night-use permissions under GL42 are not universal. Users must read the species-specific wording carefully because the 2026 licence includes a specific night-related allowance for feral pigeons rather than a blanket permission for all listed birds.
What records are best for GL42 England compliance?
The most useful records are date, place, species, type of serious damage, alternative lawful methods tried or considered, control method used, numbers taken and the identity of the authorised person.
Does GL42 override firearms law?
GL42 does not override firearms law, certificate conditions or general safety obligations. Shooters still need lawful authority to use the firearm and a safe, suitable place to do so.
