How to Get Land Permission for Pest Control Shooting | Vectis

Q: Can I use an air rifle for pest control without a licence?

In England and Wales, you can use an air rifle below 12 ft-lb without a firearms certificate, provided you are 18 or over and have the landowner's permission. In Scotland, you need an air weapon certificate regardless of power level.

Quick Answer

To get land permission for pest control shooting in the UK, directly approach landowners or occupiers, typically farmers, to discuss their pest problems and secure their explicit written consent. Alongside this permission, you must ensure your firearms certificate allows for the species you intend to shoot and comply with all conditions of the relevant General Licences.

# How to Get Land Permission for Pest Control Shooting in the UK ## Quick Answer To shoot pest species legally in the UK, you need written permission from the landowner or occupier, the correct firearms certificate conditions, and compliance with the General Licences issued by Natural England (or equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Most new shooters secure their first permission by approaching local farmers directly, and a single productive permission can sustain years of regular shooting. ## What Is Land Permission and Why Do You Need It? If you want to shoot rabbits, pigeons, corvids, or other pest species on private land, you must have explicit permission from the person who owns or occupies that land. Without it, you are trespassing with a firearm, which is a criminal offence under the Firearms Act 1968 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Permission serves two purposes. It gives you lawful authority to discharge a firearm on that land, and it provides the "good reason" that your police licensing department requires for you to possess firearms on your certificate. Many certificate holders list pest control as one of their primary conditions, and the police expect you to have documented evidence of where you shoot. ## How Do You Find Farmers Who Need Pest Control Help? The most reliable method is direct, face-to-face contact. Farmers deal with pest damage year-round, and many welcome responsible shooters who can reduce rabbit, pigeon, and corvid populations on their land. **Proven approaches that work:** - **Door-knocking** - Visit farms in person during working hours (not at dawn or dusk when farmers are busiest). Dress sensibly, be polite, and explain what you can offer. Bring a brief printed letter with your contact details and certificate number. - **Word of mouth** - Tell other shooters, friends, and family that you are looking for permission. The shooting community is tight-knit, and referrals carry weight. - **Local gun shops** - Many independent gun shops have notice boards or know farmers looking for pest control. Build a relationship with your local dealer. - **Farming forums and social media** - Groups like The Farming Forum and local Facebook farming groups occasionally have posts from farmers seeking help with rabbits or pigeons. - **Young Farmers' clubs** - These are excellent networking opportunities, especially in rural areas where members often manage their own land. - **Estate agents and land agents** - For larger permissions, land agents who manage rural estates can connect you with landowners. ## What Should Your Permission Letter Include? A verbal agreement might work between friends, but for licensing purposes, you need something in writing. Your permission document should include: | Element | Why It Matters | |---------|---------------| | Landowner's full name and contact details | Identifies who granted permission | | Your full name and FAC/SGC number | Links permission to your certificate | | Property address and approximate acreage | Defines the boundary of your permission | | Species you are permitted to control | Clarifies what you can legally shoot | | Calibres or firearms approved for use | Matches your certificate conditions | | Date and signatures of both parties | Provides a verifiable record | | Any restrictions (times, areas, methods) | Covers the landowner's specific requirements | You do not need a solicitor for this. A clear, dated letter signed by both parties is sufficient. Keep a copy in your shooting bag and another at home for FEO inspections. ## Which Species Can You Legally Shoot Under General Licences? General Licences allow the control of certain species without needing an individual application, provided you meet the conditions. The licences are reviewed and reissued annually. **Natural England General Licences (England, 2025/26):** - **GL40** - Carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie, jay (to prevent serious damage to livestock and crops) - **GL41** - Wood pigeon (to prevent serious damage to crops) - **GL42** - Canada goose, monk parakeet (to prevent serious damage or spread of disease) **Key condition:** You must be able to demonstrate that non-lethal methods alone would be ineffective. In practice, this means you should have considered (and ideally tried) scaring devices, netting, or other deterrents before resorting to shooting. The licence is not a blanket permission to shoot these species for fun. In Scotland, NatureScot issues similar licences. In Wales, Natural Resources Wales handles them. Always check the current year's licence conditions, as they can change with little notice. The 2019 revocation and reissue of General Licences in England by Natural England caused significant disruption, and the process has been under closer scrutiny since. **Rabbits** are not covered by General Licences because they are not protected species. Under the Pests Act 1954, occupiers of land have a continuous obligation to control rabbit populations. You can shoot rabbits year-round with the landowner's permission. ## What Firearms and Calibres Are Best for Pest Control? Your choice of firearm depends on what you are controlling and the terrain. **Common pest control setups:** - **Air rifle (.177 or .22, sub-12 ft-lb)** - Ideal for rabbits at close range (under 35 yards), rats in farmyards, and grey squirrels. No FAC required for sub-12 ft-lb air rifles. - **.22 LR rimfire** - The workhorse for rabbit control. Effective out to 100 yards, quiet with a moderator, and cheap to shoot (roughly 5p to 8p per round). - **.17 HMR** - Flatter trajectory than .22 LR, effective to 150 yards. Popular for rabbits and corvids but louder and more expensive (roughly 25p to 35p per round). - **.22-250 or .223 Remington** - Centrefire options for longer-range fox control. Requires careful consideration of backstops and ricochet risk. - **12-bore shotgun** - Essential for pigeon decoying and corvid control. Section 2 shotgun certificate required. When applying for pest control conditions on your FAC, be specific about what species you intend to control and on which land. The police are more likely to grant conditions when your application is well-documented and proportionate. ## How Do You Build a Good Relationship with Your Landowner? Getting the permission is only the start. Keeping it requires consistent effort and professionalism. **Rules that experienced pest controllers follow:** - **Always tell the farmer when you are coming.** A quick text message or phone call the day before is courteous and avoids surprises. - **Close every gate.** This sounds obvious, but one open gate letting livestock onto a road will lose you your permission instantly. - **Report what you have shot.** Farmers appreciate knowing how many rabbits, pigeons, or corvids you have taken. It shows you are doing real work, not just having a jolly. - **Offer the bag.** Many farmers are happy to receive rabbits for the pot or for their dogs. Pigeons are excellent eating. Do not just leave carcasses lying around. - **Pick up your litter.** Spent cartridge cases, empty drinks bottles, sandwich wrappers. Leave the land cleaner than you found it. - **Respect crop cycles.** Do not walk through standing crops. Ask which fields are off-limits at different times of year. - **Help out occasionally.** If the farmer is moving stock or fixing a fence and you are there, offer a hand. Five minutes of help builds years of goodwill. ## What Records Should You Keep for Compliance? Good record-keeping protects you during FEO inspections and demonstrates responsible use of your certificate. For every outing, record: - Date and time - Location (which permission) - Species targeted and number taken - Firearm and ammunition used - Rounds fired - Weather and conditions This data serves multiple purposes. It proves to the police that you are actively using your firearms for the purpose stated on your certificate. It helps you track pest populations over time. And it gives the landowner confidence that you are taking the job seriously. **Vectis Shooting Log** makes this straightforward. You can log each session with location, species, round count, and notes directly from your phone. When your FEO asks to see evidence of your shooting activity, you have a professional digital record rather than a scruffy notebook. ## What Are the Most Common Mistakes New Pest Controllers Make? **Shooting without checking General Licence conditions.** The conditions change. What was permitted last year might not be permitted this year. Check before every season. **Not having written permission.** A verbal nod from a farmer is not enough if the police ask to see your documentation. **Over-promising and under-delivering.** If you tell a farmer you will be out every weekend, stick to it. Reliability is what separates you from the dozens of other shooters who asked and then never showed up. **Ignoring safety distances.** Always know where houses, footpaths, and roads are in relation to your shooting position. A ricochet or stray pellet near a public right of way will end your permission and potentially your certificate. **Not carrying your certificate.** You must have your FAC or SGC available for inspection by any police officer. Keep it on your person whenever you are out shooting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I need written permission to shoot on someone else's land? Yes. While verbal permission is technically lawful, written permission is strongly recommended for licensing purposes. Your Firearms Enquiry Officer will want to see documented evidence of where you shoot, and a signed permission letter provides clear proof of your lawful authority to be on that land with a firearm. ### Can I shoot rabbits all year round in the UK? Yes. Rabbits are classified as pests under the Pests Act 1954 and have no closed season. Landowners and occupiers have a legal duty to control rabbit populations on their land. You can shoot them at any time of year with the landowner's permission and the appropriate firearm. ### What is a General Licence and do I need to apply for one? A General Licence is a blanket authorisation issued by Natural England (or equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales) that permits the control of certain species without an individual application. You do not need to apply, but you must ensure you meet all the conditions of the licence, including demonstrating that non-lethal methods alone would be insufficient. ### How many permissions do I need for my firearms certificate? There is no fixed number. The police want to see that you have a genuine reason to possess each firearm on your certificate. One good, active permission where you shoot regularly can be sufficient. Having multiple permissions strengthens your case, particularly when applying for variations or additional calibres. ### Can I use an air rifle for pest control without a licence? In England and Wales, you can use an air rifle with a muzzle energy below 12 ft-lb without a firearms certificate, provided you are 18 or over and have the landowner's permission. In Scotland, you need an air weapon certificate regardless of the power level, following the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. ### What should I do if a farmer says no? Accept it politely and move on. Never pressure a landowner. You might leave your contact details in case their situation changes, as farmers who refuse initially sometimes come back months later when pest damage becomes worse. A professional and respectful approach leaves the door open for the future. ### Do I need insurance for pest control shooting? While not a legal requirement, public liability insurance is strongly recommended and many landowners insist on it. Organisations like BASC provide members with £10 million public liability cover as part of their membership (currently £93 per year for full membership). This protects both you and the landowner if something goes wrong. ### Can I sell the rabbits or pigeons I shoot? Yes, you can sell wild game you have legally shot, but you should be aware of food hygiene regulations. If you are selling to the public or to game dealers, the food must be handled in accordance with the Food Standards Agency's guidance on wild game. For small quantities sold directly to consumers or local retailers, the requirements are less onerous, but you must still ensure the meat is fit for human consumption.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need written permission to shoot on someone else's land?

Can I shoot rabbits all year round in the UK?

What is a General Licence and do I need to apply for one?

How many permissions do I need for my firearms certificate?

Can I use an air rifle for pest control without a licence?

What should I do if a farmer says no?

Do I need insurance for pest control shooting?

Can I sell the rabbits or pigeons I shoot?

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