Quick Answer
For pest control in the UK, the calibre you need depends on the species. Rabbits are typically taken with .22 LR or .17 HMR rimfire rifles. Foxes require a more powerful centrefire round - .222 Rem, .223 Rem, or .243 Win are all popular choices. You must hold a Firearms Certificate (FAC) with a specific condition authorising vermin or pest control, and you must have written permission from the landowner. General licences cover some bird species (corvids, woodpigeons) but you still need the appropriate certificate for the firearm.
Do You Need a Firearms Certificate for Pest Control?
Yes, in almost all cases. If you are using a rifle for pest control - whether targeting rabbits, foxes, grey squirrels, or corvids - you need a Firearms Certificate issued by your local police force. The certificate must specifically authorise the firearm you intend to use, and it will typically include a condition stating the purpose: "for use in the control of vermin/pest control on private land" or similar wording.
A Shotgun Certificate (SGC) covers the use of a shotgun for pest control. Shotguns are commonly used for corvids, woodpigeons, and rabbits at closer ranges. If you already hold an SGC for clay shooting or game, it covers pest control use too - you do not need a separate certificate for that purpose.
Air rifles below 12 ft-lb (in England and Wales) are not classified as firearms under the Firearms Act 1968, so they can be used for pest control without any certificate. They are suitable for rabbits and grey squirrels at short range, but are not appropriate for foxes.
What Calibres Are Suitable for Rabbits?
Rabbits are the most commonly shot pest species in the UK, and there are several calibre options depending on your situation.
.22 LR Rimfire
The .22 Long Rifle is the traditional choice for rabbits. It is quiet, cheap to shoot, and lethal at ranges up to around 80 metres with appropriate ammunition. Subsonic .22 LR ammunition paired with a moderator makes it one of the quietest combinations available, which is ideal for fieldcraft situations where you do not want to disturb the surrounding area. Most police forces will grant .22 LR on an FAC for vermin control without difficulty, provided you have suitable land.
.17 HMR
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire has become extremely popular for rabbits over the past two decades. It is flat-shooting out to 150 metres, has minimal recoil, and produces a clean kill on rabbits. The downside is that it is noisier than subsonic .22 LR and moderators are less effective with it. Ammunition is more expensive than .22 LR, but the extended effective range makes it a strong choice for open farmland.
.22 WMR (.22 Magnum)
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire sits between the .22 LR and .17 HMR in terms of energy. It is an effective rabbit round with good performance to around 120 metres. It is less commonly used in the UK than the other two rimfire options but remains a valid choice.
What Calibres Are Legal for Shooting Foxes?
Foxes are not a protected species in the UK, but shooting them still requires an FAC with an appropriate condition and landowner permission. Because foxes are larger than rabbits, the recommended minimum is a centrefire rifle with adequate energy to ensure a clean, humane kill.
.222 Remington and .223 Remington
These two calibres are among the most popular fox rounds in the UK. The .222 Rem was the traditional choice for decades - flat-shooting, accurate, and with enough energy for clean kills on foxes at typical engagement distances of 100 to 250 metres. The .223 Rem (5.56mm) has largely overtaken it in popularity due to wider ammunition availability. Both are effective and commonly authorised on FACs for pest control.
.243 Winchester
The .243 Win is a versatile round that sits at the boundary between a dedicated fox calibre and a deer calibre. Many pest controllers choose it because it can be used for both foxes and, with the appropriate FAC condition, muntjac or Chinese water deer. It is more powerful than necessary for foxes alone, but the versatility makes it attractive.
.22-250 Remington
The .22-250 is a flat, fast, and accurate calibre well-suited to open ground where shots at 200-plus metres are common. Its high velocity makes it very effective on foxes. It is a dedicated predator/pest round - not suitable for deer - so it is a pure pest control choice.
What About Night Shooting?
Night shooting for foxes is legal in England and Wales, subject to having the appropriate equipment and permissions. Thermal imaging and night vision equipment do not require a separate licence, though you should check whether your FAC condition restricts use to daytime. Some certificates specify "by day only" - if yours does and you want to shoot at night, you will need to apply for a variation.
Night shooting with a lamp is the traditional approach and remains effective. A high-powered handheld or vehicle-mounted lamp with a red or amber filter will bring foxes in to close range. The use of electronic callers is also legal in the UK for pest control purposes.
What Conditions Will My FAC Need?
When applying for or varying your FAC for pest control, you will need to demonstrate a genuine need - typically a letter or permission from a landowner confirming that you have access to land with a pest problem. The condition on your certificate will usually specify:
- The species you are authorised to shoot (sometimes listed specifically, sometimes general "vermin")
- Whether use is restricted to daytime or includes night shooting
- Any land-specific restrictions in some force areas
Some forces operate an "open" or "any land" condition which allows you to shoot pest control on any land where you have permission, without needing to list specific addresses. Other forces require named lands. It is worth checking your local force's policy before applying.
Do General Licences Cover Pest Control?
General licences issued by Natural England (and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales) allow landowners and those acting on their behalf to take or kill certain wild bird species without an individual licence. The species covered under the current general licences include carrion crow, jackdaw, jay, magpie, rook, and woodpigeon, among others.
The general licence permits the use of any legal method, which includes shooting with a shotgun or rifle. However, the general licence does not grant you any firearms permissions - you still need a valid SGC or FAC for the firearm you are using. The general licence simply means you do not need a specific wildlife licence to shoot those particular bird species.
Always check the current Natural England general licences before carrying out any bird pest control, as the conditions and permitted species can change.
What Records Should You Keep?
The Firearms Act 1968 requires you to keep records of ammunition purchased and used. For pest control shooting, maintaining a shooting log is good practice beyond the legal minimum. A well-kept log showing dates, locations, species taken, and ammunition used demonstrates to your firearms licensing officer that your certificate is being put to legitimate use.
Vectis Shooting Log makes this straightforward - you can log each session, record the rounds used, and maintain your ammunition stock across all your firearms. When your FAC renewal comes around, having a clear record of activity strengthens your application considerably.
Do You Need Landowner Permission?
Yes, without exception. Even if you hold a valid FAC, shooting on land without the owner's or occupier's permission is an offence under the Firearms Act. For pest control, you should ideally have written permission. This protects both you and the landowner and will be required if any questions are raised about your shooting activities. Keep a copy of any permissions with your shooting records.
FAQs
Can I use a .22 LR for fox control?
Technically you can, but it is not recommended. A .22 LR lacks the energy for a reliable, humane kill on foxes at typical shooting distances. Most experienced pest controllers and shooting organisations recommend a minimum of a centrefire round such as .222 Rem or .223 Rem for foxes.
Do I need a moderator for pest control?
A moderator is not legally required but is strongly recommended, particularly on farmland. It reduces noise disturbance to neighbours and livestock, helps protect your hearing, and is good practice. Moderators are authorised on your FAC as a separate item and are straightforward to add via a variation.
Can I use an air rifle for fox control?
No. A sub-12 ft-lb air rifle does not have sufficient power to humanely dispatch a fox. Using an air rifle on foxes would be likely to cause unnecessary suffering, which is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Is it legal to shoot grey squirrels in the UK?
Yes. Grey squirrels are a non-native invasive species and are not protected. They can be shot under a general licence. A .22 LR or even a high-powered air rifle is adequate for squirrels. Red squirrels are a protected native species and must not be shot.
What is the difference between an FAC condition for vermin control and one for target shooting?
The condition on your FAC states the purpose for which each firearm is held. A target shooting condition requires you to be a member of an approved club. A vermin control condition requires evidence of land access. The two conditions are separate and you can hold a firearm under both if you wish.
Do I need different ammunition for pest control compared to target shooting?
For best results, yes. Hunting and pest control ammunition is designed to expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel and a more humane kill. Full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition, often used for target shooting because it does not damage steel targets, is not recommended for live quarry shooting as it may fail to expand adequately.
Can I shoot pest control on a temporary basis without full FAC permissions?
You can borrow or use a firearm that belongs to someone else while they are present, if they are the certificate holder and the firearm is on their FAC. This is sometimes called "supervised use." However, for regular pest control, you really need your own certificate with the appropriate condition.
How do I add a pest control condition to an existing FAC?
You apply for a variation to your certificate through your local police licensing department. You will need to provide evidence of land access - typically a letter from the landowner - and explain the pest control need. A fee is payable for variations. Processing times vary by force but are typically six to twelve weeks.
Are there restrictions on shooting pest species near roads or buildings?
Yes. It is an offence to shoot within 50 feet (approximately 15 metres) of the centre of a public road in a way that endangers a user. You must also ensure a safe backstop for every shot and consider any properties or public footpaths that might be in your line of fire. Safe shooting is always your responsibility.