How Should UK Shooters Manage Land Access and Public Rights of Way?
Quick Answer
UK shooters should manage land access by getting clear permission, checking public rights of way, planning safe arcs of fire and recording the conditions before shooting. A footpath or bridleway does not always prevent lawful shooting nearby, but it does require careful safety planning and respect for other countryside users.
Why does land access matter for responsible shooting?
Land access matters because lawful field shooting depends on permission, safety and trust. A shooter may have a certificate and suitable equipment, but still have no right to shoot on land unless the landowner, tenant or holder of sporting rights has authorised it.
Most field shooting problems start with assumptions. Someone assumes an old permission still applies, assumes a boundary is obvious, assumes a path is unused, or assumes a neighbour has been told. Good access management removes those assumptions before the first shot.
For Vectis users, the goal is simple: know where you are allowed to shoot, know what you are allowed to do, and keep a clear record of the arrangement.
What counts as a public right of way?
A public right of way is a route the public can use to pass across land. GOV.UK explains that footpaths are for walking, running, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs; bridleways also include horse riders and cyclists; restricted byways allow non-motor transport; and byways open to all traffic can be used by any kind of transport.
The route matters. Public access is usually along the right of way, not across every part of the field. Wider rights may apply on open access land, but that is a separate access regime.
Shooters should check maps, local signs, farm information and the landowner's knowledge. Do not rely only on memory or an old printed map.
Can lawful shooting happen near a footpath?
Lawful shooting can sometimes happen on land crossed by a footpath, but only when the shooter has proper authority and the activity can be carried out safely. A right of way is not a private exclusion zone for shooters, and it is not a reason to ignore walkers.
BASC's guidance on shooting, rights of way and access in England and Wales says that someone with shooting or sporting rights may shoot on or over footpaths on their land, alongside the public's right to pass and repass. That does not remove the need for safe backstops, sensible timing and immediate stops when people are present.
In practice, a public right of way should be treated as a planning feature. Mark it, watch it and stop shooting when anyone may be affected.
What should written shooting permission include?
Written shooting permission should make the arrangement clear enough that both shooter and landholder understand it. A one-line text message is better than nothing, but a proper permission note is far stronger.
Include:
- Landowner, tenant or authorised person's name
- Shooter's name and certificate details where relevant
- Land parcels, fields or boundaries covered
- Quarry or activity allowed, such as rabbits, corvids or zeroing
- Firearms, shotguns or air rifles permitted
- Access points, parking and vehicle routes
- Times, dates, seasonal limits or notification rules
- Public rights of way, livestock areas and exclusion zones
- Any requirement to notify farm staff before arrival
Permission should also say if anyone else may accompany you. Do not assume guests are covered.
How should you plan safe arcs of fire?
Safe arcs of fire should be planned before shooting starts. Stand on the ground, identify backstops, public routes, buildings, roads, livestock, machinery, neighbouring land and likely approach lines for walkers or riders.
For rifle shooting, a safe backstop is essential. For shotgun shooting, consider shot fall, public routes, neighbouring property and livestock. For air rifles, think about pellets, ricochet risk and close-range visibility.
If a safe arc cannot be maintained because a footpath, road or boundary is too close, do not shoot from that position. Move, change method, wait, or leave the job for another day.
What does the Countryside Code add?
The Countryside Code adds a useful standard for how everyone should behave in shared rural spaces. It asks countryside users to be considerate, leave gates and property as they find them, avoid blocking access, follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available.
Shooters should meet at least that standard. Do not block gateways with vehicles, disturb livestock unnecessarily, leave cartridge cases or create tension with walkers who are using a lawful route.
Responsible field shooting is partly about public confidence. A polite conversation and a safe pause can protect a permission better than arguing about who is technically right.
What should you do when people appear?
When walkers, riders, cyclists, farm staff or neighbours appear, stop shooting and make safe. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction, unload if appropriate and wait until the area is clear.
Do not rely on shouting alone if wind, distance or terrain means people may not hear you. Do not fire to finish a chance before they arrive. The safe decision is to pause early.
If a route is busy, discuss timing with the landowner. Early mornings, weekdays or specific fields may reduce conflict, but public access must still be respected.
How does Section 19 affect access routes?
Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence to have certain firearms, air weapons or ammunition in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. That matters when moving between vehicle, land, range, farmyard and footpath areas.
A certificate, permission and sensible transport plan help show why you are there. Keep firearms covered and secure where appropriate, avoid unnecessary public display, and take the most direct lawful route. Do not create alarm by handling firearms where members of the public can misunderstand the situation.
If access requires crossing land not covered by your permission, clarify it first.
How should open access land be treated?
Open access land should not be treated as shooting permission. GOV.UK explains that people can use the right to roam on certain open access land, such as mountains, moors, heaths, downs, common land and some coastal access land. That is a public access right, not authority for sporting activity.
A shooter still needs permission from the person who can grant shooting rights. Open access can also mean more members of the public may appear away from obvious paths, so risk assessment becomes more demanding.
If the land is open access, talk through visitor patterns and closure arrangements with the landholder before planning any shooting.
What should you record in Vectis?
Vectis can help by turning permission and safety planning into a clear audit trail. Record the land, contact, permission scope, date reviewed, quarry, access notes and any restrictions.
For each outing, record:
- Arrival and departure time
- Fields or areas used
- Quarry seen and taken
- Firearm or shotgun used
- Ammunition or cartridges used
- Weather and visibility
- Public access observations
- Any incident, near miss or conversation
These records are practical. They help you renew permissions, answer questions and improve future planning.
When should permission be reviewed?
Permission should be reviewed whenever the land changes. New tenants, altered boundaries, different crops, new livestock, changed public access, forestry work, building projects or complaints can all affect the arrangement.
A simple annual review is good practice even when nothing has changed. Ask the landholder whether the permission still applies, whether any areas are now out of bounds and whether contact details are current.
Permissions survive because they are maintained. Good records make that maintenance easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you shoot on land with a public footpath?
A public footpath does not automatically prevent lawful shooting on land where you have the proper shooting rights or permission, but it creates a serious safety and access planning issue. You must avoid endangering or obstructing users and should plan safe arcs, stops and communication before shooting.
Do public rights of way give walkers access to the whole field?
Public rights of way usually allow users to pass and repass along the line of the route. GOV.UK explains that footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways carry different user rights. Wider access may apply on open access land, but it is not the same as permission to roam everywhere.
What should shooting permission include?
Shooting permission should identify the land, quarry or activity, authorised people, firearms or shotguns allowed, times, access points, parking arrangements, boundaries and any areas to avoid. Written permission is strongly preferable to a casual verbal arrangement.
What should you do if walkers appear while shooting?
If walkers, riders, cyclists or workers enter or approach the area, stop shooting and make safe. Wait until the route and safe backstop are clear. Courtesy and caution are part of responsible field shooting.
Is open access land the same as shooting permission?
Open access land is not the same as shooting permission. It allows public access for certain recreational purposes, but it does not give a shooter the right to shoot. You still need lawful authority from the landowner, tenant or holder of sporting rights.
Why should shooters record land access details?
Recording land access details helps prove where you were authorised to shoot, what conditions applied and what safety checks were made. It is useful for permission renewals, police enquiries, insurance questions and your own planning.
Can you carry a firearm in a public place?
Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence to have certain firearms, air weapons or ammunition in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Field shooters should plan transport and access routes carefully and keep firearms covered and secure where appropriate.
How often should shooting permission be reviewed?
Shooting permission should be reviewed whenever land ownership, tenancy, cropping, livestock, public access, boundaries or quarry needs change. A simple annual check with the landowner is good practice even when nothing obvious has changed.