I have spent quite a lot of time, some of it in pubs, talking about what would be the legal repercussions of walking through a grouse shoot which is in process. It seems that there aren’t any – at least that’s what I understand from this response from Natural England’s Open Access Contact Centre;
Here are those links:
www.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk
www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/use-your-right-to-roam
Having spoken to various helpful people in Natural England, a couple of National Parks and AONBs, and some more experienced visitors to grouse moors, the general picture seems as follows. Most grouse moors are on open access land and most use their allocation of 28 days of closure of open access in the birds’ breeding season (usually May-June). Few, if any, moors are closed to open access on shooting days but if you come across a grouse shoot you will probably be asked whether you’d mind waiting for the drive to be finished or whether you would take a different route. I take it from the ‘your access rights are unimpaired’ phrase above that it would be up to you whether you cooperated or not. It might depend on how one was asked I think. I found this very interesting, and it wasn’t exactly what I expected so that made it all the more interesting.
Also interesting was the fact that pre-Crow Act (pre-2000) National Park rangers were required to be present at grouse shoots to manage public access, but since CROW this does not take place.
It was suggested to me that the best way to find out whether grouse shooting was happening would be to contact the land owner. So I looked through my contact list of grouse moor owners and decided to start with … the National Trust.
[registration_form]
I think I like where this is going.
I reckon there would be a good few of us who would embrace the opportunity to have a get-together and a leisurely amble across the moors.
I posted the Hunt Saboteurs Association presss release “Over 100 Hunt Saboteurs Disrupt Inglorious 12th” (http://bit.ly/2x8dtKZ) on the BDGS Facebook page on Monday. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but the post got lots of likes etc and comment was universally positive on the lines of ‘keep up the good work’.
I suppose many of us now think that we are heading inevitably towards direct action, but are very wary of breaking the law: for obvious reasons and because we must retain the moral high ground.
Alan – I think that you are right. Direct peaceful legal action has been important in righting many wrongs. Not quite ready for it myself yet but…
We always hold the moral high ground, the direct action was peaceful and effective. Not only that but highly amusing watching their already ruddy faces go scarlet with rage.
No laws were broken, even the police told the shoot to go home as we weren’t leaving until they did. Turned out to be the most expensive picnic in history for them.
I think most people would be surprised to learn what sort of people become sabs. It’s certainly not what the hunting/shooting brigade will have you think.
In the absence of a proper assessment of moorland waders, or at least the published evidence of previous “surveys”, maybe groups could help by meeting up there for a bit of a count. Of course certain dates and places may be better than others.
A mass ‘trespass’ is inevitably the next step, especially as it isn’t even a trespass. Just needs organising and I’m there.
I’m for a mass trespass as in 1930s Peak District. Less likely to want to be involved with hunt saboteurs.
Count me in for the mass “trespass”
It does seem to be heading this way. Not absolutely sure how I feel about it myself. Think I’d rather see direct action once other legislative tools have failed. But that’s just me. But please, within the law and no face coverings.
Agree with Des above.. A peaceful protest to highlight the damage caused by the industry, conducted legally on a grouse moor during a shoot? Or a one off legal disruption of a shoot. Not sure how much the latter would achieve.
grow up! everyone has there own enjoyment & hobby!
It’s time to open up the national land registry. How can I ask the landowner for permission to carry out an outdoor activity, when it’s not possible to find out?