Shooting coots...?

gary29428

Pulled 3 lads over the weekend for shooting coots along a stretch of drains, they were convinced that they were classed as vermin and not protected. I always taught they were, anybody know for sure. I know that they are not protected in the UK but I remember reading something about protection here.

Rovi

Well, the Wildlife Act, 1976 states:

22.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) hereof, this section applies to every wild bird other than a wild bird of a species specified in the Third Schedule to this Act.

...(3) A wild bird to which this section for the time being applies is in this Act referred to as a protected wild bird.

Here's the Third Schedule:

THIRD SCHEDULE

SPECIES OF WILD BIRDS EXCLUDED (SUBJECT TO SECTION 22 (2)) FROM SECTIONS 19 AND 22

Bullfinch

Carrion Crow

Greater Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Hooded (Grey) Crow

House Sparrow

Jackdaw

Jay

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Magpie

Pigeons, including Wood Pigeon, but not including carrier pigeons, racing horning pigeons or doves

Rook

Starling

I'd read all that as saying that anything NOT on the list is protected by default, and Coots aren't on the list.

Anyone more knowledgeable than me know if this position has changed since this legislation was introduced?

gary29428

That's interesting, I always taught Starlings were protected, not that I'd shoot them but they do make a mess of the house sh*ting everywhere.

bunny shooter

Coots, ya they're a major danger to game species and songbirds :rolleyes:

They are protected and even if they weren't why shoot 'em :mad:

gary29428

They said they were going to eat them, had my doubts...

BryanL

Rovi wrote: »

Well, the Wildlife Act, 1976 states:
Here's the Third Schedule:
I'd read all that as saying that anything NOT on the list is protected by default, and Coots aren't on the list.

Phesant isn't on that list, but you can shoot them.
Everything on that list is protected and can only be shot under the derogation.
Bryan

Rovi

BryanL wrote: »

Phesant isn't on that list, but you can shoot them.
Everything on that list is protected and can only be shot under the derogation.
Bryan

I had a feeling I was missing something obvious.

Still, I've never heard of a 'Season' for Coots, does such a thing exist?

No6

the wildlife act 1976 has been ammended a few times Rovi have read of this lot!!! http://www.npws.ie/en/WildlifePlanningtheLaw/Legislation/ it will be in there somewhere.

J.R.

Coots have always been protected here.....no in U.K.

Since Wildlife Act Amendment 2000 & EU derogation all birds are classed as protected.

Some are allowed to be shot during an open season...game birds, pheasant, snipe, woodcock, duck, geese etc.....& pigeons.

Other birds (vermin) can be shot if causing damage...rooks, jackdaws, magpies, greycrows, pigeons etc.

Pigeons are the only bird that have an open season (same as pheasants) but can also be shot at other times under derogation.

The list of birds on the third schedule is outdated....starlings, sparrows, jay, bullfinch etc. are now fully protected.