john jameson wrote: »

So vermin control at lambing time can still go ahead with in county limits ??

Within 5 km of home:mad:

In the last lockdown the nargc said you could travel to do pest control as long as you had a letter from the landowner.
I don't think you could use this for pheasant or woodcock shooting though.
I don't know about deer stalking , could you say you were shooting them to protect crop damage ?

zeissman wrote: »

In the last lockdown the nargc said you could travel to do pest control as long as you had a letter from the landowner.
I don't think you could use this for pheasant or woodcock shooting though.
I don't know about deer stalking , could you say you were shooting them to protect crop damage ?

You beat me to it!!!

In the last lockdown I travelled to the naul from Enfield for crop protection, I was travelling alone and had an email from the landowner requesting that I call over, Came to 2 checkpoints on the way, explained my reasons for travelling outside the 5k limit and was waved through with no issue

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

FWIW I might suggest? That if you do get a new permission letter off your farmer for vermin control, etc that you state in the letter wording that this permission is in force until the end of the global pandemic in Ireland... that way you won't be bothering him every time this nonsense happens again.

To whom it may concern,

This is to certify that _________________________ carries out crop protection and vermin control on my lands.
Crop protection and vermin control is an exempt essential agricultural service as set out on the list of Essential Service Providers under the Public Health Guidelines issued by Government on 28 Mar 2020.
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

‐

---

Farmers Name

Eddie B wrote: »

I recon the 1st will go on as usual. Cant see lads staying in

I can't see lads staying in either but they could have problems if travelling more than 5k and run into a garda checkpoint.

zeissman wrote: »

I can't see lads staying in either but they could have problems if travelling more than 5k and run into a garda checkpoint.

So don't argue with them, act dumb, and go home.
Remember they are working under their 4 E policy. Enforcement being the last option and if you are going to be a dick about it...Well then...

NARGC STATEMENT ON SHOOTING DURING THE CURRENT
LEVEL 5 OF THE PLAN FOR LIVING WITH COVID-19

   

The NARGC has sought clear direction from Government on the matter of shooting (and fishing) during the current Level 5 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 but a response is still awaited.

In the absence of an instruction otherwise, the NARGC directs its Members to read the publication by the Dept. of An Taoiseach issued on 19/10/’20 -  

https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Ireland_placed_on_Level_5_of_the_Plan_for_Living_with_COVID.html

.

  

In this, significant to us and our sport, we read:-

People will be permitted to exercise within a radius of 5 km of their home.No organised outdoor gatherings should take placeNo organised indoor gatherings should take placeAll training activities should be individual onlyIt is possible to meet with 1 other household in an outdoor setting which is not a   

     

home or garden, such as a park, including for exercise.

No other social or family gatherings should take place.

On this basis, it would appear that a Member may engage in hunting activity, along with another person, provided the activity occurs within 5 klms from home and that social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitization (as required)  are observed. Travel to and from the area of activity, if a vehicle is used, should be based on one person per vehicle.

In these as in all circumstances, please follow HSE Guidelines and Government advice. All Government advice is freely and openly available to all citizens and evolves as the Government’s response to this Pandemic changes. It is accordingly a matter for each Member to familiarise him/herself fully and directly with all relevant advice, directives, and legislative enactments.

We will update this Statement based on the latest advice from Government.

 

Dan Curley
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN.
OCTOBER 20th  2020

Well that's the latest statement from the NARGC.

As my previous post, I would say individuals would be pushing it if going game shooting outside of the travel restrictions instead if the purpose of crop/livestock protection.

I don't think farmers would be pleased with anyone walking their land or climbing gates with the lock-down on.

https://www.npws.ie/news/hunting-under-covid-19-level-5?fbclid=IwAR0-sMzhtB4pGucKdhNA2ky1A9yoKPDhIZI0aA1TtaV3oka71DmfjlnSeBM

during the first lockdown we were limited to 2km and i got the go ahead from a sheep farmer to control foxes as he was in the height of lambing when the lockdown kicked in, i still go here often during the winter to take the pressure off for the following lambing year, deer season is a right off this year with current restrictions 6 weeks time i cant see them lifting them till after January even at that they might take aspect from level 3 and go back to level 4, just have to wait and see. thankfully my pheasant and woodcock shooting is within 5km so not so bad. i feel for lads that arent so lucky

Information:
Please note that Pheasant shooting due to begin on 1st of November is prohibited under the Covid19 Regulations for the period of time that Level 5 restrictions are in force. Any person found pheasant shooting during Covid19 will be dealt with as a breach of the Regulations. Under the current regulations (S.I. 448 of 2020) sporting events must be organised under the structure/licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland. Pheasant shooting is sport shooting and is therefore prohibited. Shooting of vermin (rats, foxes etc) is permissible as an essential service to farming/agriculture. For your information. Regards Brian Downey Inspector



Did anyone else receive this

What organisation sent it??
Brian Downey
inspector????

There is nothing on the npws or the nargc websites about this so I don't think this is true.
If someone is out hunting with his dog within the 5k limit what law is he breaking ?
He is not taking part in any organised sport, he is game shooting.

What about pheasant shooting during Level 5?


Garda website has the same message -

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/what-about-pheasant-shooting-during-level-5-.html

Pheasant shooting season begins on Sunday 1st November. This normally involves shooting club members travelling to pheasant shoots around the country, frequently in groups, and is regarded as sport shooting.

Under the current regulations (SI 448), sporting events must be organised under the structure/ licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland. As such, sport shooting is prohibited in any other circumstances.

Recreational hunting does not fall under any of the exemptions allowed for exercise or sporting events. It has also been clarified that recreational hunting does not come under any permissible exemptions for travel outside of the home.

Shooting of vermin (rats/foxes/crows) is permissible as an essential support service to the farming and agriculture profession.

J.R. wrote: »

What about pheasant shooting during Level 5?


Garda website has the same message -

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/what-about-pheasant-shooting-during-level-5-.html


Shooting of vermin (rats/foxes/crows) is permissible as an essential support service to the farming and agriculture profession.

Good to see this on the Garda Website, as it confirms that you are allowed to travel to shoot vermin.

The idea that you can walk your dogs in a field within 5km of your home but if you bring a gun there is suddenly a risk of spreading Covid is entirely irrational.

I don't agree with the gardaí's interpretation of si 448/2020

The regulation states that exercise, within a 5 kilometre radius of the person’s place of residence is a reasonable excuse to leave your home.

I cannot see how walking around a field with guns and dogs is not exercise. It requires a good level of fitness and exertion.

The gardaí's interpretation of the law is not the law. Only the courts can decide this.

Below is a statement from The Sports Coalition. I thought they went away after almost destroying target shooting, but no, they re-appear whenever they can do maximum damage to our sports:


COVID-19 and the PHEASANT SHOOTING SEASON

Information

Please note that Pheasant shooting due to begin on 1st of November is prohibited under the Covid19 Regulations for the period of time that Level 5 restrictions are in force. Any person found pheasant shooting during Covid19 will be dealt with as a breach of the Regulations. Under the current regulations (S.I. 448 of 2020) sporting events must be organised under the structure/licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland. Pheasant shooting is sport shooting and is therefore prohibited. Shooting of vermin (rats, foxes etc) is permissible as an essential service to farming/agriculture.
Brian Downey,
Inspector

The above is an information advice issued by An Garda Siochana in advance of the opening of the pheasant shooting season next Sunday. From comments already circulating on social media from individuals and some shooting organisations it would appear that this measure is considered unreasonable and interpretations are being offered which are seriously flawed giving rise to individual clubs and sports shooters being mislead into believing that pheasant shooting will be in compliance with COVID-19 Level 5 as they would be alone and within 5km of home.

This advice is seriously flawed and should not be followed for the following reasons:

1. COVIC-19 Level 5 restrictions are supported by law i.e. Statutory Instrument 448 of 2020 making any breach an offence.
2. Game shooting is a sport and has always been argued as such by the various national bodies and clubs and pheasant shooting is therefore, a sporting event, whether alone or with others
3. Sporting events under the terms of the Statutory Instrument may only take place if organised under a licence or structure of a national governing sporting body which enjoys funding from the government-backed Sports Ireland. To our knowledge no game hunting body enjoys such funding from Sports Ireland.
4. It has already been argued by bodies and individuals on social media that pheasant shooting will comply if it takes place within the 5km distance from home limit, and if the game shooter is alone. This is untrue and would be a serious mistake to make. The sports exemption applies to professional sports for the purposes of training only. Training is not a sports event.
5. The consequences of an individual found breaching the regulation is potentially very serious for that individual, apart at all from the consequences which might be inflicted on other innocent people. It’s clear that breaches will be dealt with by prosecutions and offenders should expect loss of licence and firearm if convicted. We expect the courts to act very strict in the current climate.

The Sports Coalition, in common with a number of the estate driven shoots, welcomes and supports this move as it is a reasonable measure to protect not only club members, but also landowners and the wider community at the height of the worst public health crisis in a hundred years. It is but a tiny inconvenience in return for protecting our communities and landowners from whom we have enjoyed decades of welcome, cooperation and hospitality.



29th October, 2020

NARGC are meeting at the moment, so it will be interesting to hear what their take on this is.

Its official, no shooting until Dec 1st at least.

Seems to be taken very seriously as there is talk of €500 fine and possible seizure of firearm if caught breaching Covid 19 regs.

Vermin shooting is Ok once you can prove that you are "helping" a landowner, so you will probably need written permission.
Not sure about deer, but it would have to be for crop protection/vermin control and within 5km of your base.
Wildfowl ???

NARGC seeking to speak to the Minister in the morning.