I live in Glasgow, Scotland, and I recently purchased a compound bow. We have been shooting in back gardens which are away from other people, and safely, but we have been thinking about going to the hills and to the beach to shoot. But we have no idea about the laws concerning this and the penalties, plus the internet hasn’t been very informative, especially not concerning Scottish law on the matter.
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jamie.
Hi, In Scottish Law you have freedom of access for walking and camping on almost any wild open country in Scotland.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code tells you your rights and expected behaviour towards maintaining the safety and well-being of the countryside and it’s users.
Link below….err edit. The site is down at the moment possibly for manintainence but here is a PDF explaining a very small part of it. It might be running again in the morning so put SOAC in the search box or use the search list on the second link.
http://www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/soac%20part%201%20stalking%200507.pdf . . .
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=SOAC+scotland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a
You do not have freedom to shoot with a gun or a bow without the landowner’s permission in any part of the UK..
Bow hunting is illegal in the UK and in most of Europe so wherever you shoot take care that no wildlife is in danger of being shot.
A grouse with an arrow in it can take a bit of explaining and nobody is going to believe it wasn’t intended haha.
After all it’s a bit cheaper than joining a shoot ( just a bit by a few thousand quid for a week’s prime shooting and a hotel) and you get a bird free of lead shot so don’t expect anyone to be sympathetic..
You also need to ensure the safety of people, livestock and property.
If you venture onto somebodies land with a gun or a bow, loaded or not, and without the permission of the landowner to use them, you can be prosecuted for armed trespass and that will stay on your record for ever so take care.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110514134321AAYZcJd . . . .
Our local archery club practices on our playing fields, a plan brought about after consulting with the local police and other users of the field like the rugby and football clubs.
It isn’t roped off for practice nights or local club tournaments, only for big tournaments, but it’s pretty obvious what’s happening with some pretty big colouful targets in a row so a bit of common sense is relied on.
Anyone getting too close to the sharp end can get a verbal warning….like scream at ‘em (nicely …to start with)
An arrow missing a target can travel 100 yards or more so a lookout is needed all the time.
There is very likely an archery club fairly close to you so have a word i the local library where they keep lists of all local activities, and in the sports columns of your local newspaper. The clubs are all friendly and approachable and they get all sorts of shooters from national level to raw beginners and hopeless cases for target shooting who will never make even the club team but enjoy shooting anyway so don’t be embarrassed at going along.
If you know or can find out about a local landowner present yourself nicely all cleaned up and civilised with clean boots and looking kind and sensible and just ask.
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
That wildlife law has one exception…if you meet a wild Haggis in full battle regalia and itching for a fight you are allowed to shoot it with a bow even on a Sunday but it must be accorded full honours if eaten at the table.
The better mannered ones can sometimes be soothed and lulled into a false sense of security with a single malt or two and are then quite easily caught.
Wild haggi are unpredictable at the best of times though so take care, hence the great variety of answers on here.
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081207092702AAG6s3V . . . . . .
Have a load of fun and enjoy the shooting.