Can i shoot seagulls?

Question

Recently during the warmer weather when the Koi and Goldfish are at the surface more the seagulls have taken an interest in them. Although I have protective netting up the seagulls are tearing this and attacking the fish. I have a black widow catapult and some ball bearings which would kill the seagull outright. Can I get done for this if I was seen/caught under UK law? I am not shooting them for fun purely to protect my fish?

Answer 1

Your getting a lot of mixed answers... never mind my opinion, I'm just going to tell you the facts!





The principal legislation dealing with the protection of birds is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This makes it illegal to intentionally capture, injure or destroy wild birds or interfere with an active nest or its contents.





(this is for scotland, hmmm....)



However, the law does recognise that, in some circumstances, control may be necessary against particular species of birds. Under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Scottish Executive annually issues general licences. These authorise the killing or taking of certain species of wild birds, including Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull, Lesser black-backed gull and Great black-backed gull for the purpose of:





protecting any collection of wild birds (licence SEGEN/09),

preserving public health, public safety, or air safety (licence SEGEN/10), and

preventing the spread of disease and serious damage to livestock or agriculture (licence SEGEN/22)



The fourth licence, (SEGEN/23) licences authorised persons to use semi-automatic weapons to kill or take the above mentioned species of birds. However, authorised persons must ensure compliance with relevant firearms and public safety legislation.



Unless an authorised person acts in accordance with the terms of the licence, he commits an offence. The Council would only be justified in taking action against pigeons or gulls in North Lanarkshire if it could be satisfied that, to do so, would preserve public health or safety or would prevent the spread of disease.



The Council would for example be justified in taking action to destroy and, or remove the eggs or nest of a pair of roosting gulls where the location of their roosting site would give rise to concerns over public safety, should they display aggressive behaviour.



In other circumstances where the killing of birds and the taking of their eggs would not be justifiable, the proofing of roosting sites may provide a viable option for control. Various options for control are examined later.



I believe that all gulls are protected by the countryside act 1981.



Well in theu UK they are protected by the countryside act. You can only humanely kill them if thhey are nesting on your building, you will have to use a deterent.

Answer 2

Seagulls Protected

Answer 3

You should consult with a lawyer. It will cost some money, but at least you'll know the law and the risks.



The problem with shooting pests is that most people can't spend all day watching over their flock, fields or schools of fish. You may want to install a stronger type of netting, perhaps chicken wire.

Answer 4

not sure if you can legally shoot seagulls or not, to be honest i think a catapult is classed as a weapon so you could be in a lot of trouble if you used it with steel ball bearings. i wanted to send my mum one to kill the black birds where she lives (sri lanka) they are a total menace, but when i spoke to our local gun shop owner he had doubts about whether to send one in the post or not - its opened at their end, to check for dangerous weapons!

as to the fish - have you tried the metal sheets you get from garden centres to put over the top of the pond. they look like chicken wire but they are really strong and dont sag or bend easily. its stronger that netting and it will stop the birds eating the fish - its what i use and the herons have buggered off to richer pastures. if the sheets aren't large enough clip them together with some metal clips or even that green garden twine.

Answer 5

well, i'd prefer you didn't kill them, but they can be a nuisance...



here is a website for seagull control, it has ethical pest-control services and also deterrant options specifically for seagulls. i'd look them up rather than doing something yourself. - the falcon model looks like a good idea! a fake bird of prey put near your pond. or an actual falcon used to scare away seagulls, which has a lasting effect apparently.



they are in the Sussex and Kent area, but if that is not near you i'm sure there are similar services elsewhere. - gives you an idea of the options available!



oh - and just for that one answerer who said all wild animals in uk are owned by the queen. they aren't, just swans lol!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Sounds like William knows his stuff about the UK..



My 2 cents??



Whamo Wrist Rocket will make the feathers fly.. As far as the legality of it all whining lib do-gooders are ruining life for the rest of us. Like you we need to take our world back from these dolts, who'd be happy to see pestilence on biblical proportions destroy humanity so long as it doesn't destroy some stupid endangered mouse or barn sparrow.



I prefer not dealing with bird crap on my truck, they spread disease.



My mother in law had to put chicken wire over her Koi pond to keep the racoons out. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a pond if you ask me.



I can be pretty quick with a wrist rocket, and you'd be surprise how quick you can bag it, tag it and pitch..

Answer 8

as far as i know seagulls have been taken off the general license and you would need to apply for a proper license to take them now, on the up side your now able to control the ring necked parakeet problem that has apeared (aparantly lol)

Answer 9

First, its illegal. Second, there are thousands of seagulls, you can`t kill them all. Best idea, put some stronger netting over the pond. Perhaps a scarecrow as well!

Answer 10

Just out of pure curiosity:



Even if it were legal

(its not legal unless you have a hunting license and your catapult is illegal for hunting)

- how many of them you think you are going to kill?

Like all the seaguls in your area?

And you think maybe others wont follow?





Now start using your brains rather than using your war toys:



Why do you think the fish are closer to the surface, now that its warmer?

So install a ventilation/filtering system for extra oxygen and put in some more plants for hiding places and extra oxygen.



Savvy?

Answer 11

Take your BSA or whatever fancy airguns british people pour money into (oddly enough that they all have the same power and most stock chinese guns even have amazing accuracy) and knock em out a da air. Its like shooting mice or rats (but gulls fly and eat everything including the cheese), there a nuisance and you will probably pay money for pest control sooner or later.

Answer 12

1

Answer 13

It would be illegal to hunt/shoot any animal with a sling shot in the UK. Get yourself a plastic hawk or owl and place it in a sitty position in a tree or shed roof.

Answer 14

Shooting or intentionally harming any water foul is regulated and usually illegal. So is shooting pigeons. That is the only reason they are still around.



If you decide to do it don't use a firearm use paint ball guns (can kill small animals), blow guns or just a sling shot.

Answer 15

Shootem down

Answer 16

as you know... we in the USA have a history of civil disobedience. I hope you UK folks are not still mad about the Tea Party and that little episode at New Orleans a few decades later.



In the States we have a saying..."shoot, shovel and shut-up"



It works on cats who pee all over the garden too.

Answer 17

Yes you can but the law is the only thing stopping you

Answer 18

I do not disagree with you that you should be able to shoot them, but you cannot. They are protected under law.

Answer 19

I don't know about the laws in the U.K. But here in the U.S.A. seagulls are wild birds and all wild animals are under the protection of the federal government. One can not catch, do harm or whatever to a wild animal. You might end up in jail with a fine.

I believe in the U.K. all wild animals belongs to the Queen. So you need to ask her if you can do what you are planning to do.

Answer 20

it would be legal as long as their attacking your fish, it's only illegal if for pleasure or consumption, same laws basically everywhere.

Answer 21

Take no chances with dunderheads on this venue, call your local constabulary and get the real dope.

Answer 22

Well in North Carolina you if you shoot a seagull you get charge. And possible that you go to jail.

Answer 23

I don't think it is legal to shoot seagulls. I think they are protected by the law.

Answer 24

Buy a shot gun numnuts! Its like firing your air rifle 1000 times at once! Technically its "illegal" technically its illegal for me to wear my speedos but to be honest that seagull deserves whats comin to him he thinks your a pansy afraid to shoot your little gun are you really gonna let him crap all over your garden eat all your fish what kind of a man are you?

Answer 25

whether is legal or not is not the issue...if the animal is a pest or creating a problem, then shoot it...

Answer 26

Kill it, dispose of the body, no one will ever know.

Answer 27

Seaguls are taasty., the fish in their bellies makes them scrumptioous when fried.

Answer 28

* Forget about it. Very bad idea.* Shoot the fish instead and then your problem will be solved.*~~

Answer 29

I agree with everyone expect k f cause the seagulls are destorying our great land.KILL SEVERAL FOR ME WILL YOU?

Answer 30

Dont get caught and you'll do fine

Answer 31

shoot them, youre protecting your property

Answer 32

no leave the poor thing alone

Answer 33

Throw grenades at them.

Answer 34

talk about whats bothering you to a psychiatrist instead of getting violent.

Answer 35

feed them alcasellser and they will explode

Answer 36

No you can't it is illegal

Answer 37

free country...?

Answer 38

It is illegal.