DVS is now on facebook.

Just a quick update this morning to let you all know you can now join the "DVS chesterfield" facebook page. Add me as a friend and you can chat to me, post your questions and seek help from a shooting community world wide. So, who will be the first............
Search facebook for DVS Chesterfield
Hope to see you there.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002866615931
Richard.

Air Rifle Code of practice.

The Law

The law makes no distinction between air rifles and more powerful guns for which you need a licence – they are all classed as firearms. This means that any offence you commit can carry a very heavy penalty – and there are at least 38 different offences. Following this code will help you to keep on the right side of the law, but, if you have any doubt, seek advice from your local police firearms licensing department.

Air gun security

From February 2011, the Crime and Security Act 2010 makes it an offence for a person in possession of an air gun to fail to take “reasonable precautions” to prevent someone under the age of 18 from gaining unauthorised access to it.
The legal advice contained within this publication remains unchanged e.g. 14-17 year olds may still use air guns unsupervised on private premises where they have permission etc.

Who can shoot

18 years

If you are 18 years or older there are no restrictions on buying an air rifle and ammunition, and you can use it wherever you have permission to shoot.

14 – 17 years

You can

• borrow an air rifle and ammunition
• use an air rifle, without supervision, on private premises where you have permission

You cannot

• buy or hire an air rifle, or ammunition, or receive one as a gift. Your air rifle and ammunition must be bought and looked after by someone over 18 – normally your parent, guardian or some other responsible adult.
  have an air rifle in a public place unless you are supervised by somebody aged 21 or over, and you have a reasonable excuse to do so (for example, while on the way to a shooting ground).

Under 14 years

You can

• use an air rifle under supervision on private premises with permission from the occupier - normally the owner or tenant. The person who supervises you must be at least 21 years old.

You cannot

• buy, hire or receive an air rifle or its ammunition as a gift, or shoot, without adult supervision.

Parents or guardians who buy an air rifle for use by someone under 14 must exercise control over it at all times, even in the home or garden.
It is illegal to sell an air rifle or ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.

Where you can shoot

Where you intend to shoot, always ensure that you are authorised by the landowner or person with the sporting rights and that you know precisely where the boundaries are. Get permission in writing, if possible, to remove any doubt.
Whenever you are in a public place you should carry the rifle in a gun cover and always ensure that it is unloaded and not cocked.

Trespassing

Going on to private land, or water, where you do not have permission is trespassing, and if you are carrying an air rifle it becomes armed trespass. Whether the gun is loaded or not, or whether you are carrying pellets, is irrelevant – armed trespass is a serious criminal offence carrying heavy penalties.
Only shoot where you have the permission of the landowner or tenant.

Firing pellets beyond your boundary

It is an offence to fire an air rifle pellet beyond the land where you have permission to shoot, unless the occupier of the neighbouring land has also given you permission. Where someone under 14 is shooting, both the young person and the supervising adult can be prosecuted.
It is also against the law, in England and Wales, to fire an air rifle within 50 feet of the centre of a highway if this results in someone being injured, interrupted or endangered. These offences could be committed, for example, when someone is shooting in their garden close to a road and the pellets ricochet onto the highway.

Principal quarry for air rifles

• BIRDS: (covered by the general licences - for details visit http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/generallicences.aspx crows, rooks, jackdaws, magpies, jays, woodpigeon, collared doves, feral pigeons.
• MAMMALS: brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits

If you want to practise on your own premises make sure that you have an effective backstop. Soft earth or chipboard is ideal, but don’t use any hard, polished surface because it is likely to cause a dangerous ricochet or could cause the pellet to rebound and hit the shooter.
Remember that you can be prosecuted if any pellet goes beyond your land, whether it is directly fired or an accidental ricochet.

Live quarry shooting

Many people shoot live quarry, either on their own land or where they have permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.
All birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and some wildfowl, they are not suitable quarry for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by general licences which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the licence.
These reasons include:

• to protect crops
• to protect game and wildlife
• to protect public health or safety

Anyone wishing to take bird pest species should read the advice on general licences, which is available on its website :
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/generallicences.aspx#1
You can shoot mammal pests at any time provided you have the landowner’s permission. Air rifles are suitable for: brown rats, grey squirrels, stoats, mink and rabbits.

Respect for the quarry

Always shoot well within your capabilities. Practise on targets, never on live quarry, to establish the maximum range at which you and your rifle can consistently hit the point of aim that will ensure a clean kill; this is usually the head, and normally has a maximum diameter of about three centimetres (an inch and a quarter). Practise regularly to improve your shooting and stalking skills.
Make sure you know where the kill zone is for each species that you are going to hunt. For mammals the side-on head shot is the preferred target. For birds, head shots are effective but difficult because the target area is very small and rarely holds still. Shots to the breast or body cavity give a bigger target area but remember that dense feathers or a crop full of grain will limit the pellet’s effectiveness. The area under the wing is a good place to aim for.
You must zero your rifle and sights (check their correct alignment) before starting any hunt; usually a riflescope will come with instructions on how to do this, otherwise there are many books which explain the principles.
It is your responsibility to be able to recognise your quarry and know when and where you may shoot it. Never shoot unless you have positively identified your quarry.

Wounded quarry

Always despatch wounded quarry quickly to minimise suffering, either with a second shot or a sharp blow to the base of the skull. Be particularly careful when dispatching wounded rodents – they can bite and scratch with a risk of serious infection. DO NOT TOUCH RATS. They may carry fatal diseases, so you should lift them with a fork or shovel.

Suitable air rifles for hunting

Always ensure that your air rifle is powerful enough to achieve a clean kill of your chosen quarry and do not attempt a shot of more than 30 metres. Generally the ideal power level is just over 11 ft lb (15J). For an air rifle that is more powerful than 12 ft lb, (16.25J) you must have a firearm certificate.
Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or shoot at quarry which could escape into cover before it can be retrieved. For example, do not shoot rabbits which are less than two metres from their burrow.
Certain types of air rifle are more suitable for hunting than others. Avoid those air rifles which take excessive time to charge, load and fire. Repeating air rifles give an immediate second shot which is always an advantage. All air rifles must be well maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. If in doubt, consult your local dealer.
Choose pellets which are designed for hunting. These will produce a cleaner kill than those which are intended for target shooting. Check every pellet before loading to ensure that it is not damaged or deformed.

Check list in the field

• Always check with the landowner, in good time, if you want to go shooting.
• Always confirm with the landowner what quarry you may shoot.
• Always respect the owner's property, crops, livestock and fences and follow the Countryside Code (http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/).
• Always treat an air rifle as though it is loaded and keep its muzzle pointing in a safe direction.
• On picking up or being handed an air rifle, check immediately to ensure it is not loaded e.g. that it is uncocked and that there is no pellet in the breech. Be particularly careful when checking pre-charged pneumatic air rifles.
• Before you fire your rifle, consider where the pellet could go. Be sure that no damage can result if you miss your intended target.
• Always bear in mind the possibility of a ricochet.
• Never put down a loaded air rifle or leave it unattended.
• Use of a silencer can minimise disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other countryside users.
• Remember that all shooters will be judged by your actions and ensure that your conduct is always above reproach. Encourage the same attitude in your shooting companions. Above all, be safe and be sensible.

At the end of the day

Always leave your shoot in the condition in which you would like to find it. Make sure that you collect all your equipment.
It is courteous to thank the landowner and to offer him something from the bag if you have shot any edible quarry. Take care of your edible quarry – remember it is food, store it in a cool place and never waste it.
Non-edible quarry should be disposed of discreetly, carefully and should not create a health hazard. This is a legal requirement. Under most circumstances deep burial beyond the reach of a carnivorous animal would be appropriate.
The displaying of carcasses on fences or on a gamekeeper’s “gibbet” serves no useful purpose and may offend other countryside users.
It is an offence in Scotland to discharge any gun in a culpable or reckless manner. This means shooting without caring about the safety of others.

As of Feb 2011 these new rules apply.

As of 10th February 2011, The Crime & Security Act 2010 (S.46) makes it an offence "...for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any person under the age of eighteen from having the weapon with him...".

This legislation essentially relates to the storage of airguns and the requirement of owners to prevent unauthorised access by children. Failure to do so renders owners liable for a fine of up to £1,000.

Air weapons

46 : Offence of allowing minors access to air weapons

(1)The Firearms Act 1968 is amended as follows.

(2)After section 24 there is inserted—

“24ZA : Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons

(1)It is an offence for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any person under the age of eighteen from having the weapon with him.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply where by virtue of section 23 of this Act the person under the age of eighteen is not prohibited from having the weapon with him.

(3)In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it is a defence to show that the person charged with the offence—

(a)believed the other person to be aged eighteen or over; and

(b)had reasonable ground for that belief.

(4)For the purposes of this section a person shall be taken to have shown the matters specified in subsection (3) if—

(a)sufficient evidence of those matters is adduced to raise an issue with respect to them; and

(b)the contrary is not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”

(5)In section 57 (interpretation), in subsection (3) (offences relating to air weapons), for “and 24(4)” there is substituted “ , 24(4) and 24ZA(1) ”.

(6)In the table in Part 1 of Schedule 6 (prosecution and punishment of offences), after the entry for section 24(4), there is inserted—

“Section 24ZA(1)

Failing to prevent minors from having air weapons

Summary

A fine of level 3 on the standard scale.

Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part II of this Schedule apply.”

(7)In Part 2 of Schedule 6 (supplementary provisions as to trial and punishment of offences), in paragraphs 7 and 8 (forfeiture and disposal of firearms), for “or 24(4)” there is substituted “ , 24(4) or 24ZA(1) ”.

Taken from this webpage  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/17/section/46

British Airgun Shooters Association : Shooting insurance

Get £2,000,000 Shooting insurance for less than 6p a day by joining the British Airgun Shooters' Association.

BASA

Join the British Airgun Shooters' Association today and you are automatically entitled to up to £2 million Third Party Public Liability Insurance cover* for any one incident.

The BASA is the only association exclusive to airgun shooting and runs in partnership with Britain's largest shooting organisation - the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (B.A.S.C.) - to protect the future of airgun sport in the U.K.

Your sport needs you - so apply on-line and add your weight to the UK's only airgun organisation!

Not only will BASA membership provide you with comprehensive shooting insurance, but it brings you a whole host of other, member-only privileges, too...

Membership of BASA brings you these privileges:

• Your own airgun ID card and insurance docket.
• Free Competition Entry Tokens for Air Gunner and Airgun World magazines.
• Save £££ on shooting books, magazine subscriptions and binders.
• Member-only discounts at selected gun shops.
• Third party liability indemnity - excess £250 property damage only.

* The Public Liability Insurance is arranged by Giles (Insurance Brokers) Ltd. who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

To sign up for membership to the British Airgun Shooters Association online just answer the following questions:
1. Have you ever been declined insurance before?
2. Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? (excluding minor driving offences)
3. Are you under the age of 18?


If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions please contact 0118 977 1677 to provide details before applying. If not, please click below to be taken to our secure credit card page.

If you wish to make a telephone application, please call 01858 438 842 (Monday to Friday 8am - 9.30pm & Saturday 8am - 4pm)

A great bit of software. Have a look and download the trial

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Have you ever thought how to download video and audio from flash players on internet sites like Youtube, Google Video,
MySpace, DailyMotion, Metacafe, Break, Blog sites of your friends with embedded audio and video content and so on?

So, JCopia does it all. It captures flash video / audio / stream from any website to your computer as files. Just play your
media online and watch as JCopia 4.7.8672 saves any clip / music / movie to your computer.

JCopia detects and begins to download any clip, video, music, radio stream, video stream, Flash game or presentation that is
played in your browser. Increase your video and audio collection with JCopia now!

It is a very convenient tool for collections video and audio files on disk.

Shooting land available.

Over the next few weeks i will be posting a list of land that i have available to shoot on. If you want to get on any of this land then send me a email and i will try to get you on. Most of the land i have permission for is around the North east of chesterfield but during the coming weeks i will be looking for more land.

 I operate a strict " NO INSURANCE NO SHOOTING" policy. This protects you as a shooter and the land owner against accidents. BASA provide a very good insurance service and is also very cheap. Before you are given written permission to shoot you must provide me with your valid id number off the insurance documents. This WILL be checked with your insurance supplier.

 All my shooters are vetted by ME. This ensures i am only letting responsible shooters on the land....When you on on any of the land i have permission for you represent ME. This said i will not tolerate any breach in safety and any permission given Will be withdrawn in the event of complaints.

The cost. £50 per year gives you unlimited access to the permitted land (The year works like this...the start date of your insurance to the expiry date of your insurance) You will get a DVS membership card, again this will run with your insurance dates, map and permitted species list. You should have this card with you EVERY TIME you go on the permission. It is proof you do in fact have written permission to be on the land and if you are on any land without the card you WILL be reported for ARMED TRESS PASS.
Also, as a safety measure, i ask that before you intend to use any permission you contact me when you arrive and when you leave. This ensures that I and the land owner know you are there and if anything was to happen to you we know where to find you. Safety is everything

 If you can agree to these rules and you want to be considered for permission email me a contact number and i will ring/text you to arrange a meeting.

All the best.

Richard.

A great day out for all the family

The UK's premier Game and Country Fairs

Countryman Fairs organise the UK’s leading group of countryside events. Our portfolio of award winning events is home to the world’s most prestigious field sports competitions, and great family entertainment.

http://www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/

A family home since 1577, Parham Park provides a most appropriate setting for a true family event, which includes superb family features alongside the traditional field sports activities. Parham’s well-preserved cliff faces provide an impressive backdrop for this country lifestyle showcase.
Parham Park is a well-liked location for steam, stationary engines and vintage vehicles and this year we will build upon this longstanding connection to incorporate a complete vintage section including working demonstrations of wood sawing, stationary engines, classic cars and all the artefacts associated with traditional engines.

The Sussex game and country fair has a strong connection with local societies and associations, who stage fascinating exhibitions of small livestock, living history and caged birds; we are pleased to welcome once again the Eastergate Cavy Club and Chichester Caged Bird Society with their exhibitions, which with each passing year are growing in size and fascination.

In 2011, the Sussex Game and Country Fair will once again welcome a qualifying round each day for the Mitsubishi Motors World Series Gundog Championship. With the championship we bring you some of the most outstanding have-a-go Gundog events to be found at any game fair, with the natural features of the parkland incorporated into the events to add an extra dimension.

This year the Sussex Game and Country Fair also hosted the 5th and 6th qualifying rounds of the Mitsubishi Motors World Series Clay Shooting Championship, sending another 12 hopefuls through to the Grand Final held on Sunday 19th September at the Midland Game Fair to shoot off for the brand NEW Mitsubishi Trojan worth over £20,000.00.

The whole family can get involved all around the Sussex Game and Country Fair, with have-a-go activities for all age groups. The Airgun Training and Education Organisation host the have-a-go Airgun Tuition and competition ranges, but if shooting is not your style then why not try your hand at Fly Casting, one of Britain’s best loved past times, with the Salmon and Trout Association on hand to provide information and have-a-go tuition, you’ll be casting in no time.

Outstanding displays in the Main Arena, have-a-go feature areas, children’s entertainers ‘Magic n’ Mayhem, and performances from the incredible Titan the Robot culminate in a full day of exciting entertainment for all the family. The Sussex Game and Country Fair is simply a great day out for the whole family.