Air gun license Scotland

[u/HarrisFinnie]

Im looking at getting into varmint hunting in Scotland however I’m unsure on what I should be doing when applying.

I know when applying they ask reason etc the issue is I don’t own land and would be asking local farmers etc to hunt on there land when applying would I need to get permission first and mention the farm/farmer in my application or can I just put my reason as varmint hunting and once I have acquired my license and rifle then ask.

It would also include plinking in my back door

[u/i_wascloned666]

If the process is the same as England, you'll need written permission from the farmer/land owner before you put in your application.

Your reason would likely be "pest control".

The police may also put a condition on your license asking the lines of "only permitted on the land situated at X belonging to Y, with appropriately liability insurance in place*). So if you wanted to go to another farm or other place, you may need to discuss that with your FEO (my license is in condition that I can only shoot with my club or at an appropriately insured venue, which is very common)

The police may also want to see evidence of training courses etc in varminting or stalking (granted you're using an air rifle and that reduces the risk of overshooting etc. But they may still want you to have completed some sort of education or training or have been a member of an air rifle club before going out into the wild).

*A lot of national shooting memberships (BASC, NRA gamekeepers association often give a level of cover for liability)

[u/holdupflash]

I’d start the license process by being a member of a target shooting club first and then get a variation that allows for pest control. You’re more likely to get an open license that way as the police can leverage the clubs process for probation and checking you out etc

[u/Jip1210]

I can speak from experience on this one.

When I applied for mine. I put down that I wanted it for plinking in the garden and for pest control. Though at the time of application, I did not have any agreements in writing with any other land owners.

I was granted My AWL for those reasons. However, at the time, I had a vary large garden without any immediate neighbours, we occasionally had bunnies in the garden, and I told the FEO where I would be looking to gain shooting permissions. These were areas that he knew and knew that they were overrun with rabbits.

I don't think the AWL process is quite as strict as for a full FAC. However, it's not too far off, perhaps similar to a SGC as in they need to make sure you are fit, proper, and will keep them secure but you don't really need to prove good reason for each and show where you are going to use it.

This was my experience a few years ago anyway, things may have changed by now.