Pop-up hide etiquette ?

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jetpack

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Hi Everyone,

I've recently purchased a pop-up hide which I think is fantastic, I bought it because I often visit a place in Scotland that has an abundance of wildlife within the grounds. However, I'm keen to use it on other occassions and it has flagged up the question of pop-up hide etiquette. Do I need permission from someone if it's in a local wood? I understand that if it is private land then I will need to ask the land owner.

I've looked on Google maps a few times at my local area but find it quite difficult to understand land boundaries and the last thing I'd want is to be sat minding my own and some angry farmer windmilling through my hide.

Cheers,
JPJ
 
Your local wood is almost certainly private land , so you've answered your own question
 
Public Access rights in Scotland are very different to England (not sure where you are)

Have a look at this link - it will lead you to lots on the subject from both the landowners point of view and yours...

http://www.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-wood/public-access-rights-scotland/

The bottom line is not everybody understands so even if you're within your rights to be somewhere, it doesn't mean you won't get hassled so having permission is always a good idea if possible.

A couple of points that may be relevant:

Q: Is wild camping allowed in my woodland?
Yes, provided that:
(1) there is a small number of campers
(2) campers stay only two or three nights in one place

Q: Can people build huts?
Yes, provided they don’t cause any damage to plants and wildlife (e.g. they may use only dead branches, and cannot drive nails into live trees).

Q: Are organised groups allowed in my woodland if pursuing a profit-making activity?
Yes, commercial ventures can use your land, provided that they are pursuing an activity that would be permissible under normal, non-commercial circumstances. These are usually categorised as recreational or relevant educational activities.
 
Last edited:
big soft moose said:
Your local wood is almost certainly private land , so you've answered your own question
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that all woodland was private land so thanks for that.

dinners said:
Public Access rights in Scotland are very different to England (not sure where you are)

Have a look at this link - it will lead you to lots on the subject from both the landowners point of view and yours...

http://www.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-wood/public-access-rights-scotland/

The bottom line is not everybody understands so even if you're within your rights to be somewhere, it doesn't mean you won't get hassled so having permission is always a good idea if possible.

A couple of points that may be relevant:

Q: Is wild camping allowed in my woodland?
Yes, provided that:
(1) there is a small number of campers
(2) campers stay only two or three nights in one place

Q: Can people build huts?
Yes, provided they don’t cause any damage to plants and wildlife (e.g. they may use only dead branches, and cannot drive nails into live trees).

Q: Are organised groups allowed in my woodland if pursuing a profit-making activity?
Yes, commercial ventures can use your land, provided that they are pursuing an activity that would be permissible under normal, non-commercial circumstances. These are usually categorised as recreational or relevant educational activities.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I think I'll most probably find a spot somewhere where I know there's a land owner I can ask - it all seems a very grey area.
 
Some woodland is rather jealously guarded and kept 'quiet' for pheasant cover, certainly need to be aware of that.
I'd think most owners would give permission readily for an activity as unobtrusive as they come, but wouldn't be overly pleased if it seemed you'd just assumed you could go ahead without asking.
As you say the problem is finding the owner or manager.
Often woodland is not owned by adjacent farms at all, but they would probably know the owner.
 
jetpackjack said:
I wasn't aware that all woodland was private land so thanks for that.
.
Click to expand...

Virtually all land in the UK is owned by somebody, in some cases that might be an organisation like the forestry commision, national trust, woodland trust, local council etc but in a lot of other cases its private owners whether farmers or people with game interests and so forth

don't confuse private as in "private keep out" with private ownership -- even woods where there is public access will still usually require permision for the sort of thing you are talking about as open access is usually restricted to walking (in some cases cycling and horseriding,) and sometimes camping. Setting up a feeding station and hide will not be covered.

Another consideration is that areas where there is open public access are generaslly the worst for the sort of thing you want to do - imagine you are just setting up your once in a life time capture of a less spotted woodpecker , and suddenly a bunch of kids run past shouting and screaming. Your best bet is a private wood without public access where you have gained permission to there from the landowner.
 
is he even in scotland though ? I thought the OP said that he got the hide to use when he visits a site in scotland (where presumably he already has permission if needed) but now wants to use it elsewhere as well .
 
big soft moose said:
is he even in scotland though ? I thought the OP said that he got the hide to use when he visits a site in scotland (where presumably he already has permission if needed) but now wants to use it elsewhere as well .
Click to expand...

Good point

I read it as other sites in Scotland

England obviously differs
 
Thanks for all of the answers, they have definitely given me some direction on what to do. I'd like to find some private land and speak to the owners to gain permission.

I live in north east England but I do visit Scotland, I cannot wait to head up to our little holiday cottage in July to see the red squirrels, cresties and red deer.
 
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