Using portable hides in the UK

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Wellsyboy

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Not sure if this has been asked before - a search revealed no hits - but I would like to know if there are any restrictions on using portable pop-up type temporary hides on common land in the uk? Anyone done any research on this?
 
Ask the police
 
I think you'd need to seek permission, camping isn't normally allowed and having a hide up is going to draw attention to you as they may think you're setting up camp/hunting/fishing etc..?
 
Wellsyboy said:
Not sure if this has been asked before - a search revealed no hits - but I would like to know if there are any restrictions on using portable pop-up type temporary hides on common land in the uk? Anyone done any research on this?
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On common land I would suggest no more permission needed than setting up a chair, but your local council would doubtless advise of any byelaws etc. :)
 
If your hide is any good, who's going to know you're even there?

In all honestly though, I think people are over thinking this. It's common land, nobody is going to worry about a hide and if they do it's easy enough to prove you're not hunting or camping. Just go out and enjoy the outdoors.
 
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ecoleman said:
It's common land, nobody is going to worry about a hide and if they do it's easy enough to prove you're not hunting or camping. Just go out and enjoy the outdoors.
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It depends on whether it really is common land.

To avoid unnecessary heated debate, it's a good idea to make sure your map is up to date.
 
I wouldn't worry - just do it. Be sensible though, always put the needs of the wildlife first, and remember that even common land is owned by someone.

Also be aware of the law about getting close to some birds:

protectthewild.org.uk

Nesting Birds, Nests and the Law - Protect the Wild

Nesting birds, Nests and the Law Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (WCA, the primary legislation which protects animals, plants and habitats in the UK) it is: 'an offence intentionally to kill, injure or take any wild bird, or take or destroy their eggs or nest, or damage a…
protectthewild.org.uk protectthewild.org.uk
 
Sky said:
I wouldn't worry - just do it. Be sensible though, always put the needs of the wildlife first, and remember that even common land is owned by someone.

Also be aware of the law about getting close to some birds:

protectthewild.org.uk

Nesting Birds, Nests and the Law - Protect the Wild

Nesting birds, Nests and the Law Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (WCA, the primary legislation which protects animals, plants and habitats in the UK) it is: 'an offence intentionally to kill, injure or take any wild bird, or take or destroy their eggs or nest, or damage a…
protectthewild.org.uk protectthewild.org.uk
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Thanks - yes, of course, very aware of nesting birds etc - this is more about being in a position to let them come closer to me without disturbing them. Wanted to be clear on the law but finding it very difficult to find anything online.
 
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I had a look and couldn't find anything either, so it's obviously not too much of a problem or there would be more discussions or information about it.

What Gav said about camping not being permitted is the only likely problem I can see - there are NIMBYs everywhere. :rolleyes:
 
The laws in Scotland are different with the often abused ‘right to roam’ giving certain access rights. No matter what the laws are, ai think it is only polite to ask, not many people will refuse if approached nicely.
 
nc_killie said:
The laws in Scotland are different with the often abused ‘right to roam’ giving certain access rights. No matter what the laws are, ai think it is only polite to ask, not many people will refuse if approached nicely.
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Thanks for your interest but my point is - I'm having trouble finding out who to ask............
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
It depends on whether it really is common land.

To avoid unnecessary heated debate, it's a good idea to make sure your map is up to date.
Click to expand...

Nothing has to be a heated debate. If you are asked to move on then pack up and move on. That's all they can do.
 
dcash29 said:
Search Google - Wildlife photography hide rules uk
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First thing I did - virtually all of that refers to commercial hides or hides on private land - nothing that I could find on portable temporary pop up type hides on public common land
 
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Just a point, if you are on common land so are others at times, better IMO to approach a farmer who may have woodland areas and ask permission, they can only say yes or no but I have found if you explain what you want to do they really are happy as long as you respect what is theirs. Doing it this way gives you the isolation and probably more wildlife. Russ
 
russellsnr said:
Just a point, if you are on common land so are others at times, better IMO to approach a farmer who may have woodland areas and ask permission, they can only say yes or no but I have found if you explain what you want to do they really are happy as long as you respect what is theirs. Doing it this way gives you the isolation and probably more wildlife. Russ
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Thanks Russell - good point but I also have a couple of favourite heathland spots so keen to try both
 
This is the Government's explanation - it's back to the local council to see the "Register of Common Land and Village Greens".

www.gov.uk

Common land and village greens

Common land, village greens and right to roam - find out your rights
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

And this explains that the Right to Roam encompasses "watching wildlife"

www.gov.uk

Rights of way and accessing land

Rights of way and right to roam - access rights of way, open access and permissive access land, use common lands, the Countryside Code, report problems.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
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John_L said:
This is the Government's explanation - it's back to the local council to see the "Register of Common Land and Village Greens".

www.gov.uk

Common land and village greens

Common land, village greens and right to roam - find out your rights
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

And this explains that the Right to Roam encompasses "watching wildlife"

www.gov.uk

Rights of way and accessing land

Rights of way and right to roam - access rights of way, open access and permissive access land, use common lands, the Countryside Code, report problems.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
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Thanks very much for this John
 
I've set up quite a few over the years on public/common land, I really wouldn't be too concerned about it, if the proverbial hits the fan, just pack it away and move on, although I have never been in that situation. One thing though you may need to deal with is Joe public, you will get one or two who, if they spot your hide, will come across, look straight down the barrel of your lens and ask " what are you filming?", others will just stand next to you, but they tend to give up pretty quickly. Just get out there with it and use for the reason you got it.
 
Steve first up a nod to Russ's post go get some no's under your belt, Asking for permission has to be the best step I ever made. For a large part of the year I make images largely unhindered by humans

2nd maybe just avoid the hide completely dress as a tree get a light comfy low seat.....one can't sit still if unconfortable a face mask gloves and get laughed at a bit. :)

Steve I've done just that for years..I can cope with being laughed at even by wildlife togs.ha which bring me some degree of merryment............although I never show what I really think of such clowns and am always polite.

Most jo public think I'm a nature warden bless their cottons

Steve being really serious...if you are going to set a hide with no bait........ and get serious results......one's field craft is really good....REALLY GOOD you have to be spot on right place right time right wind right light and really know how beasties move.

Setting a hide well with no food as bait , is damn nigh an art form. So I just take the easier option dress so a bird or beastie doesn't envisage me as a threat move astoundingly slow.................again, so target doesn't see me as threat.and if I'm set up wrong spot I can move hassle free..and start over

Bigger for me is the fact it's now also easy for me to just stalk something close gaps if I'm 50 yards off the action................. I can just move from low seat to ground and get closer if one's hide placement is 50 yards off.your stuck there

Steve I do think this thread is overthought..but I rarely use hides..

There is one spot I really wanted to use a hide a proper down low hide................it's a black grouse lek I can make images from inside a van on the side of a road at.................yes van is a hide.but the POV sucks and I don't have the reach,lens wise, for the images I'd like to make.

Black Grouse are sched 1..so I'd need a licsence to get closer.which I wouldn't do because if someone did get permission others would see and follow suit without due diligence...leading to probable carnage

That site is wrapped in irony for me.......as I waited patiently not daring to step out side of my van hide.......walkers came by and drove all the birds away.mountain bikers came by same result.they knew nothing of how special this teeeny tiny spot is...............but because I know how rare and special black grouse are.I'm bound by their well bee-ing


In my heart that place is where I'd have to lie in a hide from midnight to dawn something I'd welcome for a chance at a black grouse lek I honestly feel I could get in and out without harm to such a special bird.but there's no way I'll ask for that permission. No way I'd go there.and yet an innocent guy out for a walk has no knowledge so is free to not worry.

Steve knowledge is good : we SO need to be gentle with the species we make images of, we SO need to be aware of their needs............ but there is an irony in a little guy like you and me trying to obey law for me.

Knowledge binds us............yeah sure get a hide.but ya don't need it.stop worrying be laughed at and have fun dress like a tree learn the livin daylights out of the species you want a piccy of

but hides.use 'em rare for specific needs

all the luck

stu
 
Stuart Philpott said:
Steve first up a nod to Russ's post go get some no's under your belt, Asking for permission has to be the best step I ever made. For a large part of the year I make images largely unhindered by humans

2nd maybe just avoid the hide completely dress as a tree get a light comfy low seat.....one can't sit still if unconfortable a face mask gloves and get laughed at a bit. :)

Steve I've done just that for years..I can cope with being laughed at even by wildlife togs.ha which bring me some degree of merryment............although I never show what I really think of such clowns and am always polite.

Most jo public think I'm a nature warden bless their cottons

Steve being really serious...if you are going to set a hide with no bait........ and get serious results......one's field craft is really good....REALLY GOOD you have to be spot on right place right time right wind right light and really know how beasties move.

Setting a hide well with no food as bait , is damn nigh an art form. So I just take the easier option dress so a bird or beastie doesn't envisage me as a threat move astoundingly slow.................again, so target doesn't see me as threat.and if I'm set up wrong spot I can move hassle free..and start over

Bigger for me is the fact it's now also easy for me to just stalk something close gaps if I'm 50 yards off the action................. I can just move from low seat to ground and get closer if one's hide placement is 50 yards off.your stuck there

Steve I do think this thread is overthought..but I rarely use hides..

There is one spot I really wanted to use a hide a proper down low hide................it's a black grouse lek I can make images from inside a van on the side of a road at.................yes van is a hide.but the POV sucks and I don't have the reach,lens wise, for the images I'd like to make.

Black Grouse are sched 1..so I'd need a licsence to get closer.which I wouldn't do because if someone did get permission others would see and follow suit without due diligence...leading to probable carnage

That site is wrapped in irony for me.......as I waited patiently not daring to step out side of my van hide.......walkers came by and drove all the birds away.mountain bikers came by same result.they knew nothing of how special this teeeny tiny spot is...............but because I know how rare and special black grouse are.I'm bound by their well bee-ing


In my heart that place is where I'd have to lie in a hide from midnight to dawn something I'd welcome for a chance at a black grouse lek I honestly feel I could get in and out without harm to such a special bird.but there's no way I'll ask for that permission. No way I'd go there.and yet an innocent guy out for a walk has no knowledge so is free to not worry.

Steve knowledge is good : we SO need to be gentle with the species we make images of, we SO need to be aware of their needs............ but there is an irony in a little guy like you and me trying to obey law for me.

Knowledge binds us............yeah sure get a hide.but ya don't need it.stop worrying be laughed at and have fun dress like a tree learn the livin daylights out of the species you want a piccy of

but hides.use 'em rare for specific needs

all the luck

stu
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Stu - thanks so much for the insight mate - have got myself a poncho and I figured maybe a bag hide if I'm going to sit for a while - rather than go the full monty and restrict myself - you have made some great points and given me food for thought - I will take this all on board and am very grateful for your time. Cheers Steve
 
Bro we bung ideas at each other use some bin some. You are welcome mate I get a lot of joy seeing others make fab images of nature

Mate I know this thread is hides .but bare with me .clothes.................. ickle camo things:

nab a bit of army scrim net around 3foot or so square off the bay.if I get time later i'll try find a link. best scarf out there for cold wind big enough to drape across a couple a stix instant hide. Camo gear I use stuff from Canada called sports chief hard to find in the UK, I've used and battered the livin' daylights out of their gear for maybe 3 or 4 decades, Mate sometimes I crawl 300 yard out over wold scree to hares or deer I really hammer my cloaths. I'm 2 sets in........ expensive but it's good gear.

Stepping back in price have a dig through Jack Pyke's range of clothing.........honestly I don't think JP were about when I bought my last set of sportschief. I'm waring more and more of the JP gear.lol as usual sat in it now.................Buddy really you are after hunter shooting type clothes........... Look at sites like "military first" Steve army surplus sites ( lol it might be 1st military I read stuff backwards).................... you don't have to spend a fortune on good gear. But you do need good gear if your cold it's no fun same with heat. I missed an outstanding op I've waited yonks for last summer done up like a kipper by being over dressed. I couldn't think straight........... ya need layers of camo. Again if one is cold one can't sit still

Haha on not spending dosh :headbang: I use the "heat companies gloves"...they are bonkers expensive..........years back I had something magical happening and my hands were so cold I couldn't sue the camera fast enough. I'd not long forked out for a lovely camera and lens.loadsa double shifts grafted me XXX's off and i'm dead in the water. those gloves are astounding but hellish pricey mind a few years in that tag is easier to bare....Frankly I use recommend some of their heat pads if budget is tight. slip out side really thin gloves or socks another layer on top

Last couple of mad things........I use some paint ball arm gizmos to protect my elbows...and builders trousers with knee pad inserts to protect knees. even if one isn't crawling about the builders trousers are a god send as so often I'll drop to a knee for an image and one doesn't worry on brambles or worse blackthorn or any other sharp stuff

I dunno mate some of this might be of use it is off topic but wildlife is on off splits of second chances,being physically comfy really helps it can in some extrememes be the difference between something to edit and nothing;)
 
:plusone: for the joint protection - you may not think you need it now but when you reach "a certain age", you'll look back and think "Why didn't I..."
 
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