10790 Hunters Shooting Nearby Home

Luciam, you might want to look at this thread from a little while ago....there's some advice (from both sides of the fence!) It woudl be good to hear your expereinces & whether they were successful or not..

-> [url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/general-chat-about-italy/8759-hunting-season.html[/url]

[quote=tuscanhills;100926]Luciam, you might want to look at this thread from a little while ago....there's some advice (from both sides of the fence!) It woudl be good to hear your expereinces & whether they were successful or not..

-> [url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/general-chat-about-italy/8759-hunting-season.html[/url][/quote]

I've just re-read that whole thread - and if you are looking to stop hunters shooting near your place, the information [or lack of it] in the thread is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

It appears [from the thread] that there is little you can do, other than put up notices, shout rude words at hunters, and hope [and that's if its your land they are hunting on - if its someone else's land, you might as well get a second chocolate teapot]

Most of the thread seemed to be side tracked into shootings in London and animal cruelty [hunting, poisoning and rearing battery hens] etc etc

Has anyone had success in stopping this type of hunting? - if so, how?

Anyone wanting to talk about other [related?] topics - please start a new thread elsewhere.

.

I have to visit my local commune this week, will try and get more info from them.

When we lived in Torre del Lago, we rented a villetta close to the forest. My husband was in our driveway washing our car when a rain of buckshot fell on him. He confronted the hunter and asked him what he thought he was doing, only to have the hunter turn and walk away and head back into the woods without a word. We lived in a community full of houses all around. Seems like things haven't changed in 28 years!

You should find that the local commune has details of the areas that are prohibited to hunters - mostly within village/town boundaries, or parcs and reserves. Other than that, there is little that can be done. There are not the same laws regarding trespass as are found in the UK or the USA, so it can be difficult to comprehend why hunters act as they do by ignoring property boundaries as they sometimes do. In areas where hunters attract the most dislike, or where hunting is done by people from outside of the area (i.e. city folk), there are bound to be problems - problems for which there is no legal solution at present. Perhaps the only solution would be to become involved with local anti-hunting groups (yes, there are some) or, as we have done, get yourself a great big dog, or three - and erect a fence all the way around your property with "beware of the dogs" signs prominently displayed at regular intervals..

And wear bright orange on hunting days so you don't get mistaken for a wild boar.

Well it isnt economically viable to fence all our land and we only have 4 cats!, and it is difficult when you are hanging out the washing (on the terrace by the house) to have shot flying over your head, and I agree Alan that shouting is probably not the best option, especially at a man with a shotgun, but when you have been frightened and are angry, chasing him up the road and screaming seemed fine to me ... perhaps not in retrospect, but we havent seen him since,Oh and the screaming was in English and Italian so I guess he got the message.
NB. this is not how I normally behave (honest) and is probably not a good idea, so possibly dont try this at home!.
A

Just think as you are tucking into your fresh cinghiale at a local restaurant it may have been shot on your own doorstep.
Having grown up in Belfast in the 'good old days' the odd seasonal gunfire would probably make me feel at home.
NOT!

am not going to add much but i started a thread a while back

[url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/general-chat-about-italy/7382-big-hunter.html[/url]

it will most probably prove useful to those opposed to hunters on or near there homes...

have not looked at the link to the site in my posting for a while... hopefully for those that are concerned by what happens on their land it will have moved forward... anyway its as far as i know or was then one of the best info sites on your rights to be free of intrusive behaviour ...

however this to my mind has to be tempered by a balanced view on how you wished to be perceived locally

hopefully alan h will find the thread a bit more precise

I forgot that a friend of mine who has a holiday home in Ostuni told me that in his first year as an owner the hunters went off with his garden furniture, outside lights and basically anything that they could take.
He doesn't leave anything out now after the summer season ends.

Thanks for all the advice guys and gals. My husband wants to go to the carabinieri but not sure exactly what they can do. We figure it must be one of these farmers who live near us. I think if I talk to the gossipy woman of the group, (There are only 4 houses on our street) she will spread the word to the others. Gossip always works if you talk to the right person! Anyhow we have two small children and I too go outside for various reasons! We have no dogs but lots of lizards and no fence.:smile: Lucia [url=http://www.living-italy.blogspot.com]Living Italy[/url]

[quote=deborahandricky;100932]I have to visit my local commune this week, will try and get more info from them.[/quote]

I think I've posted the photo of the sign before, but this is the extent of the response from the Comune in my village to complaints from almost everyone about hunters in the area.

This sign (below), on a stable/store imediately behind my house just forbids the use of hunting [I][U]dogs[/U][/I] beyond that point. Immediately behind this small building is the mountain and about 400m higher is the start of the Oroibi National Park. Their only interest was in stopping dogs straying into [U]![/U] You can see from the second photo just how close the woods are and [I]that[/I] is where they hunt.

As far as I can remember, its illegal to fire a rifle within 150m of a dwelling. However loud the gunshot sounds, it is usually further away than you think.

My advice is to try and talk to the hunters first; give them a loud shout to warn them of your presence. Trying to invoke the Carabinieri is likely to alientate them and they can take revenge later. Last time this happened to us (we heard not only the shot, but gunshot raining down on our house and car) we complained to them politely, but assertively and they were very apologetic.

We had a group of hunters in the maize field next to our house after boar last week. Because the dog is always free, we got rather worried, but the local farmer whose field it was, stopped and said that they were all his friends and they knew about her and she would be alright. She just barked at them, which probably helped keep the boar localised, as they actually shot 15 in the day!!!

Italian country folk around here all say that a hunter on his own is a reasonable chap but a pack of them is quite another matter. When we bought our place our field was used by hunters who drove up and down it and in the first years we had problems. (I'm all for a good shout), until Beppe the Capo Cacciatore became our plumber. We are now invited to the "Hunt Ball" each July and are able to chat to the members of the squadra. Some people have a "Georgina" on their side, we have a Beppe

Hello There,
After reading this thread I just wanted to add my point of view as I am one of the only English hunters here in Italy.
Firstly I quite agree that any person with a gun shooting outside should always maintain theirs and others safety. The Italian hunting laws are quite clear that any hunter endangering another person or animal can have their hunting licence removed immediately and or pay a substantial fine.
Secondily Marc is right that a hunter can only fire his or hers weapon towards a house at a distance of 150 metres, but if they are firing away from a house then it is only 100 metres quite can seem very close.
If you do feel that there is reasonable cause for concern when hunters are nearby the easiest way to report it is to the Carabiniere who will have a complete list of hunters and squads in the area.
Although I would recommend that you think about the incident first and consider whether you or anyone else was actual under any threat of danger.
Normally most hunting areas are confined to isolated areas where there is immimal population.
Lastly I have now hunted for the last two years both in a squad and by myself and have never witnessed a single incident of a hunter endangering anyone else.

Youre not the only hunter. My hubbie goes very occasionally to try and catch a bird, which is apparently very good with tagliatelli.

We occasionally have the same problem with the hunters. The rules are 100m from the house and if they have their back to you 50m. Last Sunday the kids were down at the house while we up the hill picking olives!. The gun was shoot at less than 30m from the house and in proper Mum form went off telling them to get away from my house. (I did know them so they took in the well). I very jokingly pointed out that the kids are on their own there often (the kids have built a hideout where they were shooting) and they didn't want the responsibility oh harming a child to shoot a blackbird, not to mention my wrath. They laughed and moved on. However I know them all and they know me, so perhaps we had a friendlier conversation than others would possibly have. Plus we aren't newcomers. We have been coming here for 20 years so have history here.
I wouldn't contact the police because you'll antogise the situation and may find some dead cats or something. I think in generally the hunters are like this because these are a little obsessive about hunting and forget themselves. The hunters I know spend the whole waiting for the season to start, spend a fortune on it and life stops during the season. Boys will be boys. If you get the police involved you may get more problems than you want. Generally going around the situation is better in the long run.

Whilst I would agree that it is usually better to talk things through, if they are being really naughty "boys" and are acting in a dangerous and unlawful fashion, and talking doesnt resolve the situation then I would go to the police if pushed though it would be a last resort. I live here too and act within the law, why should the same rights of protection not be granted to me...just because I am English?.
A

It's got nothing to do with whether or not you are English, Angie. It can sometimes be an issue with the "English attitude" creating more problems than are necessary though, when it comes to making a complaint to the authorities about someone. Especially so if you don't know them or their local connections - if you follow me. The outcome can then only be tears for the "incomer" that is not, seemingly, making any effort to adopt local customs and ways in their new "adopted" country. Piano, piano should always be the way - never confrontation (unless you know each other well enough for a good old 'discussion', that is...

Did you actually read my post Nardini,? I said as a very last resort!, and I am fitting in here very nicely thank you, no tears just alot of friendly Italian neighbours and friends.I am sure you mean well really but just sometimes......!
A

[quote=Angie and Robert;101146]Did you actually read my post Nardini,? I said as a very last resort!, and I am fitting in here very nicely thank you, no tears just alot of friendly Italian neighbours and friends.I am sure you mean well really but just sometimes......!
A[/quote]Yes, I did Angie. I am making the point that it is not because you are English that you may feel alone in your complaints at times. You have to bear in mind that what you write is read by other people that may be interested in living in Italy - or are already here, feeling alone and unloved. To pander to the "everyone hates me because I'm English" type of reaction is not helpful to them. You, I know, are perfectly able to take care of yourself, Angie. However, there are those that are either struggling to come to terms with living in a "foreign" country - or are just happy to spread the feeling and fear that "foreign" is always bad and just plain "wrong". It is important, for them, that they appreciate that the sooner they adapt to Italy (rather than thinking that the other way around is a possibility), the sooner they will start the next chapter of their lives - either here, or back in Blighty. Nothing personal against you, Angie, at all.

[quote=il cacciatore;101115]Hello There,

Secondily Marc is right that a hunter can only fire his or hers weapon towards a house at a distance of 150 metres[/quote]

Is this for a rifle and a shotgun. I would feel highly uncomfortable if anyone was shooting toward my house with a rifle from 150m!

Thank you for your reply Nardini, but I dont feel alone here or misunderstood, perhaps I wasnt making myself clear, I dont really understand your comment re "pandering to the everyone hates me because I am English", what is that supposed to mean?, actually there is a tradition of Italians very much liking the English and it is something that Robert and I have discussed with Italian neighbours and friends here, some of whom hid English service men from the Nazis during the war (but thats another interesting story to be told). So as I am aware that this forum informs peoples feelings about Italy and the possibility of living here, I am sure that in the main there is no fear of being disliked and people can be reasurred should they have such fears. Its odd its something I had not considered to be a problem, and full integration is probably something I will never achieve, but for an example.
Friends and neighbours knew that Robert and I had to return to England ,very sick family and friend, and a difficult time, the support and concern we received on our departure and return was fantastic, it sounds a bit fuzzy (I am not normally overcome!) but it was liked being wrapped in a blanket of care, for us and our friend and sister. So to those who feel alittle lost I am sure that when you need it the same concern will be there for you.
A

Things don't work the same way here. People don't go to the police like they do in the UK. Its a case of understanding your environment and adapting to it.

Thank you, I have never had the need to go to the police in Enlgand, and no doubt will never have recourse here, I hope. But the talk about adapting gives a false message, are you saying that we should ignore violations of law to keep the "peace".? I think you are possibly being simplistic,I understand my Italy very well, it would not wish, a message of "everything is swept under the carpet"to be the guideline that is accepted...it is not.The sooner that attitute is removed the sooner we all move on.
A

[quote=Angie and Robert;101216]Thank you, I have never had the need to go to the police in Enlgand, and no doubt will never have recourse here, I hope. But the talk about adapting gives a false message, are you saying that we should ignore violations of law to keep the "peace".? I think you are possibly being simplistic,I understand my Italy very well, it would not wish, a message of "everything is swept under the carpet"to be the guideline that is accepted...it is not.The sooner that attitute is removed the sooner we all move on.
A[/quote]

I think, in all fairness, it's more a question of trying to solve a problem amicably between two parties - BEFORE involving any form of authority. I have a saying which has stood me in good stead for many years and in many difficult situations:
"Dialogue is the salvation of sanity". It really [I][U]is[/U][/I] in 99% of situations too... That does NOT mean that I support appeasement at any cost - because I don't! [I]That[/I] rarely solves disputes either.

It is [I]always[/I] worth at least trying to solve a problem amicably. Yes, it might mean a 'bit of give and take', and lack of this is often what scuppers any chance of a sensible and ultimately friendly solution these days.

I would far rather be able to say
"Well I did try to be friendly" - than stand up and yell "I'm calling the police - NOW!"

[LEFT]I'm not saying ignore/apease, whichever word you choose, but generally it is wiser to find another way to get your message across. I have always found that given the right situation and making the point correctly and a little comprise on all parts then a good solution can be found. In this case I would say that, particularly since the hunters are breaking the law, a quiet word to say you are not happy and they are behaving inappropriately should be enough. They will not want to lose their licenses. If you go in all guns blazing 'I'm going to the police' 'This is my land' type of conversation, will piss them off. It would piss me off, especially considering they have probably been hunting around there for years. [/LEFT]

[quote=darling;101245][LEFT]...If you go in all guns blazing 'I'm going to the police' 'This is my land' type of conversation, will piss them off...[/LEFT][/quote]
They might be pissed off, or they might just shrug and laugh at the stupid foreigner; hunters are legally entitled to go on to land owned by someone else in all but a very few circumstances

The same applies to people looking for wild-growing food and gathering fallen wood.

When you buy land in Italy, you do not acquire the right to exclusive access and use of the property. Italy does not have law on trespass similar to that in England. The Right to Roam legislation introduced in Scotland a few years back allows people there much more access to land owned by others, but the situation in Italy gives property owners even fewer rights than that.

I suspect that many people do not understand these facts when they buy land in Italy. Personally, I continue to find it difficult to accept that there's not a lot I can do if someone wants to have a wander around our land. However, as Nardini points out, me being irritated is not going to alter a fundamental point of Italian property law, so I have a choice of either getting annoyed about it, or learning to tolerate it.

As for hunters, my main thought when we see a clot of them standing around by the roadside at this time of year is that they always look like exactly the sort of chaps who would get pleasure from killing. It would be impolitic for me to say further here. We're fortunate in that the previous owner of our place had the land around it declared a no-hunting zone, so all we have to worry about is the noise of gunshots from hills all around about us. At times it does sound like a minor war is underway, but it's not too bad when the windows are shut.

Al

The point, as [B]Allan[/B] points out so well, is that when you are in Italy, you have to live according to Italian law. the fact that, as a Brit, you are used to all sorts of protections (an Englishman's home is his castle etc.) on your "own" land means not a thing here. The only thing getting upset about it will give you is a heart attack, so, relax. If you don't like it, I'm sure there is a nice place waiting for you in the Cotswolds, very cheaply at the moment!

.

[quote=Nardini;101268]The point, as Charles points out so well....[/quote]

Wasn't me! Honest guv - it must have been some other pontificating old git. :winki:

[quote=Charles Phillips;101270]Wasn't me! Honest guv - it must have been some other pontificating old git. :winki:[/quote]
I'm showing my age. Again! :bigergrin:

Us pontificating old gits must stick together, eh? I mean, as a way to keep alzheimers at bay, it is pretty effective ... So far ...

Sorry Allan. It was you, I know. Of course (am I allowed a quick "LOL" here, perhaps?).

:laughs:

This is an article from the Times online, about Boar Hunting in France. Seems quite similar to what goes on here, re vicinity to houses etc.
[url=http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com/charles_bremner/2008/11/the-french-art.html?OTC-widgets&ATTR=tolblogs]Charles Bremner - Times Online - WBLG: The French art of boar hunting[/url]

[quote=AllanMason;101258]

As for hunters, my main thought when we see a clot of them standing around by the roadside at this time of year is that they always look like exactly the sort of chaps who would get pleasure from killing. It would be impolitic for me to say further here. We're fortunate in that the previous owner of our place had the land around it declared a no-hunting zone, so all we have to worry about is the noise of gunshots from hills all around about us. At times it does sound like a minor war is underway, but it's not too bad when the windows are shut.

Al[/quote]

With regards to the above quote could you please tell me what that "look" of pleasure from killing is?
I'm a hunter here in Italy and find that quite offensive.
There are many reasons why people hunt throughout the world. I myself hunt to be self sufficent and would rather hunt and eat an animal that has lived freely then a animal battery farmed, pumped full of chemicals and then be driven to slaughter house where if lucky they are killed instantly whereas normally are butchered whilst still alive.
Hunting if carried out to current legisation does not distrurb the eco system and ensures a clean and instant death of the animal in question.
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