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A motor matter

<strong>Q) I have bought a dory with an outboard motor which I want to use for wildfowling. I know it is illegal to shoot with the motor running, but do I have to remove it from the transom before I start to shoot? It is very heavy and takes up a lot of room in the boat. M. THOMPSON By email</strong>

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A) You are right that it is illegal to use a mechanically powered craft in immediate pursuit of wildfowl. However, when the motor is switched off, the boat becomes nothing more than a floating platform from which you may shoot quite legally. There is no requirement to remove the motor from the boat before shooting. However, if the water where you are moored or anchored is overlooked by members of the public, then you may wish to tilt the motor so that the propeller is raised out of the water, in order to avoid your actions being misinterpreted.