Starting out

Khannie

So....this is gonna be a bit vague, but please bear with me.

I believe that if you're willing to eat meat, you should be willing to kill it. I'm interested in hunting some rabbits. I'd like to take the youngfella with me. He's interested too. After (hopefully) killing the rabbit I'd like to make a tasty meal with it.

Here are the things that are in my way:

1) I have no rifle
2) I know nothing about rifles
3) I am probably a terrible shot
4) I know very little about skinning / gutting a rabbit
5) I know nothing about the laws surrounding hunting / gun ownership
6) I know nothing about how to hunt rabbits (but I see another thread on here with hints and tips that looks really good)

So here are my questions:
Where could I go to learn about rifles?
Is it possible to rent a rifle?
Are there any shooting ranges in north county dublin where I could practice?
Any other links or advice would be most welcome.

Vegeta

Hey Khannie, welcome, here is a rough guide on how to get into the sport of shooting

• Contact your local club (or the closest one to local)
• GO and have a look and check out the equipment they use
• Maybe have a go under the tuition of someone who is experienced
• Make an informed decision on what type of firearm would suit your needs
• You need a valid reason to own a firearm, target shooting or hunting, so you will probably need to join a range and/or get permission from a few landowners or join a hunting gun club.
• Go to or ring a few firearms dealers to get the best price for that type of firearm
• Place a deposit on the firearm
• Bring your proof of purchase (which will have firearms info and serial number) along with your range membership and landowners permission to the local Garda Station.
• Ask for the Garda who deals with firearms license applications.
• Fill out the forms.
• The Superintendent may ask you to put in security measures. You may get a visit from a Crime Prevention Officer to access your home and make security recommendations. These include safes, alarms, secure doors and windows etc.
• Make these changes and then wait for the paper work to be completed.

Basically you are asking all the right questions, here is a link to some ranges in the country, pick one that you think is suitable, go and have a look, see if you like the place and people. Ask can you rent a rifle and shoot.

In terms of rifle, if you want to shoot bunnies a .22lr is a great rifle to start with. The rifles are relatively cheap (especially second hand), the ammo is extremely cheap compared to other rifles (about 6-7 euro for 50 rounds depending on firearms dealer and brand etc).

Basically just try and get some range time and see if its for you. Above all its a safe environment and you don't have to spend a fortune to see if you like the sport.

Khannie

Great post. Thanks a million. Really appreciate it. Looks like there's a target shooting club not far from me.

Vegeta

Khannie wrote: »

Great post. Thanks a million. Really appreciate it. Looks like there's a target shooting club not far from me.

Good stuff let us know how you get on or if we can help further

Jonty

you could snare a rabbit?

Khannie

Hadn't really considered that tbh. Are there reasonably humane ways to snare a rabbit? Would a farmer let you set a snare on his land? I'd be a bit concerned about unintentionally snaring something else (that I didn't want to eat for example).

stevoman

great post there veg. you should look about putting something like that on a sticky!

stevoman

Jonty wrote: »

you could snare a rabbit?

yes its legal but IMO you put the rabbit through unnessecary pain and distress, plus that distress certainly will taint the taste of the meat!

Vegeta

stevoman wrote: »

great post there veg. you should look about putting something like that on a sticky!

Yeah I know

clivej

Vegeta wrote: »

Yeah I know

Or the Hunting "TIPs" section and redirect to it from here

stevoman

Vegeta wrote: »

Yeah I know

i just seen the tips sticky..... i feel like quite the fool:cool:

Khannie

stevoman wrote: »

i just seen the tips sticky..... i feel like quite the fool:cool:

Mise freisin.

Vegeta

Khannie wrote: »

Mise freisin.

There's no problem folks, just happy to help.

Does everyone read every charter/sticky on every forum they visit. I know I don't

pullandbang

Vegeta wrote: »

Does everyone read every charter/sticky on every forum they visit. I know I don't

Tut Tut! You ought to be ashamed of yourself...

That's a very bad example to all us minnions.:rolleyes: