Shooting and Clays?

netwhizkid

Hello,

I am totally new to the hunting scene but today I think I got bitten by the big when I went hunting with my relation and his shotgun. We went up a mountain and deep into woods after foxes who have began killing his young lambs. Needless to say we got nothing and the weapon was not discharged, but during the hike I came across several rabbits, wood pigeon and greyback crows.

I have shot several guns but in the United States and my target was Coca Cola's finest tin cans!:D I wonder how difficult is it to acquire a rifle for shooting foxes and rabbits. My relation told me to get a house alarm and a guncase first as these are prerequisites.

I understand that things here are very regulated compared to the US when we were able to buy ammunition in a Walmart with the groceries.

I would be interested firstly in getting target practice and shooting clay pigeons and paper targets to hone my skills. I live in Kerry and Killarney is the closest place to me if that makes a difference. Must I first get Garda clearance or how does Clay pigeon shooting work? Could I just go in and pay so much and be given a gun and some training and shown how to shoot clays.

The countryside I was in is now littered with foxes and every lamb they kill is costing the farmer €100 and the economy €200 so I think it would be a nice sport to get involved in and meet new people and make new friends etc. In the US they have the NRA is there such associations here? If this is not allowed be discussed as per the €950 post charge then ignore.

Any help would be appreciated and I cant wait for the day when I eventually kill a red fox as they are the most cunning creatures and make a good foe for any hunter.

IRLConor

netwhizkid wrote: »

I wonder how difficult is it to acquire a rifle for shooting foxes and rabbits.

It's not particularly difficult if you have references from the owners of the land you're going to shoot on. Membership of a local gun club can be helpful too.

netwhizkid wrote: »

My relation told me to get a house alarm and a guncase first as these are prerequisites.

The first thing to do is talk to your local Gardai. Tell them what you want to do and they'll tell you what they'll require from you. The requirements differ from person to person and from district to district. I would advise against spending money until you know what you need.

Even if the Gardai don't require you to have a safe for your firearms it's probably a good idea to get one anyway. The last thing you want is some criminal getting his hands on your guns.

netwhizkid wrote: »

In the US they have the NRA is there such associations here?

Several. The NARGC would probably be the one most suited for your needs.

netwhizkid wrote: »

If this is not allowed be discussed as per the €950 post charge then ignore.

That rule there is to prevent the associations soapboxing and fighting. You have nothing to fear from it.

netwhizkid

IRLConor wrote: »

It's not particularly difficult if you have references from the owners of the land you're going to shoot on. Membership of a local gun club can be helpful too.



The first thing to do is talk to your local Gardai. Tell them what you want to do and they'll tell you what they'll require from you. The requirements differ from person to person and from district to district. I would advise against spending money until you know what you need.

Even if the Gardai don't require you to have a safe for your firearms it's probably a good idea to get one anyway. The last thing you want is some criminal getting his hands on your guns.



Several. The NARGC would probably be the one most suited for your needs.



That rule there is to prevent the associations soapboxing and fighting. You have nothing to fear from it.

Thanks very much, I will have a chat with my local guard about it anyways. I have my own family land (fathers) and relations land and alot of the shooting I might eventually do would be done on the home farm as a form of pest control ie. foxes. I don't know if there are any gun clubs around but it definitely sounds interesting and I think it would be the way to go for to share experiences and knowledge etc.

I am 22 so I wonder is there any clubs that are oriented towards younger shooters as the average gun fellow is about 40 and like Elmer Fudd:o.

Is there like a national register of Gun clubs so I could find out where is my nearest?

Quartet

netwhizkid wrote: »

Hello,

I am totally new to the hunting scene but today I think I got bitten by the big when I went hunting with my relation and his shotgun. We went up a mountain and deep into woods after foxes who have began killing his young lambs. Needless to say we got nothing and the weapon was not discharged, but during the hike I came across several rabbits, wood pigeon and greyback crows.

I have shot several guns but in the United States and my target was Coca Cola's finest tin cans!:D I wonder how difficult is it to acquire a rifle for shooting foxes and rabbits. My relation told me to get a house alarm and a guncase first as these are prerequisites.

I understand that things here are very regulated compared to the US when we were able to buy ammunition in a Walmart with the groceries.

I would be interested firstly in getting target practice and shooting clay pigeons and paper targets to hone my skills. I live in Kerry and Killarney is the closest place to me if that makes a difference. Must I first get Garda clearance or how does Clay pigeon shooting work? Could I just go in and pay so much and be given a gun and some training and shown how to shoot clays.

The countryside I was in is now littered with foxes and every lamb they kill is costing the farmer €100 and the economy €200 so I think it would be a nice sport to get involved in and meet new people and make new friends etc. In the US they have the NRA is there such associations here? If this is not allowed be discussed as per the €950 post charge then ignore.

Any help would be appreciated and I cant wait for the day when I eventually kill a red fox as they are the most cunning creatures and make a good foe for any hunter.

Firstly its nothing like the US here. Gun ownership is fairly strictly controlled

Being issued with a licence will depend what you intend to shoot, where you intend to shoot etc, age and membership of gun club and Local gardai

You must be of a specific age and of good character with no previous relevant infractions or relevant medical history.

For the majority of firearms you will be expected to also to have a proper gun cabinet, bolted to an interior bloc wall wall in a secure area and that will require inspection by the local gardai before you purchase your weapon.

Remember that a lot of lamb fox predation is on still born / dead & dying lambs with the foxs acting as scavangers.

Occasionally foxes wil take healthy lambs - but most experiebced ewes can easily best a fox (from my own experience)

You must have permission to shoot over land in Ireland and this will make up part of your application for a firearms licence. Just remember there is no guarantee that you will be issued with same esp if you are not known in a local area...

pullandbang

netwhizkid wrote: »

I would be interested firstly in getting target practice and shooting clay pigeons and paper targets to hone my skills. I live in Kerry and Killarney is the closest place to me if that makes a difference. Must I first get Garda clearance or how does Clay pigeon shooting work? Could I just go in and pay so much and be given a gun and some training and shown how to shoot clays.

Check out the ICPSA website - they are the governing body for clay shooting here. There is a clay pigeon club in Knocknagoshel, near Castleisland and The Country Haven club also in Kerry. Contact details are here

Good luck with the shooting whatever you decide to do.

netwhizkid

Quartet wrote:

Firstly its nothing like the US here. Gun ownership is fairly strictly controlled

Being issued with a licence will depend what you intend to shoot, where you intend to shoot etc, age and membership of gun club and Local gardai

You must be of a specific age and of good character with no previous relevant infractions or relevant medical history.

For the majority of firearms you will be expected to also to have a proper gun cabinet, bolted to an interior bloc wall wall in a secure area and that will require inspection by the local gardai before you purchase your weapon.

Remember that a lot of lamb fox predation is on still born / dead & dying lambs with the foxs acting as scavangers.

Occasionally foxes wil take healthy lambs - but most experiebced ewes can easily best a fox (from my own experience)

You must have permission to shoot over land in Ireland and this will make up part of your application for a firearms licence. Just remember there is no guarantee that you will be issued with same esp if you are not known in a local area...

Thanks for that, exactly I knew things were much more regulated over here, but never knew how much. Realistically it makes more sense to have it the way it is, there are people in the US with guns who should hardly get a box of matches.

As I say I will have a chat to the guard about it and see how it goes, my plan would be to join a gun club, get trained up, after a few months or a year make an application and see if I would be authorised to get the go ahead and then purchase the necessary gun cabinets etc. and when everything is eventually greenlighted eventually purchase the weapon.

Foxes would be my main quarry as I dislike them and so far they have killed 4 lambs in my relation since friday, one was a half twin and the rest were fine healthy lambs, so they do kill recklessly. On our expedition today we located a den of foxes but it appeared to be abandoned but the signs were obvious with a leg and traces of wool plus several fox droppings.

bunny shooter

Dislike foxes

I think they are beautiful creatures who deserve respect and admiration for being able to survive despite all the odds being stacked against them.

Don't get me wrong I shoot them myself BUT I only do so for sport and to control their numbers so that game gets a fair chance to breed and survive so I can see and shoot them too.

I think it would be a worse world without foxes