Some very basic questions

Odysseus

Hi All, I was hoping somebody might answer some very basic questions around hunting with an air rifle. I currently have a Gamo viper max .22 and from the research I have done it seems that I should be able to go for rabbits, crows and pigeon at a max of 40yrds.

I have been watching the pigeon decpying thread, would six decoys be enough to start with. Can anyone recommend what type of hide to get, or is it just a case of getting some netting and poles? If so any idea on average cost?

I have shot a few rabbits in Spain where a mate of mine has some land, and as I won't be lamping I'm guessing around dawn is the best time to go in search of rabbits?

I was thinking of getting a hide and using some bait to attrach crows, however, I thought I saw a crow caller at my dealers the other day, same type of thing as use for ducks. Am I correct in thinking these things exist, would that work with some bait/

I have the gun 2 months now but have been focusing on hitting targets in order to make sure my aim is right, I'm doing well at 40yrds so I'm thinking of trying out for some live targets.

I have only been using one field all the time and I think I ready to check out the rest of the lands that I have permission for.

I realise that I'm very limited with the .22 and I hope to go for a O/U later on in the year. However, any tips on starting off with the air rifle are much apprecitated.

Cheers,

gameshotpro

from what i know you cant hunt with an air rifle in ireland

Sparks

I keep seeing people say this gamespot, but where's the law that prohibits shooting rabbits with an air rifle? (Note; not wildfowl, not deer, just rabbits).

Odysseus

Leaving aside the rabbits for the moment, I'm correct in saying its legal to shot, pigeon, crows and magpies with a air rifle, is that so?

I know quite a few hunt rabbits in the UK with them, and I have seen some pics here on the photo thread of some taken with a aif rifle. However, my FO was too impressed when I told him that I wanted to go after rabbits. He reckoned they wouldn't have the stopping power. Yet I have taken them out cleanly in Spain at 30yrds.

Odysseus

Can anybody tell me it this act allows me to shoot rabbits, crows, magpies and pigeons with the air rifle, I can't make sense of it

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0039/sec0033.html#zza39y1976s33

I just very confused about it, I got the rifle mostly for target suff in near by fields, as I got better I was hoping to do a small bit of hunting. However, I just lost with where I stand at the moment.

Cheers

gameshotpro

Sparks wrote: »

I keep seeing people say this gamespot, but where's the law that prohibits shooting rabbits with an air rifle? (Note; not wildfowl, not deer, just rabbits).

Ok sorry, i thought you couldnt shoot any wild bird or mammal with an air rifle, and personally i wouldnt, thats only my opinion:D

Odysseus

I managed to get to speak to the FO tonight, he said I was fine for rabbits, but any bird with a rifle regardless of air or other type is a no-no.

I was asking him about me being no longer able to target shoot on private land, he reckoned it was the first he heard about. Anyway he said I could just tick the other box where it talks about ranges, and add a letter explaining.

However, I think I will just tick the box for hunting [rabbits] where the new application comes around.

bunnybuster

Ive always shot rabbits with air rifle,when in england was with a theoben rapid, have a mk 2 now hear in ireland and as your not restricted on power hear like you are in england that make excellent guns for shooting rabbits. Power has to be under 12 ft lbs in uk the one i have hear is 40ft lbs.
They are also realy good for shooting pidgeons around grain stores as less likely to damage buildings

Erk

Hi,bunnybuster,
Could you tell me the air rifle you have as it is 40ft/lbs which is some power for an air rifle. & where did you get it and make please. Thanks,
Erk:D

airy-fairy

It's fine to use an air rifle for rabbits and rats. And if you mention it in your application you can use it on ferals etc around feed sheds and grain stores. Which has to be some of the most satisfying shooting ever. Except maybe for rats...

A regular sub 12ft lb gun is fine inside 30m. But to give a little more range or to be more precise to give you a flatter shooting gun something over 20 ft lbs is the job. I have a Theoben MFR FAC which does between 22 and 30 depending where you set it. Theoben must be one of the very best PCP airrifle makers going.

Gamo etc are fine as a starter (I started with a cf 30) but to be honest once you get into it you end up wanting the best you can afford. The great thing about the MK 2 or MFR is the power without any form of recoil and they be silenced very effectively. The silencer is integral to the MFR so you need no extra letter in the application which is handy.

In any case if you can reliably hit you targets at 40 m you are more than ready to try for a rabbit.