Getting started in hunting.

okedoke

Hi all
complete newbie here, so looking for som every basic information. I'd like to get into shooting, deer probably, over the next year or two.
In terms of shooting experience I've shot clays a few times and a rifle at a range, so very little really.
I was thinking the best route to go down would be joining a rifle range for a year or so, buy a relatively low calibre rifle with a view to attaining a level of proficiency in shooting and then progress to a bigger calibre rifle for shooting deer. I know virtually nothing about this whole area and I have a few questions.
- Is it easy to join a rifle shooting range and once a member is it straight forward to get a licence?
- What would a suitable rifle be for a beginner to learn the sport?
- How do you go about getting permission to shoot deer, particularly in say Kerry/Cork/Tipperary?

Thanks

okedoke

endasmail

okedoke wrote: »

Hi all
complete newbie here, so looking for som every basic information. I'd like to get into shooting, deer probably, over the next year or two.
In terms of shooting experience I've shot clays a few times and a rifle at a range, so very little really.
I was thinking the best route to go down would be joining a rifle range for a year or so, buy a relatively low calibre rifle with a view to attaining a level of proficiency in shooting and then progress to a bigger calibre rifle for shooting deer. I know virtually nothing about this whole area and I have a few questions.
- Is it easy to join a rifle shooting range and once a member is it straight forward to get a licence?
- What would a suitable rifle be for a beginner to learn the sport?
- How do you go about getting permission to shoot deer, particularly in say Kerry/Cork/Tipperary?

Thanks

okedoke

theres nothing straight forward when it comes to shooting and getting licenses
suggest ya do a bit of homework and ring the ranges and find out wots required
a .22 would be a suitable place to start off with
couldn tell ya how bout getting permission in kerry etc
guessing ya would have to find out where they are first{the deer}

elius

I bought myself a .22wmr to learn on.. First rifle and to be honest its still gives me the jitters evey now and then... In my opinion best start small and work up.. (Ya dont jump into the deep end when you cant swim)... Best get a rifle licence etc join a range, shot some vermin crows, fox, rabbits and take it from there....

Cass

okedoke wrote: »

..........................................
-Is it easy to join a rifle shooting range and once a member is it straight forward to get a licence?....................

Yes and no. The application for most ranges is easy enough. Just fill out a form, inform them of the firearms you intend to use, get one or two member to put your name forward, pay your fee and you off. Problem is alot of clubs are closing the books on membership for the moment due to the high number of new applicants trying to join in order to retain their firearms by being quoted as a member of a rifle/pistol club. Gun clubs as a rule are game clubs only so do not have the same sanctions imposed as rifle/pistol ranges as they would not have the same facilities as the ranges. Gun clubs generally only take members from the areas they shoot in. Mine does anyway, plus we have a list of potential new members and each year at our AGM when a position becomes available we take from the list of names and once they have been put forward by a member and seconded by another they are in. (i'm a member of both a game club and rifle/pistol club. great for insurance and maintaining all aspects of shooting i.e. hunting and target work)

- What would a suitable rifle be for a beginner to learn the sport?

To start of shooting i would advise a .22lr. Its a great starter rifle with little to no recoil and nowhere near as dangerous as a centrefire for beginners. The main feature of the .22 is you can shoot 50 and 100 yards with it and learn how to use the rifle, load it, hold it and learn (from club members) what is or is not a safe shot. More than the experience of shooting is the advice lads at a club can give. You will learn more from their mistakes than shooting on your own in a field. Plus its cheap as chips to get started. A standard CZ .22lr starts at €400 (new). Mounts and a scope (basic one) will cost about €300. Ammo €4.50 per box (50).

There is no reason you cannot go for a centrefire (.220 swift, 22-250, .223) if you want. My advice would be go to a range and look at the lads firing rifles like these. See how the gun fires and look at recoil, posture etc. Only draw back is cost. These rifles start around €1000. Scopes have to be of a higher quality as they need to withstand the recoil of the rifle. Ammo is roughly €36 - €42 per box (20).

- How do you go about getting permission to shoot deer, particularly in say Kerry/Cork/Tipperary?

Go to the NPWS website and download an application form for deer shooting ( http://www.npws.ie/en/media/NPWS/Publications/Legaldocs/Media,3684,en.pdf ). Its only 1 page (2 with the instruction/cover page) Before this you must have land to shoot on and written consent of the land owners to shoot on their land. Copies of these permission slips must be attached to your application. They will also need the calibre of the rifle you intend to use and a brief history of any previous licences or stalking experience. The minimum calibre for deer stalking is 22-250. However more and more lads are using 243 as minimum calibre as the round allows for a more humane kill of the animal. I myself use a 6.5x55 but am waiting on my new 30-06.

Once you have the permissions of the land owners and your licence and gun you are good to shoot. I have never shot in Kerry but i do know that Kerry (and Cavan i think) have strict guidelines in relation to deer stalking that do not apply to the rest of the state. You may want to check with the NPWS regional office before seeking permission from land owners there.

clivej

I'm into my second season of shooting. I started with a pump action shotgun and 22lr. Sold the shotgun as I didn't have the same fun as with the 22lr. The 22lr is good to learn with as it needs careful aiming over the different distances to hit your target.
AND cheap as chips to run, you can shoot all day long without breaking the bank, you can fire a couple hundred rounds in a day easy.
CZ 22lr Style @500, scope and mounts to get started @€;150, ammo €4 box of 50. Present prices.

I now have a 223, from November 08, and like it BUT no way will I shoot a hundred rounds in a sitting @€;15 - €28 a box of 20 rounds.
CZ varmint @€;1300, scope and mounts @€;600-€800 Present prices.

I started stalking proper this year in Kerry, where you can't shoot Red Stags, but my gun license was held up but is on the way, so only shooting with a broom handle for now.
Sako 75 308 second hand @€;800 (new Sako 85 €1800) , scope and mounts @€;800-€1000, ammo €28ish a box of 20 rounds. Deer stalking rights €300 - €2500 or more.

So there you have it in a nutshell. Get one or two farmers permissions to shoot/hunt on their lands, FREE shooting, get a 22lr to use and have fun.

okedoke

Thanks lads, tips appreciated.
I think the best route to go down would be join a rifle range, get a 22lr or similar as suggested and try to get permission to shoot rabbits etc on farm land. Is it generally difficult to get permission to shoot on farmers land, if you're not from his area (I live in Cork city)? I'm thinking it would be a lot easier to say no than yes when a stranger asks to shoot on your land.
I won't be doing anything for the time being because I live in a rented house, from which I'll be moving over the next year.

OD

elius

Best bet might be to join a rifle range.. Though speak to family and friends that might no farmers etc...

clivej

I found most of the farmers I asked happy enough to allow me shoot over their lands.

Just make sure you get insurance to cover you for shooting. It's cheap.

okedoke

Thanks lads
another question. Does anyone know if you're likely to get a licence for a rifle (say .22) if you live in a rented house in the city. From reading previous posts I see that you need to have a gun safe bolted to the wall, this would be a problem in a rented house obviously.

foxshooter243

okedoke wrote: »

Thanks lads
another question. Does anyone know if you're likely to get a licence for a rifle (say .22) if you live in a rented house in the city. From reading previous posts I see that you need to have a gun safe bolted to the wall, this would be a problem in a rented house obviously.

You will require a gunsafe securely mounted to a permanent structure in your home to keep a 22 lr or any other rifle for that matter, so your going to have to check out can you fit it with the owners consent. The fact that you are renting the house, or that the house is in the city would have little or no bearing on the super granting you a licence but the security issue definitley will have a bearing-so thats a problem that youll have to solve;).
By my reckoning, its possible to fit a gunsafe securely and on leaving the premises, very easy to mend any disfigurement you have caused to the house. as the marines say"adapt and overcome":D:D

okedoke

foxshooter243 wrote: »

You will require a gunsafe securely mounted to a permanent structure in your home to keep a 22 lr or any other rifle for that matter, so your going to have to check out can you fit it with the owners consent. The fact that you are renting the house, or that the house is in the city would have little or no bearing on the super granting you a licence but the security issue definitley will have a bearing-so thats a problem that youll have to solve;).
By my reckoning, its possible to fit a gunsafe securely and on leaving the premises, very easy to mend any disfigurement you have caused to the house. as the marines say"adapt and overcome":D:D

Thanks Foxshooter, will have a think about it
okedoke

foxshooter243

okedoke wrote: »

Thanks Foxshooter, will have a think about it
okedoke

Dont think man! Act!:D:D

pmac3978

Hey all,
I am also new to shooting. Where in cork can you buy a rifle?

Cass

Try this link for a list of dealers. http://wiki.boards.ie/wiki/Gun_Dealers

poulo6.5

okedoke wrote: »

Hi all
complete newbie here, so looking for som every basic information. I'd like to get into shooting, deer probably, over the next year or two.
In terms of shooting experience I've shot clays a few times and a rifle at a range, so very little really.
I was thinking the best route to go down would be joining a rifle range for a year or so, buy a relatively low calibre rifle with a view to attaining a level of proficiency in shooting and then progress to a bigger calibre rifle for shooting deer. I know virtually nothing about this whole area and I have a few questions.
- Is it easy to join a rifle shooting range and once a member is it straight forward to get a licence?
- What would a suitable rifle be for a beginner to learn the sport?
- How do you go about getting permission to shoot deer, particularly in say Kerry/Cork/Tipperary?

Thanks

okedoke

hi there , okedoke. i only started shooting a few years ago myself and i learn something new with every shot i take. its an on going process and if you are like me you will enjoy every bit of it. i started off with a second hand cz .22 wmr , its a nice round to start with and you can shoot anything up to and including Mr.fox . the gun incl. scope, safe, bag and a couple of box of bullets cost me €500. i got this gun before it was a requirement to do a proficency course [€20] so no hassel getting the licence . it took 3 months or so for it to come back to me with a few phone calls along the way so as to keep the pressure on . i had many a night out till all hours lamping foxes and bunny's with that gun. since then i got myself a steyr pro hunter 6.5x55 for deer stalking [very powerfull round]. i got it at the end of last year's season after waiting a year and a half for it, a lot of hoops to jump threw including a visit from sgt. sherlock of the crime prevention unit [nice man] . so i spent all last year getting to know how to use it before i got to shoot my first deer there a couple off weeks ago, and two more since then. very tasty! i also have a cz .22lr that i changed the .22wmr for and a shot gun which is good crack but i prefer the rifle's. oh ya not to for get my favourite gun of all: my tika t3 tactical .223. very accurate and a joy to shoot , and you can be sure that whatever you hit with it is stopped dead in its tracks:D

anyway to answer your question i would recommend you start with a nice .22lr its cheap and cheerfull and relatively safe, most ranges around the country are set up for .22lr shooting . i'm not a member of any range so can't recommend one.

to get permission; its just a case of knocking on doors in the right area . i shoot in south tipp area. plenty of the animals around.

i spend some time in killarney too and would like to know of any good spots are around there that i can check out.

buckshotbrolan

okedoke wrote: »

Thanks lads, tips appreciated.
I think the best route to go down would be join a rifle range, get a 22lr or similar as suggested and try to get permission to shoot rabbits etc on farm land. Is it generally difficult to get permission to shoot on farmers land, if you're not from his area (I live in Cork city)? I'm thinking it would be a lot easier to say no than yes when a stranger asks to shoot on your land.
I won't be doing anything for the time being because I live in a rented house, from which I'll be moving over the next year.

OD

Hi its hard allright to get permission to shoot, it has taken me a long time to get friendly with farmers down my way and had a few knock backs, but it was worth the wait! Find it best to drive round abit find a suitible place and start knocking on doors! Tell them what ya want to do, offer free pest control get some insurance and most will be more than happy to help ya. Tis hard getting started,im in the Cork area so give us a pm if ur having trouble!