Just Starting

Kells...

Hi lads im usually a lurker but i would like to get started hunting so what do i need please no smartasses i live in the inner city but can drive to wicklow thanx in advanced

Tackleberrywho

TroutFisher wrote: »

Hi lads im usually a lurker but i would like to get started hunting so what do i need please no smartasses i live in the inner city but can drive to wicklow thanx in advanced

A lurker?do you mean Lurcher?

Hunting of what, with what?

bazza888

lurker as in he doesnt post stays in the shadows see whats going on ithink thats what he means tack!

Kells...

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

A lurker?do you mean Lurcher?

Hunting of what, with what?

Im mean a lurker of the the forum and probably foxes and pigeons I know the basics like the licences and gun safe but what gun to use

Cass

Necessities:

1. License for a firearm
2. Competency course
3. Firearm
4. Extras
5. Gun Safe
6. 2 x Land permissions (to shoot on)
7. Insurance (for landowners peace of mind)

Extras:

1. Membership to club
2. Shooting buddies (to help you get started and show you the ropes)

Necessities explained.

• You can get the application (FCA1) for a firearms license here. You need to fil it out completely and give in landpermissions, photos, GP details, 2 referrees (people that can vouch for you), gun details, source and previous experience, if any.
• Competency courses are mandatory for those that have not held a firearms license for a particular type of firearm. So whether it be a shotgun or rifle if you have not been licensed or held one before you will need to do one of these courses. Details of such courses can be gotten from the MNSCI website, or NARGC website to name a few.
• Which type of firearm are you interested in. Shotgun, rifle. Look around, or visit ranges to get an idea od the different tyoes and models available. Then shop around. Do not buy from the first shop you come a cross and never overlook second hand. They are often in as good a condition as new and come complete (as in rifle, scope, mounts, etc).
• Never forget if buying a rifle you must not overlook the extras that must come with it. Mounts, rings, case, bipod, ammo, etc are all needed and will cost money so factor these into your budget.
• A gun safe is always a requirement in my book. For a single shotgun a safe may not be necessary however i would suggest buying one anyway. Shows you are serious and security conscious.
• Regardless of the hunting you are doing you will need permission letter from 2 landowners allowing you to shoot on their lands. This is a minimum and a must have.
• Although not a requirment you will find more landowners willing to give you permissions if you have your own insurance. Look into this. Details can be gotten from IFA or Countryside Alliance.

Extras Explained:

• Membership to a gun club will provide you with insurance, experienced shooters to go with and learn from plus and introduction to locals, farmers and hunting in general. Worth looking into. Also if you have membership to a club then the land permission letters from the landowners is not needed.
• As mentioned before i discourage new shooters from going out alone. For both a safety reason but also from a learning perspective. For that reason if you cannot get membership to a club why not bring out an experienced shooter or two with you. Learn from them and watch for how they conduct themselves.

Any other questions feel free to ask and hope you get started. Its a great sport and thoroughly enjoyable.

Kells...

Nice one I have the general idea and a couple of mates that hunt.Does life insurance cover you if something unfortunate happens

Tackleberrywho

TroutFisher wrote: »

Nice one I have the general idea and a couple of mates that hunt.Does life insurance cover you if something unfortunate happens

Life Assurance and Third party Insurance do you mean?

Third party Public liability means if you injury someone or thing the Insurance Company will compensate.

Kells...

Haven't got public liabillity but have the other two.I was in the army many moons ago so know how to handle a gun but don't know anywhere that sells them

Tackleberrywho

TroutFisher wrote: »

Haven't got public liabillity but have the other two.I was in the army many moons ago so know how to handle a gun but don't know anywhere that sells them

http://irishguntrader.openseason.ie/
Here is a place to get a guide price etc

www.shoot.ie

Must Registered Firearms Dealers have no website though with prices listed.
Having served in the army may not exclude you doing a civie safety course as there are a few differences.
I have done both so I can confirm that as fact.

No harm to do a course in your area as you may get to meet like minded individuals in your area and bring a social aspect to it

Cass

TroutFisher wrote: »

.......... but don't know anywhere that sells them

Here is a fairly comprehensive list of dealers, or at least enough to get you started.

jap gt

ezridax your first post is excellent, i think that should be made a sticky or added to the red writing link, i know when i was starting info like that would have been very helpful

Kells...

jap gt wrote: »

ezridax your first post is excellent, i think that should be made a sticky or added to the red writing link, i know when i was starting info like that would have been very helpful

+1 for that helped me out alot

Kells...

I live in the inner city so would near scumbags would that affect it in any way

kildare.17hmr

The local super may ask for extra security measures to be put in place but its up to him. For 1 rifle the minimum requirement is a safe but he may ask for an alarm also. best person to ask this would be the local gard who deals with licences, ring the station and they'll put ya on to him

johngalway

TroutFisher wrote: »

I live in the inner city so would near scumbags would that affect it in any way

Possibly, Kildare is right, best to go in and sound out the local Firearms Officer first. A safe is a good idea at minimum though it's not always required for a shotgun, it gives good piece of mind. Seperate safe, or internal ammo safe is a handy thing to have for ammo/bolts/valuable stuff like range finder.

Tackleberrywho

TroutFisher wrote: »

I live in the inner city so would near scumbags would that affect it in any way

He may ask you to install the works as probability of a robbery is higher, just like if you try and insure a car in your area Vs leitrim the premium will differ as the risk is different.

So a monitored alarm may be called for "eg Eircom phonewatch or similar"

Basically all the security you can muster, however don't do anything until you are told what is required!by your local FO

That way you could save a fortune, I'm guessing in Inner city you have alarm already anyway!

Kells...

Ye I have eircom phonewatch already

Tackleberrywho

TroutFisher wrote: »

Ye I have eircom phonewatch already

Then a safe is no real load to carry, €100 and you have one, bolt it to a wall in a room where there is limited access, some use chimney breasts but this can cause damp hot chimney/cold safe.

If you have a broom closet in there. put a good BS standard lock on the door and the FO should be more than happy if it is just a shotty.

AFAIK there is some form of DF Club that shoot in the mountains.
You should try looking that up, might know a few lads in it.