hunting in the snow

ferrete

was thinking about going out a run with the shotgun tomorrow and wonderin what is the best thing that i could hunt in the snow????

pinkyfluff

use the cold weather to clear some vermin mags/greys /foxes they extra hungry in this weather and loose bite of there fear of humans take advantage of it as the gamebirds cud do with feedin and woodcock struggle in these conditions and make for poor sport mate as they slugish

Invincible

pinkyfluff wrote: »

use the cold weather to clear some vermin mags/greys /foxes they extra hungry in this weather and loose bite of there fear of humans take advantage of it as the gamebirds cud do with feedin and woodcock struggle in these conditions and make for poor sport mate as they slugish

Well said!

Odysseus

Mostly frost in my area, I was planning on heading out at first light for a few bunnies, would the frost make a difference?

Birdnuts

Snowcover certainly makes tracking ones quarry easier for obvious reasons!!

Odysseus

Birdnuts wrote: »

Snowcover certainly makes tracking ones quarry easier for obvious reasons!!

Yeah but would they not be more inclined to be heading for cover? If you get my point?

patsat

I stalked deer last year in the snow... Easy out in the open where you can track them but once I got into the Forrest it was impossible with all the frozen leaves on the ground.. It was like walking on a bag of taytos!

Tackleberrywho

Odysseus wrote: »

Yeah but would they not be more inclined to be heading for cover? If you get my point?

Deer are very easy track if it has snowed, but not currently snowing
Yes, If it is snowing, no different than rain, most animals will go to cover.

In normal conditions, muck is the only place that gives good foot prints

garv123

snarted snowing lastnight bout 4 here and its coming down fairly heavy still now. earliest ive ever remembered snow down ere near the cost of dungarvan in waterford

kildare.17hmr

your some man for the pics tak!

The frost last night in my place was like a sheet of snow, shot a fox that was in the long grass, he managed to run about 20 yards leavin a trail of blood my granda could follow without his glases! Would prob not have found him in the long grass if it wasnt so white out

Tackleberrywho

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

your some man for the pics tak!

The frost last night in my place was like a sheet of snow, shot a fox that was in the long grass, he managed to run about 20 yards leavin a trail of blood my granda could follow without his glases! Would prob not have found him in the long grass if it wasnt so white out

I always take pics when out stalking/Hunting.
Build up a reccord of good spots and what time of year is good.

My little black book:D

jap gt

bit of snow around here, so i just filled up four feeders and il give the game a day off tomorrow if there is snow on the ground and head after fox instead

Odysseus

I has been ill for a whilse so I haven't been around here a lot, part of it includes very poor sleep, was awake at 2 last nigh. But I;m a good bit better now, so I stayed up waiting for first light. I took the .17 for bunnies and the 12g for hare with me at 7 this morning. I have never came back empty handed from the land I was using.

I seen nothing out on the ground, would this be the cold?


Edit: no snow, got a lot of hail but it was dam cold out

Tackleberrywho

Odysseus wrote: »

I has been ill for a whilse so I haven't been around here a lot, part of it includes very poor sleep, was awake at 2 last nigh. But I;m a good bit better now, so I stayed up waiting for first light. I took the .17 for bunnies and the 12g for hare with me at 7 this morning. I have never came back empty handed from the land I was using.

I seen nothing out on the ground, would this be the cold?


Edit: no snow, got a lot of hail but it was dam cold out

In my experience, Just after a day of rain when the sun peaks out is the best time to get a shot at a bunny, as they have been in all day so they are hungry and less observant than usual.

patsat

I was out after deer dis evenin... And god was in freezin! My hands and face were nearly numb!

Only deer out was a sika stag bout a 6 pointer... Hopin to get him tomorrow mornin! There wa a very cold breeze so I reckon dey were saying in out of it..

Seen a load of pheasants out in the fields, so I reckon there wouldn't have been much sport shooting them today.

MarkD.

Bit off topic but if it goes below a certain degrees is it true that all shooting is banned? and if so what can happen and is it the guards that enforce the rule/law? Just want to clear this up

clivej

MarkD. wrote: »

Bit off topic but if it goes below a certain degrees is it true that all shooting is banned? and if so what can happen and is it the guards that enforce the rule/law? Just want to clear this up

I don't think its the tempreture but the amount of days that the harsh conditions continues in one spell. Its to give the animals a chance to keep their strength up. Last year it was done for the small game but not for the deer (I could be wrong on that last bit about the deer they could have been included.)

Odysseus

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

In my experience, Just after a day of rain when the sun peaks out is the best time to get a shot at a bunny, as they have been in all day so they are hungry and less observant than usual.

Cheers tack, I'll remember that one. I was suprised that I didn't even see a hare, usually that area is covered with them, must have sought cover

sikastag

clivej wrote: »

I don't think its the tempreture but the amount of days that the harsh conditions continues in one spell. Its to give the animals a chance to keep their strength up. Last year it was done for the small game but not for the deer (I could be wrong on that last bit about the deer they could have been included.)

I think it was waterfowl that applied to last winter, ground and water frozen so seriously limited their feeding. As you said, it was where there was a spell of harsh weather. Plenty of opportunity to catch up with vermin though. Wheeled a few foxes at the back of the house no less, some right beside the pens. With a bit of hunger they got very boisterous. Found the deer sat tight till there was a decent break in the weather, sunshine brought them out. Its amazing how quiet it can get if your out and it starts snowing heavy, everything seems to lie low, not even birds singing. Very quiet.

MarkD.

clivej wrote: »

I don't think its the tempreture but the amount of days that the harsh conditions continues in one spell. Its to give the animals a chance to keep their strength up. Last year it was done for the small game but not for the deer (I could be wrong on that last bit about the deer they could have been included.)

I'll start another thread and see what others say

ferrete

so does anyone have advice on what to hunt with the scatter gun in the snow

Tackleberrywho

ferrete wrote: »

so does anyone have advice on what to hunt with the scatter gun in the snow

Grey Crows and Magpies!
Especially around cattle ring feeders

DonnchaMc

Does the normal camo gear work in the snow or do fellas have different colour camo for it?

Little of topic I know but it didnt seem worth a new thread

garv123

DonnchaMc wrote: »

Does the normal camo gear work in the snow or do fellas have different colour camo for it?

Little of topic I know but it didnt seem worth a new thread

just an idea:rolleyes::rolleyes:

DonnchaMc

garv123 wrote: »

just an idea:rolleyes::rolleyes:

If it works it wouldnt be a bad idea either hahaha

Eddie B

garv123 wrote: »

just an idea:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Umpa lumpa dumpadi do, i've got another puzzle for you!!:D:D:p

garv123

DonnchaMc wrote: »

If it works it wouldnt be a bad idea either hahaha

so whos going to volunteer to look like a tit and see if it works :rolleyes:

good logs...

looks like your going raveing in the 90s wheres your whistle...

garv123

good logs... wrote: »

looks like your going raveing in the 90s wheres your whistle...

dont worry its not me :D

DonnchaMc

garv123 wrote: »

dont worry its not me :D

Not you, ya right hahaha

garv123

DonnchaMc wrote: »

Not you, ya right hahaha

maybe in 20 years time:rolleyes:

good logs...

out last night with the dogs....Just walking a cross the fields is bad and the noise (crunch crunch crunch) :mad::mad::mad:

clivej

DonnchaMc wrote: »

Does the normal camo gear work in the snow or do fellas have different colour camo for it?

Little of topic I know but it didnt seem worth a new thread

I find this camo works well in the snow

beanie10

May semm like a stupid question but is it illegal shoot pheasant or hare with rifle.

terminator2

depends wheather you are snowbound or not i guess

Tackleberrywho

beanie10 wrote: »

May semm like a stupid question but is it illegal shoot pheasant or hare with rifle.

Neither GAME animals can be shot with a rifle.
Shotgun for Male Pheasant and Hare in Season ONLY.

DonnchaMc

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Neither GAME animals can be shot with a rifle.
Shotgun for Male Pheasant and Hare in Season ONLY.

Why is it illegal 2use a rifle?

garv123

when is the hare season? we never shoot hare because the fella i shoot with said its illegal?

DonnchaMc

garv123 wrote: »

when is the hare season? we never shoot hare because the fella i shoot with said its illegal?

From what i know the hare season is the same season as the rest of the game.. And its quiet ok to shoot them within that time

Cass

garv123 wrote: »

when is the hare season? we never shoot hare because the fella i shoot with said its illegal?

Last week of September to end of February each year.

DonnchaMc wrote:

Why is it illegal 2use a rifle?

Very simply put, because it is. There is legislation to back it up.

The Wildlife Act 1976, Section 33(1)(a)(b) states you cannot shoot any wild bird (that has a season) with anything other than a shotgun or semi auto with a capacity of no more than 3 shots.

Section 33(3) states it is an offence to injure or kill ANY wild mammal with a shotgun other than a hare. So reading between the lines a shotgun is the only thing you can use on a hare.

Without reading between the lines section 33(4) allows for the minister to regulate the specific type, caliber of firearm used for the hunting of wild birds and mammals. So its his call. As it stands its shotgun ONLY for Hares.


Hope that helps.

ferrete

i had been out today around 2pm to check on the sheep and leave out some nuts. brought the shotgun with me and the dog as the ram and the dog are like brothers stranged combination well when walking up the field with sheep and dogs beside me i notice somthing jump out of the ditch literally 15yrds in front of me. sam took off through the sheep after it it was madra rua luckly i was prepared with no5 36grms couldnt get a shot as i would have hit the sheep just not safe enough so off goes sam after it me thinks il get you tonight. but as i looked around sam was chasin it still and commin aroud in my direction then at 25yrds bam no5 sent him head over heels with a second hot just to make sure the animal couldnt be in any pain as sam would pull it apart all in all a great day with another 3 crows on the way back to the jeep

No6

ezridax wrote: »

Last week of September to end of February each year.



Very simply put, because it is. There is legislation to back it up.

The Wildlife Act 1976, Section 33(1)(a)(b) states you cannot shoot any wild bird (that has a season) with anything other than a shotgun or semi auto with a capacity of no more than 3 shots.

Section 33(3) states it is an offence to injure or kill ANY wild mammal with a shotgun other than a hare. So reading between the lines a shotgun is the only thing you can use on a hare.

Without reading between the lines section 33(4) allows for the minister to regulate the specific type, caliber of firearm used for the hunting of wild birds and mammals. So its his call. As it stands its shotgun ONLY for Hares.


Hope that helps.

I don't know about that section 33(3) means you can only shoot wild mammals with a rifle except hares, therefore reading between the lines shooting hares in season with a rifle is permitted, as there is no minimum caliber listed then once again reading between the lines any caliber is suitable for shooting hares. If it was illigal to shoot hares with a rifle then it should say so. It does say it is illigal to shoot protected wild mammals with shotguns therefore section 33(3) is allowing hares with a shotgun not prohibiting them being shot with a rifle.. there has been numerous threads on this subject here and nobody has ever been able to give a definitive answer, we are all reading between the lines.;:D

Tackleberrywho

I would not shoot a hare, they are rare, and so are their habitat.

Just my personal pref.
I have eaten hare as a child, one my Father shot and my Granny cooked.

There are a couple of Hares near me, big boyo's.

Nice to see them when out, my heart often races as when they move first I think I have seen a young fawn in the distance.

The old licence Unlimited mentioned being allowed to shoot a hair, the rifle licence did not memtion hare (vermin only)

My understanding is, you possible could shoot a hare with a rifle with a section 42, if & it's a big if, they were damaging crops (however most rangers would say put up chicken wire on the trunks of saplings to stop damage from hares.

beanie10

ezridax wrote: »

Last week of September to end of February each year.



Very simply put, because it is. There is legislation to back it up.

The Wildlife Act 1976, Section 33(1)(a)(b) states you cannot shoot any wild bird (that has a season) with anything other than a shotgun or semi auto with a capacity of no more than 3 shots.

Section 33(3) states it is an offence to injure or kill ANY wild mammal with a shotgun other than a hare. So reading between the lines a shotgun is the only thing you can use on a hare.

Without reading between the lines section 33(4) allows for the minister to regulate the specific type, caliber of firearm used for the hunting of wild birds and mammals. So its his call. As it stands its shotgun ONLY for Hares.


Hope that helps.

My understanding from that is the only wild animal that can be shot with a shotgun is a hare. It doesnt actually state you cannot shoot hare with a rifle. Im not trying to be smart or twist words, just trying to understand the act as it is stated.

garv123

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

I would not shoot a hare, they are rare, and so are their habitat.

Just my personal pref.
I have eaten hare as a child, one my Father shot and my Granny cooked.

There are a couple of Hares near me, big boyo's.

Nice to see them when out, my heart often races as when they move first I think I have seen a young fawn in the distance.

The old licence Unlimited mentioned being allowed to shoot a hair, the rifle licence did not memtion hare (vermin only)

My understanding is, you possible could shoot a hare with a rifle with a section 42, if & it's a big if, they were damaging crops (however most rangers would say put up chicken wire on the trunks of saplings to stop damage from hares.

we never shot em and theres quite a few in my area. wont be shooting them now anyway even if it is legal in season as it would only be a waste and no one has complained about them doing any damage.

i remember seen two of them when we were tuckup up against the ditch waiting for a deer as it was begining to get dark. kept us entertained booting around the field for about half an hour playing with eachother and never spotted us. camme with in 10ft of us at some stages.

Cass

Okay this topic has come up more times than i care to search and honestly i cannot be a**ed getting into a long drawn out debate on the matter as there is no definitive answer that does not leave room for doubt. Not to mention bring the thread way off topic. To that end i'll say this and leave it at that.


No6 you are concentrating on section 33(3) and ignoring 33(4) that states the mnister can at his discretion specify the type and caliber of firearm to be used.

Section 41(C)(3)&(4) as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment)Act 2000 served merely to elaborate, but not clarify the position other than to add "In accordance with license, etc, etc". In other words of no help.

Now whether he (Minister) has said/stated shotgun only for Hares or not is irrelevant IMO. The hare should not be shot with a rifle. If you are in a position to be able to hunt them during season they should at least have a sporting chance. Could you imagine the hit the Hare population would take if lads were able to "pick" them of at 100/200/300 yards. At least with a shotgun you need to be within 40-75 yards to cleanly kill them. At those distances the Hare has as much a chance of escaping as being hit.


Its down to sportsmanship and if you agree with the points i made above then the point on whether you can use a rifle or not is moot.

ormondprop

they are plentiful enough around me as coursing lads release them, and i dont care whether its legal or not i wouldn't shoot them, especially with a rifle, wheres the sport in it, i'm not going to eat them and they're not vermin or causing any trouble so whats the point, if i want to shoot something for the sake of shooting something i'll shoot paper

Birdnuts

ormondprop wrote: »

they are plentiful enough around me as coursing lads release them, and i dont care whether its legal or not i wouldn't shoot them, especially with a rifle, wheres the sport in it, i'm not going to eat them and they're not vermin or causing any trouble so whats the point, if i want to shoot something for the sake of shooting something i'll shoot paper

Same here - though its sometimes hard getting that message through to the dogs when one is flushed accidently, thankfully there too slow to trouble Mr Hare;)

No6

ezridax wrote: »

Okay this topic has come up more times than i care to search and honestly i cannot be a**ed getting into a long drawn out debate on the matter as there is no definitive answer that does not leave room for doubt. Not to mention bring the thread way off topic. To that end i'll say this and leave it at that.


No6 you are concentrating on section 33(3) and ignoring 33(4) that states the mnister can at his discretion specify the type and caliber of firearm to be used.

Section 41(C)(3)&(4) as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment)Act 2000 served merely to elaborate, but not clarify the position other than to add "In accordance with license, etc, etc". In other words of no help.

Now whether he (Minister) has said/stated shotgun only for Hares or not is irrelevant IMO. The hare should not be shot with a rifle. If you are in a position to be able to hunt them during season they should at least have a sporting chance. Could you imagine the hit the Hare population would take if lads were able to "pick" them of at 100/200/300 yards. At least with a shotgun you need to be within 40-75 yards to cleanly kill them. At those distances the Hare has as much a chance of escaping as being hit.


Its down to sportsmanship and if you agree with the points i made above then the point on whether you can use a rifle or not is moot.

While I am not disagreeing with you my point is it is not at all clear from the legislation if shooting hares with a rifle is permitted or not, for something to be prohibited it should be stated clearly and it is allowed it should also say that, nobody here can say for definate one way or the other, its not a debate about sportsmanship its a question about what the law does or dosnt state clearly and as you say above it is In your opinion only that you shouldn't shoot hares, In my opinion the law is unclear and should be clarified one way or the other then we would be wasting our time debating it!!! anyways what was the original point of this thread:D!! Oh yeah hunting in the snow, I nearly bought a white boiler suit today!! Snow Cammo!!!:D

Cass

No6 wrote: »

............ its not a debate about sportsmanship its a question about what the law does or dosnt state clearly ............, In my opinion the law is unclear and should be clarified one way or the other ..........

Okay so let me ask you this. If is transpired that YES you can shoot hares with a rifle would you?

ferrete

i personally think you should only be allowed to hunt hare with dog ie lurcher. lets you see and appreciate dogs and hares preform at their best and besides the chances of a hare getting caught is very low but then again thats just my humble opinion