LAWS REGARDING AIR RIFLE HUNTING OF PESTS/VERMIN IN IRELAND???

MJMURPHY

Hi All,

I'm sure this questions has been asked more than once before but there still has been no clear answers as yet.

Are you allowed by Law to shoot/hunt pests/vermin with a PCP Air Rifle here in Ireland??

As the Law is very confusing/conflicting on this matter to say the least!

Because it says that in relation to Air Rifles that they cannot be used to shoot small animal & birds etc but then on the otherhand most people put on their FAC applications that this is their "Good Reason" for having or obtaining this licence, is to shoot/hunt Vermin/Pests...

So can anyone actually answer this ongoing question??

As I would love to know for sure, so that when I actually do get out hunting these that I am fully entitled to do so by the Letter of the Law. Because I asked my local Garda & he said it is fine but from my undersatnding the Law states otherwise!

All responses will be greatly welcomed on this discussion/debate

Cheers
MJ

Vegeta

Do a search this has been asked and answered many times.

Short answer, yes: anything on the derogations which allows shooting with rifle includes air rifle.

cavan shooter

http://www.npws.ie/legislationandconventions/irishlaw/eubirdsdirectivederogations/

Only under the derogation can you hunt a wild bird with a rifle.

Erk

I hunted Rabbits, crows, pigeons etc with my air rifle and never got in trouble by it?

extremetaz

MJMURPHY wrote: »

Are you allowed by Law to shoot/hunt pests/vermin with a PCP Air Rifle here in Ireland??

As the Law is very confusing/conflicting on this matter to say the least!

Pest & vermin - YES - it's not at all confusing.

You are not allowed however to shoot "game" with an air rifle.

MJMURPHY

Cheers guys for all the info...
Greatly appreciated!

Fiachra cork

I Think your questions pretty much been answered. I was in the same boat a few months ago and got a license for my air rifle. I don't think the Gards are too fussed (where I am anyhow) and at the end of the day - they're issuing the license so as long as your truthful on the application, I don't think there's any real issue - Derogation and all!!

Happy shooting

ianmb

Hi, I was very interested to read that it was possible to get a cert for an air rifle.

I need something like this to deal with vermin around my small 1 acre holding, I have problems with pidgeon and rabbit at my vegitables, and general problem with rats.

I would rather an air rifle, as the alternatives .22LR or .410 shotgun seem
excessive for my situation.

Do you think my need would be sufficient valid reason on a fire arms application ?

Also allthough I used airrifles all the time when I Lived in the UK, I am not a member of any club, how does this work for demonstrating competence.

We used to have lovely crop of veg, but he last 2 years I did not even bother planting because of the problem, I would really love to be able to
get this sorted but I've always been put off by the red tape.

Any advise on how to proceed with application for best chance of success ( i.e. getting a cert ) would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ian

Cass

Your reason is valid, but the issue you might face is land size. To own a gun for the purpose of vermin control you generally need land permissions or membership of a gun club. Telling the Firearms Officer you want to shoot rats, etc on your 1 acre garden might raise some eybrows. So if you can get a land permission or two that would help.

As to previous comptence. Your ownership of an air rifle in the UK may suffice, but i cannot guarantee this.

other than that all th advice i can give is to try for one. It's free to apply. Get the form (FCA1), get a permission or two, and get fillign in. Lash it off, and speak to the FO to see what else he would require before submiotting the form. Better to have all your ducks in a row before giving in the application rather than submitting it to have it returned seeking more info.

extremetaz

re: the size of the plot, my auld boy got his air rifle licenses citing pest control on 3 acres without any difficulty (rats at chicken feed primarily).

I think even an acre may well be sufficient for an air rifle as it genuinely is the perfect tool for the job on that amount of ground.

As regards the rest of it, I doubt air-rifle ownership in the UK will stand testament to competence as they are licence free, but then it's still possible.


I'd be inclined to fill it out honestly as you are and send it in, worst case scenario, it comes back to you and you correct the necessary then.


One note on air rifle licences though, they tend to be granted with an ammunition allowance of 100 rounds. I'd advise requesting 500 and attaching a letter stating that, with very few exceptions, this is the minimum purchasable quantity for good quality pellets (which is entirely true).

Otherwise, owning or purchasing a single tin of pellets puts you in breach of your licence conditions.

Snake_Doctor

I have a fairly large back Garden, and had the same issue with vermin, so I applied and got a Licence for a PCP no problem, put down on the form that I wanted it for Vermin control as I did not want to put down poison because of the Kids. Came through a few weeks later no probs.

Longranger

As with most applications, it's often down to where you are and what the super is like. Chance your arm anyway and put in a letter saying why(and like Taz said,don't forget about the ammo limit).good luck lad.
LR