fox shooting / rifle

vincentf

Hi lads,

Can anyone tell me if you can get a first rifle licence for a 223 to shoot fox or do you have to start off with a 22 or 17 hmr etc.
Do any of you use night vision. How much would it cost to kit out a rifle with scope etc specifically for foxing ?

Vin

Cass

Once you show good reason for the needing the rifle you can get most any caliber. Previous experience would be a help or failing that some sort of competency course.

Night vision can only be used if separate authorisation is granted by your Super to use such a scope. You cannot use one without authorisation.

As for prices. That depends on the make of rifle, scope, rings, etc. Whether they are new or second hand. However a rifle, and kit can be gotten for as little as €500 up to whatever you want to spend to be honest.

hedzball

vincentf wrote: »

Hi lads,

Can anyone tell me if you can get a first rifle licence for a 223 to shoot fox or do you have to start off with a 22 or 17 hmr etc.
Do any of you use night vision. How much would it cost to kit out a rifle with scope etc specifically for foxing ?

Vin

No but you should have to IMO.

A 223 is too much IMO to be given as a first time rifle.




'hdz

Conmaicne Mara

hedzball wrote: »

A 223 is too much IMO to be given as a first time rifle.

Disagree.

The calibre of the person is what should be taken into account, not the calibre of the rifle. Otherwise that tack invites all sorts of blanket decrees which we have enough of already. Individualisation and local Gardaí getting back to knowing the local population plus using and checking out nominated referees is a better course.

There are of course people out there who shouldn't possess water guns, but do possess firearms, that's the opposite side of that blanket coin. But there are many sensible people out there who will come to shooting looking for a specific tool for a specific task, because they're new to shooting isn't a good enough reason to restrict them.

Another avenue could be a period mentoring from a safe and experienced shooter, they would not necessarily need to possess calibre X, as safe shooting principles should hold true for all calibres. Though it should be rifle mentoring rifle, shotgun mentoring shotgun.

vincentf

Thank's lads,

I would like to get a rifle with enough power to cleanly kill foxes for the purpose of vermin control. They were already killing released pheasants in the gun club grounds just before the season started.
I have seen a lot of them and have shot a couple with the shot gun and lamp but I would probably have more success with a rifle. They get used to the calls and lamps and don't come in close now.
I have bought some pheasants of my own to hatch out their eggs next year under broodies and release them with feeders I hope to place in the fields I can shoot. From talking to a few lads about raising / releasing birds I was told and have read that it's no use until vermin control is sorted out.
There are a lot of hooded or grey back crows too which I am going to hunt as well with the shot gun.
vin

clivej

You have the 'Good reason' for your rifle already.
You don't say if you already have a license for any other firearm but mention you have used a shotgun so this would indicate that you have 'An understanding' of firearms and their use.

I say go for the .223 and you won't be wanting something else 'down the road' to do the job of hitting the foxes in your area.

Look in or ring up the dealers and find something off the second hand shelve as there's good value to be had out there now. €550 will go a long way into getting you kitted out with a rifle and scope.

ferrete

go for the .223 if its the one you need, i never had a rifle before i went and applied for a .270 and i got it for deer