Illegal to shoot birds with air rifle in ROI?

Collioure

Few years ago I went to safety course run by NARGC and at that it was mentioned that it is illegal to shoot birds eg (magpies, grey crows etc) with any type of rifle (I presume this includes air rifle)

Is this still the case...if it is doesn't make a lot of sense not being able to shoot magpies / grey crows with air rifle.

Vegeta

No it is not illegal.

The derogations allow for shooting with a rifle with no restriction on rifle type.

The Widlife Act Section 33 does state:

33.—(1) It shall be an offence for a person to kill or injure—

(a) with a repeating or automatic shotgun (other than a repeating or automatic shotgun which is adapted or modified so as to render it incapable of carrying more than three shotgun cartridges), with an airgun, air-rifle, gas-rifle, pistol or revolver, or with any firearm fitted with a silencer device, any wild bird,

But it also states

(4) Subject to the foregoing subsections of this section, the Minister may make regulations specifying the type and calibre of firearms and ammunition which may be used to hunt wild birds and wild mammals and providing that firearms and ammunition of any other type and calibre shall not be used to hunt such birds or mammals.

(5) In this section “rifle” includes both a gas-rifle and an air-rifle.

So the derogation is exactly the above, the Minister listing what can be used to hunt the species contained within it. The derogation lists rifles and as can be seen, the definition of rifle also includes air rifle.

extremetaz

This issue crops up every year but that's the best answer I've seen yet.

Collioure

Vegeta wrote: »

No it is not illegal.

The derogations allow for shooting with a rifle with no restriction on rifle type.

The Widlife Act Section 33 does state:


But it also states


So the derogation is exactly the above, the Minister listing what can be used to hunt the species contained within it. The derogation lists rifles and as can be seen, the definition of rifle also includes air rifle.

Thank you

Zxthinger

Vegeta wrote: »

No it is not illegal.

The derogations allow for shooting with a rifle with no restriction on rifle type.

The Widlife Act Section 33 does state:


But it also states


So the derogation is exactly the above, the Minister listing what can be used to hunt the species contained within it. The derogation lists rifles and as can be seen, the definition of rifle also includes air rifle.

Thanks be to god

But I remember I time not to long ago when some posters presented a different argument and they twisted every way possible to try and say air rifles were excluded! Afaik even the ISD ran an article along the same lines.

Air rifle sport needs every bit of ground it can claim because as I see it the tweed jacket brigade has the rules sown up such that they never allowed for anyone with an air rifle!! It's a travesty tbh.. We have young people out drinking and taking drugs the length and breath of the country when in all honesty they would be better served by scoicty if the PTB allowed them access to air rifles and allowed them to follow countryside persuits.
Rant over!!

Sparks

extremetaz wrote: »

This issue crops up every year but that's the best answer I've seen yet.

It's the same answer Vegeta's been giving for a few years now and it's still as correct as it always was :pac:

extremetaz

All the better.

john p o shea

all wild life is protected unless they are causeing damage to crops or killing live stock ...

Cass

No it's not.

There are three main categories:

1. Fully protected - Cannot be shot EVER.
2. Protected - May only be shot during the appropriate season
3. Unprotected - No season and other than basic animal rights they can be shot all year round.

The other category is derogation as mentioned above. This is when a species can be shot out of it's normal season (assuming it has a season) if it's causing damage. Fully protected birds/animals may not be shot under derogation.

Kevhog1988

have had a few rabbits for the pot in manchester with my air rifle.... mad how if I get on the ferry as soon as it docks im considered a criminal

meathstevie

theemigrant wrote: »

have had a few rabbits for the pot in manchester with my air rifle.... mad how if I get on the ferry as soon as it docks im considered a criminal

That's the relevance of differences in national legislation in different jurisdictions. You could be out deer stalking in Pettigo with a licenced .243 and you inadvertently cross the wrong fence and you find yourself in Kesh co. Fermanagh with an unlicensed high velocity rifle in your possession.