View Full Version : Hunting and trapping
Paganwolf
01-12-2004, 19:47
Reading Adi's thread on Drags or stakes made me wonder who has done or still does any snaring or trapping or ferreting or whos a shooter or who likes to hunt with birds of prey or dogs? I have over the years coursed, snared trapped and shot (i still shoot) and i love to ferret and have flown birds of prey (i've had a barn owl and a kestrel,and hunted with harris and red tail hawks), i always use what i have hunted and nothing goes to waste, expecially with ferrets about, id never kill anything with out good reason and never shoot unless im sure of a good clean kill. I know this may be a controversial subject but the best meat is always what you have gained your self and not off the shelf of a supermarket, it always tastes better IMO :wink: (apologys to the vegetarians)
beachlover
01-12-2004, 20:21
I snare (usually rabbits, but do get the occaisional pheasant too), fish (fly and sea) and a friend has a couple of Harris hawks and a lurcher which we sometimes get out with.
I do however wish that I knew more about edible mushrooms, is there someone/somewhere that runs a course?
mojofilter
01-12-2004, 20:27
I fish the fly for brown trout and am lucky enough to be taken out shooting about 4 times a year, twice for deer and twice for pheasant and woodcock.
In the past I have shot, snared, hunted with birds (Red-tail hawk) and ferrets. That is until the Red-tail killed the ferret :yikes:
I've always been a fisherman. I've done beach, boat, course, carping and piking. My favourite is piking, especially over nighters in the winter :chill:
Get a fire going in side my Kata, whisky-mac in my Kuksa and a couple of deadbaits out in the river..... Heaven
Sometimes I even catch a fish or two :rolmao: :rolmao:
I have a set of snares and purse nets, I'd get a long net it that wasn't a two person and a dog job. If I'm going past the lake after dark I'll also have stick with me - used for leaning on if anyone's around or lobbing at food if all's clear. I like this 'as long as noone sees' condition - keeps the fun of poaching in it. I only ever fish if I'm intending to catch something to eat- can't stand these kiddies paddling pools, er did I say that? I meant to think it, I mean commerical carp fisheries.
Realgar
MartiniDave
02-12-2004, 08:50
I like to do a bit of shooting, maily rabbit and pigeon but occaisonally get a days game shooting as reward for my efforts as a beater.
Never snared or ferreted and am so envious of those of you who have hunted with birds of prey.
Dave
I do alot of deer stalking, in fact too much if you listen to my wife! :roll:
I also do a bit of fox control mostly calling them in to a lamp & rifle, but I have snared them as well.
Never really tried snaring rabbits; I use the .22LR for taking those.
Regards,
Pete
I snare regualrly and hunt with a harris hawk (though he is still learning at the moment)
arctic hobo
16-12-2004, 07:59
I never have, but I really want to get into it. I've shot deer and hares before but not in this country, because I don't know the law about it. Could anyone enlighten me?
Buckshot
16-12-2004, 08:33
Bet you can't guess what I do :o):
Artic Hobo, do a search. There have been several threads about hunting laws in the UK here.
Cheers
Mark
Artic Hobo,
Take a look around http://www.deer-uk.com and that site will give you a good idea whats species are available in the UK.
Briefly, (very!) as far as the law goes, in the UK, you need to have permission to hunt or take deer from the landowner or the person who holds the shooting rights as there is basically no free public hunting as say in the States.
The rifle must meet certain ballistic criteria which boils down to a minimum of a .243Win, except in Scotland where you can use a min of .222Rem for Roe only (the rest are .243Win min) no bow nor handgun hunting.
You must use expanding ammunition by law ie no solids or cheap military ball.
You can legally use another persons rifle as long as they are with you supervising and of course they have the correct FAC.
To own your own rifle, you must first apply for an FAC ( lasts 5 years and cost about £50?? first time, but cheaper after) and tell the police its for deer stalking. You will also need a special variation to buy expanding ammunition.
The law says you don't need a game license to take deer on "enclosed land" but what is classified as "enclosed land" is very much a grey area...its easier to spend £7 and buy a game license to avoid any possible hassle. You get these over the counter at the post office.
BASC and the British Deer Society offer some introduction courses but they are getting quite expensive now. Unless money is no object, your main problem will be find land to stalk over as it can go for a premium these days. If you know a friendly farmer with a deer problem your quids in!
You need to check what the close season for the species your interested in taking is as they are different and also vary between England/Wales and Scotland...
No shooting deer at night.
I would like to think we have very high standards of conduct in the UK as far as stalking goes.
Long range shooting is frowned on and to start with, on woodland species, you will be expect to confine your shots to within 100m as a rule of thumb.
You will also be expected to only take heart/lung shots on deer that are stationary and broadside on.
The chap who was my mentor when i started gave me the following advice which has always stayed with me.
He would say taking the shot is the least important and most important part of the day. It is the least important in that it does not matter if you don't get a chance, enjoy being out and being part of nature.
On the other hand, Its the most important part of the day in that when you do decide to pull the trigger, you *must* ensure that animal is dispatched quickly and humanely; that is your over riding responsiblity and if you have any doubts at all, don't take the shot!
If you want anymore help or info, please feel free to ask...
Regards,
Pete
arctic hobo
16-12-2004, 21:47
Thanks a lot! :You_Rock_
Buckshot
17-12-2004, 09:20
The other thing to mention is that police forces are 'encoraging' people to do a course before issuing an FAC.
They have no right to refuse you a license if you refuse, but they are very reluctant.
After all, are you going to argue with a policeman who's issuing the license - even if he's legally in the wrong.
The only other way is to get a mentor to teach you, then the mentor can write a letter saying you're competent and you should be OK.
Cheers
Mark
are we talking rifle liscenses here as apposed to shotguns?
or is it all the same thing when it comes to gun liscences?
Buckshot
17-12-2004, 16:11
Not the same thing at all in the eyes of the law.
FAC = firearms license aka rifles
Shotguns are totally different
CHeers
Mark
Paganwolf
17-12-2004, 16:15
are we talking rifle liscenses here as apposed to shotguns?
or is it all the same thing when it comes to gun liscences?
Talking FAC Fire arms certificate, i had to join a club be a member for 6mnths then the club secretary forwarded my details to the Police then i applied, they like you to proove you have a valid reason to have them, Compatition or control of vermin, even though you are entitled to the damn thing, they just make life hard for you.Shot gun licence is not quite as difficult but it helps if you are already a member of a club be it clay or game/vermin.
bambodoggy
17-12-2004, 16:32
Does anyone know specifically what they can refuse you one for?
Paganwolf
17-12-2004, 16:57
If you have a criminal record,other than that i think you are within your rights to have one, they can make things hard for you if your pad is not upto scratch security wise but they make recomendations and you do them.
bambodoggy
17-12-2004, 17:24
Sounds fair enough I guess :o): Thanks for the info... :wave:
Paganwolf
17-12-2004, 17:55
no probs :wink:
It very often depends on the "Policy" of the Chief Constable of the area and thats why the whole thing is unfair.
As a case in point North Wales Police will not grant me a .243Win for both deer and fox control; instead I have to have two rifles. Somebody i know who lives about 20 miles away under a different Police Force has a 25.06 for both deer and fox on the grounds he does not want to buy a second rifle. The irony is we both shoot on the same land...
The Police will also hold up an application simply because they don't like it. When I came to *renew* my FAC , by local bobby wanted to know why I simply did not stalk with some one else & borrow a rifle.
On the whole, I don't have much time for North Wales and gone are the days I would be happy to assist a Police Officer...these days I would look the other way I'm affraid.
Other Police Forces can be different; I was dealing with the Firearms Dept up in Aberdeen last year over a very controversal issue and they were very helpful and understanding...
Regards,
Pete
Paganwolf
17-12-2004, 20:13
I know how frustrating it is expecially when you are entitled to have these guns.
I hunt deer and turkey most years. Birds occassionally. I haven't trapped since I was a boy in High School. I shoot an occassional rabbit or squirrel (Sorry Squirrelboy) if I'm out for the day. I carry a .22 pistol for rabbits and squirrels, a 30/30 lever action or .357 magnum for deer and a 12 ga 870 pump for turkey and birds. I have never set a snare as there were always too many domestic animals in the area that wander about and I would be upset to snag one. I have seen falconers work and marvel at their skills. I have never seen anyone hunt with ferrets.
I feel sorry for you guys in the UK. I am also beginning to feel you guys distrust law enforcement in your country. A sad state of affairs. We have gun laws in America that prohibit certain people from owning or possessing guns. Normally those who are convicted of felony crimes or battering their spouse. If you do bad things you shouldn't be allowed a gun. However everyone else should be allowed if they so choose.
Paganwolf
17-12-2004, 21:59
if your ever in the uk in the winter, gimme a shout n ill take you ferreting :biggthump
I would like that. My daughter and son-in-law had two ferrets for pets. Quite the theives they were. They would hid your shoes and steal anything you set down they took a fancy to.
ChrisKavanaugh
25-12-2004, 06:03
Hunting and fishing are skills valid not only for bushcraft or wilderness survival, but modern urban life as well. I had finished my degree and still had a few months of veteran educational benefits. My local community college had been founded as an agrarian school after WW2 and still had a program. I took several courses, but poultry production was a real education. We went to a modern chicken processing plant in Los Angeles. Dante's Infernal was no more hellish. The more I learned about factory farming, genetically modified foods, excessive use of antibiotics and growth hormones, the Mad Cow Scare and the terrible ecological price of western meat consumption the less inclined I was to eat anything. I took up hunting again until organic, free range animals became available. I think everyone who consumes meat should slaughter at least one animal. There is a cultural disjoint between the plastic wrapped package of red food in the market and Watership Down. I've even seen this sad trend in vegetarians. I was on a organic farm with several activists harvesting donated vegetables. This one, very vocal vegan who held a mini inquisition when a Lakota showed up with buffalo was ripping the carrots out with the same callousness as a poacher. the Lakota elder and I looked at each other and just shook our heads.
Abbe Osram
25-12-2004, 13:22
Hi
since I moved to swedish Lapland I am taking part in a hunting shool and my plan is to start with some hunting next fall. The education here is real great and includes trapping too. I believe I am going to start a trapping line too snaring, Vulpes vulpes, Mustily vision and Nyctereutes procyonides for the fur and skin.
I am going to snare Lagopus mutus for the meat and go hunting with the rifle for Tetrao urogallus and a bunch of other forest chickens. I don't know if I will mange to hunt elk yet because here in sweden you have to join a hunting group and that is a kind of challenge if you are new in the village, lets see if they take me into the group. Otherwise I am going further down south hunting deer. All that will start next year fall if I manage the big examen I have to go through in spring.
cheers
Abbe
:chill:
I'ts a ugly situation all around!!, the laws over here are becoming more foolish every year. I have been into crossbows for the last 5 or so years, but in oregon you can't legaly hunt deer or elk, niether bow or rifle season!!. I sometimes think goverments in general are like runaway trains and we're the passengers. heres something I've had good luck with over here, I carry 3 victor brand rat traps. only modifications I made was to coat wood with clearcoat, drill a hole in each corner about a inch in. there are alot of squirrels here and these traps are deadly . the holes allow you to tie them almost anywhere, they are light, but maybe a little bulky. a 35mm. film can filled with a mix of peanut butter and honey is the best bait i've found. a little on trigger and dinner is ussauly not long in coming.
Burnt Ash
10-01-2005, 11:54
heres something I've had good luck with over here, I carry 3 victor brand rat traps. only modifications I made was to coat wood with clearcoat, drill a hole in each corner about a inch in. there are alot of squirrels here and these traps are deadly . the holes allow you to tie them almost anywhere, they are light, but maybe a little bulky. a 35mm. film can filled with a mix of peanut butter and honey is the best bait i've found. a little on trigger and dinner is ussauly not long in coming.
Rat traps are very effective. Those twin-spring Victors (and similar) are much better than the single spring versions. I can see the sense in having some as part of a wilderness survival package: they're nice and compact and are very effective on small mammals. Good tip about varnishing them: waterproofs them and makes it easier to clean the blood off!
The trouble with rat traps baited with peanut butter is that they're deadly on small songbrds (here in the south of England). I discovered this trapping for rats inside our hay store a couple of years back. Unless well hidden in tunnels, they're too damned effective on great tits, etc. With the air rifle I can be completely selective.
Burnt ash
The trouble with rat traps baited with peanut butter is that they're deadly on small songbrds (here in the south of England). I discovered this trapping for rats inside our hay store a couple of years back. Unless well hidden in tunnels, they're too damned effective on great tits, etc.
Yes, The traps should be put in tunnels (natural or artificial) so as to not catch anything you don't want. Actually its the law. You cannot set a trap where it may be sprung by a non target or protected species.
Ed
have not had any problems with birds that way over here but thanks for the heads up. I would not want to trap them by accident either.
If you have a criminal record,other than that i think you are within your rights to have one, they can make things hard for you if your pad is not upto scratch security wise but they make recomendations and you do them.
There is another thing that can prevent you obtaining a FAC, that is if your Dr's report states you are suffering from certain mental illness'. This won't prevent you obtaining a SGC as the questions aren't asked on the application.
You will have to show good reason for ownership as previously stated for a FAC and as such, the owning of fullbore rifles or higher powered air rifles is not your right to do so. Shotguns on the other hand you only have to have adequate security. We were discussing the ownership of rifles and shotguns at my local firearms dealer recently and it we came to the conclusion that to own a shotgun was your right, but, to own a fullbore rifle was a privelidge.
I shoot at least 3 times per week with legal limit air rifles doing pest control.
Dazz