Hunting with Catapults

[Toddy]

Thanks BR That's a useful set of links and info

I know the list of vermin, the mammals that can be controlled by legally approved methods all year round - see British Association for Shooting and Conservation for more information.

Fox
Rat
Mice (except dormice)
Rabbit
Grey squirrel
Mink
Weasel
Stoat
Feral cat

I didn't know that stoats and weasels were still considered as such though.

[Sniper]

My main reason for asking in the first place was when I was last out I had a couple of bunnies feeding no more than 10' from where I was sitting quietly. I thought one of them would have made a nice dinner, just the right size not too big and not too small.

If I had a catapult ...and just as importantly....the proficiency to use it accurately with a good solid ball bearing for a projectile then I could have been feasting on rabbit stew that evening.

Now I know that if I felt I was good enough (which I'm not) with a catapult and had permission from the landowner I could...without fear of having my collar felt by Officer "must have stumbled getting into the van M'lud" Plod .

Now must start practicing......where's next doors piddle on my roses cat?
Only joking with the last bit....It doesn't piddle on my roses ...I hav'nt got any! Lol

[-Switch-]

Some good info there from Toddy, sniper and Red - thanks people

I may just dig out my old Black Widow and see if I really am as useless with it as I remember There's a possibility of me camping on land with permission to take rabbits so it may well be worth me putting in some practise.

[spamel]

I am no expert with cattys, but as far as I see it, to attain accuracy you need to develop a technique which sees you doing everything the same each time. Draw the power bands or whatever they are called to the same point each time, crook of the arm or the cheek, whatever. Use the same grip each time, use the same type of ammo each time (Ball bearings, maybe from an old scrap yard? car parts use lots of ball bearings; wheel bearings, gear boxes, etc.) Once you eliminate ythe variables, then it is just down to range and aiming. Simple, innit?

[Toddy]

100 marbles for £1 just now .........and I know there's a Black Widow up the loft somewhere ......I think we finally reckoned the best ammo was the cast it yourself musket balls, and the cheapest supply of 'lead' was plumber's potable solder, which we used to be able to buy by the kilo

cheers,
Toddy

I'm wondering if a sticky of relevant links could be made for Fair Game ? The laws are changing, but DEFRA, WIldlife Crime Officers, BASC and others surely ought to have up to date, relevant information.

M

[spamel]

My cheapest source of lead is in the back of my works van!

[pothunter]

Old wheel weights, used to be free to a good home but like so much now the scrap value means you now have to pay for them.

Hi Toddy, the one piece of tweed I do approve of, should smell like a damp spaniel if its a good un.

Pothunter.

[spamel]

Couple the lead from the back of your friendly meter fitters' van with this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BALL-LEAD-SINK...QQcmdZViewItem

And you could make accurate ammunition quite easily. I'm intrigued now! A musket ball mould would be nicer for the antique feel and what not, but these would work just fine giving you accurate ammunition for your catty with a bit of work involved. Be careful with the fumes though!

[g4ghb]

not that i'll ever try it - I havn't the time or inclination to get my aim good enough - but it would be nice to find something a little less toxic than lead shot - something that would decompose in time would be best but I can see that would be a tall order....

[Sniper]

Think I might just dig out some of my old "tin hat" small bore targets and squander a couple of quid and a few hours with a handful of ball bearing to see if I can get get my eye in consistantly enough and produce enough oooomph to make it feasible!

Iv'e got the hankerin to get ma wallies aroon a kentucky fried bunny.

"English translation" I quite fancy some rabbit stew.

[FGYT]

always found that rugby ball shape was better than round or fav was 3/4" (19mm) Nuts with the center filled with lead

grandad who actually used a catty as a pest control Tool , home made wooden 'Y' with sqr black elastic and a leather pouch used good old stones carfully sellected and they would use them on Grey Squirrels by surrounding a Dray while one guy knocked it apart with Chimney Brush poles they would then all shoot as the squirrels ran off in all directions

ive still never bothered with hunting with a catty as ive never got good enough as far as im conserned

ATB

Duncan

[Sniper]

The idea of aniseed balls was for practice ammo not a live scenario,

Icheers,
Toddy

I was thinking of the stuffing Toddy as per my previous. Lol

[High on Hex]

Hi Sniper i use a catapult regularly. I like the accuracy and the ability to shove it in a pocket quickly. I take the wrist brace off though, it's not neccesary and gets in the way.

Spamel's right about how to use it, it's all about a consistant technique. Practice lining up a shot in a mirror. That way you can check that your 'ammo hand' anchor point is directly under the pupil of your eye, and everything from your right elbow to your left hand is in a perfectly straight line. Release it smoothly and you'll find it's easy to become accurate at up to 10 metres.

[Sniper]

Oooops should have read my last before posting.
Didn't mean stuffing Toddy
I meant using aniseed to stuff the rabbit.......Toddy.

Sorry Toddy!

I would never dream of firing at any game before I was confident I could not only hit my target but also close enough to be reasonably sure if I do hit it would kill. So your advice is appreciated guys, last time I picked up a catty must be at least 35 years or so ago, the old forked stick with knicker elastic and canvas pouch, so it should be fun trying it again after all this time. Not quite the same as a rifle, but similar principles.

[Matt.S]

And you could make accurate ammunition quite easily. I'm intrigued now! A musket ball mould would be nicer for the antique feel and what not, but these would work just fine giving you accurate ammunition for your catty with a bit of work involved. Be careful with the fumes though!

The inherent toxicity of lead is a bit of a misnomer. Lead is a very stable element; leave a lump on your bedside table all your life and you'll be fine. Pick that bit of lead up and start chewing on it, that's a whole different kettle of fish. I always wash my hands after handling lead (though it's usually a god idea what with the Hoppes 009, oil, silicone spray and general crud that often accompanies lead...).

Now, lead oxide fumes from overheating during casting are very nasty so care has to be taken there. (I've given myself mild heavy metal poisoning before from zinc fumes. Not fun.) Lead does not leach into water either. Acidic water is again different however, so care should probably be taken in such areas. But one or two 12-gauge balls (about .75" or 19mm) in a field aren't going to do much IMO.

[Mungo]

I just bought a slingshot (as they're known in Canada at least), and bought a couple of packages of steel ball bearing shot for ammo... for fun target practice in the backyard...

This thread has idly led me to wonder about the legality of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch... Anyone??

A Reading from the Book of Armaments, Chapter 4, Verses 16 to 20:

Then did he raise on high the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, saying, "Bless this, O Lord, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the people did rejoice and did feast upon the lambs and toads and tree-sloths and fruit-bats and orangutans and breakfast cereals ... Now did the Lord say, "First thou pullest the Holy Pin. Then thou must count to three. Three shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count two, excepting that thou then proceedeth to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the number of the counting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Holy Hand Grenade in the direction of thine foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it."

[fishfish]

ime sure hunting with a catapult is legal in England , ive sucsesfully used one for some time.

[fishfish]

this is tothe best of my knowledge and experience accurate.


Catapault ? legal
Blowpipe ? illegal (section 1 fire arm believe it or not!!)
Spear ? illegal
Atlatl ? illegal
Dart ? not sure what a dart is , ime asuming not pub type!
Sling ? legal
Boomerang ? legal
Bolas ? legal
Longbow ? illegal (all though taking coastal fish is ok)
Crossbow ? illegal

[Matt.S]

Blowpipe ? illegal (section 1 fire arm believe it or not!!)

Even more ridiculously, it's actually a Section 5 'prohibited weapon'. Just like a lot of other fun things...

[fishfish]

christ matt! that puts it in the league of grenades rocket launchers and .50 ca anti air guns!!!!!!

[clcuckow]

Well this thread has got me to by one of these:


Saunders Wrist-Rocket Pro

Not very bushy but fold into is own lockable hard case.



And is supposed to be one of the fastest out there and is very smooth.

I just need to get some pratice in but as field archer (shooting AFB, Hunting Tackle (Browning Olympian) and Compound Unlimited (Oneida Tomcat + 5pin and wrist release) ) I would expect that I will get used to it pretty quick.

For ammo I have got some 1/2" white marbels, 3/8" BB and for practice and fun .50 cal paintballs

[Matt.S]

christ matt! that puts it in the league of grenades rocket launchers and .50 ca anti air guns!!!!!!

Yup, and defensive sprays, such as issued to every Bobby on the beat. Never try to understand English law, it does your nut in. Just look at the two '97 pistols fiascos. And the Dangerous Dogs Act. And the 1988 firearms meddlings. And the bowhunting ban (1981 I believe). And the handlinefishing ban. And the trout-tickling ban. And the Enclosures Act. Let's not get into the disgusting pile of lies that is the recent so-called anti-terrorism legislation.

[combatblade1]

Checked the catapult issue out at work, it is an offence to use any missile fired other than from a firearm to hunt any wild animal or bird in Northern ireland. It dosent specifically mention catapults but as you are firing a missile from it and it isnt a firearm it comes under this legislation as does arrows darts etc.

Paul

[tommy the cat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0
You could get this good with a little practice!!!!
Dave

[phaserrifle]

This thread has idly led me to wonder about the legality of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch... Anyone??

A Reading from the Book of Armaments, Chapter 4, Verses 16 to 20:

Then did he raise on high the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, saying, "Bless this, O Lord, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy." And the people did rejoice and did feast upon the lambs and toads and tree-sloths and fruit-bats and orangutans and breakfast cereals ... Now did the Lord say, "First thou pullest the Holy Pin. Then thou must count to three. Three shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count two, excepting that thou then proceedeth to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the number of the counting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Holy Hand Grenade in the direction of thine foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it."

definately illegal, its a grenade.
wish I had one though

[fishfish]

Checked the catapult issue out at work, it is an offence to use any missile fired other than from a firearm to hunt any wild animal or bird in Northern ireland. It dosent specifically mention catapults but as you are firing a missile from it and it isnt a firearm it comes under this legislation as does arrows darts etc.

Paul

dont think that law has passed here in england (yet!), theres a right hoo haah about it in the speargun fishing fraternity!

[Peter_t]

ime sure hunting with a catapult is legal in England , ive sucsesfully used one for some time.

wow nice catapult fishfish! could you tell us a bit more about it? what materials did you use?

thanks
pete

[combatblade1]

dont think that law has passed here in england (yet!), theres a right hoo haah about it in the speargun fishing fraternity!

Im surprised it isnt, over here our laws are orders which come from your Acts. Its been over here for quite a while although the shooting fraternity didnt know about it. It took me a bit of trawelling to find it.

[saddle_tramp]

Best little close range tool i ever saw was an old boy using a rabbit stick. It were just a stick shaped a bit like a rough preist, with the end gouged out and filled with lead. Hed just have it in his pocket all the time and as the opportunity came about, whip it out and throw it at a rabbit or pheasant. It kinda flew straight and tho not killing stuff outright, it knocked em senseless long enough to deal with em.

[cattyman]

great section on catapults on jacks shed............