Boghossian
Well-Known Member
I would love to bowhunt. I have a compound bow and am quite proficient with it, I would love to use it in the UK.
would you stalk with a bow if it was legal?
- Thread starter conibear
- Start date
- Status
We do, but in the eyes of legislators, potential range is far more important than the inconvenient fact that a backstop halts most projectiles in less than 24".
So, from the perspective of those who can change our laws (allowing bow-hunting) - it would be deemed a relevent comment.
.... in my opinion!
Rgds
Ian
legaleagle69
Well-Known Member
I think it would be great fun 
definately have a go at that, any idiot can shoot a deer with a cf rifle with a big scope, we all saw Mr Marco P White on the telly demonstrating this nicely ...
It would sort the men from the boys for sure
you would need real stalking skills, however I do also agree that you would run the risk of idiots wounding an animal and anything that could be done to minimise this would be a good thing, but the type of idiot we speak of can also wound far more deer and cause mayhem and even more damage with a hunting rifle 
and we have seen many of those in the past 
I personally would prefer that they have just a bow and aren't let loose with a big bang stick !!
In the end the saving grace with bow hunting would surely be that if you are competant enough to stalk into an animal then you would be more likely to have the competance to kill it cleanly, deer don't tend to stand around all that long when some hopeless idiot is trying to get close and personal, I have enough trouble getting within 100 yards never mind 15 to 20
definately have a go at that, any idiot can shoot a deer with a cf rifle with a big scope, we all saw Mr Marco P White on the telly demonstrating this nicely ... It would sort the men from the boys for sure
you would need real stalking skills, however I do also agree that you would run the risk of idiots wounding an animal and anything that could be done to minimise this would be a good thing, but the type of idiot we speak of can also wound far more deer and cause mayhem and even more damage with a hunting rifle and we have seen many of those in the past I personally would prefer that they have just a bow and aren't let loose with a big bang stick !!In the end the saving grace with bow hunting would surely be that if you are competant enough to stalk into an animal then you would be more likely to have the competance to kill it cleanly, deer don't tend to stand around all that long when some hopeless idiot is trying to get close and personal, I have enough trouble getting within 100 yards never mind 15 to 20
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply. I believe that many people believe that hares can be treated like rabbits when hunting. They're bigger, stronger and harder to kill. Hence my comments about shooting them with a non FAC rated air gun.
In an ideal world, we should all stick together. But should people not highlight issues as important as animal welfare when others are condoning an act that is seen as many as questionable? Thankfully forums such as this will raise peoples awareness.
Aside from issues around respect for quarry and a quick kill, I think legalising bowhunting in the UK would be the thin end of the wedge for the thousands of existing target archers in this country. At present (as far as I am aware) archers can buy and use their bows, arrows and other kit without restriction.
It seems inevitable that if bow hunting were to be legalised it would involve the introduction of some sort of licensing or regulation. Otherwise we would end up with untrained and incompetant archers wounding deer.
I think it would be very difficult to draft legislation to regulate bowhunting which did not affect target archers. For examle, lets say the Government decide that the minimum power for a bow to shoot deer with is "X" (sorry, don't know what the power of bows is measured in) and any bow more powerful than X becomes a licensable weopen. So all of a sudden any existing archer with a powerful bow has to get a ticket for it. This is just an example, but we all know what happens when things are regulated - there tend to be unforseen spin offs.
When balancing the interests of the thousands of people who enjoy target archery with the very small number of people who would (and could) bow hunt effectively I think it would be best to keep things as they are
It seems inevitable that if bow hunting were to be legalised it would involve the introduction of some sort of licensing or regulation. Otherwise we would end up with untrained and incompetant archers wounding deer.
I think it would be very difficult to draft legislation to regulate bowhunting which did not affect target archers. For examle, lets say the Government decide that the minimum power for a bow to shoot deer with is "X" (sorry, don't know what the power of bows is measured in) and any bow more powerful than X becomes a licensable weopen. So all of a sudden any existing archer with a powerful bow has to get a ticket for it. This is just an example, but we all know what happens when things are regulated - there tend to be unforseen spin offs.
When balancing the interests of the thousands of people who enjoy target archery with the very small number of people who would (and could) bow hunt effectively I think it would be best to keep things as they are
Last edited:
yetidude69
Well-Known Member
Having spent 6 months bow hunting in new zealand myself, i know how differcult it is! I was actually using a Ten point Qx-4 compound crossbow which was deadly accurate out to 50yrds! The muzzle energy was 92.5 flbs using carbon bolts and titanium heads which gave a healthy 325fps! Now with this i could group 5 shots within an inch from 5-50yrds all day long, the power was actually scary considering it was near silent and no need for a licence! I shot a few deer, goats and wallabys with no problems as i was able to get within range - under 50yrds!! So humane? YES!! A true challanging way to hunt!
Now as for comments on airguns not being powerful enuff, you people need to get outside and learn to hunt properly! Again as long as you get within range there is more than enuff power to humanely kill rabbits and even hares! Ever heard of shot placement?!
Without airguns where are the younger generations going to be able to learn fieldcraft?
As with all weapons there is a place and time they have there advantages/disadvantages, its up to the user to become proficient in there use to make clean kills!
rant over lol
atb J
Now as for comments on airguns not being powerful enuff, you people need to get outside and learn to hunt properly! Again as long as you get within range there is more than enuff power to humanely kill rabbits and even hares! Ever heard of shot placement?!
Without airguns where are the younger generations going to be able to learn fieldcraft?
As with all weapons there is a place and time they have there advantages/disadvantages, its up to the user to become proficient in there use to make clean kills!
rant over lol
atb J
fair comment
Thanks for that, Matt.
As with most discussions I'm sure we can all relate facts and stories that support either or both sides of the story. I, like so many others, started my shooting career with a break barrel .177 air rifle and even at that tender age realised that such a diminutive piece of kit was pretty useless at delivering a humane kill beyond a dozen yards or so. I also learned that at a suitably close range, if the pellet was put in the right place, the quarry would tumble on the spot just as surely as if a grown up had popped it with a twelve bore.
Despite our early conversance with trajectory and loss of energy, quite what my mate's father would have said if he knew his son was popping William, the Hereford bull, with his Airpsorter from 50 yards will remain one of life's unanswered questions.
Mind you, William didn't seem particularly bothered. He just whisked his tail and continued to graze.Despite our early conversance with trajectory and loss of energy, quite what my mate's father would have said if he knew his son was popping William, the Hereford bull, with his Airpsorter from 50 yards will remain one of life's unanswered questions.
I think it depends on whether or not it was Yetidude69 or one of us mere mortals using the airsporter. If it was the former, I suspect it would have been something along the lines off "Who's killed my ******* bull!?"
And despite what the Andy McNob wannabees claim, you'll find serious airgunners regularly stating that they're just not up to the job. There are many air gun forum threads I could have linked to, but chose this one as it points out that BASC do NOT advocate the shooting of hairs with pellet guns.
http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=9812
Cheers
Jared
Adamant
Well-Known Member
My legal limit BTAS Theoben Rapid 17 air rifle, zeroed at 50 yards, is the most accurate and consistent rifle I have ever owned - only my .17HMR came near its ability to print tiny groups time after time. It has accounted for thousands of rabbits as humanely as my .22LR did - I've had runners with both from time to time (as I have with deer and a .270W). Like any rifle, it is about knowing the limits of your particular rifle, practice and shot placement. If anything, the .22LR made me a lazier shot as there was more margin for error. I have shot the odd hare with a sub-12ft/lb rifle and it's been perfectly effective for a 30yd headshot but I didn't make a habit of it - not that I'd have thought twice about it with my .22 Rapid 12 FAC running at 34ft/lbs or a mate's .25 Rapid running at 50ft/lbs. FAC air rifles are very capable rifles indeed.
Anyone that doubts the effectiveness of a 12ft/lb air rifle hasn't hunted with a modern tuned PCP and is generally basing their judgement on the performance of old spring-powered rifles.
As for bow hunting, a dalliance a few years ago with a scoped Horton 200lb crossbow has given me a VERY healthy respect for the power and accuracy of these weapons. I would have liked the opportunity to have hunted with it, although repeat shots would have been a problem as the damned thing was hard work to cock after a few goes.
Adam.
Anyone that doubts the effectiveness of a 12ft/lb air rifle hasn't hunted with a modern tuned PCP and is generally basing their judgement on the performance of old spring-powered rifles.
As for bow hunting, a dalliance a few years ago with a scoped Horton 200lb crossbow has given me a VERY healthy respect for the power and accuracy of these weapons. I would have liked the opportunity to have hunted with it, although repeat shots would have been a problem as the damned thing was hard work to cock after a few goes.
Adam.
centralbeltstalker
Well-Known Member
hi,
personally having seen the results of bow shooting on you tube.. its a no from me and i wouldn't back it if i had to vote on it.
F.
personally having seen the results of bow shooting on you tube.. its a no from me and i wouldn't back it if i had to vote on it.
F.
Richiepolecat
Well-Known Member
Yes.
It takes skill to get close for a kill and to take the right shot. I don't believe this only shooting is the most humane, it's the most effective in taking down deer at greater distances and numbers, true.
I have seen enough people taking pot shots at great distances to show that people take chances that don't always pay off.
It takes skill to get close for a kill and to take the right shot. I don't believe this only shooting is the most humane, it's the most effective in taking down deer at greater distances and numbers, true.
I have seen enough people taking pot shots at great distances to show that people take chances that don't always pay off.
scrun63
Well-Known Member
Made me Laff out Loud - Brilliant !!!!
Kev - What would your preference be flint or granite. There must be something said for both. Flint would have penetation and granite stopping power. Or would you use a combination - granite to stun and flint for the coupe de gras ?
Personally I wouldnt bow shoot ( or throw stones). The risk of causing injury, suffering and not instant death are too high for a big old sofety like me. Rather see them go down like a stone. But each to their own
Kev - What would your preference be flint or granite. There must be something said for both. Flint would have penetation and granite stopping power. Or would you use a combination - granite to stun and flint for the coupe de gras ?
Personally I wouldnt bow shoot ( or throw stones). The risk of causing injury, suffering and not instant death are too high for a big old sofety like me. Rather see them go down like a stone. But each to their own
its something that i would not have a interest in .for a number of reasons .i shot enough deer and seen my share shot by clients and friends to know
its hard to get it right every time with a rifle .
also we all have streched out a shot from time to time ,possibly not for the rite reasons . i had a client last year that tried his best to talk me into letting his shoot a big stag at 250+m ,he might have killed or left me with a problem .
there fore i do think there best used on paper ,not live targets .
its hard to get it right every time with a rifle .
also we all have streched out a shot from time to time ,possibly not for the rite reasons . i had a client last year that tried his best to talk me into letting his shoot a big stag at 250+m ,he might have killed or left me with a problem .
there fore i do think there best used on paper ,not live targets .
Rangefinder
Well-Known Member
I would definately do it
bambislayer
Well-Known Member
My brain says no, the rifle is the most eficient tool for the job.
However
my heart says yes, maybe I'm just a caveman at heart
However
my heart says yes, maybe I'm just a caveman at heart
Carter
Member
I would definately do it
Same here. I had a chance but never managed to get a killer shot. Modern bows and the special hunting arrow heads that are now readily available make for an awesome combination.
You can't get more up close and personal than bow hunting.
rockingod
Well-Known Member
A bit of a crude weapon for 21st century culling work don't you think ?.
Sorry...not for me for the following reason alone..........
An arrow or bolt.......cannot produce hydrostatic shock to the animal's brain and therefore the animals is suffering for an extended period of time until the drop of blood pressure to the brain results in it's death.
IMHO
Rocky
Sorry...not for me for the following reason alone..........
An arrow or bolt.......cannot produce hydrostatic shock to the animal's brain and therefore the animals is suffering for an extended period of time until the drop of blood pressure to the brain results in it's death.
IMHO
Rocky
- Status
Similar threads
- Article
