Legality and Efficacy of Bowhunting in the UK

[paul o']

You could have said that earlier.....Have you shot a Red as they are a bit of a lump!
I can't add the dulling banjos music as it might be a copyright issue

BUT I CAN!






Here in the UK/GB what we have are hunting laws act's and county wide anti's and tree hungers, bunny huggers and Bambi lovers that for any excuse would love to be given a reason shut down hunting in a hart beat given the choice .
---------------------------------NEWS HEADLINE just in -----------
Today a RED DEER was SEEN RUNNING DOWN THE M62 WITH GLOWING NOCK and long BLACK ARROW with blood running down its side -------Stop
------- A TREE WAS SEEN GIVING CHASE -------
Police have arrested two poplars and one elm tree found nr the scene who are keeping quite? but look shady !.

 

[OllieRiordanDeer]

Packham and his gang would absolutely eat us alive and so would the rest of the fluffy animal brigade .

You only have to read some of the stupid posts on hear were some cant even zero a scope or work out the hold over for 200m
We would be seeing pictures of deer walking about with a broad-head poking out of its arse on the 6 pm news .

Christ you only have to look at the devastation the man can do to our legal countryside sports with 25K and a go fund me page !

Half the reason we allowed the rifles we have IS for shooting deer , how long would it be before we hear someone report back saying they have just had a variation for said rifle turned down and was told to go buy a bow

Its a stupid f—-king idea


If you want to go wounding deer with a bow f—k off to the states and do it !

Just my out dated opinion .

Not outdated at all!

I agree, the skill issue without a doubt would be exacerbated whilst using a bow.
Given the option I'd keep bowhunting illegal to keep my rifles, very good point.
The PR problem it would cause is without a doubt not worth the trouble. Just the musings of a man bored on a Friday!

I'm yet to wound an animal with a bow that wasn't fatal but these things do happen, I'll keep my fingers crossed that my luck prevails but train and ensure I take shots I'm happy with to reduce the risk.

 

[OllieRiordanDeer]

BUT I CAN!






Here in the UK/GB what we have are hunting laws act's and county wide anti's and tree hungers, bunny huggers and Bambi lovers that for any excuse would love to be given a reason shut down hunting in a hart beat given the choice .
---------------------------------NEWS HEADLINE just in -----------
Today a RED DEER was SEEN RUNNING DOWN THE M62 WITH GLOWING NOCK and long BLACK ARROW with blood running down its side -------Stop
------- A TREE WAS SEEN GIVING CHASE -------
Police have arrested two poplars and one elm tree found nr the scene who are keeping quite? but look shady !.

This gave me a bloody good chuckle. Many thanks Paul!

 

[slider]

You could well be right Slider!

I'd be curious to know what barriers you think are currently in place and any solutions to them?
Or alternatively reasons why you believe it shouldn't be legalised?

Many thanks

The general public is against hunting in any case and are not going to accept anything PRECIEVED to be less humane.

Add to that that there is actually no need for any methods of culling other than rifles.

Another fact is that I think you would struggle to find anywhere with little enough public footfall for the length of time you guys need to sit for the beast to get close enough!

 

[gixer1]

Bow hunting absolutely would work here, no different to the set up in North America.

Anyone that makes the argument about a follow up shot - it’s no different to extended distances with a rifle if a rifle shot is buggered up, you can carry several broadheads on a bow - and with my bow it has sight pins from 10 to 50 yards, there’s no reason these can’t be extended with practice.

Prior to actually doing it I wasn’t sure about bow hunting, but after doing it and seeing the effects and the field craft in it (it takes planning an patience) I can see no reason it couldn’t be adopted here in the U.K.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[OllieRiordanDeer]

The general public is against hunting in any case and are not going to accept anything PRECIEVED to be less humane.

Add to that that there is actually no need for any methods of culling other than rifles.

Another fact is that I think you would struggle to find anywhere with little enough public footfall for the length of time you guys need to sit for the beast to get close enough!

All good points slider.

Thanks much

 

[OllieRiordanDeer]

Bow hunting absolutely would work here, no different to the set up in North America.

Anyone that makes the argument about a follow up shot - it’s no different to extended distances with a rifle if a rifle shot is buggered up, you can carry several broadheads on a bow - and with my bow it has sight pins from 10 to 50 yards, there’s no reason these can’t be extended with practice.

Prior to actually doing it I wasn’t sure about bow hunting, but after doing it and seeing the effects and the field craft in it (it takes planning an patience) I can see no reason it couldn’t be adopted here in the U.K.

Regards,
Gixer

Similar experience to you Gixer, didn't see the appeal until I got behind a bow myself!

On the follow up shot issue I think you'd only struggle if an animal took an extended bolt away from you I think that's what Tim meant.

What say you to the criticism of its ability to reduce deer numbers compared to rifle?

 

[artschool]

would be interesting to know how many in this thread have shot a modern compound bow?

they dont need to licence the bows they just need to issue a deer tag like over in the states alongside a simple shooting test.

 

[gelert]

For me personally it was a natural transition but also an inquisitive toe dip into playing with a compound bow from my youth.
Certainly a challenge to what is a very rewarding hobby. I'm not professing to be an expert, far from it, but I put the effort in to practicing weekly for 2 years. Building and testing arrows, attending the course here in the UK and The USA bowhunter education course online.
I'll be doing the Flemish one too eventually, and would love a traditional long bow to hunt with.
All that effort and planning I have been lucky to take two stunning animals with a bow. A magnificent Red stag at 15yards,and a cracking fallow buck at similar distance.
Would it work here in the UK, yes, but I have no answer or idea how.
If an organization like BASC or similar would be willing or open to discussions and were presented the facts and the effectiveness of hunting with a bow it might change. As yet, there is no one to lobby that fight.

As a side note I have been very fortunate to hunt deer and game all over the globe. I've managed to hunt deer in all 4 countries of the UK, been abroad several times, done Africa and the hills of Wicklow for Sika, and the forests of Europe for Boar. But hunting with a bow was for me very personal emotional experience. I was quite emotional, I have never shot a deer that close to see the reaction and effectiveness a bow does. It's mass trauma and lots of blood, which some of us aren't quite used to.

We seem to disconnect almost as stalkers when they're at the 100yrds shooting a deer and not actually seeing up close and personal the effects if that makes sense. It was a combination of many different factors to culminate in my success and Canada or the States would be my next visit for sure.

 

[Morkai]

Another fact is that I think you would struggle to find anywhere with little enough public footfall for the length of time you guys need to sit for the beast to get close enough!

I went shooting the other week from a high seat, no public access.

I heard a twig snap, behind and below me was a Roe that had snuck in by following the stream. It was around 20ft away.

Prime bow hunting opportunity.

 

[RCS Deer Management]

An very interesting comment Ashray and one I hadn't considered. Obviously a complete passthrough is desirable for the quickest kill. Maybe the use of high seats/ tree stands could mitigate in flatter ground similar to a rifle?

I don’t think it’s one you need to consider. I’m not advocating for or against bow hunting, but i think that you would have to be mad to think a bow is potentially more dangerous than a rifle. Pass throughs with a bow rarely go more than 5m out the other side of the animal.

my vote is no. as i live in the south east of england . a very over populated area, where a bow would appear to be far more dangerous that a fire arm using a safe back stop and safe practices .an arrow can pass through a game animal and not expand like a cup and core lead bullet does and can be deflected and head in a different direction etc ,perhaps in the north of the country it would be safer but down here a no it is.

Sorry but I don’t think you understand how bows perform. If I had to stand 100m behind a deer being shot by a hunter I would definitely choose a deer being shot by a bow rather then a rifle

 

[olliehopes]

would be interesting to know how many in this thread have shot a modern compound bow?

they dont need to licence the bows they just need to issue a deer tag like over in the states alongside a simple shooting test.

I have, and still own one from my teenage years when I used to shoot 70 yard comps with it. Grouping about 2-3 inches! I'd say with enough practice, much like with a rifle, people can become proficient with a bow to a crazy accuracy standard.

 

[gixer1]

Similar experience to you Gixer, didn't see the appeal until I got behind a bow myself!

On the follow up shot issue I think you'd only struggle if an animal took an extended bolt away from you I think that's what Tim meant.

What say you to the criticism of its ability to reduce deer numbers compared to rifle?

A bow is not going to be as efficient…just due to the nature of the type of hunting…but plenty deer are shot from highseats!

 

[Buchan]

No.
Potential for error is too great.
Inhumane choice compared to a rifle

 

[cjm1066]

Bows aren't licensed now and can be bought and sold freely. A firearm according the Legislation is lethal barrelled, hence bows have never been licensed under firearms law.

The Wildlife & Countryside Act makes it illegal to use bows for hunting.

Can they kill cleanly, American experience and some UK bow hunters who go to Africa say yes.

 

[gixer1]

No.
Potential for error is too great.
Inhumane choice compared to a rifle

I would argue there are more risks associated with a rifle than a bow - backstops are not such a concern, they are silent so don’t upset people and if practiced can be arrow on arrow accurate.

I agree that I wouldn’t let anyone loose with one - however they have the advantage that most can practice at 15 yards in their back garden all day without upsetting anyone - you would be more likely to practice with a bow than a rifle as most need to go to a range/ground to use a rifle.

A Broad head will cut about a 2”, 3 bladed wound channel in an animal - they are very deadly.

I see it no different to knowing your limits with a rifle.

A new bow shooter is looking to get within 15-25 yards of an animal, if they push the distance the risk goes up, a rifle shooter is looking to get to around 100 yards…if they push that distance…the risk goes up! Same thing really!

 

[slider]

I went shooting the other week from a high seat, no public access.

I heard a twig snap, behind and below me was a Roe that had snuck in by following the stream. It was around 20ft away.

Prime bow hunting opportunity.

Public take access whether there is legal public access or not.
There is a right of responsible Access in Scotland and I can see the same coming to the rest of the UK before too long
That right places a responsibility on both the access take and the land manager.

 

[shakey jake]

ive never shot a bow. i can see it as a very useful tool in the correct place.
muntjac in cambridge are a pest in gardens. foxes i can cage trap, snare or shot with 22lr.
muntjac all i can offerr is 12 guage with aa if its enclosed land.
fencing stops new ones until a tree falls on the fence and a doe drops a fawn and wont leave.
im not saying bows would solve every issue. but they could be another option.
wounding is a risk with anything. not sure why people think a bow would wound more

 

[Morkai]

Public take access whether there is legal public access or not.
There is a right of responsible Access in Scotland and I can see the same coming to the rest of the UK before too long
That right places a responsibility on both the access take and the land manager.

Maybe people do wander where they have no permission but how is using a bow in that situation any worse than a rifle?

 

[palmer_mike]

It's like hunting with iron sights, same thing. I don't know anyone who takes open sight shots past 50 anyway

Really? I’m comfortable shooting Roe and bigger out to about 100m.
That’s with peep sights