1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise, do we adhere to this?

[devon deer stalker]

Hi All,
Do we abide by this law?
The optics we use have improved vastly over the years to such an extent that it could be possible we could fall foul of this law.
Does anyone give it a second thought to look at their watch before the trigger is squeezed?
Its very unlikely anything could ever be proved, but the law is the law.
Most optics companies now advertise the low light transmission and light gathering capabilities of their optics, and most of us own them don't we?
Just a thought.
Cheers
Richard

 

[matt_hooks]

As law abiding, responsible stalkers, of course we do.

Actually, at the moment, the sun rises so sharply, and goes down so quickly, that I doubt even with the best optics in the world you'd be able to properly identify a beast, and take a shot, outside those times.

If I'm starting early I'll always look at the official sunrise time. Like you say, the chance of getting caught is small, but if we only obey the law if we think we might get caught, we have bigger problems than shooting a deer outside the permitted hours!

 

[trouble]

Yes modern optics have better light gathering capabilities BUT thats not alot of help if you injure one right on last light is it

 

[6pointer]

Alot of my shooting is next to Trunk roads and i need to phone in start time i don't think the police would take to kindly to me saying i am starting at 3 when sunrise is 430. But like said one hour before sunrise is so bloody dark it would not be a safe shot any way.

 

[bogtrotter]

As law abiding, responsible stalkers, of course we do.

Actually, at the moment, the sun rises so sharply, and goes down so quickly, that I doubt even with the best optics in the world you'd be able to properly identify a beast, and take a shot, outside those times.

If I'm starting early I'll always look at the official sunrise time. Like you say, the chance of getting caught is small, but if we only obey the law if we think we might get caught, we have bigger problems than shooting a deer outside the permitted hours!

100% in agreement

 

[Vipa]

Yes... stick to it to be honest it's almost pitch black an hour before and after, especially when in a forestry block!

 

[Virbius]

Yes always - I have an iPhone app that gives sunrise/sunset times so dead easy to check

 

[2130martin]

100% in agreement

+1

 

[2130martin]

Alot of my shooting is next to Trunk roads and i need to phone in start time i don't think the police would take to kindly to me saying i am starting at 3 when sunrise is 430. But like said one hour before sunrise is so bloody dark it would not be a safe shot any way.

Dont forget its only the shot thats limited by time,not the start/stalk......

 

[2130martin]

I tend to check the times the night before as I wouldnt want to get out one minute earlier than I have too!!!!

 

[devon deer stalker]

Like yourselves i abide by the law of the land, what prompted me to raise this thread was the law in Montana, they are not 1 hour but 30 minutes, and unlike us they have game wardens patrolling, when i go over later this year i better make sure my mate has his iphone with him!
As you say, getting up well before dawn this time of year can be a real challenge.
I like to go stalking in the evening, if i don't succeed its put the gun away and get the Sea Trout rod out!
Cheers
Richard

 

[User00003]

I never shoot 1hr after sunset or before, I always want to leave enough time to find/track/gralloch whilst being able to see...mind, I 'did' nail the first buck of the year 40mins after sunset,,,but that was a one off and I couldn't let that first buck of the season just walk away

 

[JAYB]

This time of the year way up here, the hour before and hour after means there is only about an hour or so when you cannot shoot! Mind you in the depths of winter there is not much shooting time at all.

John

 

[Taff]

DDS I don,t know if Montana hunting is the same as Illinois, but the mornings are more productive, as the evenings come in quick, and the temps can be quite hi.

 

[newkid]

Its different in Scotland, especially the west...

We start and stop based on GMT.... Gross Midgy Time. Get out and back in before the little b*ggers eat you alive!

 

[223]

most of my deer are shot a very last light (fallow) on average they normally wander out the wood about 25/30 mins after sunset offical time

 

[Virbius]

DDS I don,t know if Montana hunting is the same as Illinois, but the mornings are more productive, as the evenings come in quick, and the temps can be quite hi.

+1 - more deer about in the mornings in Alabama as well.

 

[scheesman]

Another locale, in British Columbia the reg is;

to hunt game, except migratory game birds (see #28 below), from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. To find out the time of sunrise and sunset, consult a local newspaper or the following website: www.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/sunrise_e.html . The responsibility remains with the hunter to make the determination of sunrise and sunset in the field based on existing terrain and circumstances.

For me the terrain has always been a big factor. As was said in previous posts, might be plenty of light to take the shot but is there enough to get the animal, track it down, then possibly clean up and get back to camp. One mountain top we camped overnight due to time and weather but luckily the only time so far.

 

[Tamus]

Another locale, in British Columbia the reg is;

to hunt game, except migratory game birds (see #28 below), from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. To find out the time of sunrise and sunset, consult a local newspaper or the following website: www.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/sunrise_e.html .

The responsibility remains with the hunter to make the determination of sunrise and sunset in the field based on existing terrain and circumstances.

For me the terrain has always been a big factor. As was said in previous posts, might be plenty of light to take the shot but is there enough to get the animal, track it down, then possibly clean up and get back to camp. One mountain top we camped overnight due to time and weather but luckily the only time so far.

Yikes!

Does that mean a North Facing and/or steep/high sided valley has reduced sunrise to sunset times?

There must be some valleys that the sun practically never shines directly into, particularly during winter months... does that mean no shooting is allowed there?

Or is this just me reading what's actually written but not undersanding what was "supposedly" intended?

 

[Si]

This time of the year way up here, the hour before and hour after means there is only about an hour or so when you cannot shoot! Mind you in the depths of winter there is not much shooting time at all.

John

Last weekend I set the alarm clock for 03.15 and it was already light