Rabbit Hunting in A Remote Land Allowed?

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merlin said:
...is the HSC1 a pre-requisite for going after haggis?
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I've heard a rumour that some shooting organisations are working on a HSC1 and HSC2 as we speak. Mind you I've also heard that the Lesser Spotted Highland Haggis are getting so numerous that they are now spreading in to many of the lowland areas and are also crossing the border so they might have to be put on the "General Licence" soon as they could be harmful to badgers and foxes (I believe that Brian May is currently looking into and preparing a report on this) - I'm not sure which of these rumours to believe. Even if either of these rumours are true I am sure that Head Shooting haggis will strictly forbidden as it might be thought of as both unethical and inhumane!
Can any Stalking Directory members tell us if there is any truth in either of these rumours. Also can anyone enlighten us to the question of "is there a strict dress code for Haggis Shooting" on any of the big Scottish Estates please i.e. The wearing of a kilt and bonnet rather than the usual "camo outfits" along with copious amounts of midge repellent?
 
Thanking everyone for the great piece of advice. Yes, I'm searching for a shooting club to join as I type :)



I drove up to Highlands on the 17th looking for Rabbitland. While heading for Inverness I took A93 then A939, through Cairngorms National Parks and found loads of deers, hares and rabbit in a field near a littel village called Tomintoul. So I poped into this restaurent and asked them if that field belongs to them and got an answer saying it belongs to one the the Estates. Then I rang the Park people trying to get permission but they refused saying they've sold it to an hunting sports agent and I have to go through them. Roxtons is charging £50 for day for rabbit shooting in Inverness and Dumfries & Galloway....What a deal!


Then started again from Fort William to Glasgow but couldn't fin any single rabbit. Stopped by and asked a farmer. He gave me permission to shoot them said I'd be lucky I found one because he hadnt seen them for 3 years or so in that part of Highlands because they all died due a disease. Then I thought I would go through a sporting agent, rang couple of them but due to short notice, most of them were not availabele. But luckily I found a dearstalking person through Google in Dumfries who was more than happi to take to his back graden to shoot rabbit for free of charge. I got there in the dusk all geared up, took my spring piston 177 rifle (please see attached pic below) out and shot four rabbit in 40, 30 and 5 yards and guess what....all four of them were shot yet they managed to escape before I got to them. The last one I shot within 5 yards was a headshot though!

That gentleman said that my gun isnt powerfull enough to kill but bruise them and I would need a 22 one if I want to kill a rabbit. Is he refering to .22 calibre rifle? Should I get a PCP or Co2 one?


Cheers
Urames Ruger.webp
 
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artschool said:
something else to note.

It is illegal to have an air rifle loaded or in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse: this restriction applies even when airguns are being carried in securely-fastened gun cases.

it is worth noting that your car boot counts as a public place.
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I spoke to English and Scottish firearm departments and they confirmed that It's legal to carry it in the car :)
 
zakmuh said:
I spoke to English and Scottish firearm departments and they confirmed that It's legal to carry it in the car :)
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thats interesting. i always thought it was legal if you had reasonable excuse. i.e. "i am off to my gun club officer" or "i am going out lamping here is my written permission".




zakmuh said:
Thanking everyone for the great piece of advice. Yes, I'm searching for a shooting club to join as I type :)



I drove up to Highlands on the 17th looking for Rabbitland. While heading for Inverness I took A93 then A939, through Cairngorms National Parks and found loads of deers, hares and rabbit in a field near a littel village called Tomintoul. So I poped into this restaurent and asked them if that field belongs to them and got an answer saying it belongs to one the the Estates. Then I rang the Park people trying to get permission but they refused saying they've sold it to an hunting sports agent and I have to go through them.



Then started again from Fort William to Glasgow but couldn't fin any single rabbit. Stopped by and asked a farmer. He gave me permission to shoot them said I'd be lucky I found one because he hadnt seen them for 3 years or so in that part of Highlands because they all died due a disease. Then I thought I would go through a sporting agent, rang couple of them but due to short notice, most of them were not availabele. But luckily I found a dearstalking person through Google in Dumfries who was more than happi to take to his back graden to shoot rabbit for free of charge. I got there in the dusk all geared up, took my spring piston 177 rifle (please see attached pic below) out and shot four rabbit in 40, 30 and 5 yards and guess what....all four of them were shot yet they managed to escape before I got to them. The last one I shot within 5 yards was a headshot though!



That gentleman said that my gun isnt powerfull enough to kill but bruise them and I would need a 22 one if I want to kill a rabbit. Is he refering to .22 calibre rifle? Should I get a PCP or Co2 one?


Cheers

View attachment 59522
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you need to put the gun through a chrono to see how much power is being put out. .177 is fine for rabbits at 12 ft lbs.
 
So am I reading that right that you shot four rabbits, definitely hit them all (including one in the head) and they all got away after being shot? So theres now four wounded rabbits out there still alive?

Or are we saying that rifle you have isnt powerful enough to kill them and is only bruising them? Even so that doesnt sound like humane dispatch or humane shooting..?

Or am I missing something here?
 
From my conversation with firearm officers, we are only allowed to have an carry an air rifles with less than 12 ft lbs power. Anthying above this we need FAC. Mine is 11 ft lbs (well this is what I was told by the local gun shop)
 
Yes you're reading correct...I definitely hit them and they all got away. I didn't go out there shooting rabbits for fun. I wanted to kill just one rabbit for food and that's why I stopped with the fourth one after realising that the rifle is no good.
 
zakmuh said:
From my conversation with firearm officers, we are only allowed to have an carry an air rifles with less than 12 ft lbs power. Anthying above this we need FAC. Mine is 11 ft lbs (well this is what I was told by the local gun shop)
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Zakmuh: If your air rifle is only bruising rabbits (at what sounds like VERY CLOSE RANGE) then you ned to take it and get it checked by someone with a chronograph as it is obviously turning out well below the required energy to kill anything humanely.
Until then please do not try to shoot at any more live quarry with the air rifle you have!
 
Thanks everyone. I find every reply a good piece of friendly advice :)



For being a beginner, one step at a time.....The very first thing I did even before touching the rifle was getting the FAC info from firearm department. Then I did loads of Youtube and google search to know about rifle and rabbit/pigeon shooting. Then I went and bought the rifle and practised to 10, 20 and 30 yards shooting-I didnt practise on live quarry cos I didnt want to hurt them, following the advice from this and some other forums and thats why I think I managed to target and hit all four rabbits (though it wasnt a kill). So now what I understand from you all are saying is that either a 177 or 22 is good enough to kill a rabbit but the killing power depends on a good quality rifle. I should be looking at at least £500 for a perfect hunting I guess.


Most people are using PCPs. So can I take that springers are not good for hunting?


Cheers
 
zakmuh said:
Thanks everyone. I find every reply a good piece of friendly advice :)



For being a beginner, one step at a time.....The very first thing I did even before touching the rifle was getting the FAC info from firearm department. Then I did loads of Youtube and google search to know about rifle and rabbit/pigeon shooting. Then I went and bought the rifle and practised to 10, 20 and 30 yards shooting-I didnt practise on live quarry cos I didnt want to hurt them, following the advice from this and some other forums and thats why I think I managed to target and hit all four rabbits (though it wasnt a kill). So now what I understand from you all are saying is that either a 177 or 22 is good enough to kill a rabbit but the killing power depends on a good quality rifle. I should be looking at at least £500 for a perfect hunting I guess.


Most people are using PCPs. So can I take that springers are not good for hunting?


Cheers
Click to expand...

You need a rifle that is 12ft lbs in power. both springer and PCP will be fine. take your rifle into a gun store and ask them to chrono it. If its low powered buy a new one.
 
Thanks artschool. I need a FAC for 12ft lbs rifles and willing to apply for one. Could you please recommend a rifle for me, something that is good for a beginner?

Cheers
 
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