Slugs?

[Smellydog]

My certificate is up for renewal soon and deer are moving onto the grounds I shoot over.
Soon I can envisage being asked to shoot some.
I'm trying to resist buying another cf rifle ( not had a cf for several years now) and wondered whether to apply for 12g slugs.
If I could give a good reason and got the grant I could develope a shotgun for the job.
I have seen slugs used in the past and they are better than most realize, especially this side of 50yds.
I wasn't to sure where to place this question but here goes.
Has anyone here got a similar grant regarding 12g slugs for deer shooting?
Thanks.

 

[enfieldspares]

Someone will be along to explain why (unless a select set of circumstances apply) you mostly cannot shoot deer in England and Wales, or Scotland, with a shotgun.

 

[Smellydog]

13.7 Section 7 refers to exceptions for the occupier of land where deer are, or someone having rights to kill deer on that land (or a person with the written authority of either type of person), and provides that a person is not guilty of an offence under section 2 (taking, injuring or intentionally killing a deer during the close season) if:

• a) it has taken place on any cultivated land, pasture or enclosed woodland; and
• b) if they had reasonable grounds for believing that deer of the same species were causing, or had caused, damage to crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property on the land; and
• c) that further serious damage was likely to be caused, and his action was necessary to prevent any such damage.

13.8 In this instance a person would not be guilty of an offence under section 4(2)(a) by reason of the use, for the purposes of taking or killing any deer on any land, of any smooth-bore gun of not less gauge than 12 bore which is loaded with either:

• i) a cartridge containing a single non-spherical projectile weighing not less than 22.68 grammes (350 grains); or
• ii) a cartridge purporting to contain shot each of which is .203 inches (5.16 millimetres) in diameter (size AAA).

13.9 It should also be noted that the deer must be shot on the land where the damage is being caused, and not elsewhere (such as neighbouring land).

Does that not cover it?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Legalities aside, the first time you see a badly hit deer running/crawling off will remind you that slugs are not ideal.
Anyhooo - why would you ever want to "resist buying a c/f rifle"?

 

[Donkey Basher]

Don't want to put the dampers on it but the key word in the above is 'damage' & the intention of the wording is, I believe, to allow use of a shotgun as an immediate measure when, for example, looking out the windows in the morning & seeing a deer munching your strawberies & there is no one with a suitable rifle to hand.

If you are looking for longer term deer 'management' on a larger area of more traditional farmland or pasture then I'm afraid I think you will really struggle to get authority for slugs.

 

[Smellydog]

Don't want to put the dampers on it but the key word in the above is 'damage' & the intention of the wording is, I believe, to allow use of a shotgun as an immediate measure when, for example, looking out the windows in the morning & seeing a deer munching your strawberies & there is no one with a suitable rifle to hand.

If you are looking for longer term deer 'management' on a larger area of more traditional farmland or pasture then I'm afraid I think you will really struggle to get authority for slugs.

Hmmm.
But if it is legal to use slug in them circumstances then an earlier provision to a certificate has to be already made!

I understand fully your point but I can see , possibly, a provision for crop protection over shall we say sustained deer management or sporting purposes.

 

[Smellydog]

Legalities aside, the first time you see a badly hit deer running/crawling off will remind you that slugs are not ideal.
Anyhooo - why would you ever want to "resist buying a c/f rifle"?

I appreciate your comment but unfortunately that happens with rifles shot deer also sometimes.
I'm struggling for security room and finished deer stalking a while ago, predominantly because of traveling.

If all else fails though....

 

[baguio]

You're out of order even asking this question IMO. This is a stalking site and we don't treat deer like vermin. Get the correct tool for the job or pass the stalking over to someone who has.

 

[dunwater]

I appreciate your comment but unfortunately that happens with rifles shot deer also sometimes.
I'm struggling for security room and finished deer stalking a while ago, predominantly because of traveling.

If all else fails though....

Why not ask?
Legally there are occasions where its permitted, and the fact that its no longer customary to shoot deer with a shotgun is just that, custom and practice.

 

[shakey jake]

i really cant see an feo granting the use of slugs.
i also think you would spend more time not shooting deer because of range issues.
shotguns are a tool for killing deer in an enclosed area where you can get them with in range. not for woodland stalking.
get a cheap 308

 

[mealiejimmy]

You're out of order even asking this question IMO. This is a stalking site and we don't treat deer like vermin. Get the correct tool for the job or pass the stalking over to someone who has.

Come to Scotland- because vermin is exactly how our SNP government wants them treated

Cheers

Bruce

 

[baguio]

Come to Scotland- because vermin is exactly how our SNP government wants them treated

Cheers

Bruce

That's true. It doesn't make it right and it's certainly not anything the members of this site support. There's not too much that comes out of Sturgeon's mouth that I agree with TBH.

 

[Smellydog]

You're out of order even asking this question IMO. This is a stalking site and we don't treat deer like vermin. Get the correct tool for the job or pass the stalking over to someone who has.

I never implied I view or consider deer as vermin.

 

[Selous]

I think this is a question to raise with your FEO. Who knows how they will view it… Before using them it would be well worth testing their accuracy or lack of

 

[baguio]

I never implied I view or consider deer as vermin.

Didn't you. Well that how it appears to me.

 

[bogtrotter]

I am of an age that in my youth it was common practice to shoot deer with shotguns , there is no doubt that in the right
hands a shotgun can be very effectice.
I the "right hands" is the problem how many have the discipline to hold their fire unil they are within the severally
restricted range that is necessary to be effective with a shotgun.
In my youth I also used a shotgun on deer maine driven deer wher you can get close enough to be effective.
There may be odd occasions whenba shotgun is the only suitable tool for the job but would I like to see the return of
Shotguns being used to shoot deer, in most circumstances definitely NOT!

 

[Smellydog]

I think this is a question to raise with your FEO. Who knows how they will view it… Before using them it would be well worth testing their accuracy or lack of

Absolutely. As per any firearm, test, test, test again.

 

[Smellydog]

Didn't you. Well that how it appears to me.

I think you presumed that view.
To illustrate Canada geese are often viewed as a pest and I am often asked to shoot them. Personally I don't see them as a pest and thus still have a measure of deep respect for them.
Likewise with the deer. I love watching them but I'm also prepared to shoot them.
One point you made about getting a cheap 308 is OK except if say I got a smoothbore auto shotgun printing three slugs in under 4" @50yds consistently and went on to shoot a deer successfully at 50yds or less.
How is that any different to shooting a deer @50yds with a 308?

Bear in mind I do have some experience. Mostly good but there was the time I shot a roe doe at 40yds and she crawled 20yds, 243.
There was the time a roe doe crawled 15yds, 30/30.
There was the time a roe sibling crawled 20yds, 30/30.
There was the time a red hind ran 100yds, 243.

Deer run often when shot, follow up is often required.
Believe me, I am not seeking to be wreckless.

 

[Smellydog]

how many have the discipline to hold their fire unil they are within the severally
restricted range that is necessary to be effective with a shotgun.

Excellent point.
After hunting small game with muzzloaders for a few decades one does learn the discipline you point out!

 

[User00040]

You're out of order even asking this question IMO. This is a stalking site and we don't treat deer like vermin. Get the correct tool for the job or pass the stalking over to someone who has.

You're so high up in that ivory tower I think the lack of oxygen is starting to affect you...