rodp Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 First off let me say hi to everyone as I'm new here. Used to do a bit of air gunning years ago, acquired and restored some old classic springers a while back and have now gone pcp. As with most newbies I do have a question, and please don't flame me if I'm out of order. Question is, is a decent pcp (sub 12) good enough for Canada Geese. A local golf club have a bad problem with these, a real nuisance. I was thinking of sitting in a hide, nice and close and popping them through the head. Not very sporting I know but these are a pest, not raised for sport. I did ask this question on another forum but didn't actually get the answer as to whether an air gun will do the job, they just advised shotgun or live round (perhaps rightly so) There's a few articles on the web about folk potting these with a pcp no problem at all, so, what's the crack? Thanks for reading and for any answers Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 A sub 12ft/lb air rifle is capable but not the tool for the job. Couldnt tell you anymore though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclemicky Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 PHEW now this will be a contentious issue , I suppose a goose has a head the size of a rabbit , and we do shoot rabbit with .22 air rifles , but I would imagine that most of the replies will advocate a shotgun with the approprate shot/load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Tin hat ready, this may get heated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted November 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 A sub 12ft/lb air rifle is capable but not the tool for the job. Couldnt tell you anymore though Thanks for the answer. You mean just not powerful enough? Apparently these geese come up on to the bank and grass (hence the mess) so I / we can get really close. We were thinking of both rifles lined up on one goose so virtually guaranteed a head shot, is this still not the done thing? The management do not really want live ammo on the course as there's houses near (relatively) the pond but really want these Geese gone. Thanks Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted November 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 PHEW now this will be a contentious issue , I suppose a goose has a head the size of a rabbit , and we do shoot rabbit with .22 air rifles , but I would imagine that most of the replies will advocate a shotgun with the approprate shot/load Why, if an air rifle will do the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Yes powerful enough but certainly not the right tool.It`s not in the Airgunners Quarry List therefore not to be used! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Not powerful enough, even at close range. You would be better off with .17HMR or something similar. Very close range, it could be done, an air rifle will do it but definitely not recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted November 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 We already have a "not powerful enough" and a "yes, powerful enough" on this thread and this is what's puzzling me I cannot see on the general licence where it says not to use an air rifle (but that could be me). Is there no-one that's actually tried or does it, (or will own up to it ) Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't dream of trying if there's a good chance of wounding something, it needs to be a clean kill. There just seems to be a lot of different views on this, no majority answer. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickybird Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I know people who take canadas regulary with air rifle as they do with most vermin, but only on the ground not in flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger.22cal Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Ive shot an injured goose with a .22 air rifle to put it out of its misery, had to sit along while to get in range, i hit it head on but there was abit of flapping and i am sorry to say it may have drowned... ok for a one off but not the tool for clearing them... have they not tried a bird scarer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaddog Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 can you eat them?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I would think your legal problem would come more from the fact you'd be using lead shot near or over water (even shotgunners aren't allowed to do that). I had some ducks I was fattening here and they were all disapatched with a .22 Accupel in the back of the head and they do flap a lot even though dead. I don't think you'd have a power problem as such, certainly at close ranges but a goose's kill zone is much smaller than a rabbit so you'd need to be cock on with your shot but as I said using lead near or over water is your main problem. ..and yes, you can eat them not sure if you can sell them though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 can you eat them?? NO! you must never eat them, as they are poison. You must send it to me, and i will get rid for you :rolleyes: just kidding mate. yes, they are very edible, and make a great meal for a family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Long neck with a small head on the end of it that moves a lot.............NO ! That clear enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I know people who take canadas regulary with air rifle as they do with most vermin, but only on the ground not in flight Canada geese are not vermin, you are allowed to shoot them under the general licence all year round as long as all non lethal methods have been exhausted. If you are to do it then get the right equipment. You will need as a minimum a 12 bore shotgun and non toxic cartridges. You will also need a good gundog to retrieve for you as well as a strong right arm to dispatch any wingers. For those that say a sub 12 ft lb air rifle is man enough and you know people who take them regularly you are fooling nobody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPT1 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Dare I say it? Dynamics are non-toxic and on an earlier thread one of the crittiscisms was that they generated more power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 MPT1 come on you have to be on selling these things. The chance of wounding rather than killing a canada goose with an air rifle is just to high, you can argue all you like but everybody who has any thoughts of animal welfare knows its wrong, cant believe this still goes around Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted November 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 MPT1come on you have to be on selling these things. The chance of wounding rather than killing a canada goose with an air rifle is just to high, you can argue all you like but everybody who has any thoughts of animal welfare knows its wrong, cant believe this still goes around Doc I suppose this is the definitive answer then (what I've been looking for). A sub 12 ft/lb air rifle WILL do the job, on the ground and if accurately placed, but, the target is small and moves so the chances of a near miss are quite high, therefore, it's a calculated risk. The outcome then has to be that whilst it's possible if all goes 100%, it is a last resort due to the high factor of wounding the creature taking into consideration it's a small target area that moves erratically. Thanks everyone for your input. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I suppose this is the definitive answer then (what I've been looking for). A sub 12 ft/lb air rifle WILL do the job, on the ground and if accurately placed, but, the target is small and moves so the chances of a near miss are quite high, therefore, it's a calculated risk. The outcome then has to be that whilst it's possible if all goes 100%, it is a last resort due to the high factor of wounding the creature taking into consideration it's a small target area that moves erratically. Thanks everyone for your input. Rod In other words, dont!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPT1 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Doc, Only said it because of all the other stuf. I'm really just a jester. Definately not an interested party. However big discounts are being offered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I suppose this is the definitive answer then (what I've been looking for). A sub 12 ft/lb air rifle WILL do the job, on the ground and if accurately placed, but, the target is small and moves so the chances of a near miss are quite high, therefore, it's a calculated risk. The outcome then has to be that whilst it's possible if all goes 100%, it is a last resort due to the high factor of wounding the creature taking into consideration it's a small target area that moves erratically. Thanks everyone for your input. Rod Yes, I think that's the right way to look at it, while it's possible the chances for error are too high. I shot a pheasant the other day that was standing in my garden, like a goose the head is a small target but this was stood stock still and perfect distance for an air rifle (no need to hold under or over) and the rifle was rested. It's rare that you can get a shot like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 AIR RIFLE- PHEASANT ....I have seen people on this forum get linched on here for even suggesting it, let alone actually doing it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Kev Are you trying to start one of those moments when you go and put the kettle on and sit back to watch the fallout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Nope Just firing a warning shot over the bows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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