Deer with a shotgun...

[rompom]

I have a feeling this may stir up some emotion, so I would like to say upfront that I HAVE NEVER POINTED A SHOTGUN AT A DEER. *comes out from hiding behind table*

 

I was in the pub last night and one of the local guys was talking about shooting muntjac. I said that I had never shot deer as I don't have a FAC, only a shotgun certificate. He suggested that I buy some magnum carts with no. 3 or no. 1 shot and that they will do the trick from 50 yards on full choke. He went on to explain that, as they had not been introduced to the UK when the Deer Act came in so they are not covered by it.

 

Has anyone had any experience of this? It sounded far-fetched to me but if it's legal and humane I'd consider it.

[TJ91]

I have a feeling this may stir up some emotion, so I would like to say upfront that I HAVE NEVER POINTED A SHOTGUN AT A DEER. *comes out from hiding behind table*

 

I was in the pub last night and one of the local guys was talking about shooting muntjac. I said that I had never shot deer as I don't have a FAC, only a shotgun certificate. He suggested that I buy some magnum carts with no. 3 or no. 1 shot and that they will do the trick from 50 yards on full choke. He went on to explain that, as they had not been introduced to the UK when the Deer Act came in so they are not covered by it.

 

Has anyone had any experience of this? It sounded far-fetched to me but if it's legal and humane I'd consider it.

 

there is a term that states you can use a shotgun to shoot deer under some circumstances....but not sure what these are!?

i wouldnt do it and definatly not from 50yards with a shotgun

[Colster]

There is still a minimum bullet weight and velocity for muntjac and they are covered by the Deer Act even if there is no closed season for them (mostly due to the fact that Muntjac don't have a breeding season, they're at it all year round)

 

I remember at a pheasant shoot a couple of years back, one of the guns shot a running muntjac with probably nothing more than 30/6. Can't say I'm a fan of shotgun on deer, fine for dispatch of a wounded animal if that's all that is to hand but not as a primary tool for the job.

[Imperfection]

Im sure you can as a total last resort,but its not like anyones going to be in a life or death situation with a deer so trying to explain that to the Police or RSPCA etc is gonna be hard.

 

Unless you're shooting slug-a shotgun is so wrong.

[guest1957]

It is only legal to shoot a deer with a shotgun in two particular circumstances. One is humane dispatch, in this case any reasonable gun/cartridge combination may be used.

 

The second circumstance is outlined here:

 

"2) Subject to subsection(3) below, a person to whom this section applies shall not be guilty of an offence under section 4(2)(a) above by reason of the use, for the purpose 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-

 

 

 

(a) a cartridge containing a single non-spherical projectile weighing not less than 22.68 grammes(350 grains); or

 

 

 

(B a cartridge purporting to contain shot each of which is. 203 inches(5.16 millimetres) in diameter(that is to say, size AAA).

 

(3) A person to whom this section applies shall not be entitled to rely on the defence provided by subsection(1) or subsection(2) above as respects anything done in relation to any deer on any land unless he shows that-

 

 

 

(a) he 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;

 

 

 

(B it was likely that further damage would be so caused and any such damage was likely to be serious; and

 

 

 

C his action was necessary for the purpose of preventing any such damage."

 

The Act also states that it applies to deer of any species, so what your mate is saying about muntjac not being covered is incorrect.

Edited October 28, 2010 by guest1957

[Blunderbuss]

Farmers can use a shotgun on deer on their land to prevent damage to crops, but other than humane dispatch, I don't think there is any other legal circumstance where a shotgun can be used.

 

Doh....

 

Too slow

Edited October 28, 2010 by Blunderbuss

[al4x]

Been there and done it in the past with either AAA's or SSG's can't remember and there is an exception for using shotguns. Deer organisations hate it but the simple fact is it works very well in certain situations. I've not done it for years as they started to be worth serious money so the guy is half right but his shot size is well out

[guest1957]

Been there and done it in the past with either AAA's or SSG's can't remember and there is an exception for using shotguns. Deer organisations hate it but the simple fact is it works very well in certain situations. I've not done it for years as they started to be worth serious money so the guy is half right but his shot size is well out

 

AAA

[Redgum]

It is only legal to shoot a deer with a shotgun in two particular circumstances. One is humane dispatch, in this case any reasonable gun/cartridge combination may be used.

 

The second circumstance is outlined here:

 

"2) Subject to subsection(3) below, a person to whom this section applies shall not be guilty of an offence under section 4(2)(a) above by reason of the use, for the purpose 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-

 

 

 

(a) a cartridge containing a single non-spherical projectile weighing not less than 22.68 grammes(350 grains); or

 

 

 

(B a cartridge purporting to contain shot each of which is. 203 inches(5.16 millimetres) in diameter(that is to say, size AAA).

 

(3) A person to whom this section applies shall not be entitled to rely on the defence provided by subsection(1) or subsection(2) above as respects anything done in relation to any deer on any land unless he shows that-

 

 

 

(a) he 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;

 

 

 

(B it was likely that further damage would be so caused and any such damage was likely to be serious; and

 

 

 

C his action was necessary for the purpose of preventing any such damage."

 

The Act also states that it applies to deer of any species, so what your mate is saying about muntjac not being covered is incorrect.

Thats how it works, I'm a member of several Deer societies and yes its frowned upon except for dispatching a wounded animal. The shotgun is safer to use than a high powered centrefire in many situations due its short range. A Muntjac buck shot through the heart with a 100grain 243 bullet can run quite away into cover, it will be stone dead if you can find it. Now a AAA shotgun bullet may hit the brain, heart or lungs but more often the animal is shot at to far a range for the shotgun and the pellet doesnt strike the vitals. The reason why Deer societies frown upon shotguns, well its us that get called when a sad and bleeding animal is spotted by a family out on a picnic.

Edited October 28, 2010 by Redgum

[njc110381]

I've got first hand experience of Deer with shotguns. Roe and Muntjac. At under 20 yards a load of AAA will almost completely remove the head. The circumstances to do this are very limited and I wouldn't recommend it, but it is clean if you don't push the range.

 

50 yards isn't something I like to hear about. That's pushing the range with a shotgun for any quarry and with the shot size needed to shoot Deer the pattern is going to be terrible. It will be very much a luck thing at that range and luck isn't something one should rely on when shooting live quarry. You have to be beyond reasonable doubt that your methods will work and at that range it's just not possible.

 

If you want to shoot Deer then pay for a days stalking or find someone to take you. Maybe even get your FAC? You can get an acceptable setup for around £300.

[mowdy]

I have shot deer with a shotgun and with solid slugs as per the conditons of my fac it works but i would rather use a rifle .

With a shotgun keep the range down to 20 yards at best .

[Redgum]

I've got first hand experience of Deer with shotguns. Roe and Muntjac. At under 20 yards a load of AAA will almost completely remove the head. The circumstances to do this are very limited and I wouldn't recommend it, but it is clean if you don't push the range.

 

50 yards isn't something I like to hear about. That's pushing the range with a shotgun for any quarry and with the shot size needed to shoot Deer the pattern is going to be terrible. It will be very much a luck thing at that range and luck isn't something one should rely on when shooting live quarry. You have to be beyond reasonable doubt that your methods will work and at that range it's just not possible.

 

If you want to shoot Deer then pay for a days stalking or find someone to take you. Maybe even get your FAC? You can get an acceptable setup for around £300.

 

Well put, the circumstances are certainly very limited, to be within 20yds of a deer and for that deer to remain perfectly still for a head shot with a shotgun. And you must be experienced shooting a stationary target with a shotgun, probably best invest some time and money and get an FAC are the correct calibre rifle.

[Fishermanpaddy]

25 yards tops, a Muntjacs Vitals area is a lot smaller than a Red, Fallow etc

[Guest cookoff013]

yankies like buckshot, and sluggies. in some states its shotgun only.

[camokid]

i use a 223 and they still run on good shots i personaly think useing a shotgun is madness and should not be done, but each to there own. i just cant see how you could get a good enought shot to drop it

[al4x]

Thats how it works, I'm a member of several Deer societies and yes its frowned upon except for dispatching a wounded animal. The shotgun is safer to use than a high powered centrefire in many situations due its short range. A Muntjac buck shot through the heart with a 100grain 243 bullet can run quite away into cover, it will be stone dead if you can find it. Now a AAA shotgun bullet may hit the brain, heart or lungs but more often the animal is shot at to far a range for the shotgun and the pellet doesnt strike the vitals. The reason why Deer societies frown upon shotguns, well its us that get called when a sad and bleeding animal is spotted by a family out on a picnic.

 

 

 

I'm sorry Redgum but how many have you been called out to despatch??

 

You're posting what the various deer societies would like you to post with zero facts behind it. On the continent etc driven deer with slugs is common here its very frowned upon but not for any real logical reason other than stalkers get their knickers in a twist over it, there is virtually no difference shooting muntjac with shotguns as shooting foxes. We have a shot size limit which is fine and AAA's or bigger carry one hell of a wallop behind them, you don't need the deer stationary so can shoot them driven where you have a severe problem with damage. We did it about 15 years ago and it was very effective culling a lot in very heavy cover fast. Rifles are better but you would struggle to put the number of animals in the chiller that we did over a couple of days, they are non native and ripping the guts out of a lot of our woodlands so though I do like to see them I don't get too worried about them. Obviously you have to have the right amount of damage for it to be an option and really stalking is far better but lets not have too much of this Deer society ******** that is that unhumane

[henry d]

............magnum carts with no. 3 or no. 1 shot and that they will do the trick from 50 yards on full choke.........

 

Has anyone had any experience of this? It sounded far-fetched to me but if it's legal and humane I'd consider it.

 

I have shot deer with a shotgun and the above is not right.

[rompom]

A resounding 'no!' seems to be the general consensus. Thanks for all the feedback - I really appreciate it. I'll ignore the delicious little chaps until I manage to get my FAC. I just invested in a hushpower .410 so will focus on the pigeons/bunnies/squirrels for the time being!

[camokid]

il pop down and gladly let you take a shot with the rifle at least its the correct tool for the job