Frenchieboy Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 I have been asked by a local farmer to thin out as many of the Canada Geese as I can on his land. This is on inland/grass land fields near a small reservoir and at this time of the year the Canadas come on to a couple of his fields and have a field day on the grass that he is relying on for his cattle through the winter. I believe that the law says that you must take reasonable steps to deter them before you resort to lethal methods (Shooting), but what exactly is the situation? Also, I only have shotguns with 2 3/4 inch chambers so if I were to take this on what cartridges would you suggest? (I do not think that my shotguns are proofed for steel shot (They don't show a Fleur De Leys" in the proof marks) - My SxS is choked at half and half, and my O/U is choked at Full and Three Quarters. Your advice please gents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 I have been asked by a local farmer to thin out as many of the Canada Geese as I can on his land. This is on inland/grass land fields near a small reservoir and at this time of the year the Canadas come on to a couple of his fields and have a field day on the grass that he is relying on for his cattle through the winter. I believe that the law says that you must take reasonable steps to deter them before you resort to lethal methods (Shooting), but what exactly is the situation? Also, I only have shotguns with 2 3/4 inch chambers so if I were to take this on what cartridges would you suggest? (I do not think that my shotguns are proofed for steel shot (They don't show a Fleur De Leys" in the proof marks) - My SxS is choked at half and half, and my O/U is choked at Full and Three Quarters. Your advice please gents? non native species, so no need to deter them, why not try the rifle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 That being the case "Non-Native species so no need to deter them" then really speaking there is no reason why I should not get "stuck in to them"! This next question is going to make me look a little thick but I'll take my chances - Am I governed by a "closed season" for them or do they class as "vermin"? (Widlfowling isn't normally my thing) I have thought about using the 17 HMR but maybe taking the shotgun as well for when they take to the wing. With that in mind what cartridges would you suggest for the shotguns that I have available - i.e. Is it obligatory to use steel shot and if not what size and load of shot should I be thinking about to shoot efficiently and humanely please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsm1968 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Your advice please gents? I would suggest you use the search facility, and don't post your final decision. This has been done to death and has all the ingredients of a thread heading to be locked. If you were anyone else the troll meter would be in the red by now. Another argument between vermin shooters and wild fowler on the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 STD general licence in England, don't do them with rifle HMR is unreliable with large birds and .243" will just waste them. Rifle shooting will stop them comming back but shooting them once or twice can do what most require in the way of control. Wanna hand? Got Canada deeks, proper ammo etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Frenchieboy YHPM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockercas Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 If you do use shot gun don't aim for the bodys. Think of the head like a partridge and ignore the body. As for carts. I have some semi mags lead shot ( I only use them for foxes 'wink wink') think ther 42gr of number 4 because my chambers are 2 3/4 also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silpig5 Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 " run down and wipe out as many as possible " i think that was one of the last threads about this subject . frenchie , i think pete has pm'd you sound advice , keep it close to ya chest to avoid trolls . adi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 (edited) That being the case "Non-Native species so no need to deter them" then really speaking there is no reason why I should not get "stuck in to them"! This next question is going to make me look a little thick but I'll take my chances - Am I governed by a "closed season" for them or do they class as "vermin"? (Widlfowling isn't normally my thing) I have thought about using the 17 HMR but maybe taking the shotgun as well for when they take to the wing. With that in mind what cartridges would you suggest for the shotguns that I have available - i.e. Is it obligatory to use steel shot and if not what size and load of shot should I be thinking about to shoot efficiently and humanely please? They're classed as wildfowl not vermin. However, they're not covered by the wildfowling season in that they can be shot anytime IF causing a problem, and there is no need to try other methods of control first. If using a shotgun you MUST use a non-toxic load, and a fairly substantial one at that. As your guns aren't proofed for steel you can use Tungsten, Bismouth or Hevi-shot. If you use lead you WILL be breaking the law. You can use a rifle with a single lead bullet no problem. These are the simple facts about shooting Canada's. Edited August 7, 2011 by poontang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Thanks for all of the replies guys! With what has been said I think I will have to review my situation and leave it at that as I don't want to open a can of worms nor do I wish to start any "heated discussions", "controversy" or "ill feelings" between "rough shooters" and "wildfowlers" - That is not my style and not something that I want to get involved in! Once again - Thanks Guys for your "words of wisdom"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinchesterDave Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 2 3/4 isn't ideal for geese mate especially Canada's you should probably be shooting them With a 3" cart if not 3 1/2, with at least a minimum of 36g 3, but many people may think this to be too small for geese... 1's and bb's are ideal! 42-50g would be good! ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 I am happy to take HMR head shots on them out to around 100yards, they don't argue and a lot easier to shoot off a bipod at distance than a 12g. Body shots are not really on with the `17g HMR, but a 40g HP WMR works just fine! CF you can put anywhere you like generally. I am talking when they are the ground of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 just work out where they flight in from frenchie and find an appropriate hedge to sit in. Use your shotgun and have some sport, you'll soon put them off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 just work out where they flight in from frenchie and find an appropriate hedge to sit in. Use your shotgun and have some sport, you'll soon put them off And to add to this sound advice you will find that your 2 3/4" cartridges are perfectly adequate. That's what we used before 3" were invented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 STD general licence in England, don't do them with rifle HMR is unreliable with large birds and .243" will just waste them. Rifle shooting will stop them comming back but shooting them once or twice can do what most require in the way of control. Wanna hand? Got Canada deeks, proper ammo etc. HMR is definitely unreliable, but 243 doesn't 'waste them' - use a deer bullet and you get a humane kill without a bloody great mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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