Son of a gun Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) Hi guys I'm sure this has come up before but I can't find it. I'm looking to get into fox shooting and deer stalking but I'm finding it quite hard as I'm only 13 (14 in may). I've shot foxes with my dads .22 but not with much success. I'm gonna apply for an fac on my birthday so hopefully should get one by the summer. I was then going to do a dsc1 with basc but I think there might be an age limit. Does anyone know? Secondly, my dad doesn't have a deer legal rifle ( to use on the dsc1) and I'm not sure on the law about borrowing one. One final question on the law on the basc website it says I may be given a rifle( when I have my fac) does this mean leant for the duration of the outing or given to keep and have on my fac? Thanks guys Edited February 22, 2013 by Son of a gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasduck Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 not sure about the the age limit on basc but as for the rifle u can barrow a rifle but you have to be supervised at all times there is a fela david on here that runs the basc if you can find him he would be worth sending a pm to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
contrysports Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 did'nt think you could even shoot a rifle until your 14 even if your supervised? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 My daughters 14 this year and will likely apply for her FAC. You can only shoot as a member of a home office range with any firearm before your 14 and you must be a member (day memberships / familly are available), do not talk any more of using your dads gun on foxes (we realise you were just kidding on ). Its BS I know coz my daughter could outshoot a lot of the blokes at my old club at 7 yrs old, its a little annoying she cannot shoot more than an air rifle here supervised at home after nearly 7 yrs experience of actually shooting rifles and (I know this sounds crackers to many) both my kids got very basic gun and ammo safety from being toddlers- they are exposed to them daily and I don't want them to be a mystery. At 14 I have to say you are unlikely to be granted a deer rifle unless you have very genuine "good reason" and a mentor in your household for such a firearm. Unless your a very big lad I should stick to .223 rem and lower. My way would be .22 lr moving up to a Hornet or downloaded .222 etc. in time. Good luck and speak to BASC about the "young shots" program there are some totally brilliant opportunities on this I am very jealous as there was naff all when I was a kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a gun Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Thanks Kent Just looked at the law on the basc website and they said I would be able to shoot alone once I had an fac is this correct I just thought it was too good to be true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) Why nor get you dad to get a cf rifle and once you have your fac gain some experiene first before going for a cf rifle.. Edited February 24, 2013 by Luckyshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) Best bet phone your fao and talk to him they don't bite Following the Firearms (Amendment) Regulations 2010 the following now applies with regard to firearms and young people: UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE No-one under the age of 14 may use a Section 1 Firearm except for target shooting as a member of a Home Office approved rifle club; or at a shooting gallery where no rifles larger than .23 inch calibre are used (e.g. at Fairs). 14 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE At the age of 14 a person may hold a firearm certificate and may then be given firearms and ammunition within the conditions on the certificate. The law does not set a minimum age at which the holder of a firearm certificate may shoot without adult supervision. That is left to the discretion of the parent or guardian. Edited February 24, 2013 by m2tyj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I'm only 13 (14 in may). I've shot foxes with my dads .22 but not with much success. .22 what? How are you at 14 going to justify a deer legal CF? Sorry I find this quite disturbing.... Glad your doing the research and not just taking pot shots at foxes......DSC 1 is far more about quarry identification laws and safety than actual shooting and most course providers will be able to supply a suitable gun for the range aspect. You will of course require the correct permission etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a gun Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Why nor get you dad to get a cf rifle and once you have your fac gain some experiene first before going for a cf rifle.. that was the plan but according to the law I don't think I would be able to use it unless it was on my cert at that was what I thought. I would love to gain some experience but the law is very restricting so I think if possible I will do a dsc1 this summer but I still don't know if I would be allowed. And the reason for the rifle is we are overrun with foxes and we are trying to get a small rough shoot going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 that was the plan but according to the law I don't think I would be able to use it unless it was on my cert at that was what I thought. I would love to gain some experience but the law is very restricting so I think if possible I will do a dsc1 this summer but I still don't know if I would be allowed. And the reason for the rifle is we are overrun with foxes and we are trying to get a small rough shoot going. The British deer society are a registered gun club and if your a member you can then borrow the gun to do your test. The issue will come that your dad or someone close to you is the only person likely to "give" you ammo. If you phone the BDS and speak to the training dept they will be glad to advise you. Again speak to BASC about young shots and take advantage of all the opportunities on this you possibly can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 .22 what? How are you at 14 going to justify a deer legal CF? Sorry I find this quite disturbing.... Glad your doing the research and not just taking pot shots at foxes......DSC 1 is far more about quarry identification laws and safety than actual shooting and most course providers will be able to supply a suitable gun for the range aspect. You will of course require the correct permission etc He was obviously telling porkies There is nothing disturbing here, were you never 14 or do you just not remember. Lads and lasses like this are the future of our sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.223 Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) How are you at 14 going to justify a deer legal CF? Sorry I find this quite disturbing.... Personally I find nothing disturbing at all about this, I was granted my FAC when I was 14 and past my DSC1 less than a month later ( with highest marks on the day ) Had my open ticket issued when I was 16 and also put my own stalking syndicate together the same year. At 14 I had my own .223 and .22lr which my father bought and then gave to me he also had to supply my ammo. I used to push bike after school with either one of them to a local farm where I used to release 25 pheasants and also manage the wild greys. So as Son Of A Gun says he is wanting to start a small rough shoot, as long as the ground is passed by the chief of police to a calibre of say .243 and he has it down on his FAC for fox and deer there is no problem him using it on this ground he also has the option of buying days on estates for deer which are also passed to his calibre. I also praise him for already looking at furthering his knowledge and understanding of this sport with doing the DSC1 .223 Edited February 24, 2013 by .223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Good on you young fella, I hope your able to do the dsc if thats what you want, best time to learn is when your young. Why can't you apply for your firearms now, the feo has the option of adding a condition for you not to use any firearm until the due time (or he could just sit on the cert until your birthday!!), go for a .22lr or whatever your dad has so you can have that entered onto your cert and use it to gain experience, then once the dsc is complete add a foxing / deer calibre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a gun Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 Thanks guys. Does the dsc cover ballistics and what would happen to a bullet if it missed your fox and hit a rock or something would this bullet have the power to carry on for a long way or is it not a problem? This is the problem and I'm wondering if the course would inform me. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I am pretty sure it will cover safe back stops etc however this is the sort of stuff that is required to get an FAC, you must be 100% certain that the shot is safe and if you miss the target or the bullet goes straight through that it is still safe for high velocity CF rounds this is incredibly important as the bullet can travel for miles and still be lethal after a ricochet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome of the Woods Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 It would inform you about deer and not fox's! I would sugest a firearms awareness course as a precursor to doing the DSC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a gun Posted February 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I will if possible. That's why I want to do the course because I'm keen to learn but the basc pre-dsc1 course like dsc1 has an age limit of 18. So I'm just going to have to keep looking. .223 who did you do your courses with am I right that its only basc and bds who do them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.223 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) .223 who did you do your courses with am I right that its only basc and bds who do them? I took mine with a good man called Ian Ballard who sadly in know longer with us. Where abouts in the country are you as there are plenty of other establishments who run the DSC1 course. Jelen , Greenlee and Donnington deer to name a few. Have a look on The Stalking Directory. Edited February 25, 2013 by .223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a gun Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 im in west sussex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 there has been a few 14 year olds complete there dsc1, and why not our sport should be open to all law abiding people with the right guidance he will be as safe as most of us,,,,, try and get your farther to do the dsc with you as you wont be ablle to buy your own rifle or ammo it makes sense for him to apply at the same time for a variation hope it all goes well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasduck Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Thanks guys. Does the dsc cover ballistics and what would happen to a bullet if it missed your fox and hit a rock or something would this bullet have the power to carry on for a long way or is it not a problem? This is the problem and I'm wondering if the course would inform me. Thanks i just finished mine today yea it covers the ballistics and safety if of big importance on it and it also covers law im not sure about where you ar but in n.ireland you wont get a rifle for foxs and deer together but it might be different on your side of the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 in n.ireland you wont get a rifle for foxs and deer together but it might be different on your side of the water Dont know about NI but over here its down to FEO/FLO but generally any CF is suitable for fox (some allow HMR) .22-250 and .222/.223 are common and legal for small deer IIRC (muntjac and CWD) .243 is the min for all deer.(same in NI according to BASC http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/deer-stalking.cfm England and Wales For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used. For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .240 and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement. Northern Ireland For Muntjac and Chinese Water deer only- a rifle with a minimum calibre of not less than .220 inches and muzzle energy of not less than 1000 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 50 grains may be used. For all deer of any species - a minimum calibre of .236 inches, a minimum bullet weight of 100 grains and minimum muzzle energy of 1,700 foot pounds is the legal requirement. .22-250 meets the energy criteria with a 50 or 55gr bullet however the .22 WMR doesnt meet the energy requirements with a 50gr bullet nor does a .22 Hornet.... (all quite complex) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiff-TRG Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure if there is a lower limit, but I'd enquire about being considered for a BDS Jim Taylor-Page Young Persons Bursary. I secured it for three friends and I a few years ago - we had our Level 1 courses fully paid. Personally I was shooting foxes/deer at 14 unsupervised with my rifles, but had to wait till I was 15 before I could leagally be left pigeon shooting with my shotgun! Edited March 21, 2013 by Tiff-TRG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 While the DSC is a good course and u will learn a lot from it, but from wot ur talking about more basic safety, backstops and bullet ballistics could all be taught by ur dad or a mentor. Most off it is common sense really and belt and braces when it comes to safety, if a touch off doubt about the shot don't pull the trigger. Really the safety taught at DSC1 should all already be known and practised by the stalker anyway. Think ur biggest problem will be waiting till ur 14 and u get an FAC throu Possibly offer a local rifle shot to go out and hold his lamp for him and learn by watching and listening to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 as scotslad says ask about for someone to go lamping with, be there lampman and get to know / learn a bit, plus it'll be fun too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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