Is it illegal?

[Underdog]

Is it illegal to shoot ducks and geese with an air rifle?

 

I would prefer just clarification on the law, not opinions!

 

Thanks.

 

Underdog.

[bullet1747]

I'd say use shot gun like the rest

Edited September 28, 2013 by bullet1747

[Clubshot]

Check the following Link - http://www.basc.org.uk/en/shooting/airgunning/airgun-guidance-and-fact-sheets.cfm

 

 

BOB/R

[oscarsdad]

Is it illegal to shoot ducks and geese with an air rifle?

 

I would prefer just clarification on the law, not opinions!

 

Thanks.

 

Underdog.

Since you have to use non-toxic for ducks and geese and non lead pellets are all useless I don't think you would be able to hit wildfowl with an air rifle.

[Big Mat]

Since you have to use non-toxic for ducks and geese and non lead pellets are all useless I don't think you would be able to hit wildfowl with an air rifle.

 

For a single projectile it does not have to be non toxic

[FalconFN]

 

For a single projectile it does not have to be non toxic

I was under that impression but i can't for the life of me find anything official to back this up.

 

I think it is legal, but not recommended but there must be some legislation somewhere that could clear it up.

[.philmypower.]

I believe it is legal however strongly believe it shouldn't be.

[neil82]

think the legislation covering this would be under `causing unnesesary (don`t know how to spell it) suffering`, if you can kill it cleanly and its covered under a general licence then carry on, but make sure that you check on that licence and able to quote it if pulled by plod, if pulled by RSPCA you will be stuffed no matter what the law says

[Dekers]

There is nothing specifically illegal about using an air rifle to shoot ducks and geese and there is no legal problem using a single lead pellet. Your problems would potentially relate to assorted animal cruelty legislation.

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170/contents/made

 

There can be few times when an air rifle could be considered the appropriate tool and BASC etc., are not happy with air rifles for this use.

[Grandalf]

There is a big difference between legal and sensible!

[Underdog]

Thanks for the legal answers.

 

To the moral police force present here answer please;

 

How is a head shot to a goose or duck any more cruel than skirting a bird on the wing with a shotgun?

 

U.

[reggiegun]

There is a big difference between legal and sensible!

Well said.

Edited September 29, 2013 by reggiegun

[RED BEARD]

i'd say theres as much chance of wounding a bird with a shotgun as there is with a air rifle (maybe even more).if you only went for head shots at very sensible ranges i'd say it would be a clean kill,unless the bird flinched which would probably mean a clean miss,i think folk are letting there thoughts on whether its sporting or not,get in the way of whether its lawful.

[Underdog]

All birds one shot one kill.

 

 

U.

[smokinggun]

Nice shooting there mate im very jealous, you can't beat a bit of duck for dinner, if I had a chance of a clean head shot on a duck I would take it as long as its legal, gotta take some skill to stalk it within air rifle ranges.

[timmytree]

Thanks for the legal answers.

 

To the moral police force present here answer please;

 

How is a head shot to a goose or duck any more cruel than skirting a bird on the wing with a shotgun?

 

U.

 

Well said!

Witness the latest video on Fieldsports showing wounded pigeons flapping around on the ground, I wonder how many birds fly on with just one or two pellets in them?

[NIGHT SEARCHER]

All birds one shot one kill.

 

 

 

 

Good shooting U.

Nice guns Air arms S 200 MK3

Is that a Titan MCO10 or a Falcon 12 after they bought Titan out same gun just re badged.

[evo]

I shoot duck and pheasant when in season of course , some people don't agree with it but lets be honest they are not the ones who put food on my plate and if the farmer wants it then he gets it,

 

must add I do prefer to use the shotgun on the ducks but only cos its easier at 40 yrds

Edited September 30, 2013 by evo

[turbo33]

Thanks for the legal answers.

 

To the moral police force present here answer please;

 

How is a head shot to a goose or duck any more cruel than skirting a bird on the wing with a shotgun?

 

U.

 

Always puzzles me that one Underdog How many posts from being out with the shotgun are xxx picked and xxx lost over the road, or in a crop. Never a mention form anyone as to if they were dead or not. Birds hit but carried on etc,etc. Seems its acceptable practise with a shotgun, but dare you suggest using a single projectile for birds, you'll get a multitude of hypocritical answers

[RED BEARD]

 

Always puzzles me that one Underdog How many posts from being out with the shotgun are xxx picked and xxx lost over the road, or in a crop. Never a mention form anyone as to if they were dead or not. Birds hit but carried on etc,etc. Seems its acceptable practise with a shotgun, but dare you suggest using a single projectile for birds, you'll get a multitude of hypocritical answers

your spot on there duck.

[Underdog]

 

 

Good shooting U.

Nice guns Air arms S 200 MK3

Is that a Titan MCO10 or a Falcon 12 after they bought Titan out same gun just re badged.

A friends MC010, cracking good rifle.

 

The ranges were from 5yds to 30ish yards.

 

Nice n' quiet, no stress even nodded off between birds.

 

I believe the duck have made a wonderfull curry and can believe it, my friends Mrs is a good cook!

 

U.

Edited September 29, 2013 by Underdog

[la bala]

All birds one shot one kill.

 

 

U.

hope its legal, you have already shot them lol

[Dekers]

Thanks for the legal answers.

 

To the moral police force present here answer please;

 

How is a head shot to a goose or duck any more cruel than skirting a bird on the wing with a shotgun?

 

U.

 

You have your legal answer, if you want to talk morals put you point to the BASC.

 

BASC Air Rifle Code

Many people shoot live quarry, either on their own land or where they have permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.

All birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and some wildfowl, they are not suitable quarry for air rifles.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Dekers

[evo]

and SOME wildfowl they are not suitable quarry for air rifles, I can see where they are coming from but it does not say it is illegal to shoot them with an air rifle, I would personally not shoot geese with one as they are Hardcases ,but as for a duck nothing better than a close range head shot duck for the table , when I say close range I mean 35yrds max its risky trying it further out

 

atb Evo

[dadioles]

As others have said, it is not specifically illegal but you could get caught out by other more widely drafted legislation. So the answer is yes and no.

 

The bottom line is, could you defend your position in court if a case were to be brought against you?

 

That brings you to the common sense approach whereby a humane shot at reasonably close range in appropriate circumstances is defensible but some shots would not be.

 

It is a bit like the use of .22lr against foxes. Most forces will not allow the use of .22lr against foxes as "reason" for a .22lr. You can, however, legally use the .22lr against foxes in appropriate circumstances unless your certificate specifically excludes it.