Why?

[mossberg-operator]

Hi guys! Got a question. Pls note I don't want to upset anyone, don't want start a war, etc. Just like to know: WHY? So, why is hunting with a bow is illegal in the UK? Considering our rich history in this weapon? Thx!

Edited January 5, 2014 by londonercsecse

[Rst1990]

Very good question!

[Jody]

Because some idiot one day shot a swan (the queens bird) with a low powered crossbow and the goverments overreaction was to ban it and bring in a minimum speed for projectile weapons. A bow is an effective means of hunting but in the wrong hands it can wound quite bad but no worse than a gun in the wrong hands. I use a bow to hunt with when I'm in the States and Africa its great to use and a lot harder to stalk in to deer etc as you need to get within 50 yards but with my gun I can take one at 200 mtrs no problem. You get a lot of guys who have never hunted with a bow talk it down a lot but once they pick one up they love it. Good news is that it may be legalised again in Scotland soon so hopefuly England will follow suit as it is a growing sport over hear.

[moorvale55]

I believe it was stopped when the gun laws gave a minimum foot/poundage for a rifle to kill deer. A bow cannot deliver the amount required. No doubt someone will add to this.

[Guest stevo]

1963. I think
It was a political decision to save any undue suffering to animals for obvious reasons (unskilled bowhunters). and lack of energy , blah blah

Edited January 5, 2014 by stevo

[Dekers]

It was banned on humanitarian grounds.

[Guest stevo]

Thought I was right , I remember reading about this a while back

 

The original legislation that outlawed bowhunting was in 1963.

 

Permitted killing methods were listed, and archery equipment was not in the list. So bowhunting was outlawed by implication.

 

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 pulled this together with various other bits of legislation, and explicitly outlawed the use of archery equipment.

 

The bit to look at is section 11:

http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content...filesize=30831

[Hamster]

It was banned on humanitarian grounds.

 

That must be it, it isn't as powerful as a bullet round nor as accurate plus being silent means it would be far too easy for morons to go round huntin'

[mossberg-operator]

 

That must be it, it isn't as powerful as a bullet round nor as accurate plus being silent means it would be far too easy for morons to go round huntin'

So, it is to limit the number of people to hunt?

[KFC]

I think the main reason was animals/birds being found that were still alive but had arrows or bolts stuck through them.

 

Having watched the Olympics and seeing the accuracy of the archers at 70yds then I have no doubt that, in the right hands, it is an effective hunting method at 50yds.

 

However, I've got mixed feelings about some of the Pheasant bow hunting vids from the states. Experts, with dogs for a quick retrieve, is one thing but I can see the headlines now "Family horrified to see Ducks with arrows through them on village pond"!!

[The Mighty Prawn]

Total heresay but my police friend says poaching played a part too as the bow being silent and easy to conceal to by banning it there was an additional crime being committed by the night time visitors

[Afastr]

As previously mentioned it's based around how clean a death the animal will have.

With a suitable rifle you can take down a deer / whatever you're hunting with a single shot, this is not necessarily the case with bow hunting. Hunting broadhead's are usually rated by the size of blood trail that they leave to allow you to track an injured animal, and may require multiple shots to kill the animal even with a high poundage bow, depending on the skill of the archer, suitability of the bow for hunting etc.

 

If you look at some videos of Youtube of the yanks hunting boar with bows etc you'll come across videos of animals with one arrow in this rolling on the floor screaming while the hunter does dispatch it with a second arrow because he doesn't want to damage it, not the clean kill you'd expect with a rifle.

[CharlieT]

So, it is to limit the number of people to hunt?

No not really, as anyone of good character can own a rifle and therefore shoot.

[kent]

Hi guys! Got a question. Pls note I don't want to upset anyone, don't want start a war, etc. Just like to know: WHY? So, why is hunting with a bow is illegal in the UK? Considering our rich history in this weapon? Thx!

One reason alone "poaching" You can make other arguments but they all fail the human input test. Did it work? No! Bows and especially cross bows have been widely employed by the poacher over the years. Criminals simply do not obey the law

 

I think of this a lot and honestly feel the time has come, deer are widely mis managed for sporting profit. As a long term member of the BDS I am not renewing this year as I feel Deer have been coming off very much second best of late. All well and good if its grouse and pheasant you manage but deer move can do lots of damage in the wrong place and RTAs are also rising. You simply cannot Cull safely enough in areas of high population were public have free access they use (thinking town parks etc) effectively with a deer rifle. A bow in skilled hands could well be a solution

[wymberley]

If any of the older members can dig out that infamous picture of the deer with a nostril adornment, it would go some way toward answering the question.

[kent]

As previously mentioned it's based around how clean a death the animal will have.

With a suitable rifle you can take down a deer / whatever you're hunting with a single shot, this is not necessarily the case with bow hunting. Hunting broadhead's are usually rated by the size of blood trail that they leave to allow you to track an injured animal, and may require multiple shots to kill the animal even with a high poundage bow, depending on the skill of the archer, suitability of the bow for hunting etc.

 

If you look at some videos of Youtube of the yanks hunting boar with bows etc you'll come across videos of animals with one arrow in this rolling on the floor screaming while the hunter does dispatch it with a second arrow because he doesn't want to damage it, not the clean kill you'd expect with a rifle.

Yes, though its down to the user not the tool. I have seen some terrible shots with a rifle. 30 yds from a tree stand an experienced hand can get the job done just fine. The fact that the deer runs is irrelevant, same happens with rifle!

[Hamster]

So, it is to limit the number of people to hunt?

 

No it's to make it much harder for morons who don't usually hunt and which can't be bothered to go through the hassle of gaining an FAC and the various skills, courses etc, just to borrow one off a mate and go bush bashin for a laugh. Obviously perfectly intelligent, law abiding people can and do hunt with bows and arrows but their relative crudity and silence means Chavskies can impersonate Kevin Costner on a whim, which will be bad news for us and the quarry.

[mossberg-operator]

Thx for answers! In some European countries hunting is connected to an exam on theory, practice, shooting, etc. To make sure You can not just "grab and go" a bow/rifle/shotgun/etc. Would this system work here?

[CharlieT]

But you can't just grab and go in this country.

 

Like Europe we have a shooting and hunting heritage that has stood British fieldsports in good stead for over a century and has not seen standards lacking. There is no need to fix something that isn't broken.

[Jody]

Thx for answers! In some European countries hunting is connected to an exam on theory, practice, shooting, etc. To make sure You can not just "grab and go" a bow/rifle/shotgun/etc. Would this system work here?

You can do the same training hear, you have to pass the international bowhunters education program to be able to hunt in most of the States and Europe with a bow. The British Bowhunters Association do this training hear go on there website and have a look.

 

But you can't just grab and go in this country.

 

Like Europe we have a shooting and hunting heritage that has stood British fieldsports in good stead for over a century and has not seen standards lacking. There is no need to fix something that isn't broken.

You can grab and go in this country, If you have the land to shoot on you need no formal training as you do in most other countries, just a valid reason to own a rifle or shotgun and you will get it and off you go stalking or pigeon shooting etc.

[CharlieT]

 

 

You can grab and go in this country, If you have the land to shoot on you need no formal training as you do in most other countries, just a valid reason to own a rifle or shotgun and you will get it and off you go stalking or pigeon shooting etc.

 

And there's me thinking you could not "grab & go", rather one had to apply for a certificate first.

 

I live and learn, thanks for putting me straight.

[Jody]

 

And there's me thinking you could not "grab & go", rather one had to apply for a certificate first.

 

I live and learn, thanks for putting me straight.

Would you not class that as grab & go? other countries you need to pass all training and or at least a theory test to get a certificate.

[RJS1982]

Some pretty unpleasant photos at the link below of deer wonded by arrows. Some could also be caused by misplaced rifle shots but they are more likely to kill cleanly due to the energy imparted on impact, I also don't know of any responsible rifle shooters who take head shots at deer in the UK.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=deer+wounded+by+arrow&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=YCXLUoTpGs-ihgfWpoHADA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAA&biw=1024&bih=672#facrc=_

[mossberg-operator]

You apply for a licence to keep firearms not to hunt in the UK. So, grab and go IMHO.

[Kes]

This was raised before and I seemed in a minority because I think its barbaric and should remain banned.

I know all about arrowheads and comparable wounds etc but I could never consider it for living animals - the Americans think its cool to stick arrows in anything.

I like plenty of gun and the instant knockdown I feel is the only humane way. JMVHO