ShootingEgg Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35266261 Anyone read about this? Thoughts?? One quote suggest air rifles are not humane enough?? Ive never had an issue using mine on greys. Edited January 9, 2016 by ShootingEgg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) The Government, as well as a number of community groups, have had various attempts at removing/controlling the Grey, including culls, over the last few years. Varying levels of success have been achieved, but due to their nature the greys will return if effective control does not continue. The Grey is a tough old rodent but nothing wrong with air rifles in the right hands. Edited January 9, 2016 by Dekers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) The Government, as well as a number of community groups, have had various attempts at removing/controlling the Grey, including culls, over the last few years. Varying levels of success have been achieved, but due to their nature the greys will return if effective control does not continue. The Grey is a tough old rodent but nothing wrong with air rifles in the right hands. +1 for that as long as the shooter is capable and the right rifle and pellet combination. Edited January 9, 2016 by welshwizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thankfully someone's already taken out the two that ate all the bird food put out in our garden. Saved me the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 The way they go on about air guns as firearms, one would think they were referring to using a 243! A decent .22 or .25 running 12fpe in close proximity should have NO issue in dispatching a Grey Marauder, furthermore, the majority of shots are taken at squirrels in the canopy. Therefor surely it should not be that dangerous? A good shufty to make sure nobody is about, and try to line up your shot so you have a tree of limb as a back stop, and all should be spot on. As for airgun suitability? Its not like they will be employing that old codger in the news a few year back, with his 3fpe Chinese fire poker! Their own rangers use airguns FCOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 When I was a boy me and my pals used to do a very effective job in reducing the grey squirrel population with our trusty catapults and pocket full of stones. Ah, days long gone now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted January 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 When I was a boy me and my pals used to do a very effective job in reducing the grey squirrel population with our trusty catapults and pocket full of stones. Ah, days long gone now! Now that sounds like great sport... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Now that sounds like great sport... Also sounds in my opinion unethical, an accurate and legal limit airifle however I would say are the perfect tool for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Seems to me that the FC needs to spend less time hiding behind unsubstantiated safety claims and a little more time protecting our nations woodland. Using feed hoppers situated at strategic sights that have been designed to provide a safe line of fire and having a regular report as to how much use each hopper is getting will provide a veritable smorgasbord of squizzer blatting for Airgun users and a rapid reduction in numbers-any member of the FC who thinks that an Airgun is not up to the job is welcome to tag along with me anytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Seems to me that the FC needs to spend less time hiding behind unsubstantiated safety claims and a little more time protecting our nations woodland. Using feed hoppers situated at strategic sights that have been designed to provide a safe line of fire and having a regular report as to how much use each hopper is getting will provide a veritable smorgasbord of squizzer blatting for Airgun users and a rapid reduction in numbers-any member of the FC who thinks that an Airgun is not up to the job is welcome to tag along with me anytime. Can't argue with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Its not like they will be employing that old codger in the news a few year back, with his 3fpe Chinese fire poker! Oi!, pack it in, after a visit to Specsavers we are just as capable of missing targets as younguns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Oi!, pack it in, after a visit to Specsavers we are just as capable of missing targets as younguns? Not on about age in general, just an old guy who made the news after failing to dispatch a grey after numerous shots, even point blank! I was referring to the vastly underpowered rifle rather than age! My old man is still a cracking shot at 74, just don't tell him that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Seems to me that the FC needs to spend less time hiding behind unsubstantiated safety claims and a little more time protecting our nations woodland. Using feed hoppers situated at strategic sights that have been designed to provide a safe line of fire and having a regular report as to how much use each hopper is getting will provide a veritable smorgasbord of squizzer blatting for Airgun users and a rapid reduction in numbers-any member of the FC who thinks that an Airgun is not up to the job is welcome to tag along with me anytime. Absolutely, this smacks to me of the usual protectionist carp they spout to avoid doing anything proactive and to prevent anyone else from achieving anything? Unless you want to enable the carving up of the tracks and walkers up on mountain bikes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Can u still posion they in grey only areas? Is that not a more efective method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 The use of Warfarin has been banned ,I believe, so many owners/custodians of woodland are seeking an alternative-some are already allowing Insured and selected Airgun users to control Squirrel numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I never knew that, cheers bruno. Is that quite recent? Or is it part of the changes to the use of rat poison away from building and where everyone has to be trained I'd say that is another nail in the coffin for reds then. With the upcoming airgun ban/licence in scotland going to stop a lot of people from trapping greys as no effective means off PTS, I've got an old airgun pretty much on permanent loan to folk for trapped squirrel PTS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I think the ban was introduced in 2014? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I always felt that Center Parcs missed a trick, when they set up their holiday centres around the country. Hundreds of acres of woodland, fenced in, and with a readily available food supply, as ALL the kids love to feed 'Nutkins'. They should have had a quiet cull of the greys, and then introduced the reds, and the holidaymakers' children would have seen them flourish. Instead they are causing the greys to proliferate... So tame they take the peanuts from the kids hands, and the kids, knowing no better, love it. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 Even Autumn watch this year was 10miles from a really good reserve where u are guarantteed to see reds yet had some stupid clip of a grey squirrel with a 'fake' horses head on (to be fair was quite funny, must of coated in side with peanut butter and suspended it) but had me screaming at the tv, just sums up the disneyfied version on countryside most folk believe in. .Does the centre parks near penrith not have a big red squirrel reserve and has a ranger who does a lot of trapping. Definately read about something in that area, not sure if to do with centre parks thou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Woody Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I always felt that Center Parcs missed a trick, when they set up their holiday centres around the country. Hundreds of acres of woodland, fenced in, and with a readily available food supply, as ALL the kids love to feed 'Nutkins'. They should have had a quiet cull of the greys, and then introduced the reds, and the holidaymakers' children would have seen them flourish. Instead they are causing the greys to proliferate... So tame they take the peanuts from the kids hands, and the kids, knowing no better, love it. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 have been going to centre parks for the last 25 years every year and have done all of them, the number of greys has to be seen to be believed, was at Nottinghan sherwood forest only 4 weeks ago. at one point had over 12 on the patio at the back of our cabin and the kids where feeding them by hand. i always see the rangers about and the wildlife officers talk about conservation and habitat management. asked one once when the kids where younger at a wildlife talk as managed to get him to one side, asked about grey management in the parks and his words amounted to the got to strike a balance as visitors love them. dont see the impact of any managment of greys within these parks and why would they as it is a major draw for visitors with children. i see the fluffy grey brigade in their hundreds there who have no understanding of the impact of the grey. of course the management would say we follow guidance for management of greys and do not openly share information and knowledge of management of greys on land. i well understand that that greys move through all the time and managment is ongoing job but as said if they are doing or attempting to carry out any grey managment within these parks it aint working. oh in all the years i have been going i have seen one red squizzer only as i recall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 All it would require would be a simple amendment to the current law to make land owners legally responsible for recorded grey culls and a small bounty for tails? Then our native reds might stand a chance? But will never happen as they are too busy acting like 3 yr old's at a birthday party? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I always felt that Center Parcs missed a trick, when they set up their holiday centres around the country. Hundreds of acres of woodland, fenced in, and with a readily available food supply, as ALL the kids love to feed 'Nutkins'. They should have had a quiet cull of the greys, and then introduced the reds, and the holidaymakers' children would have seen them flourish. Instead they are causing the greys to proliferate... So tame they take the peanuts from the kids hands, and the kids, knowing no better, love it. Mike. They didn't miss the trick in Cumbria, even have a full time ranger to Cull the Greys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 The one in Cumbria didn't start off as Center Parcs though, they bought/took it over from Oasis. I was meaning particularly the ones they created from scratch in Sherwood Forest and Elveden. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 I have .22 air and FAC air, but I still prefer the .22lr when out in the woods. The range of standard air is too short imho. Greys are tough critters and the last thing I Want to do is injure one so that it runs. Using the .22lr reduces runners to an absolute minimum. I use it in areas where the public have access and provided you have a good backstop there are no problems. I tend to use feeders to get them down to safe areas to shoot. I use the Air rifles in the back garden, but I also use the .22lr in the garden, shooting down to the ground without problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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