shawn9914 Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Hi All Can anyone offer me any advise on the best way to shoot cormorants, I have been asked by a small fishing club to control the cormorants on their 2 ponds as the fish are being eaten so quickly they really need it sorting. I have been added onto the Defra licence by the club so all legal and above board. Thing is I have never shot cormorants and would like some advise from anyone who has culled them on the best approach Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Large shot, watch the backdrop and forget how to count! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn9914 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 What size shot as i have read they are hard to knock down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dasher Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) 32 grams of #5 shot through 3/4 or full choke, or #2 steel through 1/2 choke works well enough out to 40 yards. Edited January 5, 2020 by Dasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 I would have thought that floating a small wooden pallet close to a hide and using a .22lr with a mod would be easiest - remember that, once they sink, they are a devil to count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 1 hour ago, shawn9914 said: Hi All Can anyone offer me any advise on the best way to shoot cormorants, I have been asked by a small fishing club to control the cormorants on their 2 ponds as the fish are being eaten so quickly they really need it sorting. I have been added onto the Defra licence by the club so all legal and above board. Thing is I have never shot cormorants and would like some advise from anyone who has culled them on the best approach Thanks in advance Obviously " Non Toxic Shot " must be used if using a shot gun Gamebore Super Steel 32grm 3's or 36 grm 3's or 1's RC atomic 32grm 3's or 36gm 3's do the job . If you have any sitting areas get hid up there and wait. If and only if you have a suitable back stop a .17hmr is very good BUT check conditions on your FAC and definitely know shooting at/into water also check terms conditions of the License issued as often they can only be shot in certain areas and not the whole site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn9914 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Thanks guys i will take a trip down the gun shot tomorrow and get some cartridges I also have a 22lr so this could be an option as back stop is not a problem, if i set up right i can shoot into a high bank which was created when the ponds were dug out years ago Would a 22lr be ok for a chest shot ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 4 minutes ago, shawn9914 said: Thanks guys i will take a trip down the gun shot tomorrow and get some cartridges I also have a 22lr so this could be an option as back stop is not a problem, if i set up right i can shoot into a high bank which was created when the ponds were dug out years ago Would a 22lr be ok for a chest shot ?? Placed where neck joins the Body fine but as i advised in previous reply please check both conditions of your FAC and Cormorant License as they are individually worded/sanctioned eg my license could allow me to use .222 and 20ga - 16ga and 12ga along with other conditions and yours could be worded differently. As for previous advice of miss counting that's your sgc and fac along with Cormorant License at stake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn9914 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 Thanks again all culling will be done in line with both mine and the fisheries licences Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 10 minutes ago, shawn9914 said: Thanks again all culling will be done in line with both mine and the fisheries licences No problem mate 👍 hope you get the problem sorted/ undercontrol asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 3 hours ago, bruno22rf said: I would have thought that floating a small wooden pallet close to a hide and using a .22lr with a mod would be easiest - remember that, once they sink, they are a devil to count. agree, but a 17HMR is more spectacular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fse10 Posted March 15, 2020 Report Share Posted March 15, 2020 On my licence from NE it states only a shotgun can be used. I use Gamebore magnums no3's & 4's half choke out to 50yrds not had any moan about it. Keep thinking of trying the HMR. It's a never ending battle as not that far from the Thames & a big lake two fields away from my club water has between 40 & 60 on it most days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted April 12, 2020 Report Share Posted April 12, 2020 Do u send any away for sampling, if so shoot them in afternoon so full of fish. Years ago we used to do goosander/merganser shoots in mornings for local river board, but very few had any fish in them. Should off shot them in afternoons when full of fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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