Steve Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Hi guys. If anybody has ever shot seagulls before, what size of cartridge were you using? I've found that you need at least a 4 to bring down some of the bigger gulls, whereas the smaller ones can be easily brought down with 6's and 7's. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 I'm not to sure about this. I thought some were protected & some not, I think it's probably best to check it out properly. Mind you, if you could find a tape with Gull calls on it.......... Sorry mate, only joking :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 21, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Very funny Lazza :laugh: :laugh: . Of course I was referring to the herring gull, and the greater and lesser black-backed gull which can be legally shot at all times of the year :( . I no longer need artificial calls to attract birds as I have now learned to speak to the animals. I have a certificate from the Dr. Dolittle Language School to prove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Grrr Grrr Woof! Wooof!! Coo Coo! For everyone apart from Steve, that means: I don't shoot gulls as there is no big call for it around here, & thanks for letting me know which ones I could shoot, as I have been trying to find out for ages. Now all I need to know is what they look like. I was only joking mate, honestly!! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 Not many people know that certain species of seagull can be shot. Even fewer could tell the difference between the species. I suspect if you were witnessed shooting seagulls, everybody would misunderstand. I would anticipate lots of unecessary grief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted March 21, 2002 Report Share Posted March 21, 2002 The ultimate way to shoot seagulls would be to do it out of a tractor. I once tried this with pigeons my dad ploughing and me leaning out the back trying to hit pigeons that came in tones of gulls flew in but no pigeons! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Definately NOT worth the hassle from passers by...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 22, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 I guess nobody is going to answer my question then? If the seagulls aren't damaging the crops etc, what are huge numbers of them doing there? Did they just fancy a day trip inland? Why are they listed as pests that can be shot all year round? Does anyone eat foxes? Maybe we shouldn't shoot them either! It's nice to know everyone has such high morals, next you'll be telling me I shouldn't shoot badgers, raptors or domestic pets :laugh: :laugh: - only kidding by the way! I've copied the relevant bit from the BASC website and pasted it below. Remember, we live in a democracy and I'll shoot anything on this list because I'm allowed to! Bird Pest Species The following thirteen bird pest species may be killed or taken by authorised persons at any time under annual open and general licences issued by the Department of the Environment. No individual has to apply for a licence: Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Rook, House Sparrow, Starling, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Collard Dove*, Herring Gull, Jay*, Lsr Black-backed Gull, Gt. Black-backed Gull *Protected in Northern Ireland Mammals Recognised as Pests The following mammals can be controlled by legally approved methods all year round: Fox, Rat, Mouse, Rabbit, Squirrel, Mink, Weasel, Stoat, Feral Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Steve, I didn,t get the impression that anybody was "knocking" you for shooting them. I certainly wasn,t. I do not shoot in wildernesses and have to assume that most of the time someone could be watching me, albeit from a distance. I try to be aware of this. I leave my hide and kill a wounded pigeon quickly. I am careful when relieving myself. I don,t shoot at any birds other than pigeons, crows, magpies or jays. I pick up all dead birds and take them from the shooting area. I have no wish to cause "controversy" with any of my actions. If I give nobody a reason to complain ,they can,t. I don,t see this attitude as weakening my "rights". It gives me peace of mind and doesn,t spoil my sporting interests at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 22, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Thanks Cranfield. Wrong side of the bed thing happening this morning :( . What pi**ed me off is that the farmer asked me to shoot the gulls, as he was having trouble with large numbers of them. As he is kind enough to let me shoot over his land anytime I like, I think I owe him something in return. I got the impression that I was being made out to be some irresponsible hooligan with a shotgun - which I definitley am not! Congratulations on your code of ethics, I hope we all try to be as thoughtful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 peter, my "understanding" is that you can shoot pigeons at night.In the same way you can shoot ducks ,geese and vermin at night. You cannot shoot "game" at night, ie. pheasants, partridge,or deer. Do you "call" your foxes in, or do you locate them and rely on your rifles range ? We have "called" them by rubbing a small block of polystyrene on the landrover windscreen,the squeaking noise it makes seems irresistable to foxes. A friend (who moved abroad some time ago) use to be able to call them by squeaking in to his hand, something I can,t do. Is your rifle "silenced"? We use 12 bores and have to cover quite an area in an evening because of possible disturbance to people as well as foxes. Its not all suitable land to use a rifle on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 I,ve found this picture of Steve, about to go seagull shooting, having got out of bed on the wrong side :( I hope you,ve got a good sense of humour Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 22, 2002 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Actually, it's a pretty good likeness! :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted March 22, 2002 Report Share Posted March 22, 2002 Nice to see we can disagree with each other,but still have a laugh........a photo of Lazza would have made me laugh more though!!! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted March 23, 2002 Report Share Posted March 23, 2002 Did'nt you get the 25 photo's that I sent you then? Don't forget to put one on your bedside cabinet!!! LOL!! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted March 23, 2002 Report Share Posted March 23, 2002 steve i had an episode like this a while back . the farmer asked me to thin the seagulls out , i was not to keen on doing this as they were not realy causing any problem other than annoying the farmer .we did `t fall out over it and in the end he got someone else to do it for him. and i still shoot vermin for him an a regular basis, but only if the species is causing damage !!!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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