Muntjac with a shotgun

[samearl14 11]

Could someone just confirm the legalities of shooting munties with a shot gun. A friend has informed me it is illegal but id rather hear it from someone more reliable and well informed!

Thanks in advance

Sam

[Headshot08 36]

Illegal

[samearl14 11]

Ok thanks for clearing that up. Just out of interest when was it made illegal?

[dytkos 17,828]

I'm fairly certain that I saw a thread a few weeks back on here that said that muntys were not on the "list" and that they were vermin and could be shot all year round, and with a shotgun. Cheers, D.

[watchman 256]

http://www.sportinggun.co.uk/shootinganswers/398724/Can_you_shoot_deer_with_shotguns.html

 

 

Act which prohibits the use of shotguns except in very specific circumstances.

 

now we just need to know the specific circumstances,and what issue this was from,if i remember it can only be carried out by the land owner but really not sure truth be known

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

look up the law my freind. bds say. you CAN shoot deer with a shot gun as long as you are eather the owner of the land or have his permission and you use shot size AAA or larger. it is not recomended theirfore people think its illicit.

[Buddon Ness 0]

I think you will find that only applies in Scotland. I will stand corrected though

[samearl14 11]

Cheers for all the replies. So it is legal aslong as there is good cause and the land owner does the shooting. Good good

[matt_hooks 188]

It's legal under very limited circumstances, as with any deer.

 

The only time it's legal is if there is serious crop damage ocurring. The deer can only be shot on the ground where the damage is happening, by the land owner or someone authorised by the land owner for that purpose, and then only after all other methods of preventing the damage has been tried and failed.

 

Quoting from the Deer Act 1991:-

 

7

Exceptions for occupiers etc. of land where deer are .(1)

Subject to subsection (3) below, a person to whom this section applies shall not be guilty of an offence under section 2 above by reason of— .

(a)

the taking or killing of any deer by means of shooting, or .

(

the injuring of any deer by means of shooting in an attempt to take or kill it, .

on any cultivated land, pasture or enclosed woodland.

(2)

Subject to subsection (3) below, a person to whom this section applies shall not be guilty of an offence under section 4(2)(a) above by reason of the use, for the purpose of taking or killing any deer on any land, of any smooth-bore gun of not less gauge than 12 bore which is loaded with— .

(a)

a cartridge containing a single non-spherical projectile weighing not less than 22.68 grammes (350 grains); or .

(

a cartridge purporting to contain shot each of which is .203 inches (5.16 millimetres) in diameter (that is to say, size AAA). .

(3)

A person to whom this section applies shall not be entitled to rely on the defence provided by subsection (1) or subsection (2) above as respects anything done in relation to any deer on any land unless he shows that— .

(a)

he had reasonable grounds for believing that deer of the same species were causing, or had caused, damage to crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property on the land; .

(

it was likely that further damage would be so caused and any such damage was likely to be serious; and .

©

his action was necessary for the purpose of preventing any such damage. .

(4)

The persons to whom this section applies are— .

(a)

the occupier of the land on which the action is taken; .

(

any member of the occupier’s household normally resident on the occupier’s land, acting with the written authority of the occupier; .

©

any person in the ordinary service of the occupier on the occupier’s land, acting with the written authority of the occupier; and .

(d)

any person having the right to take or kill deer on the land on which the action is taken or any person acting with the written authority of a person having that right.

 

So minimum shot size is AAA.

[brno17 5]

do the job right and get someone in with a deer legal centefire, if you dont know anyone i'm certain someone from the forum would help you out.

 

they might be causing damage mate but give them a bit more respect than shooting them with a shotgun

 

atb

alan.

[matt_hooks 188]

do the job right and get someone in with a deer legal centefire, if you dont know anyone i'm certain someone from the forum would help you out.

 

they might be causing damage mate but give them a bit more respect than shooting them with a shotgun

 

atb

alan.

 

Totally agree Alan. A deer should only be shot with a rifle, a shotgun is far too much of a wounding risk.

 

However, the OP asked about the legality of doing it. The answer is yes it's legal if you meet all the requirements. Doesn't make it right, but there's a big difference between the law and what's morally right!

[stalkerboydy 4]

Samearl14 I live in Camb's. Stalked for 35+yrs and have open F.A.C. You or farmer got a Deer prob!!!!!!! I'll sort it and i "DONT" Charge. PM me

Edited August 9, 2010 by stalkerboydy

[Deker 3,478]

As has already been said there are perfectly legal ways of shooting deer with shotguns (ALL SPECIES)and the part that most can make work in most situations is .....

 

or any other form of property on the land

 

Remember it is also legal to shot them for humane dispatch as well, under the Deer Act Amendment 2007.

 

I have to suggest that there are times when a shotgun may be the preferred option, but without doubt most commonly the rifle will be the most appropriate tool!

[scothunter 12,609]

id love to get a muntjac only deer i aint ate and heard they were great tasting.hint hint to anyone who can get me one lol ill pay for it like

[matt_hooks 188]

Remember it is also legal to shot them for humane dispatch as well, under the Deer Act Amendment 2007.

 

That only allows for humane dispatch where they have been injured, for example if they've broken a leg, or been hit by a car, stuff like that.

 

The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007

 

A person shall not be guilty of an offence under section 4(1) or (2) above by reason of the use of any reasonable means for the purpose of killing any deer if he reasonably believes that the deer has been so seriously injured, otherwise than by his unlawful act, or is in such condition, that to kill it is an act of mercy.”

 

Where section 4 is section 4 of the Deer act, which sets out prohibited methods of taking deer.

Edited August 19, 2010 by matt_hooks