Canada Geese On My Permission??

[moxy 617]

Cheers lads some helpful advice , so it's sounding like air rifle not appropriate tho

Jury is still out on the legalities, for now.

 

Thats not saying that a sub 12ft won't do job, it will or so im told, but best get your house in order first

[redial 81]

Going off the point a little if you kept geese for table use would you use an air rifle to ensure a humane kill.

I just dont think air rifles are up to a clean kill. Geese are tough bird's in more way's than one.

Regard's, Phil.

[ftm 3,357]

an air rifle pellet will kill a goose if its placed in right spot ie head shot at a sensible or close distance -BUT dont do it if you think you might misplace your shot its not worth it & not fair on intended quarry -but i would do it with the rapid 7 if close enough & i know it would feel nothing -billy ps just me being honest lads so no slating me please

[Deker 3,478]

Shooting Canada Geese under the terms of the GL is legal all year.

 

Shooting a Canada with a 12ft lb air rifle is NOT a good idea.

 

Possible Exceptions

You are VERY close, you can shoot straight and you put one in its head, even then expect it to flap about a lot a spread claret everywhere, I would like to see anyone drop a Canada stone dead with one air rifle shot regularly, therefore it is not suitable.

 

I deal with a lot of Canadas and frankly I would NEVER consider taking out a 12ft lb air rifle for them!

[air gun ant 1,666]

.17 hmr seems to be the tool for canadas for most pestys I no.

[Deker 3,478]

.17 hmr seems to be the tool for canadas for most pestys I no.

 

If I want one for the table then it will be the HMR every time, take its head off and leave everything else clean.

 

For general Pest Control the WMR wins hands down for me, shoot it pretty much anywhere you like with a 30g V-max and they fall down, no need for great precision, fast shooting, front/back or side, straight through the feathers and lots of damage, end of, and lots down!

[moxy 617]

So are we coming to the conclusion that using an airgun for a goose is a grey area??

 

I keep looking but keep drawing blanks, only regurgitated info from other forums/sites.

[Deker 3,478]

So are we coming to the conclusion that using an airgun for a goose is a grey area??

 

I keep looking but keep drawing blanks, only regurgitated info from other forums/sites.

 

I'm confused, what's Grey about it?

 

There is nothing specifically illegal about it, but if you can be shown to be causing undue pain and suffering you can be liable under the vast array of cruelty legislation in this country.

 

Simple fact is 12ft lb air rifle are not the tool for the job on a day to day basis for Canada geese.

 

That isn't regurgitated, it is based on many years of experience...here is one from yesterday, clean through the head with a HMR and on the table shortly. Only took the photo about 6pm last night having this thread in mind!

 

Edited May 23, 2013 by Deker

[moxy 617]

Thanks for your reply deker but im not discussing whether a HMR or a 22 rimfire are the tools for the job.

 

With this topic being in the airgun section the question still remains, is it legal to shoot a goose with a sub 12ft airgun? and if so where is it written in black and white?

 

General licences, codes of practice etc. Because it isnt mentioned does that make it legal? or have i overlooked something?

 

Im not being awkward, its a genuine honest question. One of which if asked again on the airgun forum a definative answer can be given backed up by the relevant documentation. Not ethics or morrals but legalities.

 

[Buster321c 1,010]

Funny enough i have a permission , only a small holding , that has a large pond . The owners , both retired judges actually , are a bit like Tom and Barbara from the Good life and like to do as much as they can to live off the land . I have to take my hat off to them both because they have a great setup , and you can tell that they really enjoy what they do . Anyway , im getting off topic . They initally asked me to sort out the rabbits in the top field , where they keep Jacob sheep , but Richard asked if i would `sort ` out the canada geese that seem to be attracted by the pond. I obviously have never done anything , as i cant find a specific yes or no , but as its been pointed out , you cant find a definative answer anywhere , so what to do ???

[Deker 3,478]

Thanks for your reply deker but im not discussing whether a HMR or a 22 rimfire are the tools for the job.

 

With this topic being in the airgun section the question still remains, is it legal to shoot a goose with a sub 12ft airgun? and if so where is it written in black and white?

 

General licences, codes of practice etc. Because it isnt mentioned does that make it legal? or have i overlooked something?

 

Im not being awkward, its a genuine honest question. One of which if asked again on the airgun forum a definative answer can be given backed up by the relevant documentation. Not ethics or morrals but legalities.

 

 

Many things that are legal are not written. Ask the BASC/CA whoever, the answer will be the same, it's not illegal but definitely not recommended!

 

The fact is you will not find it written in any legislation that it is illegal to shoot a Canada with an air rifle, so it is very simple, if there is no legislation banning it, then its legal, BUT, as I said in #23, make sure you do it right or you will risk grief under various cruelty legislation. Just like fox, there is no law banning air rifle for fox either, and there is no law allowing it, but you would have a job to argue it is the right tool for the job. There is no law allowing, HMR, .22lr, .308 whatever for Canada goose either, but there is some malarkey about it being illegal to shoot them with a FAC Shotgun!

 

Use the tool for the job, that isn't a 12ft lb air rifle!

 

 

Edit..

From BASC Air rifle Code of Practice. http://www.basc.org.uk/en/shooting/airgunning/air-rifles.cfm

 

All birds are protected, and although there are seasons when you can legally shoot game, and some wildfowl, they are not suitable quarry for air rifles. However, as long as you are complying with firearms law, you can shoot certain pest bird species. These are covered by general licences which, in simple terms, mean you can shoot the birds listed, provided you have the landowner’s permission and provided you are doing it for one of the reasons allowed by the licence.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Deker

[andyfr1968 772]

Interesting thread this.

 

One of my permissions has a pond quite close to the farmers house and he's mentioned a few times over the years about the noise Canadas make and could I do anything about it. As above, I've always politely had to decline as I thought it was not OK for me to use a sub 12. I no longer have either a FAC or SGC as I've no real use for them these days.

 

I would have thought that at sensible ranges a head shot would do the job but I don't know the legalities.

[moxy 617]

Cheers Deker

 

Not the answer i was looking for, but i may have been looking too deep into it.

 

Its all about knowing if your in the right and where you stand.

 

For example: you turn up at your permission which holds canada geese which you can get a clear shot at with your .177 SMK from behind a shed at 30 yds away. However to your rear there is a public footpath, regularly frequented by the red sock brigade, say some yds away?

Or an overlooking obnoxious neighbour?

 

You pop off the goose with a superb head shot with your airgun, it drops to the floor and has a good old nerve flap. Not for long but a little dance.

 

Red sock brigade see and take offence and so does the neighbour and the old bill get two phone calls for alleged animal cruelty,( although your well within your rights.)

 

You scoop up your prize, balls in one hand, goose in the other and your trusty SMK tucked under your arm when the old bill turn up. With the landowner of the only permission you are lucky enough to have watching.

 

What do you say and how do you argue your corner?

 

Feck i have met a WPCO who thought they put feathers in bread to make it fluffy. She was also convinced that they bleached milk to make it white, Seriously

[Deker 3,478]

Cheers Deker

 

Not the answer i was looking for, but i may have been looking too deep into it.

 

Its all about knowing if your in the right and where you stand.

 

For example: you turn up at your permission which holds canada geese which you can get a clear shot at with your .177 SMK from behind a shed at 30 yds away. However to your rear there is a public footpath, regularly frequented by the red sock brigade, say some yds away?

Or an overlooking obnoxious neighbour?

 

You pop off the goose with a superb head shot with your airgun, it drops to the floor and has a good old nerve flap. Not for long but a little dance.

 

Red sock brigade see and take offence and so does the neighbour and the old bill get two phone calls for alleged animal cruelty,( although your well within your rights.)

 

You scoop up your prize, balls in one hand, goose in the other and your trusty SMK tucked under your arm when the old bill turn up. With the landowner of the only permission you are lucky enough to have watching.

 

What do you say and how do you argue your corner?

 

Feck i have met a WPCO who thought they put feathers in bread to make it fluffy. She was also convinced that they bleached milk to make it white, Seriously

 

That is exactly your problem, its legal BUT you may have a job on your hands proving it was humane if several witnesses saw your Canada dancing all over the place spreading claret everywhere, which is 99% what they will almost certainly do with a 12ft lb in the head.

 

I would like to see the man who can stop them in their tracks on a regular basis with a 12 ft lb.

 

Edit

Lets be clear here, the mere act of using a 12 ft lb on a Canada is NOT illegal. If that action leads to an act of cruelty then other legislation may come into play.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Deker

[moxy 617]