Protecting our sport

From Wiltshire UK, 4 posts

i must say having read the Recommended power for killing vermin? post on this site (http://www.reviewcentre.com/vt108237_start0_orderasc.html) i am a little concerned for the future of our hobby/sport. i cant comment on shooting in the USA (never done it or been there), however in the UK there are limits on what can be shot humanely with a standard 12ftlb air rifle. there are also legal guidlines on what constitutes vermin (small birds and woodpeckers are not !!!!). in addition you can not shoot within 50ft of a public right of way, street etc so simply walking a path with air weapon loaded and in hand (or in its guncase and loaded for that matter) would be breaking the law carrying severe penelties (prison, fine, and banned from owning an air weapon or firearm for up to 3yrs) .

the recommended minimum power for all round vermin hunting is 11to12ftlb, end of story, this will humanely dispatch any vermin out to 35yds. there is not a standard legal air pistol in the UK capable of humanely dispatching vermin. if one was to modify a standard air pistol to get more power it would become a totally illegal firearm, (hopefully you can see where this is leading) firearm handguns are not allowed in the UK.

there is an old saying of .177 for feather and .22 for fur.
i strongly recommend you seriously consider the following;
1. identify your prey.
2. choose calibre and range
3. use the correct equipment for the job
I know this seems silly but you wouldnt use a hammer to knock in a screw!!!

For you americans who have access to highpower air pistols shooting upto 15yds and talking about scopes surely it would make better sense to use a laser pointer for your aiming mark giving you much faster target aquisition, ideal for ratting.

How many of the UK persons posting on this site have actually bothered to read the legal requirements of possessing and using an air rifle for vermin control, if they did they would already know the answers to their own questions half the time.

Remember in the UK our right to hunt is under constant attack (lets not justify their cause due to ignorance/irresponsibility on our part).
Personally i think all junior air rifle shooters should go on a mandatory course learning the necessary skills required which would greatly enhance their shooting experience leading to a much more competent mature shooter/hunter.

I make no apology for perhaps ranting on or going slightly off topic, but some of the stuff ive just read is damn right irresponsible and can in no way promote our sport, indeed if the do-gooders read some of the rubbish ive just read then the days of hunting in the UK are numbered.
Sorry in advance if i offend anyone.

From Ipswich, 3298 posts

Too Right mate.

I'm only 15 but I was taught from the early age of 5 to shoot safely and responsibly.

10 years on and I'm now a very compitent air rifle, shotgun, .22LR and fullbore rifle shot. I compete at a county standard in .22 and an international standard with fullbore rifles. I have owned airguns for close to 6 years now and have a shotgun licence and an FAC on the way.

It took me over two years to learn the skills I know and practice today, I learnt this from another airgun hunter who's been shooting since I was 3. I now go shooting on my own or with a shooting buddy and enjoy success on my trips.

I think its very important for people to understand that airguns, even airsoft guns are not toys. They can cause seriouse damage to you or someone else. Not to mention the legal side of things where the police will take any chance to arrest someone for any reason. Its happened to my shooting buddy (who was doing nothing worng).

I now take an active part in teaching even younger people to shoot safely and how to handle and perform safety proceedures on a modification of the SA80-A2 rifle (L98-A1 GP Rifle).
I have been trained on the L86-A2 LSW and the GPMG.

I wish to pass on my knowlage to other people but seeing as I am so younge the best place I have found is reviewcentre fourums. People here will listen to what I have to say and dont ignore me because they're older than I am.

Its a sad world out there that people wont take my advice because they are older and therefore "more experianced than I am" :S

From Wiltshire UK, 4 posts

hiya deadeye.
its really good to hear that someone so young has a maturity level far in excess of his years (and probably more maturity than some so called adults). if only there were more youngsters coming through with your outlook. i was so pleased to read you pass on your knowledge (again some adults could do with a training session with you) thereby putting something back into the sport.
For your positive actions you should be commended, if the sport is to continue it needs to be in the hands of persons like you, only then can we realistically take on the anti hunting fraternity.

PS where are you located, as if within travelling distance maybe we could organise a bit of vermin control on some land i have access to.

From Newport, Wales, United Kingdom, 5 posts

i like to think im a responsible shooter. my dad taught me to shoot starting when i was 11 and every time i see something on the news about some idiot who's shot somebody with an airgun i cringe and wonder if this will be the thing that makes the govt. outlaw airguns for good, only last year somebody was killed in my hometown (newport, south wales).i think rather than having an age restriction there should be a mandatory safety test for airgunners to weed out the irresponsible idiots who threaten our sport. i know many people over the age of 18 who i wouldnt trust with a sharpened stick let alone a weapon and they can legally own an airgun and i (being 16) cant. its ridiculous. every shot i take i consider what might be behind the target, whether my backstop is safe and if theres any chance of a ricochet and im deemed irresponsible because of my age. its laughable. anyway rant over, i apologise for poor spelling/grammar but its 6am and i have stuff to do....... like coffee and guns to oil. heres a helpful tip, if you want to really bring out the blueing on your rifle use olive oil, works wonders.

anyway signing off now

From Ipswich, 3298 posts

Good to see other young and likeminded airgunners out there! Thanks for your supportive words.

I have since been granted a firearms certificate and own a Ruger 10/22 and an Anshcutz target rifle of my own. The shooting community is great and I hope to continue shooting for many years to come!