Hunting when wild camping?
Q. Hi all, me and my friends are considering wild camping and hunting for our food.
Are there any animals we can hunt legally with air rifles?
We have been camping many times on sites and taken canned food, but this time we are looking for a more 'outdoorsman' trip.
We are all in our mid-20's and are sensible people, we don't plan on running around like nutters randomly shooting things.
Daniel Barnes, Coventry
A. Don't like the sound of this.
Use the air rifles for target practice by all means but don't take them into the wild. Such psuedo-macho behaviour has its place on the target range and not in the countryside.
Believe it or not some of us prefer to be at one with nature and don't see the wildlife as a source of food (unless there is not alternative).
If the weight of food is an issue take dried packet food instead of tin cans.
Hugh Evans, Southport
In response to Hugh Evans - isn't part of being at 1 with nature the understanding of meat and where it comes from?
People like you don't think twice about eating a fresh steak in a packet from the supermarket, but cringe at the thought that others are ready to kill a beast, not for pleasure, but as a source of food - you don't deserve to eat meat, if you think killing an animal is bad.
Daniel. Get permission from the land owner 1st - usually impossible so try trapping and fishing.
Good luck
Adam Poulston, Manchester
As an ex-gamekeeping student I would strongly recommend not taking any kind of firearm (even a seemingly harmless air rifle) anywhere that you do not have written permission to use it. Not only can it draw unwanted attention to yourselves (fairly obvious when carrying a gunslip) but in the wrong place can be committing a criminal offence which could carry a 5 year prison sentence. I'm all for hunter-gathering but know very few people that have been able to legally combine their hunting and camping.
Chris Sheppard, North Yorks
Taking a fire-arm, including an air rifle, onto private land without permission could lead to you being charged with armed trespass. Don't do it!
Mark Jones, Wolverhampton
I would agree with both answers to be honest. You have to remember that an air rifle will usually not make a clean kill of anything worth eating. If you are looking for a more 'survival' weekend, by all means take fishing basics or snares, but also take rations. Make sure you remember to remove any snares that you lay when you leave, even if they are empty. Or you will be leaving the next animal to be caught in it, a brutal ending that should not be endured by any living thing. I spent many years in the military and do enjoy a good episode of Ray Mears, and we all know that in any survival situation, you are unlikely to have an air rifle in your possession, let alone a fishing hook! If you would like to learn, by all means take a whole rabbit from a butchers, head, fluff and all. Then prepare it on your weekend, it will be just as vivid as an experience as killing it before hand. Or take your tinned beans, cheese and a few hooks and line and see if you could really catch anything.
Torquil Harkness, London
A. In reply to Mr Harkness statement that an air rifle will not cleanly kill anything worth eating..RUBBISH! Mr Harkness; Daniel; A rabbit (which makes excellent eating) can be cleanly and humanely killed with a UK legal limit (12ft/lbs) air rifle...as can pigeon, squirrel and a host of other creatures. The main disadvantage of this to be considered is range from shooter to target, which is limited to 30 yards, extending to 45 yards if conditions are very favourable. Furthermore, this also must include a head shot. Although rabbits etc can be taken with shots to the fore-end of the body, the natural reactions of a shot coney is to sprint, thus usually causing a rabbit to die hidden and as can be imagined in a great deal of pain. Head shots avoid this. Being on ANY land with an air rifle, loaded or not, without express permission from the landowner or his/her representitive is an offence, and if caught are likely to receive a mandatory prison sentence. Basically, no permission, no shooting. Trapping/snaring is a good method of catching wild game. This also requires a degree of skill. Trapping/snaring can be very productive if carried out properly..making use of game trails, natural fibres, scent masking etc etc I do it regularly and enjoy it thourghly.
Name Withheld, Scotland
A. problem solved,just grow up or join the army.
Jim Rhodes, Hull
A. Every real man will understand your urge to try this. The problem is in the UK the people are telling you the truth, an air rifle on land without permission is going to get you a prison sentence as it as classed as the same offence as a "real" rifle (though you're more likely to get 6 months than the years you'd get with a real rifle). Snares and dogs are more likely to get you a big fine and the dogs confiscated or at worst a month so use these instead. There will be humans who oppose you while vociferously defending the right of foxes and owls to rampage around killing things. They are entitled to their opinion and the law supports them. There are often times in history we look back on laws and think they are unjust. Laws are rules not morals; morals are just used as justification for the rules. It would be morally wrong if everyone did it, but they don't and there are far too many rabbits in the UK anyway. Make your own mind up but do be aware there are consequence if the authorities see you.
Sonny Jim, England
A. I was just examining the laws regarding camping (wild camping as you say), and came upon your question on hunting. If I may put my two pence worth, consider this.
Save your pounds and take British Air to the United States, in the autumn for hunting season, and you can easily go camping and conduct some REAL hunting.
We can fix you up with a rifle that will crack the fillings in your teeth, and let you bag more venison than you could imagine.
Most of the states now have more deer killed on the highways than are dispatched with hunting. Frankly, I'd rather "thin the herd" in a humane manner than let the poor animals suffer being struck on the highways.
No doubt many deer, moose and other animals are killed by the vegans running out to get their soy burgers.
Chris Kratos, Burke, Virginia USA
A. Wow, talk about getting flamed! You know i was talking about my experience. I guess the air rifles i used in the 80's were not as powerful as yours. No need to get crabby! ;-)
Torquil Harkness, London
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