Birds and Guns

polod

howdy all.........ive a serious problem with magpies attacking my bales of silage this year...i counted 12 magpies one day :eek: the thing is ive no shotgun and do not plan on getting one either...im just woundering is they any where in the north or south i could buy a good legal pellet rifle gun with out a lience ? to get rid of these birds..... dont want to spent to much on one either maybe 250 or that max

CardBordWindow

Maybe talk to your local gun club? I'm sure someone would be very willing to shoot some of them pesky magpies for you.

A few quid would have it sorted, which would be a lot cheaper.

Vegeta

Unfortunately not. Air rifles are classed as firearms here so you'd need a license for one.

Is there a decent local gun club? Those lads would all be insured and probably keen to please a land owner.

polod

cheers fellas....hmm not to sure if there is a gun club around me ....but i do actually no know some one with a shot gun so maybe il get him after if you have to get a lience for one

reilig

This is what you need:

http://www.connachtagri.ie/index.php?p=130

johngalway

polod wrote: »

howdy all.........ive a serious problem with magpies attacking my bales of silage this year...i counted 12 magpies one day :eek: the thing is ive no shotgun and do not plan on getting one either...im just woundering is they any where in the north or south i could buy a good legal pellet rifle gun with out a lience ? to get rid of these birds..... dont want to spent to much on one either maybe 250 or that max

No is the short answer to your question.

You could also invest in a Larsen trap which are effective at catching magpies.

polod

reilig wrote: »

This is what you need:

http://www.connachtagri.ie/index.php?p=130

lightning rod cant imagine they have sold many of them

Tora Bora

Best thing to do, is arm all your cows to the teeth :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5s5qGg01nE

reilig

polod wrote: »

lightning rod cant imagine they have sold many of them

They've sold quite a few I think. A lot of waste disposal facilities (dumps) on the continent use them to keep away the crows, mags and gulls with great success. There's no reason why they wouldn't work for bales. They are certainly a cheap and safe option.

johngalway

Two posts removed.

Legal suggestions only.

polod

reilig wrote: »

They've sold quite a few I think. A lot of waste disposal facilities (dumps) on the continent use them to keep away the crows, mags and gulls with great success. There's no reason why they wouldn't work for bales. They are certainly a cheap and safe option.

il give them now just to see the price of it ....i have a funny feeling its going to be crazy money

Grecco

johngalway wrote: »

Two posts removed.

Legal suggestions only.

Ah jeez John go handy, I didnt get to see the replies:D
next thing you`ll be giving out bans

johngalway

Grecco wrote: »

Ah jeez John go handy, I didnt get to see the replies:D
next thing you`ll be giving out bans

Public forum, perception of farmers, image of food, not to mention boards.ie rules, etc...

polod

polod wrote: »

il give them now just to see the price of it ....i have a funny feeling its going to be crazy money

200 for a 6 metre pole hawk one delievered ....think im going to invest

Graces7

One of our cats brought down a magpie; seemed to have enjoyed her meal off it too from what was left..

moy83

I reckon the larsen trap would be cheaper and better . At least then you would be getting rid of the hoors altogether

crackcrack30

Bring in the bales and stack them as soon as baled, defo do not leave them out for early morning/ first light. paint large white circles (like eyes) on them & tie a couple of lines of joined peat briquette twine accross them or light netting if needed. Also a decoy large owl or hawk should keep these pests away, when positioned right it will work , I dont think guns are the real solution here in the short term........these precautions work usually 99%