Crossbow recommendations

Clo-Clo

Hi, I have a full gun license but I store my gun away from my house. I normally shoot clay and some game depending on the season but very rarely anymore.

I used to have a slingshot and crossbow years ago. Mostly for target practise but retired them all. I am looking to get a crossbow, mostly to kill rats which we have an infestation around our area this time of year after the grain is cut in the fields.

Just wondering if people have any recommendations? I could get an air rifle but would prefer not to have in the house and easier to store a crossbow safely.

Thank you

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314695/crossbow-recommendations

Crossbows are a restricted firearm, so you would need to apply for a restricted firearms licence for one.

You would also have to abide by the requirements for storing a restricted firearm, which are higher than a non restricted air rifle.

I would also say you are extremely unlikely to get one for that purpose, when a non restricted firearm would be more appropriate.

Cass

Plus section 34 of the Wildlife act prohibits the hunting of any wild animal with dart, arrow, spear, etc. In short you cannot hunt with a crossbow so it's a pointless device to have for the purpose you want it for.

Clo-Clo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121136209#Comment_121136209

Ahh might just put in for air rifle so

cosieman

A 22lr might be more versatile you can use 22 ratshot or 22 kolbri bullets they have no gunpowder just primer so same power as a air rifle heard they can get stuck in the cz rifles barrells though so maybe a ruger 10 22 might be better suited

.243

A high powered power adjustable air rifle would far more versatile than a .22

Clo-Clo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121139280#Comment_121139280

Any specific one in mind? Im only starting to look around, as you will be aware need to buy first before I get the license

Clo-Clo

https://www.sportsdengunroom.ie/products/gamo-speedster-gen-3-22-fac-new-5537

Just wondering what people think on the above?

.243

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121142481#Comment_121142481

Fx dreamline would be more than capable

Grizzly 45

A good crossbow will run you the price of a very decent air rifle these days,and be twice as useless for anything in hunting or target shooting in Ireland. Crossbows these days are what I call "High tech, low-tech" devices High tech in that they are built out of lightweight alloys and use carbon fibre a lot and shoot bolts that can cost more than a round of expensive centrefire target ammo. low tech in the fact the design and mechanism of an Xbow has been around since Medieval times, and could if you were inclined be built out of your local scrap pile to be just as good as one of the modern Xbows.

An air rifle OTOH,[ and they have come on immensely in technology since I was using a break barrel single shot.177 Diana 50 years ago],can be got in all shapes and sizes and as they are licensed here as a live firearm in Ireland irrespective of calibre and power in a huge variety that has in some cases power to throw large lumps of.357 lead down range with muzzle velocities strong enough to drop wild pigs or deer.[google Benjamin Bulldog]. So overkill no doubt for rats,but just to illustrate a point of how the humble airgun has moved on and would be a better option for you.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121136287#Comment_121136287

The laws on what and how you can hunt are convoluted. In that everything is not permitted, with various exceptions, open seasons, derogation, vermin.

Could the last apply to vermin like rats being taken with an arrow/bolt. Or the exceptions specified to firearms, traps poison?

Cass

Mellor - "In that everyone is not permitted, with various accent ions fi open seasons, derogation, vermin."

Sorry, not sure what the highlighted bit means.

Mellor - "Could the last apply to vermin like rats being taken with an arrow/bolt"

I'm not sure how as the section I mentioned is very clear. No arrows, bolts, spears, etc. to be used. It doesn't say not to use a crossbow but as they fire arrows/bolts it's prohibited by it's projectile rather than the "firearm" itself. Also the 2000 act amends the term wild animal and removes the word wild, leaving only animal which would infer that all animals are now covered.

As you said convoluted.

Plus while we use the term vermin it is not used in any legislation. There are protected species with no seasons and protected species with designated open seasons. Anything else, if there is anything, would still be covered by the wildlife act and possibly have an open, year round, season and these we usually refer to as vermin.

Feisar

Who want's to be pulling bolts out of rats anyway? Get a 22LR!

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121154450#Comment_121154450

Sorry, was supposed to say “various exceptions”. As that’s how I’d describe the structure of the law.

I agree the section is clear. But so are other sections only for some exception to exist elsewhere.

Eg corvids are protected, but can be taken under derogation, or; The section that bans arrows also bans traps, poison, etc. yet mousetraps and rat poison are not banned.

Something somewhere excuses those means, just curious how broad it is. May not apply to arrows.

Regarding vermin, I thought act defined the Wildlife act defined all animals that are not protected are vermin (using that term). Maybe have been edited subsequently.

Cass

Mellor - Eg corvids are protected, but can be taken under derogation

Under derogation, a legal exemption to the law. Not really, to me, the same as a loophole or contradiction in law.

Mellor - The section that bans arrows also bans traps, poison, etc. yet mousetraps and rat poison are not banned.

They are, or more accurately some/most are. Electrocution, glue, gin traps, etc. are all illegal. The only traps allowed are those designed for live capture for release later or those that kill immediately or cause unconsciousness with a view to kill before consciousness is regained of the animal/bird.

Mellor - Something somewhere excuses those means, just curious how broad it is. May not apply to arrows

It's SI 620 of 2003 that clarifies this. It also makes no allowance for arrows, spears, etc.

Mellor - Regarding vermin, I thought act defined the Wildlife act defined all animals that are not protected are vermin (using that term). Maybe have been edited subsequently.

Afaik, there are protected wild animals that have no season (seals, pine marten, Red Squirrel, Eagle, Hawk, etc), and there are wild animals that have a season (pigeon, some Deer, Pheasant, some Duck, etc), then there is everything else that have no season, or.more accurately have an unending open season, but is still covered/protected by the wildlife act as they are wild animals.

I hear what you are saying and you are right in that there are exemptions but as far as I can see most are accounted for in legislation.

Of course I don't know, nor do I pretend to know, every part of the various acts or SIs so perhaps somewhere there is something that resembled or outright is a vermin list (or the legal equivalent).

J.R.

Not listed in any legal document or legislation but I think the list of vermin species in Ireland that can be shot the whole year round are:

fox, rabbit, mink, rats, mice, grey squirrel, feral goats & muntjac (with suitable rifle calibre).

Esel

Anyone here eat goat? What's it like?

Feisar

I did as a young lad but can't remember what it was like. Dad would rate kid goat as tasty. But it would want to be a young one, an older lad would be... "herby" as @Grizzly 45 described it one time!

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121155359#Comment_121155359

I didn't mention anything about loopholes, certainly not what I was suggesting. People shooting shooting under the derogation are follow the law as intended, not a loophole. But I understand your point, as a derogation is after all the suspension/relaxation of a law.

They are, or more accurately some/most are. Electrocution, glue, gin traps, etc. are all illegal. The only traps allowed are those designed for live capture for release later or those that kill immediately or cause unconsciousness with a view to kill before consciousness is regained of the animal/bird.

It's SI 620 of 2003 that clarifies this. It also makes no allowance for arrows, spears, etc.

I suppose spring traps would include the standard mouse trap. And I assume a previous SI covered it prior to 2003. I'd would have been surprised it they were ever illegal. Wasn't expect arrows to get a pass with traps either, was just curious how "vermin" are excluded from section 33.

I hear what you are saying and you are right in that there are exemptions but as far as I can see most are accounted for in legislation.

Of course I don't know, nor do I pretend to know, every part of the various acts or SIs so perhaps somewhere there is something that resembled or outright is a vermin list (or the legal equivalent).

Oh I thrust its all there in legislation. It's just hard to find sometimes with all the amendments and updates. although, it's certainly been made easier now I discovered the consolidated versions. 😁

Speaking of vermin, I had a search and found what I was thinking of. The below definition.

“(3) Each of the following shall be vermin for the purposes of this section—

(a) any wild bird which is not a protected wild bird within the meaning of the Wildlife Act, 1976,

(b) any wild animal (other than a bird) which is not a protected wild animal within the meaning of that Act.”

Although it seems like its a definition for purposed Forestry Act, 1946. 😅 Hard to keep up.

Prior to that amendment, Deer were vermin (under the Forestry Act 1946)

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156382#Comment_121156382

I don't think there is any list of vermin, but rather the opposite. The list of protected animals in schedules of Wildlife act. Everything else is fair game. Probably a few obscure critters that are technically not protected.

Although Muntjac are technically protected with a 365 day open season.

Grizzly 45

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156458#Comment_121156458

Up to a year18 months old they are good eating. Something in texture and taste between beef and lamb. After that, they become and get powerful,and not to mind pungent aroma and taste.You can pretty much cook them in any way we would do beef.If you like exotic food,plenty of African,Middle Eastern and Caribbean recipes out there specifically for goat.

JP22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121157650#Comment_121157650

I agree with Mellor, All fauna/flora is protected.

Certain species are classed as either game/vermin/or both (pigeon) and can be shot within their designated hunting seasons.

Derogation orders are totally separate and are issued annually as required.