What can one shoot?

[Hacienda71]

And all this because Moss Commuter wanted to know if a mate of his could shoot a magpie with an airgun!!!

 

[XmisterIS]

I've just shot my load!

(I'll get me coat ...)

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

You've lost me now

Are you saying that Magpies are feeding on the other birds at the table ? In sort of the same way Mr Sparrowhawk does ?

Feeding birds indiscriminately (as most people do, by just putting scraps out) means that dominant birds do very well, and the abundant food source aids birds like magpies, that have few natural predators. This sustains an artificially high population of them to prey on eggs and nestlings.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Feeding birds indiscriminately (as most people do, by just putting scraps out) means that dominant birds do very well, and the abundant food source aids birds like magpies, that have few natural predators. This sustains an artificially high population of them to prey on eggs and nestlings.

So if we meddling humans stop feeding birds......

 

[Cubist]

So if we meddling humans stop feeding birds.....

So we are entitled to overrule natures laws are we?

Isn't that the same thing though Angel.... I think you've mentioned interfering and upsetting the balance earlier. Is interfering only OK if it's apparently beneficial like feeding wild birds?

The argument becomes cyclical, because by building houses and gardens we encroach on habitat that birds and other wild creatures would otherwise have enjoyed. We enjoy seeing wild birds in our gardens, but our interference has already meant that their nests are more vulnerable in our neat hedgelines etc etc. We then put out nuts, seeds, mealworms, fatballs and attract them into the open, so they become easy prey from Sparrowhawks, cats and so on.

I admire your strong principles by the way. A staggering number of people condemn the killing of game like rabbit or venison, but are pefectly happy to buy a battery chicken portion from the supermarket, or intensively reared bacon.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So if we meddling humans stop feeding birds.....


Isn't that the same thing though Angel.... I think you've mentioned interfering and upsetting the balance earlier. Is interfering only OK if it's apparently beneficial like feeding wild birds?

The argument becomes cyclical, because by building houses and gardens we encroach on habitat that birds and other wild creatures would otherwise have enjoyed. We enjoy seeing wild birds in our gardens, but our interference has already meant that their nests are more vulnerable in our neat hedgelines etc etc. We then put out nuts, seeds, mealworms, fatballs and attract them into the open, so they become easy prey from Sparrowhawks, cats and so on.

I admire your strong principles by the way. A staggering number of people condemn the killing of game like rabbit or venison, but are pefectly happy to buy a battery chicken portion from the supermarket, or intensively reared bacon.

I meant that we should stop feeding birds as well. That way the natural order should eventually resume (certainly based on the Patricks post.

BTW thank you cubist. My posts have been very strong of late and that maybe to do with a slip in my mood of late (my depression is crawling back ) Apologies to those I have unnecessarily upset.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

i believe in reincarnation too, unfortunately the chance of coming back as something other than Plankton or Bacteria are pretty slim. I would like to return as a swallow but reckon the chances are something akin to winning the lottery every week for a few years in a row.

OT, but I like the way you have no problem believing in something like reincarnation, but struggle to believe that you come back as anything good. If you're going to believe in something for which there is no evidence at all, why not believe in all the best bits?

 

[Hacienda71]

As a pessimist I always predict the worst outcome, and as such my life is full of pleasant surprises. I pity the optimist, their lives must be one disappointment after another.

Seriously though, I don't believe in reincarnation, when we are dead we are dead. But for those that do believe we come back as another life form, the chances of returning as a higher order mammal must be pretty remote. And as for returning as another human, I guess the odds are so astronomical it has never ever happened.

Unless you are the Dalai Lama

 

[gert_lush]

As a clay and target shooter, I would suggest getting yourself some pictures of magpies, placing them around your garden and blasting away - get accurate before you take this any further. However, an airgun has a low muzzle velocity and will not have much range or accuracy over distance and it would take a seriously good an accurate shot to ice a magpie.

Why tickle the Magpie when you can fire a Howitzer at it?

I would suggest getting an FAC (Firearms Certificate) and buying a Winchester Model 70 with 458 magnum calibre - this will take out an elephant if required and maybe somewhat overkill for a Magpie, but at least you will not leave any "evidence" of the termination of said Magpie` and should any elephants invade your garden, you will be perfectly armed to repel them and defend your territory. I think that the hyde that Rupert Murdoch is covered in is too thick for civilian ammunition - if you have a severe Rupert Murdoch problem in your garden, I would suggest the GAU-8 Avenger canon, you will need to remove it from the A10 aircraft that surrounds the cannon though - nothing that a philips head screwdriver can't handle.

If you suffer from shoulder issues or back problems then I would consider the smaller .308 or 30.06 Springfield calibre Winchester 70 - less recoil and greater accuracy (even though they are less chuky and lower velocity ammunition) - recoil makes a huge difference on accuracy!

On a personal note, yes, I do shoot rifles and shotguns (FAC certified), but I don't shoot stuff that lives - targets and clays only for me. Allot of my fellow shooters go stalking deer and on culls/grousing trips, but thats up to them.

 

[bigjim]

Catapults are good fun.

this is also why if you run over a dog in a car you have to report it to the police, whereas you don't if you run over a cat.

Don't think that is correct. Dogs are no longer licensed and are in the same catagory as a cat. So I was informed by the police when I ran a dog over that ran off. Plod were not interested as it is no longer a legal reqirement to report.

 

[Cubist]

No, you obviously spoke with idle plod who rewrote the Road Traffic Act in order to get to his tea a bit quicker. Section 170 (8) gives the definition. The question "How Can A Man Drive Past Grazing Sheep" shares the initials with the listed animals. Note they are all domesticated or farm animals, not wild animals or game.

Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988
DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP, REPORT ACCIDENT AND GIVE INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS

1) This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road, an accident occurs by which -
(a) personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b) damage is caused -
(i) to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(ii) to an animal other than an animal in or on that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(iii) to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road in question is situated or land adjacent to such land

(2) The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.

(3) If for any reason the driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, he must report the accident.

(4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3) above is guilty of an offence.

(5) If, in a case where this section applies by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above, the driver of a motor vehicle does not at the time of the accident produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned.in section 165(2) of this Act -
(a) to a constable, or
(b) to some person who, having reasonable grounds for so doing, has required him to produce it, the driver must report the accident and produce such a certificate or other evidence. This subjection does not apply to the driver of an invalid carriage.

(6) To comply with a duty under this section to report an accident or to produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of this Act, the driver -
(a) must do so at a police station or to a constable, and
(b) must do so as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, within twenty-four hours of the occurrence of the accident

(7) A person who fails to comply with a duty under section (5) above is guilty of an offence, but he shall not be convicted by reason only of a failure to produce a certificate or other evidence if, within seven days after the occurrence of the accident, the certificate or other evidence is produced at a police station that was specified by him at the time when the accident was reported.

(8) In this section "animal" means horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog.

[Road Traffic Act 1988, s 170 amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991, Sch 4].

 

[bigjim]

No, you obviously spoke with idle plod

So it would seem. I stand corrected . So now I wonder why did they stop the dog license. Unusual for the Gov to give up the chance of fining us?

 

[Fab Foodie]

[QUOTE 1453654"]
There was an owl screeching in the tree at the end of our garden last night. Beautiful thing, it was.

I wonder what owl tastes like...
[/quote]

Dunno, but finding out would be a hoot ....

 

[GordonB]

No, you obviously spoke with idle plod who rewrote the Road Traffic Act in order to get to his tea a bit quicker. Section 170 (8) gives the definition. The question "How Can A Man Drive Past Grazing Sheep" shares the initials with the listed animals. Note they are all domesticated or farm animals, not wild animals or game.

Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988
DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP, REPORT ACCIDENT AND GIVE INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS

1) This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road, an accident occurs by which -
(a) personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b) damage is caused -
(i) to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(ii) to an animal other than an animal in or on that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(iii) to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road in question is situated or land adjacent to such land

Being a pedantic sod I would point out that although Cubist has quoted the correct Act and Section, it's not the up to date version and the amended Section may be be of interest. The Act was amended in 2000 as follows; in subsection (1), after “on a road” there shall be inserted “ or other public place”, in subsection (1)(b)(iii), after “the road” there shall be inserted “ or place”.

The effect of this is that if someone mows you or your dog down in, for example, a car park then Section 170 applies. There's a widespread belief even now that accidents in public or supermarket car parks don't need to be reported. In a parallel of the lazy plod incident quoted here a mate was told a few years ago, obviously by that plod's close relative, that the damage caused to his car in Safeway's car park by a jerk who had just reversed into the side of it and driven smartly off was entirely a civil matter and it was up to him to find out the drivers details, even though he had the reg number. Said plod refused to get involved and it took a trip to police HQ to get the offender pursued. The up to date version of most Acts can be obtained on the legislation.gov.uk website, the link to s170 is here

Gordon

 

[GordonB]

[QUOTE 1453654"]
There was an owl screeching in the tree at the end of our garden last night. Beautiful thing, it was.

I wonder what owl tastes like...
[/quote]

Most years we have a pair of Tawny owls nesting in our garden and they usually produce a pair of youngsters who are invariably christened Weep and Dreep because they perch on branches just outside our bedroom windows and call to each other all night for several weeks. Imagine "Weeeeeeeeeep", "Dreep", Dreeeeeeeeeep", "Weep" for hours on end. I have been very tempted to experiment with roast owl, Owl a la Greque, Owls on Horseback, Owl Tikka Masala and several other interesting possibilities but have so far confined myself to leaning out of the wndow and requesting them to "SHUTTHEFECKUPYOUNOISYFEATHEREDBASTIDS!!!!!" which request is usually ignored and followed by more Weeps and Dreeps with slightly offended overtones.

Gordon