Possum shooting

[geoffm]

Air rifles require a licence.

I have a bretta at home that was fun for possums.
Couple of shotties, and a 22.

I also have a 1800fps (.177) air-rifle it abliterates ducks.

Not yet they don't. You have to be over 18, or 16 with a firearms license.
This is going to change soon with the new Arms mmendment Act that is in select committee at present, so that air rifles over a certain velocity are classed as firearms.

1800fps for an air rifle is..unlikely unless it is something pretty special. That is supersonic speeds, and you start getting interesting effects with air through an orifice then. I can dig out the cronograph if you want to test it.
Geoff

[Virago]

I enjoy a bit of shooting myself, mainly rabbits (plenty of opportunity around Otago).

I've had a huge variety of guns over the years, but after a while it's only the really useful work-horse guns that get taken out.

I have a Brno model 2 Bolt action .22 Rifle, 5-shot magazine, with a 3-9x40 variable power scope on it. I can head-shoot rabbits cleanly out to 100m in the right conditions - it is so accurate the only limiting factor is my shooting skills. I rigged up a scope-mounted spotlight (just an old style car spotlight, 50watt Hella), and hook it up to a 7 Ah sealed lead-acid battery, which gives about an hour and a half of continuous running. Great fun on the possums.

For sheer fun, I enjoy using a shotgun for rabbits. I've got a really nice English 12G double gun by WW Greener, which I can shoot with passably well. I'm probably a better rifle shot that a shotgunner.

For real fun I get out after rabbits with my brother. He takes my Brno .22, and walks through the paddocks, while I walk the fence-line with the shotgun. He picks off the sitting rabbits, while I get good sport at the running ones, heading for the fence / tree line.

Where to shoot? You need permission to shoot anywhere, and these days private farm land is the best option. It's a case of asking around really. My neighbour's sister and brother-in-law give me permission to shoot on their farm near Luggate in Central Otago.

I've had my share of semi-auto guns, and reckon you don't get any more game with them, you just burn through the ammo a hell of a lot faster.

Getting a gun licence isn't as easy as it used to be, but it's no problem for most people. My daughter just got her licence. You need to satisfy the following criteria:
1) A reason for wanting to own or use guns, ie hunting, target shooting. If you are silly enough to say self-defence then you can expect to have your application declined!
2) Two referees, one related to you and one not, who will be questioned about your suitability for firearms ownership. They don't have to be firearms licenced themselves.
3) Suitable firearms storage facilities, ie secure gun cabinet.
4) You will need to attend a firearms safety course (takes a couple of hours), and pass a written safety test afterwards.
5) Cost is roughly $100 from memory.

[TraD_MaN]

You could consider useing a bow.
You don't need a big money compound bow,I do all my rabbit,possum an goat shooting with a longbow.
You often get a better reception from land owners carrying a bow rather than a rifle.
It's just another option,I actualy have a fair collection of rifles as well.
Our gun laws are pretty easy to live with and just require common sence.
Good luck what ever you do.

double that about the bow, i spent $2200 to set up my bow worth every cent thoe, but not realy needed

[geoffm]

It's been a while since I've fired a gun, and as much as I;d love to use the type of weapon I'd like to use (H&K MP15) somehow I don't think it'd go down too well.

So - what are the laws here governing shooting those pesky possums? Can I just apply for a gun licence, buy a rifle or shotgun, then go straight out and shoot the little bastards, or are there any specific possum protection laws I should be aware of?

Ta

Where are you going to use it. The middle of the smoke is not a good idea...
I also use a good, large spotlight, powered by a motorcycle gel cell.
The other way is traps. Get the Timms traps - kills them dead, and they work very well.

Lots of choices of guns around - IMO the CZ452 (aka Brno model 2) and Anshutz are amongs the best. I also have a Norinco (Chinese) copy of the Browning take down - unscrews in half and hten fits into the Beemer panniers :-)

All the requirements are on the police website (www.police.govt.nz). Call in to the Arms Officer in the central Chch police station. Most of my dealings with the Arms Officer cops have been pretty good over the years and they are always keen to help. You will need secure storage. A safe or secure cabinet is best, but for shotguns and rifles, a lock up rack is a minimum. I have made them before, so if you need one, drop me a line. Will work for beer...

Geoff
(In Christchurch at present...)

[inlinefour]

SLR was a great weapon as the possums kind of "disappeared" after hitting them. Prior to possums being worth something we used .22, gin, or Transit Van with steal pole to finish them off. However the biggest laugh I ever got was shooting one with the SLR the first time. However when the laws regarding semi-autos changed it was decided to hand in the rifles and licience to the Police and I've never fired a weapon since (gee that was along time ago)

[WINJA]

If you have a firearms licence get the most accurate .22 you can afford and fit it with a silencer (sound moderator in P.C. language) make sure it shoots straight and go for it.

No firearms licence? Get a grunty .22 calibre air-rifle with scope and go for it - but make sure you go for head shots only.

YEAH SCUMMYS RIGHT I GOT THE GAMO SHADOW 1000 .22 AIR RIFLE AND IT DOES 1000 FPS ON 177 BUT I GOT THE 22 AT 850 FPS I BAGGED MY 6TH POSSUM THE OTHER DAY , HEAD SHOTS ARE EASY AND I GET MOST KILLS IN 1 OR 2 SHOTS , IVE ACTUALLY HAD BETTER LUCK WITH THE AIR RIFLE THAN A SHOTGUN CAUSE I CAN GET 1 SHOT THRU THE HEAD AT DISTANCE.AND AT $16 FOR 500 SHOTS ITS CHEAP AND QUIET, DONT GET THE 177
PLEASE DONT SHOOT PUKEKOS

[sAsLEX]

AND AT $16 FOR 500 SHOTS ITS CHEAP AND QUIET, DONT GET THE 177
PLEASE DONT SHOOT PUKEKOS

yeah dad has a Winchester 38.40 model 1892 and the rounds for that are about 2 bucks each, nice guns to shoot with, and even has a saddle ring so the real southern men could hook it on to their horses

[Jackrat]

Silencers only work with subsonic ammo

I have one on a .22
It works better with subs,but it works just fine with CCI stingers as well.
Nelson Collie made them for centerfires an they also work well.
They only work for Sub's is an old wives tale.

[mini_me]

like everyone else has said...
get a good .22 bolt action (a toz or a voirre (sp)) and fit it with a decent scope and suppressor and go crazy...not literally tho.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunt...n-29587801.htm
that one would be ideal....
m/m

[sAsLEX]

They only work for Sub's is an old wives tale.

which would have to be a true wives tale, sure it may muffle the sound a little with a supersonic bullet, but you will still get the distinctive crack from the bullet breaking the sound barrier

[WINJA]

which would have to be a true wives tale, sure it may muffle the sound a little with a supersonic bullet, but you will still get the distinctive crack from the bullet breaking the sound barrier

THIS WILL BE ANOTHER 177 VS 22 AIRGUN DEBATE

[sAsLEX]

THIS WILL BE ANOTHER 177 VS 22 AIRGUN DEBATE

no debate a fact of life!

[WINJA]

no debate a fact of life!

I KNOW FUCK ALL ABOUT GUNS TO ME ITS JUST ANOTHER TOOL AND I GOT THE CHEAPEST ONE TO DO THE JOB

[sAsLEX]

I KNOW FUCK ALL ABOUT GUNS TO ME ITS JUST ANOTHER TOOL AND I GOT THE CHEAPEST ONE TO DO THE JOB

just like your taste in bikes

and its not gun knowledge it basic physics

[mini_me]

there is no way to dampen the 'sonic boom' that a bullet makes when it passes through the sound barrier, so having a silencer on whilst firing supers is a total waste of time. IF the object of the silencer was to make you 'stealthy' and unobtrusive, however having a silencer on would make pinpointing the exact location of the person firing harder (remebering that you would still know the direction they are firing from so pointless for hunting as the targets would know which direction to run & hide in)