hunting with a catapult

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hunting with a catapult
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matt_hooks

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 2:57 pm Post subject:

A catapult is difficult to shoot accurately. It takes lots of time and effort to learn to shoot one well.

I have never chrono'd one, but from figures I've seen the power output on the top notch models can be around that of a full powered hunting air rifle, and even beyond. This means that they have the power to deliver a killing blow to small game such as rabbits and squirrels.

Birds should never be shot with a catapult. All wild birds are protected by law. They can only be taken/killed under certain general licences or as game species. No general licence allows the use of catapults to take birds.

It's the age old argument. If you can put the projectile in the right place and deliver the energy, then you can kill cleanly and effectively. If not, then don't even think about picking up a catapult/airgun/rimfire/fullbore rifle and aiming it at another living creature. If you're in doubt then there's no doubt!

But catapults can be very effective at short range, and to dismiss them out of hand, and to generalise their users as criminals and ne'er do wells is shortsighted in the extreme!

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 3:27 pm Post subject:

matt_hooks wrote:

But catapults can be very effective at short range, and to dismiss them out of hand, and to generalise their users as criminals and ne'er do wells is shortsighted in the extreme!

A person who uses a catapult for hunting is breaking the law, and is thus a criminal.

Have you specifically come onto this site to trawl for posts I've made in order to disagree with them?

matt_hooks

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 4:19 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

matt_hooks wrote:

But catapults can be very effective at short range, and to dismiss them out of hand, and to generalise their users as criminals and ne'er do wells is shortsighted in the extreme!

A person who uses a catapult for hunting is breaking the law, and is thus a criminal.

Have you specifically come onto this site to trawl for posts I've made in order to disagree with them?

There is no law stating that it is illegal to use a catapult for hunting.

Don't flatter yourself!

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 4:20 pm Post subject:

matt_hooks wrote:

There is no law stating that it is illegal to use a catapult for hunting.

Causing unnecessary suffering.

matt_hooks

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 4:34 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

matt_hooks wrote:

There is no law stating that it is illegal to use a catapult for hunting.

Causing unnecessary suffering.

Debatable.

They would need to prove that unnecessary suffering had been caused.

I say again, there is no law against shooting something with a catapult. Show me the words in the statute that state that it is an offence to shoot any animal with a catapult!

Brownbear

Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 4:42 pm Post subject:
Righto then, you go hunting with one and see whether you get done for it.

matt_hooks

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 10 4:50 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

Righto then, you go hunting with one and see whether you get done for it.

You said it was illegal to use a catapult for hunting, it isn't. Causing unnecessary suffering, yes, that's illegal, but nowhere in law is it defined that a catapult is an illegal hunting method.

I personally wouldn't hunt using a catapult, mainly because I couldn't hit my own foot with one, but I know people who can and do, and achieve quick, humane kills with them too!

Wood child

Joined: 08 Jun 2010
Posts: 45

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 10 3:15 pm Post subject:
I sense animosity between brownbear and matt... Actually, I haven't been here for a while, so I hope everyone has forgotten that comment about Wales. It was a JOKE.

farmershort

Joined: 17 Nov 2010
Posts: 124
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 10 3:25 pm Post subject:

Brownbear wrote:

matt_hooks wrote:

There is no law stating that it is illegal to use a catapult for hunting.

Causing unnecessary suffering.

have you seen the youtube videos of the hunter catapult + .44 lead shot going through a leg of lamb.

I agree it's easier to get a headshot on a rabbit with a .22 air rifle, but if you're skilled enough to hit the rabbit with a .44 catty shot, then pretty much any shot will kill it.

furthermore, how long does your average animal spend in cramped transit, holding pens, slaughter lines, before finally being stunned and killed. the few seconds between catty strike, and neck wringing seems fairly acceptable in comparison.

I'm no proclaiming to be a catty hunter. I have a hunter catty, bought through jacksshed, and hope one day to be a good enough shot to have a go at live prey - until that day, I'll stick to the 12 bore or air rifle.

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