 About FishingFISHING TUITION AND GUIDING
Taysides superb range of fishing may require a little help for newcomers to the area. Gows has experienced anglers who are excellent guides and tutors, and who are able to provice that extra dimention for your fishing enjoyment. Whether you feel that a little casting improvement is in order or simply familiarisation with where to go and what to do, then our Fishing Tuition and Guiding Service is just what you need. Fishing is available on local trout lochs like - Monikie, Crombie, Butterstone, Lindores,Rescobie and many others a bit further afield, and for salmon and sea- trout fishing on the Rivers Tay, Tummel, Ericht, Isla, South and North Esk.
Please contact Sandy Forgan on 01382 225427 for further details.
FISHING PERMITS AND ACCESS!!<</span>>!
Salmon Fishing: We offer single-day, or longer lets, for salmon and sea-trout fishing on localTayside rivers at very competetive prices. This may include an accmpanying guide, if you require.Fishing for salmon may include the use of boats and ghillie(s) or for smaller rivers may simply be unaccompanied permit only arrangements. We have something to suit all salmon anglers. Sea-trout fishing is at its best locally between June and August and uslly involves late- evening and night-time fishing.
Trout Fishing: We can arrange day or evening fishing for rainbow and brown trout on local stillwaters. This may be bank fishing or traditional boat fishing known as "loch-style".If you need a boatman / ghillie this could be arrangedfor you or you may prefer your own company for the day.
Please contact Sandy Forgan on 01382225427 |
About Airguns: Rifles and PistolsIntroduction to Air Rifles: There are two main types of air rifles. Firstly spring powered and secondly, pneumatic. There are a few which are powered by carbon dioxide gas (CO2) but these are less 'mainstream'.
Spring powered guns rely on the compression of a spring, which, when it is released, pushes a piston, forcing air through the barrel to propel the pellet. This means that it will be a single-shot gun.
Pneumatic rifles are powered by compressed air. They require to be filled with pressurised air before commencing - this may be achieved by the use of a scuba-type air bottle, or by using a stirrup pump. The pressure employed is high - up to 200 bar (just under 3000 lbs per sq inch). Only accessories designed for such pressures may be used.
UK law requires that guns over 12 foot pounds (16 Joules) power are licensed through a Firearms Certificate (FAC). Guns below the threshold may be acquired and used without FAC, but considerable care should be taken to ensure that you comply with all aspects of UK law. (especially having the land-owners permission to use the gun).
Advantages and disadvantages: Spring powered guns tend to be less expensive - but are single-shot. They are also noisier than pneumatics due to the mechanical noise during discharge. Pneumatics can be multi-shot (magazines carry pellets and offer the opportunity to fire several shots sequentially). PCP guns (pre-charges pneumatic) tend to be more expensive but they offer high accuracy, quietness and multi-shot capability (in most models).
Calibre: there are four calibres in general manufacture: .177 , .20, .22, and .25 . The most common is .22 closely followed by .177. There are reasons for selecting different calibres. Given equal power of gun, the lighter .177 flies further, flatter and faster than heavier .22 or .25 ammunition, and may therefore be used when long-range shooting is anticipated - (primarily target shooting). .22 calibre is excellent for vermin control, as the pellets carry good impact power. The use of .20 gives the advantages of both .177 and .22 but this is not a common calibre and you may find difficulty sourcing a wide range of pellets. The use of .25 calibre is most often related to higher powered (FAC rated) guns. |
How to select your airgunIntroduction: These notes are intended to help you to decide which air gun(s) would best suit your needs. The main elements in making your choice will be price (of course ! ), the type of shooting you wish to do ('plinking', vermin control, competition etc), calibre, power and type (spring or pre-charged).
'Plinking': a lot of people like .177 spring guns for 'plinking'. You may not require full power (12 ft/lbs), some like the challenge of 'open sights' rather than telescopic ones and you may not need a silencer. This probably means that you need a basic model and should not have to sepnd a fortune !!
Vermin Control: This definition includes rabbits, crows, peigeons, magpies, rats, etc and probably would be best with a .22 rifle (unless you require the extra distance that a .177 provides), You might opt for a silencer and may consider a PCP (pre-charged, pneumatic) gun (beacuse it can be multi-shot).
Competition: There are many clubs and competitive events throught the country all of which can be great fun whether you take it seriously ..... or not ! The competitions are various including FT (Field target), HFT (Hunter Field target) and some for spring guns only. Most require silencers (to keep the environment quiet !), the majority of competitors use .177 (to provide flat trajectory at full range - to avoid unnecessary scope adjustment). Most serious competitors use PCP guns. Juniors/ladies and novelty events keep interest high.
Power: Most modern air rifles which are made for the UK market are factory-set at around 12 ft lbs (legal maximum) although some are lower powered. Most have the facility to mount a telescopic sight and some have intergal silencers (others permit silencers to be attached).
The best option when selecting your air rilfe is to speak to seomone who genuinely can help. You are warmly invited to give us a call ..... we will help !!
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 Airgun Law» We do not sell airguns, pellets or knives to customers under 18 years of age.
» Customers buying airguns, pellets or knives must be on the electoral role or be able to offer us alternative proof that they are at least 18 years of age.
» We do not supply airguns or pellets to Northern Ireland.
AIRGUN LAW
Conventional airguns do not fall within the remit of the Firearms Enquiry Team, as they do not, except in certain circumstances, require certification. However many people are interested in this subject and have asked for information.
An airgun differs from a conventional firearm by the fact that it, and the pellets discharged, do not contain any explosive substance.
When the trigger is pulled the pellets are forced from the barrel either by the release of a coiled spring, or the discharge of compressed gas from a cylinder.
Most airguns are of such limited power that they do not require to be licensed, however there are exceptions to this rule.
The Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 require that certain airguns can only be held legally on a firearm certificate. It is possible to measure the velocity of pellets, discharged from an airgun, by the use of an electronic chronograph. From these measurements the kinetic energy of the pellet at the muzzle can be calculated. Air weapons deemed specially dangerous have a muzzle energy in excess of:
In the case of an air pistol: 6 ft/lbs
In the case of an airgun other than an air pistol: 12 ft/lbs
Such airguns are classified as Section 1 firearms and are required to be held on a firearm certificate. These airguns are subject to all the controls and regulations pertaining to Section 1 firearms, although the "ammunition" (pellets) are not.
These rules do not apply to an airgun designed for use only when submerged in water, e.g. harpoon gun.
Conventional airguns, although not requiring to be held on certificate, are still subject to other legislation, particularly as to age restrictions as follows (see also Government Proposals):
Under 14 years old
It is an offence to give an airgun, or ammunition for it, to a person under 14 years of age. It is not an offence for that young person to receive it.
It is an offence for a person under 14 years old to be in possession of an airgun, or ammunition for it, except:
As a member of an approved club for target shooting.
Whilst at a shooting gallery where only airguns or miniature rifles not exceeding .23 calibre are used.
Whilst shooting under the supervision of a person aged 21 years or over, on private premises, including land, provided the missile is not fired beyond those premises.
This effectively means that a person under 14 years must be supervised by someone over the age of 21 years at all times, even within their own home and garden. If a pellet is fired beyond their own property boundaries, the child and adult both commit offences.
Under 17 years old
It is an offence for a person under 17 years old to have an airgun with him in a public place, except:
As a member of an approved club for target shooting.
Whilst at a shooting gallery where only airguns or miniature rifles not exceeding .23 calibre are used.
Where the air gun or rifle, (but not air pistol), is covered with a securely fastened gun cover and incapable of being fired.
It is an offence for a person under 17 years of age to be in possession of an air pistol in any public place except as at (a) and (b) above. A public place means any highway or place or premises to which, at the material time, the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise. You may not have an airgun in a public place without proper reason. An airgun is deemed as loaded if there is a pellet, dart or anything else in the gun or magazine, whether cocked or not.
Top You should be aware that it is unlawful to trespass on any land (including on water), or in any building whilst in possession of a firearm, including an airgun.
Simply going onto private land without permission is trespass. If you are in possession of an airgun at the time, it is trespassing whilst in possession of a firearm, a serious criminal offence which is punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of £1000.
It is also an offence to discharge a firearm, including an airgun, within 50 feet of the centre of any highway. This includes roads, bridle-paths or public footpaths. The offence is complete if a member of the public is injured, endangered or even just alarmed by the incident.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
It is commonly thought that all birds considered as vermin can be shot at any time and by anyone. This is not strictly true. All birds and animals are protected by law and only "authorised" persons who have proper permission can lawfully do so. See also Vermin Control and Deer Stalking.
Always ensure that you shoot within the legal boundaries and with the proper authorisation. Only use a conventional air rifle on suitable quarry, where you know that a clean kill is likely. It is generally accepted in proper shooting circles that such quarry only includes the following:
Woodpigeon, feral pigeon, collared dove, magpie, jackdaw, jay, rook and crow. Also brown rat, grey squirrel and rabbit.
Good hunting practice
Every hunting sportsman has the responsibility for recognising his quarry and knowing when and where the safest circumstances arise for a quick kill. Never shoot until you have positively identified the quarry, and established that it is safe to do so.
By practising on targets, and not live quarry, the hunter will know his limitations and be able to establish the maximum range at which he is effective. We cannot all be "Buffalo-Bills", but by knowing at what range you can consistently hit the kill zone, usually the head within a 1 inch diameter, you can establish your own safety net.
Such practice will ensure that most shots will bring about a clean kill, but if that is not the case, wounded quarry should always be despatched quickly and with the minimum of suffering. Always ensure that your rifle is powerful enough to bring a clean kill to the quarry in question. Shots of over 35 metres distance should not be attempted. Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or those that are close to cover, where they may lay wounded and out of reach.
If hunting for quarry other than that listed above, an air rifle with a muzzle energy of more than 12 ft/lbs should really be used. Remember that such a weapon can only be legally held on a firearm certificate.
It is very important to feel comfortable whilst carrying and using a firearm, and the wearing of suitable and sensible clothing appropriate to the land and prevailing weather conditions, will go a long way towards providing this.
If you are not shooting alone, select a leader for your group, normally the most experienced hunter. Have a hunting plan that each of you are fully familiar with, and always be aware of the location of other members of your group as well as others outside your party.
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Safety first
Every shooter should be aware of the dangers of shooting near overhead power lines and insulators.
Such practice can result in severe injury or even prove to be fatal. For your own safety and the safety of others nearby, it is imperative that the following measures are adhered to:
Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.
Familiarise yourself with the location of power lines and other electrical equipment on the land where you are going to shoot.
Do not use power line poles or towers to support any of your shooting equipment.
Be aware that some power lines may not be obvious and obscured by trees.
Take notice of all warning signs and keep well clear of electrical apparatus.
Avoid the use of lofting poles in the vicinity of overhead power lines.
Remember electricity can "jump" a considerable distance if shorted out.
If an accident does occur involving electricity, keep well clear. Call the emergency services via 999 and inform the local Electricity Company.
Good behaviour
Always get permission from the land owner/occupier/tenant and advise him in good time of your intended shoot and quarry.
Always respect the owner's property, crops and livestock and keep your dog, if you have one with you, under proper control.
Never point your airgun at anything other than the intended target.
When carrying your air rifle always point it at the ground and always be aware if it is loaded or not. Notwithstanding this, always treat an airgun as if it were loaded.
Always prove an airgun before handing it to someone else or receiving it yourself.
Before firing your airgun consider the trajectory of the pellet, particularly if it were to miss, or go straight through the target.
Always be aware of the various surfaces surrounding you and the possibility of a ricochet.
Never put down, leave unattended or hand a loaded airgun to anybody.
Always leave your shoot in the condition you would like to find it. Never leave litter behind and, where possible, clear up the litter left by others.
Remember the Country Code.
Above all be safe and sensible and enjoy your sport.
Although conventional airguns are not required to be licensed in England, Scotland and Wales, they are currently required to be licensed in Northern Ireland. Consequently, shooters wishing to take their airguns to Northern Ireland, are required to obtain a valid certificate of approval issued by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Advice on obtaining approval can be found at www.psni.police.uk/.
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