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Ethics of airgun hunting
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bigoak
Re: Ethics of airgun hunting
Im using a 177 FX typhoon. I only go for head shots with it, which is not hard because it is frikken accurate. I have shot probably 20 or more rabbits with it now, and other forum members have even used it to kill conies and it kills em stone dead every time.
I must reiterate, I am only going for head shots, and a miss results in a clean miss.
Know your rifle
Know your personal limitations
I must reiterate, I am only going for head shots, and a miss results in a clean miss.
Know your rifle
Know your personal limitations
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Dennis La Varenne
- New Member
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:50 pm
- Favourite Cartridge: .22 Air Rifle
Re: Ethics of airgun hunting
Jimbo,
I agree with the sentiment that air rifles deserve no more scrutiny (or regulation) than any other kind of rifle. It is we who cock up a shot and make it less humane, not the air rifle.
Ethics are a matter of human decision to do or not do. It is also a matter of knowing the limitations of equipment performance and using it within those limitations. This is the essence of ethics - the modification of private human behaviour to accord with agreed principles of social conduct.
Limiting or prohibiting of certain equipment because somebody may use it outside social mores is not ethical behaviour. It is legalistic behaviour masquerading as ethical which punishes those who behave ethically and has little impact on those who don't care. Teach people to have good intentions in their behaviour towards others and animals and the ethics will take care of itself.
I will also add here that the killing of an animal is not in itself unethical or cruel. It is only HOW it is done and whether or not the process involved involves unnecessary or avoidable pain and suffering does the killing become unethical, and THEN, only if that pain and suffering is caused through negligence or intent.
None of those replying above to your important question have shown that the use of air rifles to kill animals of a suitable size within the performance limitations of air rifles is innately cruel or inhumane. None of them has suggested that they are regular pighunters or deerhunters who use air rifles in those pursuits irrespective of outcome for instance. None of them has likewise suggested that they prefer gutshots on foxes or cats in preference to careful brainshots.
These latter are obviously ridiculous examples but demonstrate the point I think, that air rifles used carefully within known empirically proven limits are perfectly humane on suitably sized animals.
Yours is an important question and should always be asked. My congratulations on having had the courage to ask it.
I agree with the sentiment that air rifles deserve no more scrutiny (or regulation) than any other kind of rifle. It is we who cock up a shot and make it less humane, not the air rifle.
Ethics are a matter of human decision to do or not do. It is also a matter of knowing the limitations of equipment performance and using it within those limitations. This is the essence of ethics - the modification of private human behaviour to accord with agreed principles of social conduct.
Limiting or prohibiting of certain equipment because somebody may use it outside social mores is not ethical behaviour. It is legalistic behaviour masquerading as ethical which punishes those who behave ethically and has little impact on those who don't care. Teach people to have good intentions in their behaviour towards others and animals and the ethics will take care of itself.
I will also add here that the killing of an animal is not in itself unethical or cruel. It is only HOW it is done and whether or not the process involved involves unnecessary or avoidable pain and suffering does the killing become unethical, and THEN, only if that pain and suffering is caused through negligence or intent.
None of those replying above to your important question have shown that the use of air rifles to kill animals of a suitable size within the performance limitations of air rifles is innately cruel or inhumane. None of them has suggested that they are regular pighunters or deerhunters who use air rifles in those pursuits irrespective of outcome for instance. None of them has likewise suggested that they prefer gutshots on foxes or cats in preference to careful brainshots.
These latter are obviously ridiculous examples but demonstrate the point I think, that air rifles used carefully within known empirically proven limits are perfectly humane on suitably sized animals.
Yours is an important question and should always be asked. My congratulations on having had the courage to ask it.