Hunting Schedule 5 animals with a slingshot

Hello ladies and gents

What an amazing resource this forum is! My name is Daniel. Am new here and new to hunting and I have a few questions that I have been unable to answer any other way.

I recently bought a slingshot and have been practising with it for the last couple of months. I think I am nearly ready to try and take some game.

My questions are regarding Schedule 5 animals.

Firstly, can I hunt schedule 5 animals with a slingshot on DoC land without a permit? Their website says I need a permit to hunt, but the small game permit only covers specific animals with specific weapons.

Secondly, I understand that I cannot hunt Schedule 5 animals in parks or reserves or anything like that, or on private land without permission. But what about in other publicly accessible areas? If a pigeon is on public land (like next to a road in the countryside), can I shoot it as long as I am not causing a danger to a person or property etc.?

Thirdly, is there some really bloody obvious place that I could easily go hunt schedule 5 animals that I haven't thought of? I am lucky enough to know a few people with big properties, and I have read your excellent advice about approaching landowners. But the wording of schedule 5 makes it seem like hunting them should be easy, so I am hoping I missed something.

That was a longer post than I anticipated...

Cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FeralPhilosopher

Hello ladies and gents

What an amazing resource this forum is! My name is Daniel. Am new here and new to hunting and I have a few questions that I have been unable to answer any other way.

I recently bought a slingshot and have been practising with it for the last couple of months. I think I am nearly ready to try and take some game.

My questions are regarding Schedule 5 animals.

Firstly, can I hunt schedule 5 animals with a slingshot on DoC land without a permit? Their website says I need a permit to hunt, but the small game permit only covers specific animals with specific weapons.

Secondly, I understand that I cannot hunt Schedule 5 animals in parks or reserves or anything like that, or on private land without permission. But what about in other publicly accessible areas? If a pigeon is on public land (like next to a road in the countryside), can I shoot it as long as I am not causing a danger to a person or property etc.?

Thirdly, is there some really bloody obvious place that I could easily go hunt schedule 5 animals that I haven't thought of? I am lucky enough to know a few people with big properties, and I have read your excellent advice about approaching landowners. But the wording of schedule 5 makes it seem like hunting them should be easy, so I am hoping I missed something.

That was a longer post than I anticipated...

Cheers

---

I suggest that you go easy on cattle and horses. They and their owners may take offence fairly quickly.

Haha! Think the cows will even notice?

I was thinking more the pigeons, geese, magpies and such.

Hunting any animal it needs to killed humanly.
As for hunting Doc land i would say that would be a No but you would need to check. To easy for a person to start killing native birds

I may get criticised for saying this, but whatever. A slingshot doesn't draw anywhere near the same level of scrutiny as a firearm, plus it can be tucked away in a backpack. If you have permission to be on a piece of land (DOC/public or private), are targeting legal quarry and think you can make a humane kill, go for it. I would keep a low profile and avoid public places with lots of people around though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muzza

One does not hunt wtih a "weapon" . A weapon is what our highly trained police wear at work each day and kill innocent bystanders with.

---

Wow, how many innocent bystanders have the cops killed??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Wow, how many innocent bystanders have the cops killed??

---

Be nice if it was none?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maca49

Be nice if it was none?

---

Of course!

trey that pre-fragmented ceramic slingshot ammo. seen goat taken with it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gonetropo

trey that pre-fragmented ceramic slingshot ammo. seen goat taken with it

---

:wtfsmilie:

Thank you for the help. I have narrowed it down to two completely contradictory passages from two pieces of legislation. The Animal Welfare act that specifically states that there are no restrictions whatsoever on the killing or possession of schedule 5 animals. And the Conservation Act that specifically prohibits killing on conservation land without a permit...

It is described as both...public conservation land...

I see how the argument could go both ways, and I understand the law is somewhat open to interpretation by the police. Not a comforting thought.

I have seen a few posts about shooting along riverbanks. Is there some special provision for access and shooting along rivers?

Troll methinks

Actually all legislation is subject to interpretation. The court is the final arbitrator of what was intended by parliament. We need this to be so because parliament usually doesn’t know what it wants to achieve or what it intends.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sidney

Actually all legislation is subject to interpretation. The court is the final arbitrator of what was intended by parliament. We need this to be so because parliament usually doesn’t know what it wants to achieve or what it intends.

---

Sort of like the ‘loaded in breech, barrel or magazine’ fiasco?

I don’t think there will be any issues killing pigeons or possums. But there is always someone who has an issue with someone having fun!

I suggest calling DOC and that should clear it up for the DOC land side of things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muzza

a van driver in Auckland springs to mind.....

---

I too remember that - but ‘shooting innocent members of public’ comment suggests he was not the only innocent member of public shot by police.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sako851

..................................I suggest calling DOC and that should clear it up for the DOC land side of things.

---

I disagree as DOC probably still employs ignorant muppets to answer queries.

An example, an Ozzie harrier was killing my free range chickens and after checking the various acts, i found i was entitled to shoot them ( on my lifestyle property, in the country side away from dwellings etc) but two DOC Muppets said I could not shoot them as they were protected. Load of crap as the acts excluded them from protection.

I challenged thism pointing them to the non protection and then they responded by saying i needed a licence to shoot them. Further I must apply for a licence which would require lotsa information , cost me $300 ( think) and may not even be approved with no refund of the $300.

I spat the dummy, wrote the the then DOC Minister who apologised in writing for their staff's incorrect information and progressed a change to their legisation which made it clear that Ozzie Hariers depredators could be shot.

SO, never accept unquestioningly that which a DOC person claims to be fact if it appears to be bull shit..

That’s kinda why I haven’t tried to call them, and why I asked you guys instead. If I can get hold of someone at DOC it will be a random desk jockey with no clue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FeralPhilosopher

That’s kinda why I haven’t tried to call them, and why I asked you guys instead. If I can get hold of someone at DOC it will be a random desk jockey with no clue.

---

But you'd rather just take random "advice" on a forum :ORLY:

If it smells like a troll, talks like a troll....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FeralPhilosopher

That’s kinda why I haven’t tried to call them, and why I asked you guys instead. If I can get hold of someone at DOC it will be a random desk jockey with no clue.

---

Do you work longer hours than 9-5 5days (I'm guessing office hours but google will help)a week? If not, put shoes on pavement go into your nearest office and ask to talk to someone who may know.... the office front desk person will likely know of a member of staff that hunts or is involved in pest control (highly bloody likely) if they are in a meeting or out and about come back or leave your number.

Let us know how you get on

Or call into your local regional council office and ask to speak to the person issuing trapping permits.

Phone DOC and ask to speak to the person/team issuing small game permits. Say that you have a technical question, and that you are happy for them to call you back rather than talking to a call center person.

But you've kinda answered your own question already... I suspect you just don't like the answer. If you want to kill ANYTHING on DOC land, you need a DOC issued permit.

If you really want to fill your boots with a slingshot, start door knocking and find a farmer willing to entertain that idea as some form of pest control on their land....

Thanks chaps. Will let you know when I get through.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mimms2

My cousin got quite good at snotting possums out tree with a shanghai/slingshot. Came down with a headache and the estwing did the rest.

Humane kill, would be the thing.
I'm not sure what accuracy you can guarantee or what FPE you're slinging, seems a bit too easy to break a birds wing, rabbit's leg etc, without incapacitating em.

But yeah. If you're competent enough with it to deal proper damage, have at it.
Unlikely DOC will permit you. Their minimum requirement for a bow is/was 35# draw... slinging 400 odd grain arrow/broadhead probably doing 120-170fps for 12-25FPE...

---

Probably no different to the wallys that "practice" long range shooting on goats. Always seems weird to me the number of people that are fine with stretching the limits at non ethical distances on goats. Hate to imagine the amount left gut shot and not followed up just because they're pests.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FeralPhilosopher

Thanks chaps. Will let you know when I get through.

---

@FeralPhilosopher how did you get on at the local doc office?

I haven't had the chance to get out of Auckland recently so haven't tried calling DOC yet because if they say yep I want to get the licence there and then and not have to call back and explain the whole rigmarole a second time.. However I have had a great time harvesting possum skins on my local permission.

Two of these were with the slingshot. 10mm lead right to the noggin. The other three were out of range of the slingshot so my buddy snagged them with an air rifle. Heart and lung shots. They die within a minute and drop like rocks.

Attachment 169153

My pesty air rifle with thermo clip on.Compact Doctor scope ,thermo is a Guide TA 435 clip on,no zeroing required,screw on adaptor and shoot,runs off batterys or power pack.See rabbits clearly out to 100yds.Great for my back yard forest.Attachment 169158

Thats a sweet setup. Is that full thermal or infrared imaging? Difference is about 3k. The scope could cost more than the rifle.

Post in wrong place,sorry .Full thermo clip on,if yr rifle scopes have similar objective bell diameter You can move from rifle to rifle easy as.No zeroing required either,works just like a viewer or camera.

I’m 49 and have lived here all my life. Wtf is schedule 5 ???
Actually don’t answer that. I don’t really care. I’m sure it’s some stupid piece of legislation put together by even stupider politicians.
Legally I can’t help with any of your questions but I’m keen to here what game you take so an update at some point would be awesome.
Good luck

Attachment 170209

These two were delicious.

Yeah, legislation about what animals are protected and what aren't. I looked it all up because I am new to hunting and didn't want to give the sport a bad name by killing the wrong thing in the wrong place without the right licence. Turns out rabbits are protected...who knew?

Dinner for Gucci.10 minuts out the back of my place,theres a few 20 rabbits about,but they are aware of me.So i walk in the dark shadows till i see one close by.Get within 10-15yds,if i cant get a head shot,i got for the back hip,they dont go anywhere and i knockn on the head.Try to get one every nigth.Attachment 170297

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trout

Dinner for Gucci.10 minuts out the back of my place,theres a few 20 rabbits about,but they are aware of me.So i walk in the dark shadows till i see one close by.Get within 10-15yds,if i cant get a head shot,i got for the back hip,they dont go anywhere and i knockn on the head.Try to get one every nigth.Attachment 170297

---

Bloody priceless Trout..great team :)

FeralPhilosopher ..you obviously know how to use that slingshot,unreal considering the only thing I recall hitting with a shang-i (spelling ) as they were called was the neighbours window lol,I was in deep shit after that.
Something totally different eh,,well done for sure.

Thats a happy cat :) Might have to find some rabbits around here then. I guess it is best after dark? I have tried for a few with the slingshot and a torch but kept missing, or the buggers ran off because of the light. Will try in the darkness next time. Thanks for the tip :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by doinit

FeralPhilosopher ..you obviously know how to use that slingshot,unreal considering the only thing I recall hitting with a shang-i (spelling ) as they were called was the neighbours window lol,I was in deep shit after that.
Something totally different eh,,well done for sure.

---

Thanks mate :) It took a couple of months practise but they can sling 1/4oz lead balls close to 90 mps (approx 300kph!!). I would love to measure the speed I can get the 1/2 oz balls to, they really pack a punch. The fellas on the slingshot forum were pretty impressed too because the biggest thing most of them can get with a slingshot are squirrels (seeing how they are mostly in the US or UK)

Slingshots are fantastic - with the right bands and ~10mm lead projectiles you can get pass through on animals hare and possum sized - easily kill larger with head shots. They've really evolved in the UK because sport hunting for average blokes has been reduced to rats/pigeons/squirrels with slingshots so they've had to really get good with them.

Good on you FeralPhilosopher for actually digging through the rules and looking for the law and facts rather than going with "common" "knowledge". Odds are you've found that what is enforced is not really the same as what is the law.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigbear

Hunting any animal it needs to killed humanly.
As for hunting Doc land i would say that would be a No but you would need to check. To easy for a person to start killing native birds

---

The "could kill a bird" thing has always rubbed me the wrong way. It's already illegal to kill native birds... if someone doesn't care about breaking the law to kill a bird why would they follow the law on what they used to do it. It's like they think carrying a .22 or shotgun will suddenly cause people to go deranged and decide their purpose in life is to vaporize fantails. Don't think I've met anyone who would happily scare off all the game in a valley to blow away a bird for fun, and those that would are generally the kind of people who violate more laws on their way to buy booze on a Tuesday morning than most of us do in a lifetime.

I know I would certainly have shot a lot of hares and rabbits in my wanderings if I'd been allowed to bring a nice little suppressed .22 with me. Just can't be bothered getting a special permit from the local office for every new place I decide to try hunting, so the bunnies are free to gnaw the native plants in peace.