Vermin Control: Everything You Need To Know
Whether you’re dealing with invasive rodents on your property or wild pests damaging crops, airguns have become indispensable tools for vermin control. In this comprehensive article we explore the nuances of airgun usage, covering essential techniques, equipment selection, and ethical considerations.
What Can I Shoot?
Many people shoot live quarry, either on their own land or where they have the land owners permission. The species which you can shoot are limited by the law and by the effective power of an air rifle.
These include:
- Brown Rats
- Grey Squirrels
- Stoats
- Mink
- Rabbits
- Woodpigeon
- Feral Pigeon
- Carrion Crow
- Rook
- Magpie
- Jackdaw
- Jay
- Canada Goose
- Egyptian Goose.
Up to date information on what can be shot lawfully can be found here.
What Airgun Should I Use?
Certain airguns are better than others when it comes to hunting vermin. Bear in mind you must ensure your air rifle or pistol is powerful enough to achieve a clean kill. Whichever gun you choose, always make certain you have a clean shot. Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or quarry which could escape before it can be retrieved. For example, don’t shoot rabbits less than 2 metres from their burrow.
Rifles
For hunting with a rifle, you’ll want a minimum power output of 11ft lbs and be shooting at a distance of no more than 30 metres to ensure a clean and humane kill.
View all recommended vermin control rifles.
Pistols
For pistols, you’ll need to find a firearm with a minimum power output of 5ft lbs to shoot at a distance of no more than 8 metres.
View all recommended vermin control pistols.
Whichever gun you use, always make certain you have a clean shot. Never shoot at partially obscured quarry or quarry which could escape before it can be retrieved. For example, don’t shoot rabbits less than 2 metres from their burrow.
Which Pellets Work Best?
Choose pellets which are designed for hunting. These will produce a cleaner kill than those which are intended for target shooting. Check every pellet before loading to ensure that it is not damaged or deformed. Personally, I recommend using domed pellets such as JSB Exact Jumbos or JSB Hades Diabolos.
What Bait Should I Use?
Rats
Liquidised cat food, peanut butter, chocolate spread are all effective ways of enticing rats out into the open.
Squirrels
Nuts and bird feed work perfectly with squirrels. Set up a bird feed on a tree and your bound to get lucky after pitching up for a few hours.
How To Dispose Of Dead Quarry
Any edible quarry, like rabbits, should not be wasted. Store in a cool dry place, ready for your pot. Rats and squirrels on the other hand are in a completely different category. This rodents are riddled with all types of nasties. Always wear gloves when collecting dead vermin and bury them deep, away from any carnivorous animals.
About Bristol Airguns
A Pastime
Bristol Airguns officially started in 2015, but the story goes back much further. David, the owner, grew up shooting his dad’s old BSA airgun in the 1970s, and also spent time deer-stalking and shooting .22 rimfire for target work.
Why The Shop Started
While running a pawnbroking business, David noticed something interesting. A lot of airguns were passing through, and there was real enthusiasm behind them. People were genuinely passionate. That’s when he realised the opportunity to step away from pawnbroking and into something far more rewarding.
What Makes Us Different
We don’t just sell airguns. We care about the person buying them. For us, selling an airgun isn’t the finish line, it’s the first step in someone’s journey as a shooter.
Instead of pushing the first gun on the shelf, we take time to understand what you want and why you want it. We know how important that feeling is when you walk out with a new bit of kit, ready to shoot.
Flexible Buying Options
We also know wallet pressure is real. That’s why we offer finance options, including 3, 6, 12, and 24 month plans.
To make the 12 and 24 month options possible, David personally became FCA registered, something not many RFDs do.
We’ve also added a deposit system, so you can secure your airgun now and pay the balance later, whether that’s in full or through finance.
Who We See Everyday
Our customers are a real mix, from complete beginners to long-time airgunners with a specific idea of what they want. And we love that variety.
Compared to the days of pawnbroking, the airgun community is a breath of fresh air. Airgunners are generally welcoming, friendly, and a pleasure to deal with. It makes our job genuinely enjoyable.
How We Help You Choose
When someone asks for advice, we start with them, not the product list.
We talk about:
- Your budget
- Your experience
- What you want the gun for
- How it feels when you pick it up
One of the most common mistakes we see is people buying something just because it’s popular. If you’ve handled a gun and you love it, great. But don’t buy what everyone else has just because social media says so.
Community Matters
We wouldn’t be here without shooters talking to each other and sharing knowledge. That’s why we:
- Run bi-annual open days at our range
- Chat with people online
- Engage with forums and social channels
It’s all part of helping more people enjoy the sport.
What We Enjoy Most
Above everything else, what keeps us going are the people we meet. Shooters come from all walks of life, but they’re almost always welcoming and passionate, and that’s one of the best things about this hobby.
Want To Talk Airguns?
If you’ve never dealt with Bristol Airguns before, expect a relaxed, honest conversation with no pressure and no hard sell.
If you want a chat about what might be right for your next purchase, we’re always happy to help:
📞 0333 335 0096
📧 [email protected]
🏠 22 Regent St, Bristol, BS15 8JS
Or follow us:
We’re always up for talking airguns.
