Pond Plinking?

[Barryg]

I know Leads a definate no no over water because of its toxicity, could be a work around though if you use a water Gun to do it as you can get ones with enough oomph to knock a target over but be the right side of things.

What about lead free pellets?

[Segata]

Maybe but as AB says it may now be outright banned under Firearms laws, just tried googling it and it just gave me the stuff on firing on public land, most Lead frees are plastic too so bare that in mind if anythings living in that pond if it does turn out legal.

[Barryg]

Maybe but as AB says it may now be outright banned under Firearms laws, just tried googling it and it just gave me the stuff on firing on public land, most Lead frees are plastic too so bare that in mind if anythings living in that pond if it does turn out legal.

My son informs me that there are no fish at the moment the visiting swans and ducks now gone have had them. I am pleased that I checked here before making any plans

[dersbum]

perfectly legal to shoot lead pellets over water with an air rifle.
it is the use of shotguns with lead shot that is banned over water, unless the shotgun is 9mm calibre or less.

no ties to the link below, but looks like it could be entertaining.

https://woldfarmshooting.co.uk/

[mattyw1987]

Looks a perfect day to me I would get a couple of rods set up and get them in first and then have a plink.

[madcarlos]

If shooting into the pond then it may not be a good idea, Them pellets can quite easily bounce off the water.

[Jacklurcher]

If shooting into the pond then it may not be a good idea, Them pellets can quite easily bounce off the water.

That's always why I've been told never to do it, but there is the pollution/legislation aspect to consider.

[angrybear]

perfectly legal to shoot lead pellets over water with an air rifle.
it is the use of shotguns with lead shot that is banned over water, unless the shotgun is 9mm calibre or less.

Can you link to where that's stated please.

I'm wondering if the same laws that prohibit the use of lead weights for freshwater fishing might also prohibit shooting lead into or across water,
I've deffo read that you shouldn't shoot across water but I can't remember where at the moment.

[tinbum]

When I was young we all “knew” shooting over a body of water effected the POI. I reckon it was an old wive’s tale that probably originated from not firing at water to avoid ricochets.

[Barryg]

It seemed like a fun idea as it's so remote and private land as you can see by the pics but if there is any doubt about breaking any laws I won't bother

[dersbum]

Can you link to where that's stated please.

I'm wondering if the same laws that prohibit the use of lead weights for freshwater fishing might also prohibit shooting lead into or across water,
I've deffo read that you shouldn't shoot across water but I can't remember where at the moment.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170/made

https://www.gov.uk/freshwater-rod-fi...er%201%20ounce.

[Muskett]

When Lead pipes were put in by the Victorians, many went straight to the pond/water pump. There is loads of agricultural lead piping about in fields, though most dug up for the scrap. They didn't know better. A load of farm ponds were filled in and might well include a few Lead batteries.

I think the legislation is either about fishing and Lead Shot, or about shooting wildfowl over wetlands.

You might get ricochets if you can get low enough an angle. Certainly a .22LR will.
The threat to wildlife or birdlife is slim. A .177 is a bit too big as bird grit! Wild ducks rarely live long enough to be effected by any Lead poisoning. The Lead would need to be highly concentrated and it would take exceptional circumstances for it to happen. Plenty of clay grounds have ponds where Lead concentrations are probably a tad too high; but can be sorted when dredged. Ask the Dutch as they reversed anti Lead legislation on shooting over water/in general. Plenty of daft science on the subject from Cambridge University!

Just watch the ripples for wind calls.

[angrybear]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2170/made

https://www.gov.uk/freshwater-rod-fi...er%201%20ounce.

As stated in the notes at the bottom of the first linked page, (copied below) these are the rules for wildfowling with a shotgun below the High water mark, and as such have nothing to do with air guns
the angling rules might be more relevant as air gun pellets would all be inside the prohibited weight range.

I still can't find the thing I read, but I only stumbled across it by accident, until I read it I had no idea there was any issue.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations (“the Regulations”), which apply to England only, prohibit the use of lead shot for shooting with a shot gun–

(a)on or over any area below the high-water mark;
(b)on or over the sites of special scientific interest included in Schedule 1 to the Regulations;
(c)any wild bird included in Schedule 2 to the Regulations. These birds are ducks, geese and swans (all species of each); coot; moorhen; golden plover and common snipe (regulation 3).
“Lead shot” means any shot made of lead or of any alloy or compound of lead where lead comprises more than 1% of that alloy or compound (regulation 2).