Pond Plinking?

[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

[Dornfelderliebe]

Steel bbs won't harm the environment.

[Neil54]

They do make a funny sound when they ricochet of water.
Different sound to shooting ice on a pond.

So I am told.

[Bellycrawler]

Mainly old powder burner advice to avoid Rick O'shae's. Shotgun legislation for lead shot.

[where's it gone]

If lead is banned by angler's then it's banned in water. Sure it's the wildlife act of sorts same as wildfowlers using steel. Come to think of it, it could be an EU directive.

[Anothermiss]

I think the legal wording refers to "lead shot" so pellets would potentially be a bypass of the legal issue but the moral, ethical and environmental issue remains - don't shoot lead into water.... Even though we've all done it in the past.

[Segata]

Well like I said you could still do water plinking using a decent Watergun, you can get ones with enough oomph and big enough for Adult hands (also not looking too toy like) that can knock targets over etc, can't harm anything or cause a legal issue and the Ammos near infinate.

[Jacklurcher]

I think the legal wording refers to "lead shot" so pellets would potentially be a bypass of the legal issue but the moral, ethical and environmental issue remains - don't shoot lead into water.... Even though we've all done it in the past.

Pretty much my take on it. There's been enough environmental pollution over the years, no need to keep adding to it. Just because arsenic in wallpaper and asbestos in everything was all the rage in the past doesn't justify needless pollution in the present.

[ToniD]

If lead is banned by angler's then it's banned in water. Sure it's the wildlife act of sorts same as wildfowlers using steel. Come to think of it, it could be an EU directive.

Lead banned by anglers!

Mind you, I've not fished for 55 years.

I still think I should have informed

[Black Beard]

Lead split shot was banned because of Esther Ransom's "dying Swan" campaign.

[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.

[missiles]

Lead split shot of the same weight of all non FAC pellets have been banned from fishing since 1987. Lead weights for fishing need to be 1oz or over to be legal. This is to protect swans, ducks etc. On this basis, it isn't really acceptable to shoot .177 or. 22 pellets into a pond.
Just a bit of information from a fisherman to assist in your decision.