So sub-12 guns are considered suitable for most of the species on Open License, which are generally small vermin and invasive species that can be shot all year round with no close season, as long as they are causing crop damage or present some kind of health hazard (like pigeon or rat shit in grain stores) and you have permission to shoot from the land owner (there is no Hunting on public land).Originally Posted by Racing
This includes rabbits, pigeons, rats, crows, grey squirrels, things of that size (last time I looked parakeets were still on the list too!).
Sub 12 is definitely not suitable for foxes and I don't know anyone who would try it. 22lr or shotgun at closeish range would be a bare minimum, but most dedicated fox shooters use a small to medium centrefire round.
Hunting at sub 12 is rewarding for the species it is suitable for - its easy to be safe and you don't have to worry too much about backstop, ricochets or rounds going for miles. It does mean though that you need to be no more than 40 to 45 yards away from your quarry at maximum. Realistically 25 to 30 yards is a more common distance, both for practical accuracy and energy reasons.
Hunting like this will make you very good at field craft!
Over 12 ft/lb power airguns are licensed in the same category as centrefire and rimfire rifles. You have to present a case for why you need such a thing. The police may ask to inspect the land where you are shooting it. So few people will bother to get an FAC (firearms certificate) to run an airgun at 14 ft/lb: If you're going through all that hassle you may as well make it worthwhile and go to 20/30. Ironically many airguns are optimal at just a few ft/lb above the UK limit, but this is the least used band of power over here.
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