Thread: Air Rifle hunting help.

Hey, I'm in the market for a break barrel air rifle for hunting paradise ducks and rabbits in the wellington region. I've found an air rifle I like the sound of its the Gamo Swam Whisperer .22 with a 3-9x40AO scope. I was wondering if this air rifle is good for my needs or is there a better one. I also have some other questions as I'm new to the air gun scene.

What type and weight of pellets should I use for this gun?

Does anybody know any places you can hunt with air rifles without permits?

Parrie ducks are a game bird so require a game license, in season and a shotgun.

Oh, I have a few friends that go hunting for paradise ducks with air guns on private farms and vineyards. Is that still legal?

Originally Posted by scamp125

Is that still legal?

No, not in general, but a quick Google indicates it's possible to get special permits, whether your mates have that or not is another question.

Even with a special permit I would imagine you would still need to follow game bird regs and use a shotgun.

Originally Posted by scamp125

Oh, I have a few friends that go hunting for paradise ducks with air guns on private farms and vineyards. Is that still legal?

some on here helping - but give you a bit more oil - ducks/ geese can be split into 3 groups 1) domestic ducks geese- this includes Canada geese which are not now a game bird -all could be shot with an air rifle provided it was not a suburban area and you had the owners permission etc - 2) those ducks that require a gamebird liscense and can only be shot in season or with a special permit - shot gun required i.e paradise mallard etc --3 ) totally protected cannot be shot loss of rifle shotgun vehicle etc - I would be looking at rabbits hares turkeys and possibly peacocks all good eating to

Originally Posted by scamp125

Hey, I'm in the market for a break barrel air rifle for hunting paradise ducks and rabbits in the wellington region. I've found an air rifle I like the sound of its the Gamo Swam Whisperer .22 with a 3-9x40AO scope. I was wondering if this air rifle is good for my needs or is there a better one. I also have some other questions as I'm new to the air gun scene.

What type and weight of pellets should I use for this gun?

Does anybody know any places you can hunt with air rifles without permits?

You are welcome to join us on the kiwi airgun forum, there are a few in your area that can help out.

http://www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz

A few of us airgunners stay clear of the Gamos but there are a few models to look at. Look at your budget and work out what gun + a decent air rifle rated scope that will suit your shooting and distances your going to be shooting in and also more important species you are hunting (ducks are out)

Originally Posted by MB

No, not in general, but a quick Google indicates it's possible to get special permits, whether your mates have that or not is another question.

I asked them and they said they did have a permit.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

some on here helping - but give you a bit more oil - ducks/ geese can be split into 3 groups 1) domestic ducks geese- this includes Canada geese which are not now a game bird -all could be shot with an air rifle provided it was not a suburban area and you had the owners permission etc - 2) those ducks that require a gamebird liscense and can only be shot in season or with a special permit - shot gun required i.e paradise mallard etc --3 ) totally protected cannot be shot loss of rifle shotgun vehicle etc - I would be looking at rabbits hares turkeys and possibly peacocks all good eating to

Oh right, thanks!

Originally Posted by Billbob

You are welcome to join us on the kiwi airgun forum, there are a few in your area that can help out.

http://www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz

A few of us airgunners stay clear of the Gamos but there are a few models to look at. Look at your budget and work out what gun + a decent air rifle rated scope that will suit your shooting and distances your going to be shooting in and also more important species you are hunting (ducks are out)

I was looking through gun city, the air rifle is Gamo Swarm Whisper is that one you would reccomend? its $550 base without scope and on guncity you can select a scope so I selected a 3-9x40AO scope for an extra 150 making the total 700.

you can apply to DOC or it could be Fish and Game ring them and ask which - but you will likely have to supply the name of the landowner and why the paradise are a nuisance - the permits are not dished out add hoc - the land owner must have a real problem with the paradise and can then get a permit to reduce numbers and the permit may well be for a specific property and perhaps even time bound

Gamo is rubbish , get a cometa fusion in .22 and watch things drop dead when you hit them.

Youngs airguns sell them in hamilton for about $640 without a scope but they are quality guns which wont let you down.

https://www.youngsairgun.co.nz/produ...neumatic-rifle

Originally Posted by jusepy81

Gamo is rubbish , get a cometa fusion in .22 and watch things drop dead when you hit them.

Youngs airguns sell them in hamilton for about $640 without a scope but they are quality guns which wont let you down.

https://www.youngsairgun.co.nz/produ...neumatic-rifle

Indeed Gamo is geared toward people that get excited by tactical looks and claims of supersonic pellet speeds. And remember: a break barrel gets harder to shoot accurately the more powerful it is. Gamo triggers are usually rubbish. Barrel lockup is often inconsistent. I agree the Cometa Fusion is a much better option.

Choosing the right air rifle for hunting ducks and rabbits around Wellington is crucial, and the Gamo Swarm Whisperer .22 with a 3-9x40AO scope seems like a solid pick. Based on my research on Guns Domain, it's praised for its accuracy and reliability, which are essential for hunting small game effectively.

When it comes to pellets, I'd suggest experimenting with medium-weight pellets like hollow points or domed pellets. These types typically offer good accuracy and sufficient stopping power for ducks and rabbits. It might take a bit of testing to find the perfect match for your rifle and shooting style, but it's worth the effort.

Originally Posted by scamp125

I asked them and they said they did have a permit.

Interesting. When I was last talking to Fish and Game for getting a permit for Pukeko, they were very interested in ensuring the caliber I was using would have a low chance of injuring an animal. (injure vs quick kill) A .177 air rifle or even .22 air rifle would require a very precise shot, and the chance of injury and escape would be high.
I'll talk to them again when I get the permit renewed next, as something seems off.