We used to have a 5 shot pump action shot gun which we only ever used to kill rabbits . Spotlighting rabbits is a joy every Aussie should experience .
How dangerous ?
well even with the very fast pump action I can remember our last night out chasing one rabbit around the car The one older youth charged with the responsibility expended 18 cartridges on dat one wabbit ... and without out us ever finding him . I tell you this , not because it reflects well on the skill of the operator , but because we remember just how rich that boy was ; how many cartridges he went through and how much it cost ! It was nearly $20 bucks worth about 40 years ago
When Howard changed the law , we reluctantly gave up this fine gun and it was crunched up . Now all we use is a single or a double shot and you can imagine how many we get .
If you are close enough , and are a reasonable shot, you can get a few . Shotguns are good for rabbits because they kill quickly and effectively. Much harder even with big animals to kill quickly with a shot gun . You really need a rifle and a powerful one too to be safe and effective ( you want it to be quick and not cruel)
Even the old 22 wasn't much good for killing dying calves at close range . The pellet would bounce off the skull if you weren't aiming well. Not pleasant even to think about now !
If all this talk of killing makes you feel uncomfortable , it does us too .
I don't know any farmers who find it easy. They will teach you even when trapping to never leave animals hurt-- if you can ."Go round your traps very early and regularly or don't set them " my uncle used to say! We used to go around after breakfast when the sun was strong and they could die of thirst.
Apart from rabbits, having to kill and animal is something that you have to do on a farm . Someone will have to do it , even if you would rather not . You do it quickly cleanly or not at all . We love our horses cows , calves , cast ewes and it has to be that way if they are suffering. Foxes and some birds can really wreak havoc on exposed animals leaving them fit only for a bullet ---and quickly ( the gun in the ute ) .
So whats with this worry about the Alder shotgun this week ? As far as I can see The Adler should be available to farmers even though you can add more rounds than our old pull action five shotter. Its very unlikely anyone would be stupid enough to use one in a hold up situation because they take too long to load , are not short, or very effective in harming lots of people.: You would be very easily disarmed if you tried to keep using it .
If you are chasing or being chased , you might need 10 shot gun rounds to kill the animal , just as we experienced all those years ago for one poor little myxo rabbit .
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Please.. worry warriors - stop meddling in an area you know nothing about . Ask questions if something troubles you -- there maybe better ways to kill . Recognise that death is a part of life and we have to have the freedom to deal with it and injury if we care , We are responsible as stewards of their being fed or not, in many cases as we manage land , the resources and their injuries and starvation ( as they get older their teeth wear out etc)
You can't and shouldn't try manage these sensitive issues from the city and through TV images. Stop denying death and our need to act in that area ; The same applies to the related issues of risk management
As for my claim that spotlighting rabbits is for everyone ? . In the sand dunes near Dimboola.. at youth camp girls and all would pile onto the back of utes and chase the rabbits under the spot light ( strong light stuns them) catching them and giving them to the boys to kill -Quickly, Its called rabbit kicking and its great fun. A fair game.
The ABC have provided some good background on the adler shotgun
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-19/what-is-the-adler-shotgun-five-things-you-need-to-know/7945316
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