Is it difficult to get a personal weapon into Ireland, or should I just hire a rifle when I get there?

I read somewhere that Ireland has caliber limits for granting firearms licenses (.308, I believe). Do these limits also pertain to the traveling sportsman?

Ask your outfitter.

I only have an "old" overview but back in 2005 it was only allowed to bring in calibers up to .270

The rest seems to be not too difficult as you need an invitation and a Irish Hunting license.

But like bwana1 said, ask the guys you hunt with!

GA,

check with your outfitter as they will need to provide you an irish gun licence and an irish hunting licence IIRC.

The amount of time it takes depends on a number of things, not least of which is how far the pub is from the station...

Ireland is a beautiful country with great people. I have been hunting and fishing there for over ten years and it is always a pleasure.

A word of advice, leave your phone in the car as there are some very deep holes filled with very cold water. Brand new smart phones really don't like to go swimming....

What do you plan to hunt there?

K

quote:

Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
GA,

check with your outfitter as they will need to provide you an irish gun licence and an irish hunting licence IIRC.

The amount of time it takes depends on a number of things, not least of which is how far the pub is from the station...

Ireland is a beautiful country with great people. I have been hunting and fishing there for over ten years and it is always a pleasure.

A word of advice, leave your phone in the car as there are some very deep holes filled with very cold water. Brand new smart phones really don't like to go swimming....

What do you plan to hunt there?

K

Hi Fallow,

Actually, I originally planned this trip for three years ago, but physical problems got in the way (ruptured Achilles tendon, two torn meniscus in my knees, and now pending total replacements in both knees. For this reason, I am having to be very careful about with whom I book. If my ghillie takes off up the side of a mountain, he'll turn around and find that he is up there all alone! (Don't laugh, this actually happened to my mate and me in Scotland when our ghillie took off toward the lodge at a clip we could not match with a stag on his back, leaving us atop a huge mountain to find our own way down. We ended up at the top of a cliff and had to scale down, and then make our way down a huge boulder field. The lodge ended up organizing a search party to come find us. I was so beaten up, I couldn't hunt the next day.)

I originally intended to go with John Fenton, but his hunts are primarily for sika deer on rough terrain. I'm afraid these types of hunts, of which I've done more than my share, are now viewed in the rear view mirror of my life.

So I guess I'll be confined to high seat hunting for fallow deer, and possibly a red stag (or hybrid), if one can be found in the lowland. I am not at all interested in a deer park or estate hunt behind a high fence.

So far,I've contacted Celtic Field Sports, River and Field Adventures and Pro Hunters Ireland, and a local guy in County Clare named Eamon Giblin.

As yet, none have gotten back to me. (Could be they don't want to mess with a semi-cripple, and, yes, I tell them my limitations in my initial inquiry. I want no misunderstandings or recrimination when I can't follow a heard stags up the side of Mount Everest!)

If you have any suggestions, I certainly welcome the input. You have always been one of the most helpful and friendly posters on all of AR.

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
Is it difficult to get a personal weapon into Ireland, or should I just hire a rifle when I get there?
No,it not difficult. You should probably be able to hire a rifle if you should so wish.
I read somewhere that Ireland has caliber limits for granting firearms licenses (.308, I believe). Do these limits also pertain to the traveling sportsman?

Any rifle up to 30cal is readily permitted. Anything over 30cal is regarded as a restricted firearm. It requires special permission from,um,the chief superintendent,I think.
But yes,I know guys here in Ireland who have 375,s,9.3x62s etc licenced.. Mainly for boar hunting abroad or Africa.
Get back in touch with John Fenton. He is probably the best outfitter we have in this country.
I do know for a fact that he has quite a number of high seats made for those who ain't up to the mountains or can't stalk to save their lives :-)

Thanks Sika, I'll shoot him an email.

I did hear back from Eamonn Giblin in County Clare today. He is primarily a fishing guide, but comes highly recommended as a stalking guide by someone who used to post on AR frequently (AFreeman). It sounds like hunting with him would be more of a one-on-one, stalking with a friend, type of relationship than a business/client affair. I've had good and bad experiences with this type of outfitter -- but more good than bad.

GA,

I've never hunted with any of the guys listed but I know friends that have hunted with John Fenton and he always comes recommended. Sika in Wicklow is an awesome experience and you can have some excellent hunting especially during the rut. I know several friends that have hunted using stands and so I'm sure John will tell you if it is possible.

Hunting and fishing in Ireland is a very aid back affair, and that is its charm. My first ghillie in the west turned into a great mate, and my second trip was spent staying at his house and drinking too much Guinness!! My point is that you will be hunting in one of the most hospitable places in the world which is truly beautiful. I learnt early on not to necessarily expect an itinerary and to go with the flow, and I have had some excellent trips.

If there was anywhere in the world I'd go for the hunting with a friend type guide rather than a more formal arrangement it would be Ireland.

Boot driers are worth their weight in gold....


K