The best defence

[Red Doe]

I`ve got crossbows and bows and swords and axes.
But, I think there`s little more intimidating than a menopausal woman feeling irked......

[Bournemouthprepper]

I'm not sure if all bows and crossbows are legal, you'd have to check that one out, although they are good, useful and as mentioned before effectively re-usable ammo. but being good with the bow means aloooooooot of practice

[Red Doe]

These are sporting weapons and yes, they are legal. As I mentioned elsewhere, I`m a member of a reeanctment group which provides a legal license that allows me to keep and transport these to and from gigs, with carrying restrictions such as how they are broken down and what they are carried in.
And to be honest, I freely admit in a survival situation, legality would be the least of my worries.
But they are legal, trust me.
And I`m an excellent archer, with many years practice behind me.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Bows and Crossbows are certainly legal, what isn't legal is using them for hunting etc, even vermin.
The best thing for anyone thinking of getting a Bow is to do an Archery Beginners course, usually costs around £40 for 6 weeks, you will not only learn the correct techniques, but also learn how to use them safely and within the law.

[Red Doe]

Good idea.
Disclaimer alert...I am not recommending the following procedures at all, these are just reminiscences.
My dad was a poacher, old school, who took only for the table. He often used his crossbow to take down deer and was considered one of this area`s best poachers by fellow poachers and police alike who had a grudging respect for his skills.
He would attempt to take down the deer with one bolt carefully placed from as close quarters as he could get. I only ever once knew him to miss his target in part and leave the beast wounded and such was his ethic he chased the deer down on foot and dispatched it when caught up with as quickly and cleanly as he could.
He taught me to butcher beasts, skin and store the meat and also taught me how to poach, usually rabbit, sheep, the occasional cow! My poaching days are done, sadly, thanks to failing health but I know his friends still keep going and if you could just see them in action, you`d be impressed, at both how much they respect the environment (what is the use of over poaching an area if it leaves nothing for the future?) and in their skills, learned from their dads and grandads over time from when they were wee boys.
Dad always kept gundogs and used also a twelve bore and high powered rifle for poaching but his favourite remained the crossbow, used for both deer and rabbits.

Over the time I learned to shoot bows and crossbows, I came to realise that although I`ll never be as good a shot as him, I can do enough to know that, ITSHTF, I will be able to take down meat if need be. I use the bows now for target practice, for something called instinctive shooting which is like field archery, as apposed to competition archery where the targets are set up in fields and are a consistent distance time after time. I think insinctive is the best form of archery to learn as in a real life survival situation, you won`t be guaranteed what you`re shooting at will keep still long enough to take aim nor will it conveniently stand the same distance you`re used to every time!

[Carrot Cruncher]

I use the bows now for target practice, for something called instinctive shooting which is like field archery, as apposed to competition archery where the targets are set up in fields and are a consistent distance time after time. I think insinctive is the best form of archery to learn as in a real life survival situation, you won`t be guaranteed what you`re shooting at will keep still long enough to take aim nor will it conveniently stand the same distance you`re used to every time

I used to be in a Target Archery club but it felt like I was in the local Bowling club, very prim and proper (still the place to do your beginners course though). There is a great field archery club not too far from me where I went once through the club and it is far better/realistic, unknown distance and elevation, animal shaped targets etc....and in the woods . Problem is that they have a waiting list for new members and they take people from the local town first.

[Red Doe]

CC, why not contact a member, and ask if you can trade or barter for skills or stuff, in exchange for some lessons? Most archers are only too happy to help out someone. There`s as much snobbery in archery as there is in golf, I`m afraid, but most individuals are fine on their own, if you know what I mean.
I`m lucky enough to have the space for archery here (and nothing in the way of any stray arrows, lol) so usually stick my high density foam target up against the rise of the hill at the field side that leads up to the house.
Sometimes, I`m competing with rabbitters though, a few folks travel a great distance here to use guns, dogs or ferrets and nets at our warrens, as they`re plentiful. (watership down is not an exaggeration)

[diamond lil]

My dad was a good poacher too RD, but on a much smaller scale. Wabbits and fish only I wish to hell somebody had taught me how to take a sheep. because I'm surrounded by the bloody things and yet I cant afford it I was once in a neighbours house (dead now) at Hogmanay and went to the loo. To find a dead drained sheep lying in the bath - thank god I was sober

[Red Doe]

Dad took fish too, using an otter and net he took salmon from the local river. In the mid to late seventies, ta-da, we got an indoor loo and bath put into the crofthouse! It was, though, months before we had to stop having a bath in the old tin bath because dad kept salmon in the bath til he could bag up a hundredweight of them and take them along the coast to sell to a woman who owned the fish shop in Helmsdale. It was a cast iron bath. Mam found out, fish scales are murder to scrub and scrape off cast iron enamel.

[Carrot Cruncher]

I`m lucky enough to have the space for archery here (and nothing in the way of any stray arrows, lol) so usually stick my high density foam target up against the rise of the hill at the field side that leads up to the house.

Thats on my wish list for when we move house, enough room to practice on my own property. Either that or get a property that backs on to a friendly farmers field who will let me use it.