hunter’s fire - All
Royal MEATH Hunting Calendar: When the Boyne Valley Awakens - Pheasant, Woodcock and Irish Field Sport
Hunting Regulations & Seasonal Framework in Meath
County Meath operates under Ireland's Wildlife Acts with seasons set by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The pheasant season runs October 1 to January 31, while woodcock may be hunted November 1 to January 31. Duck seasons vary by species - mallard September 1 to January 31, teal September 1 to January 31. Deer seasons differ by species - fallow buck August 1 to April 30, fallow doe November 1 to February 28. Meath's rich agricultural landscape and mild climate create ideal conditions for game birds, with extended seasons compared to western counties. Recent reforms include mandatory lead shot bans in wetland areas (2023) and electronic reporting for deer harvests through the Meath Game Management System. Unlike Northern Ireland, Meath maintains Sunday hunting restrictions and requires hunter competency certification for first-time firearm applicants.
Peak Hunting Windows & Game Behavior in Meath
Pheasant shooting peaks November through December when birds gather in the hedgerows of the Boyne Valley. The Royal Meath Pheasant Challenge each November attracts teams from across Ireland to compete on historic estates. Woodcock become most active during cold snaps in January, particularly in the wooded areas around Kells. Duck shooting thrives October through November along the River Boyne floodplains. The famous Meath Driven Hunts utilize the county's open farmland and woodland edges. Fallow deer bucks are most active during the rut in late October through November in the Tara-Skryne area. The Meath Game & Country Fair each September showcases the region's hunting traditions and conservation efforts.
Absolute Bans & Special Restrictions in Meath
All protected species including hen harriers and red squirrels are strictly protected. Hunting is prohibited in all nature reserves and archaeological sites, including the Hill of Tara complex. Lead shot is banned within 400m of all waterways and wetlands. Sunday hunting remains prohibited except on licensed estates. Deer hunting restrictions include: no hunting at night, no use of dogs (except for wounded deer recovery), and mandatory training for first-time hunters. Special protections apply during the ground-nesting bird season (March 1 through August 31) when access to many field margins is restricted.
Licensing & Access Requirements in Meath
Hunters require an Irish Firearms Certificate and Game License (species-specific). The Meath Hunting Association provides:
Detailed maps of permitted hunting areas
Ground-nesting bird protection guidelines
Deer stalking proficiency courses
Game handling certification
Most hunting occurs through estate syndicates (€300-€800/season) or paid day permits (€80-€200). The mandatory Royal County Hunter Safety Course covers:
Firearms safety in agricultural landscapes
Boundary recognition
Game identification
First aid for hunting accidents
Penalties for Violations in Meath
Illegal deer hunting carries fines up to €5,000 per offence. Hunting protected species risks €25,000 fines and imprisonment. Use of lead shot in prohibited areas draws €1,000 penalties. Trespassing for hunting purposes can result in €2,500 fines and firearm confiscation. Recent enforcement near Trim saw €18,000 in collective fines for out-of-season pheasant hunting.
Expert Tactics & Irish Gear in Meath
For pheasant and woodcock, 12-gauge shotguns with #5 or #6 steel shot work best in Meath's hedgerows. Deer stalking requires .243 Winchester minimum (larger for fallow deer) with 100+ grain bullets. Essential equipment includes:
Traditional Irish tweed or modern camouflage
Quality waterproof boots for ploughed fields
High-quality binoculars for spotting in open country
GPS with Irish grid references
Game carriers for agricultural terrain
The Meath Hunter's Guide details estate boundaries and flight patterns. Local guides recommend hunting windward sides of hedges during morning fog when game moves predictably. The Navan Hunting School offers specialized courses in:
Driven shoot positioning
Field marksmanship
Deer gralloching in agricultural settings
Irish hunting law updates
The Boyne Valley Pheasant Camp each November combines shooting with conservation work. The Tara-Skryne Stag Week in October offers guided deer hunts. The Royal Meath Hunting Show each August features traditional hunting demonstrations. All events emphasize sustainable practices in Meath's unique agricultural landscape. The Meath Grand Driven Shoot each January is a highlight where teams compete across the county's estates, followed by the famous "Hunter's Banquet" at Slane Castle. Always verify access permissions as many historic estates require advance booking through the Meath Hunting Association network.
Blaser K95 Rifle Review: Models, Calibers, Specifications, Customization, Price.
The Blaser K95 is a premium single-shot break-action rifle designed for hunters who value precision, elegance, and simplicity. Manufactured in Germany by Blaser since 1995, the K95 has become a benchmark in the Kipplauf category—rifles known for their lightweight design and exceptional accuracy. Ideal for alpine hunting, stalking, and ethical big game pursuits, the K95 combines traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering.
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⚙️ Design & Operating System
The Blaser K95 operates on a break-action system with a Suhl-style tilting block that ensures secure chamber locking. Its standout feature is the manual cocking system, which allows the shooter to engage the firing pin only when ready to fire. This system automatically decocks when the rifle is opened, offering superior safety compared to conventional safeties.
The trigger is a precision unit with a pull weight of approximately 600 grams, delivering a crisp and predictable break. The rifle can be disassembled without tools into three components—barrel, fore-end, and receiver—making it ideal for travel and storage.
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🧩 Models & Modifications
Blaser offers a wide range of K95 variants to suit different preferences and hunting styles:
• K95 Classic: A traditional model with standard wood stock and minimal engraving.
• K95 Luxus: Features higher-grade wood and decorative engravings, including animal motifs or arabesque patterns.
• K95 Stutzen Luxus: A compact version with a shortened fore-end, ideal for stand hunting or dense terrain.
• K95 Success: Incorporates an ergonomic thumbhole stock for improved control and comfort.
• K95 Success Leather: Adds leather inlays to the thumbhole stock for enhanced grip and aesthetics.
• K95 Ultimate: A modern synthetic thumbhole stock with modular features and rugged durability.
• K95 Ultimate Carbon: Combines a carbon fiber stock with leather inserts for ultra-lightweight performance.
• K95 Black Edition: A sleek version with a black anodized receiver and premium grade 6 wood.
In addition to factory models, Fine Ballistic Tools (FBT) offers custom tuning options such as the UNIC carbon stock and INCA ONE integral silencer, transforming the K95 into a high-performance mountain rifle.
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🧨 Caliber Options
The Blaser K95 supports a wide array of calibers, making it suitable for everything from small game to large, dangerous animals. Available calibers include:
• Small bore options like .22 Hornet and .222 Remington for varmint hunting.
• Standard calibers such as .243 Winchester, 6.5x55 SE, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield for deer and medium game.
• Magnum calibers including 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Blaser Magnum for long-range and large game.
• Rimmed cartridges like 6.5x57R, 7x57R, 8x57IRS, and 9.3x74R for traditional European hunting setups.
• Blaser proprietary calibers such as .30R Blaser, 8.5x55 Blaser, and 7mm Blaser Magnum, offering optimized ballistics for specific hunting scenarios.
All barrels are cold hammer-forged to ensure concentricity and consistent accuracy.
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📐 Technical Specifications
The standard Blaser K95 weighs approximately 2.4 kilograms, with lighter configurations available using carbon stocks (down to 2.33 kg). Overall length is around 91 cm, depending on barrel and stock choice. Barrel lengths range from 46 to 60 cm, tailored to the selected caliber and intended use.
The trigger pull is set at a precise 600 grams, and the rifle uses Blaser’s proprietary Saddle Mount system for optics—allowing tool-free mounting with guaranteed return to zero.
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🎯 Shooting Range & Accuracy
Despite being a single-shot rifle, the K95 is renowned for its long-range precision. Depending on caliber and optics, effective shooting range typically spans 300 to 600 meters. With proper setup—such as a carbon stock and quality optics—hunters have achieved accurate shots at distances up to 800 meters, particularly with calibers like .308 Winchester.
Sub-MOA accuracy is achievable with match-grade ammunition and careful setup, making the K95 suitable for both hunting and precision sport shooting.
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🐾 Hunting Applications
The Blaser K95 is a favorite among hunters for several key scenarios:
• Mountain hunting: Its lightweight and compact design make it ideal for alpine terrain and long treks.
• Stalking: Silent operation and quick deployment are perfect for close-range, ethical hunting.
• Big game: With appropriate calibers, the K95 is effective for deer, chamois, wild boar, and even African plains game.
• Stand hunting: Especially with the Stutzen models, the rifle is maneuverable in tight spaces like blinds or tree stands.
Its single-shot nature encourages deliberate, well-placed shots—appealing to experienced hunters who prioritize ethics and precision.
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🧰 Accessories & Customization
The K95 supports a wide range of accessories and upgrades:
• Optics: Compatible with Blaser’s Saddle Mount system for quick, secure scope attachment.
• Silencers: FBT’s INCA ONE integral silencer offers noise reduction without compromising balance.
• Stocks: Options include adjustable cheek rests, recoil pads, and carbon thumbhole stocks for ergonomic shooting.
• Bipods: Spartan and Javelin adapters are available for lightweight, field-ready bipod use.
• Chokes: Not applicable to the K95 rifle, but Blaser shotguns support aftermarket chokes like Teague and Gemini.
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💰 Price Range
Pricing varies significantly based on model, materials, and customization:
• The K95 Classic typically starts around €8,500.
• The K95 Ultimate ranges from €3,600 to €7,900 depending on configuration.
• The K95 Luxus and Black Edition models can reach €9,000 or more.
• FBT-tuned versions like the Ultimate Carbon are priced around €7,777.
• On the used market, prices range from approximately $1,765 to $7,850, depending on condition and included accessori
