Shark "bang Stick" in Canada??

[xymotic]

I'd like a firearm to kill large halibut in Canada. (But obviously don't want to try and smuggle in a handgun) Is a shark 'bang stick' AKA a powerhead legal in BC? I can't seem to find any info and short of trying to buy one in Victoria (which is what I will likely do) I'm just curious if anyone knows if they are legal or not?

[GordMay]

I suspect that a Bang Stick would be an “uncontrolled” device, and legal to import; but very much doubt that it’s use in fishing would permitted.

For detailed information on the import requirements for the importation of firearms, please refer to Memorandum D19-13-2, Importing and Exporting Firearms, Weapons and Devices as well as guide BSF5044, Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada.

D19-13-2 ➥ http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...9-13-2-eng.pdf

BSF5044 ➥ BSF5044 - Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada

[xymotic]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm more confused that when I started

[perchance]

Originally Posted by xymotic

Thanks for the info. I think I'm more confused that when I started

You must be one tough Sumbitch if your going after Halibut with nothing but a Bang Stick.

[minaret]

I think a powerhead would probably ruin your catch, at least in part. Just buy or make a harpoon and stick em good when you get them alongside, then let em bleed and die for a minute before gaffing them. That's what I do, less struggle, mess and potential for damage to you or the boat. A little less blood on deck as well. And the wife and kids are not traumatized by the "winch handle technique", also no need to waste good booze on a gill shot. Aim for the spine just behind the head, if you sever the spinal cord they die quick and relatively painless (compared to a fish club anyway). Also leaves nice fillets with no holes in them.

[downunder]

There is a simple way to build a powerhead for any speargun at no cost other than a cartridge and some scrap metal.

However I cannot endorse killing of fish with powerheads. not sporting at all.

Protection where snarks are taking your fish, another matter.

Cheers

[bobconnie]

I believe I understand you ! you want to kill the fish when ya get it up to the boat !! Ive always tossed them on deck and bashed em with a fish club!! always worked for me ! Just my 2 cents

[jgbrown]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

I believe I understand you ! you want to kill the fish when ya get it up to the boat !! Ive always tossed them on deck and bashed em with a fish club!! always worked for me ! Just my 2 cents

Bit tricky when the fish is bigger than you!
I am suspecting the OP is wanting it for the big variety(the biggest one caught for sport was 459 pounds according to Wikipedia!!!)

EDIT: To be clear, I think the OP is wanting it to kill an already caught fish that is on a hook and line alongside the boat, rather than bringing the fish aboard and risking injury to the people on the boat, not to dive down and kill fish with it. Nothing unsporting about safety IMO.

[Celestialsailor]

Why not gear your fishing rig for a smaller fish?

[Cheechako]

i would think it would work great... and easy. maybe just ask? what about risk though? slip and fall?

[bobconnie]

It would sure work ! no question about that !! but with a good sharp gaff ya can swing a 150 200 lb Halibut on deck pretty quick! works good if ya have a big cockpit gives ya a place to toss em so ya can hit em !! Connie and I got pretty good at it over the years of cruiseing BC and north to Alaska! theres a bunch of smaller ones under a 100 lbs and they eat better anyway !! just my 2 cents

[minaret]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

It would sure work ! no question about that !! but with a good sharp gaff ya can swing a 150 200 lb Halibut on deck pretty quick! works good if ya have a big cockpit gives ya a place to toss em so ya can hit em !! Connie and I got pretty good at it over the years of cruiseing BC and north to Alaska! theres a bunch of smaller ones under a 100 lbs and they eat better anyway !! just my 2 cents

No way I would put an angry wounded 200# halibut with a sharp gaff sticking out of it on my teak decks! Big tuna fishermen have always used the harpoon to kill their catch before boating it, it works. To reach the waterline with a bang stick on my boat I would have to lay down on deck and stretch, using it one handed. Much more comfortable with the 'poon, and no legal rigamarole required.

[rdempsey]

How about a "captive bolt pistol" like what is used to kill livestock?

[rover88]

Not sure about Canada but in the US any device that expels a projectile by force of explosion is considered a firearm. Also, ammunition is subject to firearms laws in most countries, so the bang stick may(?) be legal but the projectile not.

Alcohol in the gills will kill a fish almost immediately. Use a spray bottle filled with any type (isopryl, ethonol, denatured, etc). You can waste gin but don't waste good rum or whiskey. Much easier, legal, less messy and nobody ever accidentally blew a hole in their boat with alcohol.

If you must kill a fish, let it die happy.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by rover88

Not sure about Canada but in the US any device that expels a projectile by force of explosion is considered a firearm. Also, ammunition is subject to firearms laws in most countries, so the bang stick may(?) be legal but the projectile not.

Alcohol in the gills will kill a fish almost immediately. Use a spray bottle filled with any type (isopryl, ethonol, denatured, etc). You can waste gin but don't waste good rum or whiskey. Much easier, legal, less messy and nobody ever accidentally blew a hole in their boat with alcohol.

If you must kill a fish, let it die happy.

Problem with using this technique on a hundred pound plus fish is that you've got to get it out of the water first. This means gaffing it or getting a halyard around its tail and hoisting it. Then you need much more than a shot to kill it-more like a pint. And it will be fighting you all the while unless you played it for long enough to totally exhaust it. I prefer to kill large fish in the water unless there are sharks about.