Bang Sticks

[huvrr]

anyone have any experience with these? calibers etc. are they legal?

[DOWNDEEP73]

Illegal in Oklahoma... spears & spearguns legal!

[No Misses]

Are you talking about one for personal protection or to hunt with?
It is illegal to hunt with power heads in FL State waters. Once you get out into federal waters they are allowed.

Personally I do not see the need for hunting with a power head. The range of your spear is shortened by the addition of a power head. If you can not kill the fish with a well placed spear shot, you do not deserve it.

I have a .357 slip on power head or PPD (Personal Protective Device). I have never used it. On the few occasions where I have been hassled by sharks, I have been successful in discouraging their curiosity with a few pokes from my spear.

Do you really need to kill a shark because he got too close? A poke with a sharp stick will usually convince them that you are not prey. YMMV

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by huvrr

anyone have any experience with these? calibers etc. are they legal?

What would you do with one if you had it? In my opinion they're ridiculous overkill for most situations, comparable to bringing a hand grenade to your picnic in case you see a coyote.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

In my opinion they're ridiculous overkill for most situations, comparable to bringing a hand grenade to your picnic in case you see a coyote.

I've wondered about them but have no need for any PPE in our waters - they come up to a 12g caliber... that's one heck of a bang! The kid in me still wants to shoot one at a rock (a rock with nothing living on it) just to see what it'll do but that's about the most use I'd get from it.

[MSilvia]

If you're ever going to go through the trouble, get some ballistic gel (like the MythBuster guys use) instead of a rock, so you can see what it would do to something made of flesh!

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by Sounder

I've wondered about them but have no need for any PPE in our waters - they come up to a 12g caliber... that's one heck of a bang! The kid in me still wants to shoot one at a rock (a rock with nothing living on it) just to see what it'll do but that's about the most use I'd get from it.

Don't put yourself at risk by power heading a rock. But don't shoot an angel, nurse or jewfish either as most of the kids seem to enjoy. Power head a fresh turkey, chicken, roast or such if you must then leave it for the carrion feeders.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Power head a fresh turkey, chicken, roast or such if you must then leave it for the carrion feeders.

Even better!

Make sure you get some video.

[huvrr]

just wondering what they were like. i saw them advertised for hunting gators and have seen them in dive movies over the years.

[Splitlip]

They are effective (expanding gas, not the projectile), loud and dangerous. Know one guy who lost 2 or 3 fingers and part of a hand.