.That's the way to get it done buddy. Great shootin with that new BB gun Jeff
Good shot on that possum! That Akela definitely has the power to get things done.Luckily haven't had too many of those guys around my parts. They're around, just not in high numbers. Last one I got was with a Honda CX500, and not on purpose (Lol). Knowing they're somewhat beneficial, I usually give them a pass also. Best wishes and happy hunting.
Harry! Happy New Year! Congratulations on getting the first blood for the Akela, great shot and I'm sure you are your wifes hero! I use a red flood light in my back yard and it doesn't faze the critters at all, even rats! Hope you anchor the big one and a bunch of starlings!
Quote from: ranchibi on January 03, 2022, 04:43:29 PMHarry! Happy New Year! Congratulations on getting the first blood for the Akela, great shot and I'm sure you are your wifes hero! I use a red flood light in my back yard and it doesn't faze the critters at all, even rats! Hope you anchor the big one and a bunch of starlings!Thanks Randall. I have been thinking of putting some kind of red film/paper over the light bulb. Did you buy a red flood light and where from? Is the target area still bright? What I did a few years ago was reposition the flood light in the back so it is not pointed directly at the bait area and blind or scare the animals, and it has worked for the most part. I basically pointed it down more and hitting a spot about 6-7 yards short of the bait. The critters don't leave or run like they used to, but the area is still lit enough for me to see their head and the crosshairs without illuminating them. it's just not putting the bulk of the light or thousands of lumens directly on the critters, and it has worked out much better since.
Quote from: only1harry on January 03, 2022, 08:21:05 PMQuote from: ranchibi on January 03, 2022, 04:43:29 PMHarry! Happy New Year! Congratulations on getting the first blood for the Akela, great shot and I'm sure you are your wifes hero! I use a red flood light in my back yard and it doesn't faze the critters at all, even rats! Hope you anchor the big one and a bunch of starlings!Thanks Randall. I have been thinking of putting some kind of red film/paper over the light bulb. Did you buy a red flood light and where from? Is the target area still bright? What I did a few years ago was reposition the flood light in the back so it is not pointed directly at the bait area and blind or scare the animals, and it has worked for the most part. I basically pointed it down more and hitting a spot about 6-7 yards short of the bait. The critters don't leave or run like they used to, but the area is still lit enough for me to see their head and the crosshairs without illuminating them. it's just not putting the bulk of the light or thousands of lumens directly on the critters, and it has worked out much better since.Harry, this is the bulb I use. I point it toward the area about the bait stations 10 o'clock if the flood is 12, mostly because that's as much rotation I have on my floods hinge! My station is only 11yds from light. You could point it directly at it if you want or can. Got mine @ Home Depot but amazon or Lowes or grocery store. And, yes, it illuminates the rats very clearly. What's funny is thei rats underbelly which is grayish glows a light orange! Possums glow like daytime with their white heads! LOL!
Of all the pest animals I've shot in back yards, opossums taste the best. They tend to poop as their muscles relax in death and it stinks to high heaven. Their meat doesn't smell great when cooking, but it is really delicious, kind of like lamb. I grilled a whole opossum once; they have enough fat in amongst the meat that they self-marinate them.Eating ticks is beneficial, but digging in the lawn for grubs is not. Between them and the skunks, they were really tearing up my yard at the old house. (and I didn't have a tick problem anyway)Next time you pop one, clean it out and throw it on the grill to roast it on low heat. Just season with salt and pepper. Yum!
Quote from: ranchibi on January 03, 2022, 09:47:37 PMQuote from: only1harry on January 03, 2022, 08:21:05 PMQuote from: ranchibi on January 03, 2022, 04:43:29 PMHarry! Happy New Year! Congratulations on getting the first blood for the Akela, great shot and I'm sure you are your wifes hero! I use a red flood light in my back yard and it doesn't faze the critters at all, even rats! Hope you anchor the big one and a bunch of starlings!Thanks Randall. I have been thinking of putting some kind of red film/paper over the light bulb. Did you buy a red flood light and where from? Is the target area still bright? What I did a few years ago was reposition the flood light in the back so it is not pointed directly at the bait area and blind or scare the animals, and it has worked for the most part. I basically pointed it down more and hitting a spot about 6-7 yards short of the bait. The critters don't leave or run like they used to, but the area is still lit enough for me to see their head and the crosshairs without illuminating them. it's just not putting the bulk of the light or thousands of lumens directly on the critters, and it has worked out much better since.Harry, this is the bulb I use. I point it toward the area about the bait stations 10 o'clock if the flood is 12, mostly because that's as much rotation I have on my floods hinge! My station is only 11yds from light. You could point it directly at it if you want or can. Got mine @ Home Depot but amazon or Lowes or grocery store. And, yes, it illuminates the rats very clearly. What's funny is thei rats underbelly which is grayish glows a light orange! Possums glow like daytime with their white heads! LOL!Thanks Randall. I hope 13W is enough to illuminate the area 23-24 yards out. My bait station is 19 yards straight back from the the left side of the house I shoot from, and I am 4.5 yards behind the window, so 23.5 yards usually for me.. The flood light is on other side of the house at roof level, so I calculate around the same distance 23-24yds. Today I am using 160W Phillips flood lights (they are actually 12+ years old) and it can literally blind you temporarily if you look straight at it. Ask me how I know That is why I have it pointed several yards short of the bait site and to the side, and never directly at it. This way the bait area gets a much softer/yellow light, and I can still see the night critters.