nor cal shooters!!!

[gandalfretlaw]

You got two! I've been to that place like six times and have nothing to show. I'm a total noob though. I almost hit a jack when I pulled in one time though and chased two the last time I was there but couldn't seem to hit anything and my brain was racing too much for me to figure out the range.

There's the view platform by the parking lot and across the way is a little bunny island, but all the droppings there seem old. I've watched that island from the bank and never seen much of anything. It appears to have burrows although I don't know if their current.

I've been getting there around dawn and walking from the parking lot all the way around to the old house/place and a bit further then walking back. I generally spot rabbits in the area a few hundred yards from the house (about halfway up the lot).

[gandalfretlaw]

Oh I scouted out the Burdell unit by the Novato airport. It's a big cow pasture. There are lots of standing water so it's probably great for ducks and geese but I didn't see any rabbits. Lots of birds. Two coyotes at the end that sorta stalked me. A large bull that also sorta stocked me and I kept well clear of.

[newguyontheblock (Nathan)]

Heh that post about  me looking for a 1500 was in November of 2010, definitely didn't think it was that long ago!

Ended up getting a disco and modding it, couldn't be happier!

[gandalfretlaw]

I'm hanging on your word. Tell me what your doing right and what I'm doing wrong please, please, please. I have zero experience hunting and the best I've done is play tag with two jacks about halfway around the road.

Hah...went there last week at the sonoma/Napa Marsh. Bagged me 2 Jacks...there were everywhere but i didnt want to shoot anymore as it was my first time shooting Jack Wabbits and didn't know what to do with them. Anyway, the place says "No Rifles or Pistols allowed, Only Shotguns" but pellet guns are allowed as they are not quite classified as Firearms. Just make sure to take the Wabbits with you. I am also looking to make me a silent trap. Thinking about going to Mendocino Forest this Saturday 8/25. Anybody know a good spot for Groud Squeeks up there?

[IslandShooter]

I'm hanging on your word. Tell me what your doing right and what I'm doing wrong please, please, please. I have zero experience hunting and the best I've done is play tag with two jacks about halfway around the road.

Hah...went there last week at the sonoma/Napa Marsh. Bagged me 2 Jacks...there were everywhere but i didnt want to shoot anymore as it was my first time shooting Jack Wabbits and didn't know what to do with them. Anyway, the place says "No Rifles or Pistols allowed, Only Shotguns" but pellet guns are allowed as they are not quite classified as Firearms. Just make sure to take the Wabbits with you. I am also looking to make me a silent trap. Thinking about going to Mendocino Forest this Saturday 8/25. Anybody know a good spot for Groud Squeeks up there?

So last Saturday, I went to North cow mountain.."dang" the place was all burned down. I guess I should have checked the website first. Oh well. As for the Sonoma/Napa marsh, I went to the Sonoma creek on by 37 bridge north (the side where you coming from Vallejo to Novato. There's a parking spot there. Walk on the little levy all the way around. That morning I didn't get any as I had my PRod and they were out of range for my carbine. That evening, I went with my 25 MRod. They had no chance. Got one at 75 yards and one at 60 yards. Took me about 5 minutes.

Anyway, I am really looking for a good spot for ground squirrels. Might have to drive down and check out Los Padres National forest. I also need to get me some private lands to do some depredation/pest control. Just too chicken to ask a landowner/farmer.

Well, good luck. Oh what is your hunting rig (gun)?

[gandalfretlaw]

Boggs is supposed to be great for tree squirrel, but I honestly don't remember for ground squirrel. There are probably some there somewhere as their all over that area. It's up by middletown. I've been hutning with my Gamo Whisper. I'm not confident out to those ranges, but should be ok to at least 20 yards, perhaps more. Next time I'm going to bring some simple targets and try longer ranges. My backyard is only 10 yards.

I stalked two jacks at the sonoma creek marsh but completely failed. I kept creeping up and they kept bouncing off. I had trouble estimating the range and wanted to get closer. It was the first time I'd really cranked up the scope to 9X. Their ears almost look on fire in the morning sun, sorta redwood color. If I were confident at a 50 yard shot, I would have bagged at least two.

What time of the day were they active at? I was trying to get there a half hour before dawn.

[IslandShooter]

I went there early morning and also hour before sunset. You're right, early morning sun makes their ears look red..very cool. They were doing the same thing to me...hopping off just over 50 yards out, range limit of my Marauder Pistol. Thats why i went that afternoon with my Marauder 25 rifle. Hey, You shouldve shot them coyotes. I pretty sure they are like ground squirrels where you can shoot all year. Thanks for the heads up on Boggs, I might scout it this weekend. Tree squirrel season opens on the 8th...can't wait.

Oh the jacks were active early morning and evening. I got there around 7am, they were everywhere. Then got there again at 7pm, I think sunset was at 8 something,, there wasn't that many but then again I only went hundred yards in and got the 2. So much fun sniping them wabbits.

Hey I saw you were looking for Cometa Pellets. I got a tin but it's for my .25 cal marauder. I got them from Tim at Mac1 air. I'm pretty sure he has some for your caliber. I been using JSB exacts and waiting for Predator Polymags coming tomorrow. Walmart sells crosman Hollowpoints which are the best pellets for my Marauder carbine pistol.

Alright, thanks for the info..happy shooting.

[gandalfretlaw]

I didn't have a gun with me when I was out by the Novato airport. I walked the railroad tracks to get out there and you're supposed to go there by boat. I just wanted to scout it out. Didn't see any wildlife but birds and the coyotes. Lots of ducks. The bull made me nervous as it was kinda pacing me at 300 yards. The two coyotes made me nervous as well. I'm pretty sure I could take a coyote in a fight, but it's not my ideal evening.

Thanks for the info. I'd better bring my tall shooting sticks and do some 40 yard practice. I tried my short shooting sticks but that far down you're shooting through a ton of brush.

Boggs has deer, boar, bear, tree squirrel, probably rabbits somewhere probably game birds too. It's pretty large, get the map and maybe even the big topo map. There are roads everywhere. There is a big meadow lots of mountains and streams. 4WD isn't required but helps. There's a free (little wild west) range up there too. Wonder if there's turkey. I'm going to be up there when squirrel season opens. The rangers say they see a ton of tree squirrel.

Oh the "friends of boggs mountain" have posted some weird rules that are miss conceptions. You can shot five feet off a road so long as your off it, that 150 yards is nonsense. You can't shoot across a road, that's illegal. You can't shoot 150 yards from buildings.
 

[5.5mm]

 ;DHere goes another year and I'm hoping to see some interest in organized air gun competition. Last year was a washout due to health concerns. I've suggested an informal sillouette competition, I don't know enough about field target to set up a course. Being in NORCAL means we must drive a distance to do anything, as I'm 2 hrs north of Sacramento. Anyone thinking about a spring meet? What airgun clubs are out there? All the shooting clubs near me are all long range firearm oriented, maybe Redding has some airgunners. Happy New Year!

[bart the fart]

Los Molinos??? Wow, havent been up those ways in a looong time. I have a buddy and she still lives there. Welcome to the NorCal thread and the GTA!
cheers
Bart

[comfox324]

i live in san jose/cupertino area also. Im seeing a lot of you people go up to clear lake. What kind of game is up there?

[gandalfretlaw]

I went hunting Sunday with my new Shotgun in Lake County (Cache Creek). I saw blue jays and woodpeckers. Have more ideas for exploring next time. Trying to learn to read the scat and footprints. Did track an adult male and female with a juvenile and a canine, but I don't think their in season.

Luv my shotgun. Birds, squirrels, deer, bear, boars all with the same gun. Now if only I found some critters. Oh well, it's hunting, not killing. Will have to read more and try more.

I brought my pellet rifle along but I haven't had much luck hunting with it yet so I thought I'd lower the bar and concentrate on bringing home some meat. The shotgun is actually lighter than my Gamo Whisper.

[5.5mm]

   I'm currently talking to several ranchers at breakfast about airguns and their ability to eliminate the varmints that plague their walnut and almond and prune orchards. We're talking about several hundred acres among the four of them. One sticking point these ranchers always have is liability. That is a guy comes up from the city , trips over an irrigation pipe, and sues them for a bunch. I'm thinking that someone with legal expertise could come up with a waiver form to allay their fears. I currently have access , but I'm a local,and" they know where I live". so to speak. Anybody got any ideas in this vein?

[comfox324]

im pretty sure you can get a lawyer friend or just hire on to whip up a waiver.

[gandalfretlaw]

It may work but many people know their worthless. In CA you can't sign away your rights. You can sue even if you sign a wavier. A wavier will document your intent though and they generally stop most folks from trying to sue.

[comfox324]

today i finely tuned my crosman 2100b to be incredibly accurate at 15 yards on the iron sights. That's the optimal hunting range for this pumper. I can hit a penny at 15 yards 2/3 times.

[drewciferpike]

I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread until just now...

I'm in Sacramento, too, and I go to see my parents in Colusa, and the in-laws down near Stockton. Both sets live outside of town and have ag land, so that's perfect.

Because I live in town, I have to find places to shoot. I am more than happy to drive a few hours to meet folks for some shooting, especially as I am VERY new to this (my .22 RWS clone from Mike Melick will supposedly be here, tomorrow). I've always used a 22LR for pest control, and will eventually start approaching ag-land owners about management.

I hope to see some of you, soon!

[devdem]

Hey gang,

I'm in San Jose.  I'm getting accustomed to ponying up $16 to shoot at an indoor range, but once the weather settles down will look into a few 2 hour drive options for hunting and general target practice.  If I come up with something, I'll post it here and see if you guys want to join.

Throwing my hat in the ring....

[comfox324]

You can shoot n the backyard if you have a quiet gun, a lot of nutters and sparrows in cal.

[drewciferpike]

^ That would have to be a _really_ quiet gun. A lot of people in cities freak out if they hear noises they can't identify. To be honest, I miss hearing guns during duck season...