GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: ER00z on April 30, 2021, 12:12:37 AM
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Today I was doing a bit of target practice and heard some birds making a commotion in a tree out back. The tree is next to a large storage shed of mine and squirrels try and store nuts and tear things up inside. There happend to be a red squirrel checking out the shed, and decided to go after the robins who just put a nest in the tree. I've seen this one go after the greys in the area and decided enough is enough. He was 26 yards out and my D460 made short work of It. I've seen red's be aggressive, but not as much as this one, as it acted very territorial. So, is it wrong to settle these disputes?
He was a goner either way, don't like them getting in the shed, barn or house. Otherwise they usually get a pass.
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To me, it isn't even a question of right and wrong. We are the only species capable of making these judgements, and when it comes to nature in general, it is generally who has the biggest baddest attitude plus the ability to enforce it....so.....
It is like asking if it is wrong for me to shoot starlings. It isn't right or wrong. It is human intervention in nature, for better or worse.
In your situation, I would likely have done the same.
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The cat usually tends to the affairs around the property. But with age he's slowing down. I see airguns getting a lot more use around the house and property. Usually it's others calling me to help with pests. Don't know if I should feel lucky or be irritated. Lol.
Take it easy
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The situation doesn't fit the question.
It is unethical for you to intervene in two animals fighting in the wild, it is not unethical to shoot squirrels to protect your property.
In the case of the wild, you're intervening in the dictates of nature, you might shoot the strongest instead of the weakest and set off a cascade that ultimately weakens a herd, it's not for you to decide.
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The squirrels are dominating my feeders and running all the birds off. After this bag of sunflower seeds are gone, I think I'm going to quit feeding until squirrel season comes back in. I'll settle all the disputes then.
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It's over and I am not going to send congrats your way nor go against your decision, if that is what this is all about. If you are now questioning it, maybe it wasn't the best thought out plan for you. Nature can be cruel to observe. I am not going to judge what you decided to do. You were there and made the decision you now have to live with. You are not alone though with this type of thing.
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Thanks for the replies.
I should have made the title a bit different, but had it not been for the robin's commotion I'd never know the squirrel was there. Oddly, it really seemed as if the squirrel was going after the robin, behavior I haven't seen before. Either way, my aim was true and the squirrel never knew what hit it. Instantly gone to chase walnuts in the afterlife. I have no regrets in my decision. I can't count, nor do I want to count how many critters I've sent to the great beyond.
I was more curious as to the behavior of the squirrel than anything else. Unfortunately, I can't bring myself to eat squirrels. Rabbits on the other hand are delicious, but haven't had any around in a while. The cat and coyotes REALLY think they're delicious.
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Thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately, I can't bring myself to eat squirrels. Rabbits on the other hand are delicious, but haven't had any around in a while. The cat and coyotes REALLY think they're delicious.
I'm not a big fan of squirrel either, but a great aunt cooked some up for us one time and I still use the recipe. You season to taste, pan fry the meat until it browns, cover in milk gravy and simmer until tender. Spoon it over fresh biscuits and enjoy.
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Hey Zack no worries, I was entertained by your story and likely would have done the same, especially if it was your private land and you preferred having the robins around so you humanely protected them from that bullying red.
As for sending animals to their great (whatever-it-is-depending-on-the-species) final resting place in the sky, I once did that to 395 mynahs (a pest bird in Hawaii where I used to shoot) in a single night. And the owner of that egg-laying farm sure was happy I was there to do it. 8)
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Charlie, having rid of 395 anything in a single night (or day) is impressive. I'm not familiar with mynahs but the numbers you encountered that evening seem very great.
The worst I've encountered was when I got a call for Chipmunks from a friend. They said there was a bunch and were looking to be rid of them. When I arrived to the property I was shocked, as I stopped counting at 47 different ones in the front yard alone. That was with out any double counting, there were more but didn't want to get mixed up. The funny thing is, his wife was feeding them corn. Quite a few chunky ones. Anyway, the baiting stations really helped ;D
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Reds are nasty and around my property always a target. They will take eggs and kill young birds. Always legal here to take them
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Nice job protecting those Robin, they are so nice to have around in the yard!
I did see the humor in your post title and I GET IT.
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Red and grey squirrels will eat other animals, young birds included, so you may have done that robin a huge favor. I think of my squirrel control efforts as part recreation, property protection, research and wildlife management. A walk around the block sure makes me wonder if I am making any headway--squirrels everywhere these days--but if they come to my yard I try not to let them leave...
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Oddly, it really seemed as if the squirrel was going after the robin, behavior I haven't seen before...
Squirrels are known cannibals that engage in infanticide, I've seen them rob nests too
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I've only noticed red squirrels to go after greys. I had no idea they were aggressive towards other animals. I've taken reds on the request of friends and family who don't want to or can't when they become a problem around homes or property.
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Often times I don't post my actions here, lest they be judged. I won't judge your actions either.
I have my reasons for doing the things I do as I'm sure others do as well.
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As far as I'm concerned it is up to me to decide which animal is more desirable and take out the less desirable. But it isn't squirrel season here and as much as it disappoints my dog I'm trying to wait. She loves retrieving them for me and that avoids any risk of them running off.
I think the three keys to eating squirrels are to clean them efficiently (still working on that), cut off the legs and rear part of the back and throw the rest away (avoids the rat look), and to simmer them for a half an hour or more so they are tender. They are dark meat but actually pretty tasty if cooked properly. I also like them simmered in gravy over biscuits. I've simmered them in brown gravy over egg noodles and simmered them in cubed tomatos over pasta too. But I think in home made white gravy over biscuits is the best.
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Zack, like Lizzie said! And, I think you did the right thing. I saw a couple of crows taunting a Cooper’s hawk....I placed a pellet on the branch the crows were standing on and that ended that. I don’t like anything bullying anything and if it were the hawks messing with a crow I would do the same thing. Last week we had 3 crows in our front yards round garden two had one pinned and I opened the door and shouted and they all flew off....hate that...
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Charlie, having rid of 395 anything in a single night (or day) is impressive. I'm not familiar with mynahs but the numbers you encountered that evening seem very great.
The worst I've encountered was when I got a call for Chipmunks from a friend. They said there was a bunch and were looking to be rid of them. When I arrived to the property I was shocked, as I stopped counting at 47 different ones in the front yard alone. That was with out any double counting, there were more but didn't want to get mixed up. The funny thing is, his wife was feeding them corn. Quite a few chunky ones. Anyway, the baiting stations really helped ;D
Haw!!! Hey Zack that’s his problem right there! But she deserves a heartfelt thanks for bringing all your targets in closer!
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Hey Zack no worries, I was entertained by your story and likely would have done the same, especially if it was your private land and you preferred having the robins around so you humanely protected them from that bullying red.
As for sending animals to their great (whatever-it-is-depending-on-the-species) final resting place in the sky, I once did that to 395 mynahs (a pest bird in Hawaii where I used to shoot) in a single night. And the owner of that egg-laying farm sure was happy I was there to do it. 8)
Holy moly Charlie! That’s almost a full tin! LOL! Lots of Mynah’s in HI! Great shooting 😉
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I'm de-railing my own thread here, but I have to give props to those who go ratting or any other night ops for pesting. Having a (dedicated?) night rig has to be neat. The closest I've come to night pesting was setting up a red lamp above a scope with a illuminated recticle. Didn't have any action that night so passed on it all together. Now NV equipment is easily accessible and very affordable, depending on how fancy (or not) you want to get.
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I've only noticed red squirrels to go after greys. I had no idea they were aggressive towards other animals. I've taken reds on the request of friends and family who don't want to or can't when they become a problem around homes or property.
Raccoons will readily climb a birdhouse pole and raid nests, which is why, in addition to controlling starlings and house sparrows, I also use predator guards on the poles to keep them (raccoons) from being able to get there.
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Reds are nasty and around my property always a target. They will take eggs and kill young birds. Always legal here to take them
This ^^^^
Shoot on sight policy. Never see them where I live now, but I have been invited back to where I used to live to regain control of the area.
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Zack, like Lizzie said! And, I think you did the right thing. I saw a couple of crows taunting a Cooper’s hawk....I placed a pellet on the branch the crows were standing on and that ended that. I don’t like anything bullying anything and if it were the hawks messing with a crow I would do the same thing. Last week we had 3 crows in our front yards round garden two had one pinned and I opened the door and shouted and they all flew off....hate that...
At our last house, we had a pair of Cooper's Hawks nesting in one of our trees for 3 years, raised two families, I have literally hundreds of photos of them from hours of watching them, unfortunately I also had the momma and a juvenile in my view finder when a truck came speeding down the street and hit the momma.
I personally witnessed the female knock a crow out of the sky, their little FA18s, people say they rob nests, never saw that once, but I'd be sitting on my steps looking at my pond and you'd hear the thump of one nailing a sparrow or something in mid air.
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I settled a dispute with a couple of coons tonight. They dug up my just planted garden, destroying most plants and seed beds. I'll have to redo the whole thing now. They also have been digging up my pretty yard something terrible and climbing up my feeder and tilting it something awful and destroying a spinner next to it they used as a foot stool. I fired a warning shot right next to them, but they came right back. I had enough, so I put the .30 cal to work. What a relief. I have been putting up with them for nearly a week thinking they may move on. I feel good about my decision.
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Can't have them messing with the garden. That .30 must have done good work.
The last raccoon I took was with my VW. Front end opened like a hallow point, DRT results ;D
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Can't have them messing with the garden. That .30 must have done good work.
The last raccoon I took was with my VW. Front end opened like a hallow point, DRT results ;D
I bet that raised the VW up a bit. At least that's what happened one time with a work van I was driving. Yes, the .30 handled the job with ease. One and done for both. The Titan scope also did its job well in the low light conditions. Nothing like having the proper tools for the task at hand.
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Can't have them messing with the garden. That .30 must have done good work.
The last raccoon I took was with my VW. Front end opened like a hallow point, DRT results ;D
The raccoon or the VW? :D
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Can't have them messing with the garden. That .30 must have done good work.
The last raccoon I took was with my VW. Front end opened like a hallow point, DRT results ;D
The raccoon or the VW? :D
Both! ;D ;D ;D
It was the newer polymer tipped Beetle.
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Thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately, I can't bring myself to eat squirrels. Rabbits on the other hand are delicious, but haven't had any around in a while. The cat and coyotes REALLY think they're delicious.
I'm not a big fan of squirrel either, but a great aunt cooked some up for us one time and I still use the recipe. You season to taste, pan fry the meat until it browns, cover in milk gravy and simmer until tender. Spoon it over fresh biscuits and enjoy.
where were you when i had to chew rubber and nynon like squirrel meat years ago?
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where were you when i had to chew rubber and nynon like squirrel meat years ago?
She was an old Southern lady and she knew how to make the best of what she had. I do try to share the recipe anytime someone mentions eating squirrel. Sorry I didn't get to you sooner.
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Reds will chase off anything that is in what they perceive as their territory. Every summer they move in to my yard when the mulberry tree starts fruiting. They'll run off any bird or squirrel that comes into that tree. Some are more aggressive than others, but they all get shot. Once they're gone that tree is very busy, squirrels (black, gray and fox) and all sorts of birds all day long. The birds and squirrel occasionally disagree with which berry belongs to who, but it never gets truly violent as long as the reds have been removed. And none of the other squirrels or birds try to take over that tree as their territory like the reds do. Reds are mean, aggressive, territorial and destructive, it's in their nature. Which is why I don't blame them for their behaviour, so I try to be as humane as possible, I go for head shots. They're shot on sight in my yard, mostly because they like to chew on my garage, but also because I like having the other squirrels and birds in the yard.
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It is not at all unethical to interfere and protect the song birds on your property. I am the one that decides who stays and who goes on my property, or who preys on who... I fiercely defend the song birds and their nests on my property, and will chase the Grackles away when they attack and try to kill the young in the Robin, Carolina Wren, and Mourning Dove nests that are on my property (also in my tool shed and under my 2nd fl. porch). Same with Starlings and squirrels that come to mess with them. They are all dealt with. I only shoot them if it is legal. If I cannot shoot them legally I simply make my presence known or approach the tree or structure where the the mayhem is occurring, and the intruders usually leave in a hurry. I will not stand listening to the fledglings' screams getting eliminated. It also amazes me how sometimes 1 of the parents will fly close to me or to a window seeking my help when their nest is under attack. I have zero tolerance for bullying birds and predators that mess with birds I allow to live on my property.
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Can't have them messing with the garden. That .30 must have done good work.
The last raccoon I took was with my VW. Front end opened like a hallow point, DRT results ;D
The raccoon or the VW? :D
Both! ;D ;D ;D
It was the newer polymer tipped Beetle.
Or HP polymer tipped 15 million grain VW (could be a Golf?) :)
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Aproxamitly 213000fpe at 80fps.
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I do t typically shoot living creatures but if I need to I have made up my mind I needed it gone for some reasion. Now I seen something one night that made me shake my head was some kids in the house behind me were harassing a rabbit by chasing it around and throwing a branch at it.
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I do t typically shoot living creatures but if I need to I have made up my mind I needed it gone for some reasion. Now I seen something one night that made me shake my head was some kids in the house behind me were harassing a rabbit by chasing it around and throwing a branch at it.
you need to suggest him proper airgunning? throwing a stick is "not using the proper tools and without proper airgunning knowledge"
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Aproxamitly 213000fpe at 80fps.
Haha. It was a TDI, a little better than 361,000 FPE @ 88 fps. ;)
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I'd like to thank everyone for their input. Learned a few things, which is always good and had a few laughs. Any input or stories are welcome.
Hope everyone is well, and take easy.
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I do t typically shoot living creatures but if I need to I have made up my mind I needed it gone for some reasion. Now I seen something one night that made me shake my head was some kids in the house behind me were harassing a rabbit by chasing it around and throwing a branch at it.
you need to suggest him proper airgunning? throwing a stick is "not using the proper tools and without proper airgunning knowledge"
Maybe some day, our yards are not really safe to shoot in.
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Any critter with fur or feathers that is causing a problem with any other critter on my place,
it gets it's ticket cancelled ASAP, all are welcome, except Pepi LaPew and Starlings/Hosp/Magpies...........
I just wish the Yeller Dogs would quit catching the Cluck Clucks, as I like watching them,
the pups will be roaming around in a few weeks, looking for food etc.. ;)
Tia,
Don
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Years ago I had a run in with Pepi's cousin that a friend and I had to remove. Don't want to talk much about it, but will say headshots not always advisable. Sometimes H/L shots just are better. Trust me.
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Zack
On a woodspuzzy what stinks, the only shot is 1 shot thru the lungs and leave it alone,..... ;)
it will hump up getting ready to do battle, then waddle off and take a dirt nap etc.
Have killed several hundreds of them in ADC work, and that is what I found out.
YMMV,
Don
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Wish someone told me that beforehand. I later found out about the H/L advantage, but only after the fact. Funny thing is trying to remove the scent made me late for what was my first official date with who became my wife. Said "sorry I was late, you wouldn't believe what I've done today ". She replied trust me I know ;D ;D ;D
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We were tasked with dispatching several that were stealing eggs when I was a teenager. Wish I had known about the H/L thing back then. :)
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Here is a good formula for removing Peppy's smell, from your 4 legged friend/clothes/outside side areas etc.
I always have these supplies on hand............. ::)
1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (found at any pharmacy or supermarket)
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon of DAWN liquid dishwashing soap
Wearing rubber gloves, work the solution into your dog’s coat, washing him thoroughly.
Don’t leave the solution on his fur for too long since peroxide can bleach his fur.
Then rinse completely.
You might have to repeat the process more than once.
"Chance" has had several of these bath's, he is a slow learner when it comes to Peppy.......
HTH's
Tia,
Don
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Good advice, Dan! My little Yorkie, rest his sole, went through three of those same bath mixtures (Thanks for emergency vets on call) in his lifetime. Also, H/L is the best on those. I had to learn that one the hard way, too.
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Here is a good formula for removing Peppy's smell, from your 4 legged friend/clothes/outside side areas etc.
I always have these supplies on hand............. ::)
1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (found at any pharmacy or supermarket)
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon of DAWN liquid dishwashing soap
Wearing rubber gloves, work the solution into your dog’s coat, washing him thoroughly.
Don’t leave the solution on his fur for too long since peroxide can bleach his fur.
Then rinse completely.
You might have to repeat the process more than once.
"Chance" has had several of these bath's, he is a slow learner when it comes to Peppy.......
HTH's
Tia,
Don
I keep a bucket by the back door with all of these ingredients ready to go. Works great.
My dogs do not go out, ever, until I have checked the yard.
I had a Blue Heeler that would ruin out and kill them with extreme prejudice. The spray made eyes water, but otherwise she was unaffected.
While she was doin the killen, the boarder collie would stand behind me, peeking around my leg. She wanted nothing do do with such activity.
The Red dog and little sister Piglet get sprayed and come running back to me, “OMGoodness, what just happened to me?”
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Stuckat
I know what you mean, I had a German Shorthair female,
that would kill them, then bring them home and pile them up on the front porch..........,
more than once we would get up and find a pile of them on the porch,
I couldn't figure out what was going on with all the Peppy's showing all of a sudden.
About a month later, I was BS'n with the local farmer and he reply's, "Thanks for the use of your Dog",
I kinda stood there with my mouth open and said "use of my dog"? he reply's, that GS dog, she is outstanding......... :o
OK Raynor, (Farmer's name), fill me in, he proceeds to tell me for last several weeks, "Cokie Cola", kids name for her,
has been helping me, she is a PEPPY killing machine, she has been following him around several hundred acres of his Hay fields,
at night time when he irrigates etc, killing every Peppy that shows up............ ::)
I was shocked to find that out, at least she was a VERY good Peppy control machine, as she could find a bird if she was sitting on it........LOL
More than once I have seen the Yellow spray dripping off her nose and a pile of dead Peppy's on the front porch,
and she was sitting there wiggling all over, with the "I done good, huh Boss" look.
She would guard them from my other Aussie, with barred teeth when they came around.......... ::)
Cokie Cola and one of my Aussies came up missing, I found out that they were at a mine site, 60 miles, North of here,
one of the mine guys I knew said that a wantabe miner showed up with them, he knew my Aussie and told me.
I was heading out to go check and a PU drives by and there was my Aussie sitting in the front seat, ridding Shotgun like he always did.
When I questioned the miner about his Aussie, he said he found it at the mine site,
when I called the Aussie "Cougar" over to me, (he hated cats).....
the guys could see that he was my dog etc, we went home and we never found or see Cokie Cola again.
Raynor was very sad on hearing that as he was buddies with Coki Cola, during irrigating time,
for several years after we had NO Peppy's around etc.
Tia,
Don
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Sad yet priceless story. At least one made it home. 60 miles? Runners just keep going.
Our boarder collie was a runner.
I won’t even let my little fools out for more than a minute or two unattended, even though the yard is fenced.
Piglet eats to many different things that dogs shouldn’t eat. The red dog sits and watches and waits for anything to chase and bark at.
Now my wife wants a third...
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Great story but quite the loss.