GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: timegoat on September 13, 2010, 09:54:38 AM
-
After a brief discussion with m'lady we both thought it might be a good idea to thin out the chipmunk population on our property. They're generally not a problem for us, but their numbers are going up out there and we recently learned they harbor deer ticks. Better safe than sorry.
I was getting my second cup of coffee, staring out the back window, and saw they were pretty active this morning. It's gonna rain today so I also wanted to get a little practice in before it comes so I set up my 30yd target and went to the shooting window. Took a shot at the paper, hit the bull with the first shot, and then saw this guy running around the forest floor.
Missed the first shot at him, but quickly reloaded a CPHP as he bolted to another area of the yard... high and clearly visible on top of a pile of brush about 100ft out. I knew from that awesome Chairgun software that, since my scope is sighted in at 30yds, I'm sighted in for a theoretical 0.5" kill zone from 17-37yds.
Lined up on his perfectly visible flank and heard that Thunk when I fired. Looks like I almost missed, but the pellet went in through his little leg and exited out his chest. He hopped and twitched for a few seconds and then it was over.
Saw a second one right after that, loaded and lined up, but right when I was ready to squeeze it took off into the woods. I think it knew what was coming. :) It'll be back, and we have more than a handful running around out there.
- Mark
-
Nice shooting!
-
Good shot on a tiny, always moving target :)
Pics are great too.
Always a good idea to keep the "herd" to a manageable size. I'm getting ready to do the same. The chippers in my yard love to make nests inside my boat while it's stored in the yard for the winter. You wouldn't think such a tiny critter could make such mess but it's just amazing the amount of dead leaf and grass litter they throw all over the place, not to mention the chipper "poop" :(
Think those suckers out :)
Jeff
-
Thanks guys.
'Always moving' is right! So far, the best way I've found is to follow them in the scope and be ready to make the shot in a heartbeat. Not exactly ideal conditions. But luckily they freeze for a few seconds every now and then. :)
They do make a *(&^ of a mess, that's for sure, and it's another reason we decided to thin 'em out. We've got a lot of habitat (wood and brush piles left by the previous owners) back there for them, but if the population gets much bigger, they're gonna start looking for other places to live and our home is too close and too dry. :)
- Mark
-
Very nice shooting at that Chipper Mark! It's always good to "thin the herd". Never hurt anyone.. besides the critters you are shooting at :)
I still have 1 or 2 that I spot every 3-4 days zipping through my backyard like a bullet. Those things are so fast. I usually lose sight of them after they take off and it's usually when I don't have a gun with me.
-
They're tough to follow that's for sure! Very good target for what I'm now calling New York Second Shooting. Gotta make that shot in between the time the light turns green and the first car honks at you. :)
- Mark
-
congrats
nice shooting!