My progress as a new airgunner

[Wayne52]

You're definitely getting the job done

[GD Giles]

I think the guitar repair guy's name was Jim. He'd be pushing 60 by now, at least.

Tony, from what you're describing it made me think of my two favorite air gun hunting channels on youtube,

This one is simply Squirrel Hunter - From Britain and a typical video is 20 minutes long. They have videos about feeders and bait stations and how they typically set up a blind at a distance of 25 yards or so from the station and just wait for the squirrels to come get the bait. They will also show other benefits of being outside and observing nature like deer, game birds they don't shoot, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMuDvc7quBoy-tzr_rP0wA

This is Average Guy Airguns. His early videos are done with close to what you have, a .22 Mrod. He set up 2 bait areas in his backyard and the shooting frenzy begins. I think he was shooting close to 200 squirrels a year there but he's recently moved and now he's using an Impact. Graphic and gore rival Scarface, you've been warned.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCU2Cr1ZERjlT2ER36tl1Q

Maybe you'll get some good ideas from these channels.

[Nickelsig229]

I learned something today. Diurnal - of or during the day

I had never heard that term before, thanks.

The steel door worked, also, 2 of the 4 squirrels from yesterday are missing, So now I need to figure out how to place them in a lit area with a door knocker set up. I don't have money for a night vision set up right now, so I'm hoping a flood light provides enough light to get a shot off on a possum or raccoon.

[Nickelsig229]

I think the guitar repair guy's name was Jim. He'd be pushing 60 by now, at least.


This one is simply Squirrel Hunter

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHMuDvc7quBoy-tzr_rP0wA

This is Average Guy Airguns.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCU2Cr1ZERjlT2ER36tl1Q

Maybe you'll get some good ideas from these channels.

When this all started we just weren't getting satisfaction with traps so Dad found "Squirrel hunter" on youtube. I wasn't interested, I've been shooting centerfire for 20+ years. What would I want to bother with bb guns for. I was wrong.

He showed me the video, and I couldn't believe this guy and his brother were having so much fun, and solving pest problems at the same time. I watched more and more and found Average guy,  ted's holdover, pcphunter, and airgun hunter extreme, as well as others.

I had to get involved and I'm glad I have. Being able to go out my back door into the yard and shoot all day for fraction of the cost is worth it alone. Getting rid of the pests is a bonus. We are just starting out, but already my parents are hopeful. They can see how this is more effective then traps around the yard. And they tried a lot of home remedies, like nuts soaked in anti freeze, rat poison, pest poison, whatever other old world superstitions they could think of, nothing has had a clear and tangible impact as the air gun.

I even have a play date (I'm laughing). My nephews are coming over to Play "battleship" and "darts" target games I got from PA.

[beachgunner]

Air guns provide a perfect solution to pest control that powder burners cannot. They are very affordable when compared to PB's for plinking, and convenient. Backyard range vs someone else's range and the associated fees, hearing protection, etc.

I have been using a two-pronged approach to squirrel control; traps and shooting at feeder and as opportunity strikes. Traps are effective for those very timid squirrels who avoid the feeders. I don't use poisons. They are too indiscriminate and can end up in the food chain that harm beneficial animals.

[LDP]

I learned something today. Diurnal - of or during the day

I had never heard that term before, thanks.

The steel door worked, also, 2 of the 4 squirrels from yesterday are missing, So now I need to figure out how to place them in a lit area with a door knocker set up. I don't have money for a night vision set up right now, so I'm hoping a flood light provides enough light to get a shot off on a possum or raccoon.

Tony you should look into some rifle mounted lights that are red and or green. There are some very cost effective ones out there especially if you dont need allot of distance from it.

[Nickelsig229]

I learned something today. Diurnal - of or during the day

I had never heard that term before, thanks.

The steel door worked, also, 2 of the 4 squirrels from yesterday are missing, So now I need to figure out how to place them in a lit area with a door knocker set up. I don't have money for a night vision set up right now, so I'm hoping a flood light provides enough light to get a shot off on a possum or raccoon.

Tony you should look into some rifle mounted lights that are red and or green. There are some very cost effective ones out there especially if you dont need allot of distance from it.

Do those filters not scare the raccoons away while allowing enough light to see them through the scope? I have a couple fenix pd35ue that  can definitely throw more then enough light and it looks like the filters are cheap for it. Which filter would be better?

[LDP]

I know the purpose built lights that come in red or green laser or led lights seem to work very good. A couple buddies have used filters for night time coon hunting in the woods that had success. If they are cheap enough I would get red and green and see if one works better than the other.

[grizzlyadams]

well played tony

[grizzlyadams]

and you jumped right into the dark side!!!!
'

[grizzlyadams]

grab an rws34 in .22
 and sample the piston side too!!!

[shadow]

Bandit's are pretty comfortable with most lighting and stationary lighting is better if you plan on sniping em. I've tried all the colored lighting and what works best for me is just a LED lamp off a headlamp.

I've pesting night critters for many moons as they say and the LED lamp strapped to a tree and lighting the bait area has helped me harvest countless critters over the years. Ed

[Nickelsig229]

grab an rws34 in .22
 and sample the piston side too!!!

I don't know. I was using my dad's remington/daisy powerline 1000 .177 and it is not the easiest gun to shoot. The first shot I almost dropped it out of the rest when it sprung forward. I wasn't expecting that. I tried reinstalling his scope due to it being canted. I wasn't having fun with it, in fact I used every curse in the book on that thing. It could just be the quality, it is an economy gun with an even cheaper scope, so I wont rule others out, but right now my opinion isn't so high.

[Bryan Heimann]

Looks like a good hunt to me.  Squirrels are my favorite thing to hunt.  Gets my blood pumping!  Nice shooting.

[customcutter]

If your interested in making your own nightvision here is a very popular forum.

http://www.nightvisionforumuk.com/viewforum.php?f=29

Lots of information and you can save a ton of money over store bought equipment.

[Bryan Heimann]

grab an rws34 in .22
 and sample the piston side too!!!

I don't know. I was using my dad's remington/daisy powerline 1000 .177 and it is not the easiest gun to shoot. The first shot I almost dropped it out of the rest when it sprung forward. I wasn't expecting that. I tried reinstalling his scope due to it being canted. I wasn't having fun with it, in fact I used every curse in the book on that thing. It could just be the quality, it is an economy gun with an even cheaper scope, so I wont rule others out, but right now my opinion isn't so high.

I have to agree that springers are a P.I.T.A. if/when they have issues like the cheap guns so often do.  But with a springer that is dialed in- there is no sweeter shooting experience.  And usually it just needs a de-bur and proper lube with fresh seals.  $10 worth of parts and an hour of your time can transform a gun that jumps forward out of your hands into a different rifle altogether, and it is very satisfying when you do it yourself.

A pro tuned rifle is even better

[Atomic Powered Gruds]

Rabbits can be and Coyotes are "Crepuscular"(most active at twilight hours) though can be seen at all hours. Nocturnal Diurnal and Crepuscular are the three main terms but I am pretty certain there is more like some animals become more active depending on moon phase such as new or full moons such as jelly fish and other deep sea animals.

You could pick up one or a few cheep solar lights (probably Ebay but sometimes stores are cheaper). Leave them as is and place them close to the bait or put some red or green tape/paint around them to tint the light. Most things will not be bothered if it comes on at dusk and stays on but they may be skittish at first until they are use to it that is why tinting might be of use.

Edit: Just saw Shadows post and feel a bit silly as he said something similar. Do not know how I missed that.

[Tims229]

Great job Anthony! Nothing ever boring about hunting with an air rifle. Guys on here love hearing and seeing hunting pictures because many of us hunt and pest also. Personally I go out in the wooded areas to hunt them. They are a good way to get practice in for other hunting, plus they are pretty tasty! Keep up the good work and practicing.