"Mighty Mo" strikes again! (graphic)

[jonnnyboy]

I've been into the adult airgun thing now almost three years and early on, I read a post of someone who said they didn't like it when somebody named their gun.  So, I refrained from mentioning that I like to refer to my guns by a nickname that means a lot to me.  While out hunting this evening, my new name occurred to me for the Marauder .22.  When I lived in Knoxville, an older friend always referred to the ship he served on during the war as the "Mighty Mo" and he was rightfully proud of his service on the USS Missouri.  It came to me during one of those waiting moments while watching for another squirrel that "Mighty Mo" would adequately represent how I feel about my Marauder!  I know .22 doesn't compare to the great guns on that battleship but I bet I am almost as proud when that head-shot squirrel falls as my friend used to be when spoke of the big guns.  So, let me apologize to you if naming my Marauder is offensive, but boy, am I proud when those squirrels fall.

Now on to tonight's news!

Slipping into the woods, I noticed a squirrel balled up tight on a limb munching on what appeared to be an acorn which made sense as he was in an old oak just a few yards from my favorite hickory.  I know these woods pretty well so I felt comfortable easing a little closer and finding a decent rest.  Down on one knee with old "Mighty Mo' balanced across a rest the squirrels head and neck came into focus pretty easily.  I took a couple of deep breaths and let a final one halfway out and squeezed the final stage on the trigger.  With a loud thwap, the squirrel tumbled out and fell into a thicket.  I could hear a little thrashing but knew I had a good hit.  Taking a lesson from my daddy, I didn't move for a moment but just kept myself still to make sure nobody was spying on me.  Almost immediately, another squirrel ran down the tree behind the one I had just shot into and ran over to the downed squirrel and picked up either his fallen nut or another one that so close.  HE HAD TO SEE THE DEAD SQUIRREL BUT HE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE BOTHERED.  He made the mistake of climbing up on top of a small sapling to eat his nut and since I was already dialed into him it was no problem to squeeze off another shot.  Thwap again!

With squirrels #14 and 15 laying under the oak, I backed up and took a seat to just watch for a while.  After about 30 minutes, what do I see but another smaller squirrel making his way down that same tree in the back and making his way to the oak.  He stopped on the trunk and began to bark quietly to his friends to get up and finish eating, but no, they wouldn't move.I knew where that little fella was but couldn't get a bead on him as the leaves of the tree were too thick but then he moved just slightly downward for a better look at his buddies.  This was my chance!  Squeezing another time I heard the pellet just whistle by him and no thwap this time.  Oh rats!  Well he disappeared up the tree and again, I just decided to wait a few moments.  Almost ten minutes had passed when I see him inching down the trunk to try to wake his buddies up one more time.  HHhhmmmm.  This time I took just a little more time and with a small squeeze "mighty Mo" spoke the final time this evening and the little one fell out about 6 feet from his buddies.  It was getting dark and I wanted to take some pictures for my GTA friends so I picked up my quarry and made my way back to the truck and the camera.

You can see squirrel number 1 in the foreground and just some fur of squirrel #3 in the background at the base of the tree.

Here's the evening set with "Mighty Mo."


Yep, she's not a battleship but when it comes to squirrels she hits like one!
Take care and shoot straight
joe

[dk1677]

Nice shootin' there!

[wicki67]

Enjoyed the story and pictures! Felt like I was in the woods with ya, there for a minute...
Congrats! on the squirrels!... and it looks like "Mighty Mo" definitely gets respect when she talks!

Dave T.

[Froghunter]

Joe,

Enjoyed your hunt and story.....it has a lot of heart and soul in your words. Once I figger out which rifle I like the most.......like you.....my shooter will have a name!

Froghunter

[longislandhunter]

Joe, that was an outstanding hunt and the pics are just great.  I felt like I was sitting there with you looking through the scope      That shooter definitely deserves the name "Mighty Mo" , it fits her to a tee    That rifle is sweeeeet  !

Jeff

[Rico14]

Great story and pics!

[Atchman2]

Great shot, great story, and a beautiful rifle! Made us TN Volunteers proud! 

[Jake]

great shooting!

[jonnnyboy]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the kind words of encouragement.  After a half century of hunting and fishing, I have almost given up all of the hunting with the exception of squirrels with an air-rifle.  I think its the challenge coupled with the fact that I like my quarry to come in small manageable packages!! hahahaha  To tell the truth, I still fish faithfully but squirrel hunting eclipses all game animals for me.

Still Ed and some more are tempting me to do the 'night' thing.  My favorite hunting grounds backs up to a large body of water, so I know there are raccoons as well as possums available.  I've even seen a fox or two and have heard some coyotes off in the distance.  HHhhhhmmmmm, I thought I had given up all other hunting, but now I'm thinking of getting a ding-donger and some trail lights.  See what you guys are doing to me??

oh well,
joe

[shadow]

Great story and pic's bro and once you start night hunting it becomes addictive hehe. There's nothing like sitting silently in the wood's at night waiting for game to show and you never know what will show hehe. Ed

[only1harry]

Great story and shooting Joe!  Very nice Marauder too   You did the right thing waiting.  Most of the time there is another squirrel not far watching. 

[jonnnyboy]

You're right, Harry!  After I had picked up the three squirrels at the base of the tree and taken a couple of "sit-rep" pics another squirrel chose that time to split for parts unknown!!!  I had the crosshairs on him a couple of times but decided to let him pass this time.  I know he will be back and I had enough to try to clean before dark.  Dad has already put in his order for some fresh squirrel and dumplings, so that's going to happen next week, I hope.

Ed, that night thing is awfully tempting.  I may try to set up like Randy does with a spot in the back to try first.  Our cat has to eat fast sometimes for the raccoons that like to come and eat out of his dish!  We had a mama coon bring four young'uns in one evening to dine on catfood so I know there are lots of targets!  Maybe in the next few weeks I can come up with a dingdonger and start down a road of no-return.  

Thanks again guys for the encouragement.
joe

[454 Big Block Chevy]

Great shooting, i love that stock too.

[1377x]

good haul
nice shooting!