From big to small (bandit) :-)

[only1harry]

The Ding Donger went off again tonight at 3am on the dot. 
It was the same 3 young bandits that visited before, attacking the cat food once more.  I was going to go back to bed but something kept drawing me back to the window   So I went and got the TT Condor .25 and started following the one on the ground with the crosshairs.  I could hear noises at the neighbor's next door.  I stuck my head out the window and looked over there to my right.  It seemed they were having a party.  There were half a dozen cars in their driveway.  I was skeptical about being seen or heard but I figured they are ~55yds out and I can always take some pics without the flood light or take cover if they come out   If it were any other night I wouldn't be concerned, but it's full moon tonight and visibility is really good as everything is lit up by the moon light. But hey, this raised the level of excitement and adrenaline for me knowing I could be seen, and have my status upgraded by the neighbors to "lunatic" from weird or crazy

So I finally got a broadside shot on the young bandit on the ground and took it.  It dropped, and other 2 up on the chair pushing and shoving each other for room and food, had no idea what happened and went back to feeding after they looked around for 2-3secs following the quiet report of the Condor.  I was going to shoot a 2nd one, but the one I shot started doing its death dance and hit the legs of the chair a few times.  The others started getting a little spooked and moving around.  One jumped off the chair and was checking out its sibling behind the chair.  I did not want to shoot the one in the chair because the last time I did that it created a lot of noise.  The 31gr Kodies @ 1,000 - 1,060fps go right through their head and the plastic chair and metal tin don't like the lead hitting them and protest with a very loud noise  

The 1st one expired and the 2nd one on the ground started walking around it trying to figure out what happened.  After about a minute it looked like was trying to get back up on the chair to eat, or warn the other one that it's time to go.. but all I could see was its back and had no shot.  A few seconds later they both looked at the direction of the neighbor's house, and as I was getting another broadside shot lined up, they both took off.  The neighbor's guests had come out talking loudly and were hanging out in the driveway. 

A little while later they drove off.  I waited another 15min. to see if the young bandits would return but they didn't.  I have a feeling these 3 young bandits were the offspring of that big female I shot a few days ago.

Here are a couple of pics of the 4th bandit this Fall.

[Nightstalker]

Hey Harry,That's still a Good size bandit.Man o man I want a condor just to have than extra power with the heavier pellet,Nice job & good shooting!

Troy

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Harry! Love that Condor!

[deanda]

Nice shooting Harry, nice rig, and excellent write up!!!!!!!!!!!

[longislandhunter]

Good shooting buddy and great pics.  I never get tired of seeing that mighty Condor posed next to a harvest.  Ya just gotta love Condors don't ya ?? 

Jeff

[SGTCPabon]

Harry, you are a beast.  I was going to dress up as a racoon and come say hello for Halloween.......now, I will not lol

[only1harry]

Thanks for the comments guys! And yes Jeff, I think you guessed it, I am starting to believe I really like Condors.. I was wondering why I have 3 of them!    Only 7 days left for you Jeff.. hang in there buddy.  You will have coons running from all directions once you get use that call of yours   I just hope they stand still for 2secs for a good frontal shot, heheh    

Troy, I don't know if I would call that a "good size bandit".  It might be a yearling.  It was only 9.5lbs and the smallest raccoon I have taken so far.  2nd smallest was 17lbs a couple of years ago, so I 'm not used to this size. I have shot Groundhogs that were a lot bigger than this little fella

Chris, that would not be a good idea at all dressing up like a raccoon for Halloween and paying me a visit.  I react instinctively and without thinking when I see anything resembling a bandit or a G-hog.  I could not guarantee your safety..  being that this Condor depicted here can put a Kodiak through a 2x4" or 2x8" without much difficulty  Fox and Coyote costumes are a big no no too around here at Halloween, and crow even more so  

[shadow]

Another fine shot on the Bandit's bro and super pic's. You can really tell by the color of his coat that he's a youngster but still a good sized Bandit for his age. I've been getting rained out here but I'm setting up the blind with a plastic cover for the hide roof tonight just in case. Ed

[only1harry]

Thanks Ed, I hope you don't get any rain tonight, but it looks like you are well prepared for it.  Not even mother-nature can't stop you!  heheh

[The Knot]

very nice harry the moon had a bright light on last night for sure and the batteries on my ding dong where dead . But i had some bandits come for a meal i will be on it tonight, very nice shot love the condor

[only1harry]

The 9V battery does not last much more than 4mos if you have a lot of activity at night (and day).  Mine should be going in another 3wks or so.  I keep track of when I replace it because the 1st time it went, it took several days it was very weak because the sensor light kept coming on when I 'd walk in front of it.  When the battery gets weak the light blinks too much and erratically, or stays on too long.  However it does not have enough power to send a signal to the receiver.  So the 1st time this happens people think it is still working until the see a critter right in front of it and the receiver is not doing anything   I learned the hard way before the 1st battery replacement, after the food tray was empty for a few nights in a row.. I thought I was sleeping through the ding dongs! hehehe

Hope you get those bandits soon!  Looking forward to your post.

[Atchman2]

Great shooting man!  I'm headed back home tonight from Florida well rested and ready to put the smack down on some varmints!  They've had too long of a vacation and tomorrow is trash day.  

[only1harry]

Too long of a vacation?  There is no such thing!!   Mine was too short.. always feels that way.
Have a safe trip back, but make sure your guns can shoot before hunting. I know you 've been having a lot of issues with some Springers.  Did you get a Chrony yet?     
PS.
I was waiting for his siblings to return last night but had to go to bed early because I had to get up at 6am to work, so I turned off the Ding Donger so I wouldn't be tempted.  3/4 of the cat food as missing this morning and the tray was barely hanging off the chair, so only a bandit or country rat could do that.

[Atchman2]

I ordered some parts from JM.  I'm going to rebuild my spring compressor to a better version and try and replace my springs by myself.  I know how to take the TF 89 apart, it is just dangerous   I'm pretty sure I can do the RWS 350 since I had an Air Hawk. 

[only1harry]

Good for you!  That will save you a few bucks, and you won't have to be away from your "babies" for 2-3 weeks   Which JM spring did you order for the 350?  Just curious..  Is it JM's new Mag-Pro 350 spring?

[Atchman2]

Yeah, the new Pro Mag spring.  I also ordered an Apex seal for it.  

Shadow gave me part order number for a spring that will work in the TF 89.  I ordered one for it too.  

Right now I'm going to use the .22 TF 99 for raccoons.  I'll keep the shots down to 20 yards or less until I get one of the power guns back up and running.