First Blood With Beeman R9

[Steelontarget]

I took a friend and his two sons squirrel hunting on Labor Day.

He took his younger son with him and the older boy came with me about 50 yards away.  We were in the woods about 30 minutes before sun up.  We could see a lot of movement in the trees but could not get a shot because of the leaves.

We sat with our backs to opposite sides of a big maple tree.  My friend's son got my attention about an hour after sun up.  He motioned for me to look to my left.  At about 30 yards away, the quarry was moving to my side of the tree.  I waited for the lad to take a shot but it was apparent it was blocked by vegetation and trees.

The squirrel presented itself to me for a text book shot.  So I took it.  I felt bad that my friend's son could not get a shot.  That's especially true after he texted his father; "Mike just shot the only squirrel left in the woods."

Like I said, I felt bad so made it up by getting a couple of pair of binoculars that were on sale for both boys.

[ssbn617]

Now that is real class, binocoulars for boys. You are someone for them to live up to.

[Steelontarget]

Now that is real class, binocoulars for boys. You are someone for them to live up to.

Not really class nor am I someone to live up to.

They are like family to me and I like doing something nice for people that treat me better than my own family.

Besides, there is also a safety issue.  Too many hunters make a habit of glassing for game with the optics on their rifles.  That includes airguns.

A friend once told me that he was deer hunting and saw something in the distance.  This was the days before blaze-orange clothing was required for deer hunting.  He decided to take a better look through the scope on his rifle.  When he looked through the rifle-scope he saw another hunter looking through the scope on his rifle back at my friend.

Nobody needs three guesses to figure out the problem with this situation.

For safety's sake, every hunter should carry and use a pair of binoculars to glass with while hunting.  This prevents the unsafe practice of pointing a gun at another human or animal that you don't wish to destroy.  There's also the embarrassment of someone (the person you are looking at) seeing you point a rifle at them. 

It could also get you killed or have law enforcement authorities called on you as the wrong message would be sent by your actions.

I want the boys to get in the practice of glassing for game through binoculars rather than a rifle scope.  Besides, the rifle gets heavy after lifting it up every time you want to investigate any movement in the trees.

[only1harry]

Good shooting and nice R9.  I guess your season is over having taken the last squirrel

[Steelontarget]

Good shooting and nice R9.  I guess your season is over having taken the last squirrel

If I go out and shoot anymore from that section of woods the boys won't have anything to do with me anymore.  The next time I take them hunting; I'll have to leave my gun at home.

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Mike!

[anti-squirrel]

Nice shooting!  Your R9 has lovely lines.  I like what you did for the young'uns, too.  Binoculars are great not just for spotting game, but just watching nature.  My wife loves hers.

My uncle (he got me into shooting) educated me at a young age to use my Bazooka Joe "see 50 times further away!" folding binoculars before making a shot.  I never really understood why until I was older, but I've been glassed/Aimpointed before whilst carrying my selfbow, and it is NOT a feeling I like. 

[shadow]

Great shooting and pic Mike. Ed

[JrSquirreler]

Nice shooting!