Dead Pest of the Day

[martrage]

 Just took starlings #'s 2 & 3 off the suet feeder. I've had to change my sniping position as the maple tree has fully leafed out & cut off visibility from my original
 perch.The Kral NP03 wearing the ATN 4K Pro, spitting out the Apolo 14.6gr HP's did the honors.

[wolverine]

Good job, i hate those nasty birds.

[Xraycer]

Good job, i hate those nasty birds.

Same here! Not sure why they're protected, there's no shortages of those winged rats.

[martrage]

 Dinh, In PA, the starlings,HOSP & pigeons are considered pest/ invasive species ,so with the exception of the deer firearms season they are able to be taken
 throughout the year , year-round .

[airgunaut]

I thought Starlings, House Sparrows, and Eurasian Collared Doves all were considered invasive species throughout the USA, or at least the lower 48. For sure they are all-year, no-hunting-license-required, no-bag-limits species here in CO.

The difficulty with ECD is that they are most visible sitting on utility lines. I.e., too close to a road for shooting, not to mention the need to avoid hitting the line.

Meanwhile, I am learning their flying style, their nest habits, and other important facts. Their calls are unmistakeable. They are aggressive and I have seen a big male tussling with the native Mourning Dove on the ground. I broke it up by shaking a steel can with rocks in it--they HATE that sound--which allowed the smaller Mourning Dove to fly away. The attacking ECD immediately flew at my head! I held the can in raised arm as if to throw it at him and he suddenly veered away. Good riddance to that one, that time. But there are so many of them it is a repeated battle to deter them.

I concluded I need to get good enough at shooting to start killing these invaders. Might be better done with a shotgun, which I have never shot.

[martrage]

 I added 4 more starlings to the bag today , along w/ another tree swallow nest robber to remain unamed . I dropped some critters off for the cats (voles from
 mouse traps in flower bed) and saw 4 Ghogs out in the field we hunted 2 days ago , plus one sauntered across the farm road as I passed out the goodies to the
 kitties . Oh well, another day.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

One dead dandelion (at the tree line)  here. 


Best Wishes - Tom

[Back_Roads]

 Dandelions are a very aggressive invasive, get them all Tommy! LOL Or make wine with them

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Dandelions are a very aggressive invasive, get them all Tommy! LOL Or make wine with them

Hi James.

I got real lucky with that shot.
That was a single 35 yard shot on a small target.
I shot it with the Gamo Magnum GR.
I was checking zero as I had not shot that rifle since last winter.
That dandelion was all fuzzed out and went puff when I hit it.
I haven't see any chipmunks around for quite awhile.

Best Wishes - Tom

[Xraycer]

Are dandelions in season, right now?

 

[wolverine]

Careful Tommy. There is nothing more dangerous than a wounded dandelion! 

[ranchibi]

One dead dandelion (at the tree line)  here. 


Best Wishes - Tom

Tom! Excellent shot on that very invasive and dangerous dandelion! Keep on them or they will MULTIPLY and take over....maybe even aggressively like James said...😂👍.

[airgunaut]

I tested the DIY cordwork shown in the shooting sticks video I posted earlier.

It resulted in a sturdy but heavy assembly from two old 58" steel Yakima round crossbars. A bit too short for use when standing, checked using the 880 as prop. Photo of the trial assembly below.

Then I found a pair of unused thinner rods that I bought long ago for some unremembered purpose. They're flexier than the crossbars but not nearly as flexy as the driveway poles. At about 65", they are a better height for use when standing. Much lighter, too. The smooth outer will be grippier once I buy subtly colored duct tape for wrapping

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Dandelions are a very aggressive invasive, get them all Tommy! LOL Or make wine with them

Say James.

I was just out with the dog....and I heard a chipmunk in the woods behind the house.

Chances are the cat will get it... but if he doesn't..... I will. 


Best Wishes - Tom