First squirrel hunt of the 2010-11 hunting season

[Froghunter]

Got up at around 5:30 a.m. this morning and ready to hunt. I wasn’t to sure about using an air rifle to harvest squirrels in the great outdoors. I have been hunting for 38 years on and off. I have used shotguns, 22 rimfire rifle and pistols, but not an adult air rifle. I have been missing a lot of enjoyment! This style of hunting is great and the air rifle will do the job it is asked to do, but y’all know that. I had my coffee, small breakfast and off the to the squirrel wood. I was hunting on a small woodlot (Evans Property) it is about three-four acres. This morning was the first time hunting or even being on the property. The land owner met me in the drive and said I could use his deer stand (Shooting House) which he had seen a lot of squirrel from….doing last year’s deer season. No problem, he told me how to get there and I make it to the stand just before sun raise. I liked the area from the get go, it’s open and clear.

As it become light (What a great time of day) I saw two playing chase, but the distance was to far…..well over a hundred yards and all the way in the tops on the trees. 6:50 a.m. and I heard one moving to my rear, slowly I turn and got busted. He just moves to the next tree and just does the tail waving thing without the chatter. Slowly the Diana 40 comes to bare on the target. Breathing in and out, holds and squeezes the trigger. Need to put a 4-12 X 40 scope on the wanted to purchase list…its a little dark in the 3-9 X 32 Golden Antelope at this time of morning. Don’t hear the WHACK, but heard the thump of the gray squirrel hitting the ground. No deaths dance just a short crawl and it was nap time for the small beast.

7:20 a.m. and another squirrel comes down a large Popular tree. Ranged it with the range finder at 48 yards and the squirrel stops. The Diana……..Goddess of the Hunt comes up to bare on the little beast. I and she are not working together at this range. We whacked the tree three times……..all misses. The squirrel moves to a crotch in the tree…….Three more misses and he/she decides it’s time to vacate the area. Have to work on the long range shooting.

At a little after 8:30……..you could feel it in your soul that something was going to happen. The hold woods come alive with its Mother Nature sights and sounds. First a Carolina Wren lighted on my boot. Shortly after a Doe and her two fawns come by. “LIFE IS GOOD” even in the small states of Delaware! Makes me feel grateful…..I’m just thinking of the Millions of Souls who will never see what I have been seeing this morning! Also Mr. Squirrel was trying to sneak by me to my left. I was hoping that I and the Goddess would bring home the bacon, but the 10.4 Grain (Weighed) CPH just stuck tree bark. Da* this Adult Air Rifle stuff isn’t easy.

8:53 and slickly boy was back at the 20 yard mark, same tree just different time. The Goddess and I had a long quiet discussion (23 minutes worth), now her and me where in tune and slickly boy squirrel was down for the count. He tried to hang in there……but it was no use the CPH had connected with the fuse box. He slowly lost the fight and dropped to the forest floor!

Three hours of enjoying Mother Nature and have some game for the table. Life couldn’t get any better!

Froghunter

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Froghunter!

[longislandhunter]

I really enjoyed your post, felt like I was right there with ya

Outstanding hunt and a super pic.  Now that you've discovered the thrill of air gun hunting I have a feeling those powder burners are going to collect some dust 

Really great hunt, thanks for sharing it.  I"m already looking forward to the next one.

Jeff

[shadow]

Super shooting pic's and loved the story. There is something about being in the wood's before Mother Natures critters wake then listen as each of them greet the morning. priceless. Ed

[only1harry]

That's what it's all about!  Great shooting and long live Diana! 

Have you tried lighter pellets with your Diana 40?  The heavy 10+gr pellets may be traveling too slow giving you a very "loopy" trajectory.  The 7.9gr CP's or CPHP's should be in the mid-high 800's (fps) and will shoot flatter to 40yds.  The 10.5gr CPH is only going to be in the mid 700's at best in your Diana, and you will need to compensate more down range.  But you can practice with the CPH and figure out the holdover too.  Airguns are very different than powder burners.  The lower velocities require small adjustments every 5-8yds.  Spring guns are also hold sensitive so it requires a lot of practice and consistency to master. 
Thanks for posting - great hunt story! 

[Jonesin]

Great shot!! I find that hunting with air rifles the game (in my case, squirrels) will stick around after a shot unless it's a close miss. With a rimfire or shotgun, every squirrel for a half mile runs for the den! Case in point...my double last weekend were taken from the same tree in about as much time as it took me to reload and aim.

You're now hooked!! Welcome to the club!

[Atchman2]

Man that was a fantastic story!  Loving the pictures and the description of the hunt. 

[Froghunter]

Thanks......Guys for the kind words and glad I could share with the group a great Hunt for me.

Jeff,

Been tinking with them for about ten years, just using them for the backyard pest/squirrel etc. Now I'm living in Delaware which has grown in population and housing pre mile. It makes sense to use a tool that is safe and I think I will get alot more use out of them.

Ed,

You are correct in the priceless. It's to bad that under 10% of Americans Hunt, but then again maybe that's a good thing for us!

Harry,

I have tried Gamo Hunters, Beeman Trophy, CPL, Beeman Silver Ace, and RWS Super Dome all medium weight pellets. The gun was loud and twisted to the right. It didn't start to stop twisting/ torquing until I shot the Beeman Ram Jet at 9.8 grains. I continued with JSB Heavy and CPH. The JSB Heavy shot the best groups until I weighted the CPHs..........you ever wash and weighted 2500 CPH before, not an easy task! Good enough so far...If and when the springs fails or gets tied I will replace it. Thank and it's about helping others!

Froghunter

[1377x]

nice shooting

[mr007s]

Sounds like you have a nice spot to enjoy your hobby. I'd stay on the land owners good side, maybe send him a Christmas card and a helping of squirrel gravy