GTA
General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Hunting Gate => : longislandhunter April 20, 2007, 01:15:15 PM
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Got up early this morning and started doing some of the chores I've been putting off. By 1 pm I was finished and decided to get in another duck farm pest hunt. The weapons of choice for this hunt was my .177 R-9 Goldfinger.
Arrived at the duck farm and went immediately to the hiding spot I used during yesterdays hunt. Got 1 starling but the birds really weren't landing in those trees today so I decided to move.
There was alot of activity on the farm today. Workers were cleaning out feeders, they were mowing the grass near the buildings and one guy was even driving a bulldozer around, although I'm not quite sure what he was doing. Anyway, all the activity was spooking the birds so instead of staying in one place I decided to just sneak around the farm and shoot at targets of opportunity.
I'd sneak into a barn and shoot a bird or two, then I'd sneak over to another building and nail a bird in there. Then I spent some time sneaking through a large wooded section of the farm where large flocks of starlings were roosting in the very tops of the trees. The shooting was tough due to all the branches, but I got a few more birds that way. My two best shots of the day were two starlings that I nailed at 50 yards with one shot kills. I was hiding behind a large tree and used the tree as a brace but I couldn't believe I hit those birds. It was awesome. Of course I also missed several birds from the same location but I got those 2 :)
I finished out my trek through the farm by sneaking within 40 yards of a flock of pigeons. I picked out the biggest bird in the flock, aimed just a tad high, pulled the trigger and heard that loud "POP" of pellet striking feathers. Bird lifted off the ground just for a second then did a nose dive into the dirt. Picked up my kill and started walking back to the truck.
I was standing next to my truck putting my gear away when all of a sudden I saw some movement to my left. I looked and there, feeding in the grass 30 yards away, was a small woodchuck. He hadn't seen or heard me and there was enough cover for a stalk so I loaded a CPL into the Goldfinger and began my stalk. I got within 15 yards of him and he still didn't know I was there. I leaned the rifle on top of one of the wood fence posts that support the 3 foot high duck fence and waited for him to turn and offer me a head shot. Finally he turned and gave me a perfect head shot. Put the crosshairs between his eye and ear and squeezed. Heard the "POP" of the impact and he shuddered for a second and then rolled over on his back dead as a rock. He was my first woodchuck of the year, but he won't be my last as the farm is infested with them. Next time I'm bringing the GAMO 1250 .22 cal so I can spend the last few hours of daylight stalking the bigger woodchucks.
Anyway, here's some pics of the days hunt........
Jeff
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Sounds like a good day of huntin' ! That a pretty good sized woodchuck to boot!
What do do with your quarry once it's harvested???
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Thats actually a small one compared to some of the big boys on the farm. They eat huge amounts of the duck feed and it must be a good diet because they grow huge on it.
The woodchuck in the picture is now resting comfortably in my freezer waiting to be turned into stew. I know most people don't eat them but I actually enjoy them, especially the smaller ones.
Jeff
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Jeff, you wild man you, again great shooting and pic's. Nice chuck and you must be making up for the slow winter kill. When the hunt is good, it's real good.;) Again super pic's and story buddy. Ed
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Really enjoy the story and pics, Jeff. What a great day hunting!
ric G
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Was wondering Jeff, what pellet were you using?. Predator's or Tomahawk's or maby I missed it in your post. Thank's ,Ed
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50 yard kill shots - that is pretty good! That is quite a day's take. Nice job.
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What a day Jeff,
You out did yourself today !!!
That is a mighty big pigeon there, and I know pigeons. haha.ha
You have a beautiful air rifle there also.
Who took your photos ? It's good to finally see you, and great photos, as usual. ;)
Another great day !!! and the best for tomorrow !
P.S. I love your hat !!! Got one just like it...
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Thanks guys, I did have a blast today.
Ed,,, I was shooting CPL's today. I started out shooting JSB Exact Express pellets (they have the same POI as the CPL's in my gun) but the CPL's just seemed to be knocking the birds down much harder so I stayed with them.
As for the pics Bill,,, that would be my youngest daughter behind the camera. She grew up helping me gut, skin and butcher deer, as well as processing all the other game animals I've harvested. She and I do quite a bit of small game hunting and fishing together and she's a good shot with a shotgun. She just recently showed interest in air gunning so I plan on spending time with her introducing her to my airgun collection. Plan on taking her to the duck farm next time I go and let her start out shooting at the starlings.
Jeff
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Hey Jeff, that was one heck of a day. I'm jealous:) Great pics too. luv your huntin stories.
Greg
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thanks Greg'
I love shooting at the duck farm. The owners are really nice guys (brothers) and I really lucked out meeting them and getting permission to hunt there, the place is like a starling magnet. At times the number of birds there is simply staggering. Not to mention all the other critters roaming around the place.
Jeff
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Man, that woodchuck sure is fugly!!! good shooting and nice pics.
Thanks for sharing. :)
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Nice shooting.....I hate pigeons.
Happy Hunting
Eric
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Fantastic display of your talents Jeff...:) Great shooting as always.... And that Goldfinger sure is purdy.... Love da wood.... :)
Tell me something Jeff.. Do you carry a burlap sack to put your game in as you go through the day?
Thanks for sharing buddy..
Gene
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Nice work brother. Cherish that kid. Stupid thing to say I know, but from someone who envies fatherhood, not so much.
Mike
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Yeah, she's a good kid Mike, I enjoy spending time with her. They grow up so fast and before you know it they're all wrapped up, like the rest of us, in their own careers and the responsibilities of day to day living and then it can become hard, if not impossible, to spend quality time together. My oldest daughter is already "grown up" and out of the house, but we did spend alot of time togeather when she was little. Good memories. Life is a fast ride for sure.
Gene,,, sorry it took me this long to answer your question,,,, I didn't see your post. Anyway,,, when I shoot at the duck farm I wear my small game hunting vest. It has a large game pouch hanging off the back, makes it much easier to carry all those dead critters around all day.
Jeff
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Not a problem Jeff...:) So I guess you keep your game real close so no one can grab it out of your hand.. hehe
And yes they grow up so fast... Ya only have memories after the leave the nest..:)
Gene
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At what distance did you shot the chuck from?
I am still trying to bag the neighborhood groundhog with very little luck. But the last time took a shot at the groundhog it did make some wierd nosies
as it ran back to hole. Never been able to get closer than 30yds to take a shot.
Ignor my question. If I would have just read your whole story I would have gotten my answer. I was more interested in seeing the pics of your kills.
Speaking of your pics, you could a least pretend to look happy while holding your first chuck kill of the year.