GTA
General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Hunting Gate => : Randino November 18, 2007, 05:46:17 PM
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I started off today following the trail near the corn field. As I got about 1/3 of the way down the path when I spooked 8 deer, and a red squirrel. The deer took off into the field, while the squirrel bolted off toward the river. I decided to continue up the trail, in the hope of spotting some doves, but no luck, as the crunch of the leaves spooked them too. I took a break at the clearing the deer were resting in for about ten minuets, then carried on around the U turn in the trail, running the length of the river. At this point, I notice a rather large Red Squirrel, (about where the one I spooked earlier would have been) barely up the foot of a tree, and I knelt to take a shot. Problem was, the brush was to tall in front of me, and moving would have alerted him to my presence, so I took a shot standing.
Naturally, I missed the bulls eye by a bit, instead hitting him in the left hind leg. Of course, He fell off the tree after that, and as I reloaded, to my surprise, he scrambled off. I pursued him, until he ran about eight feet up a tree, and I closed to ten yards and set my sights.
As I positioned myself for a shot, he shimmied around the tree as I circled after him! Crafty bushy-tail! But, this trick didn’t work long, as I charged the tree, took a peek to the right, and then darted to the left, instantly taking a point blank shot. This went straight into his right shoulder, knocking him from the tree. He hit the ground running, and as I reloaded, he darted into some brush, and started up another tree!
But this time, my pellet caught up with him. I tagged him in the left shoulder, and he fell off, from about two feet onto his back, still all the while trying to roll over and crawl away. I cleared my way through the brush as he got to his feet. I then shouldered my rifle to put him out of his misery, and fired for the headshot.
After I got back to camp with my quarry, I set it down, and moved out to the field, after some crows I heard. I saw about 6 of them flying in a loose formation across the field. I decided to take a long shot, and aimed above and in front of one of the larger crows. Amazingly, I hit him! He spun away from me, and flopped over on his back, then continued the spin full circle, and recovered lower in the formation. They all flew across the field, and over the river, out of site.
My first squirrel was a bitter sweet affair. Due to all those wounds, and my lack of skill cleaning him, there wasn’t much left of the Bushy-tail that wasn‘t mangled, or terribly bruised, so we cut off his tail, and buried him. Shame though, I still look forward to eating my first squirrel.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/IGF_Randino/Firsthunt003.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/IGF_Randino/Firsthunt002.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/IGF_Randino/Firsthunt004.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/IGF_Randino/Firsthunt005.jpg
Now, do I need to do anything special with the tail?
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Congratulations Randy,
Great account of your hunt ! and fine photos !
I'm glad that you followed up on your wounded quarry, and I'm sure that you will soon have a squirrel for lunch, just be patient ! Good shootin Randy !
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Gotta take out the fuse box,Randy,it`ll come
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Nice hunting Randino!
That is a HUGE squirrel too. Yikes.
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Way to go Randy. True sportsman to follow you quarry till the end. Just curious what pellet were you using? I was goofing an took out a tree rat at 20 yards with a match wadecutter.
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It's been awhile Randy, thought you headed for the hill's to live and hunt hehe. Great story and pic's and happy that you finished the job on the one fella. It all just get's better, just keep honing the skill's and alway's think small, not the head but that little area between the eye and ear. It look's like your on your way to hunting Zen though, pic's are GREAT! and she look's happy posing with her trophy. Keep em coming and happy hunting. Ed
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LOL, a wade cutter!
I Used a Gamo Hunter on him. I'm currently trying to build a target holder so I can properly test those pellets you sent me. I know your as eager as I am to find out what pellet I find to be the best, and I know I hate to wait :) I've been real busy with Speech team, and since my Blazer spontaneously combusted, and my dad refused to take the new Trail Blazer out through the field, we had to wait for the corn to go down to get out there. But, we'll get it all done eventually.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k240/IGF_Randino/nataliesbday001.jpg
BBQ anyone?
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From what I picture of your story Randy, I 'd say you did an outstanding job going after that "coyote" hehe. That's a good sized squirrel!
I'm a Firefighter and I feel for you and your Blazer, that sucks! Looks like it was burning pretty good!
Is your Gamo tuned?
How do you like that Tasco, thinkin' I'm gonna git me one.
Good work on that squirrel. Sometimes you'll get a tough one like that.
I'll repeat what Ed said, gotta hit 'em in the noggin twixt the eye and ear.
I use Gamo Wadcutters often and keep my shots w/in 20 yds. It always drops them quick.
I've done this with: .177 QB57, .177 Beeman Bearcub, .22 B-26
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That one was lube tuned by CDT. I have another 220 that isn't, and the two are like night and day.
The scope is great, and while I don't have all that much experience with different scopes, I would recommend this one. The varying Magnifications come in handy. But be sure to grab a good mount though, the stock ones are junk. Heres the one I got: http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=805
Also, on the negative side, at 3 and 4 mag, you may be able to see your front site, or muzzle brake. It doesn't bug me much, though. I normally shoot at 5, 6, or 9 mag anyway. Also, since the "Zeroing" knobs are exposed, you may move them unknowingly. I never had that problem though, as I carry her as carefully as I would a baby. Other than that, its a nice scope. Its worth the money. Let me know if theres anything in particular you'd like to know,
Randy
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Awww man, Randy, sorry to see your ride is down for the count. I hope nobody was hurt, and that you didn't lose too much else in the blaze.
Good pics and story on your hunt, and keep at it. As Ed says, aim small-- he would certainly know.
Good luck with the Speech team and keep us up to date on your future hunts.
Bryan
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Luckily, we only lost the car. My Dad pulled over when it started to smoke, and got out. THEN it burst into flames.
and thanks, Randy
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Congratulations Randy..:) Another great hunter to join the GTA ranks..:) Keep up the great hunting. And thanks for sharing with all of us. You know we like pictures..:) Gene