As soon as I got home from work this afternoon I grabbed the newly sighted in Mendoza 600-RM .177 ,,, a container of CPL's and headed for the duck farm. It was time for the Mendoza to go on her first bird hunt.
Got to the farm and surveyed the situation. At the north end of the farm is a HUGE mullberry tree. The tree now has it's full foliage and is just starting to produce berries and there were large flocks of starlings coming and going from the tree. I made a bee line for the tree and was amazed that even as I approached the tree most of the starlings stayed perched in the top branches. The tree is surrounded by thick weeds and brush so I backed myself into the chest high weeds and set up my backpack folding seat. I was dressed in full camo so I blended right in. I wasn't settled in for more than 5 minutes before the birds started landing in the top branches of the tree in good numbers. The berries on the tree are still to small for the birds to be interested in but for some reason the tree was attracting birds like a magnet.
For the next hour and 1/2 I picked away at the birds. There were plenty of birds up in the tree but there were so many branches and leaves that it was difficult to pick out a bird much less get a clear shot,, either the leaves or the branches were usually in the way. I missed quite a few birds due to the pellets hitting small branches as I attempted to snake pellets through tiny shooting windows in the canopy, but I also got my share of kills. It was very challenging which made it that much more enjoyable and when I did get a kill it was a rush !! :) The shooting from under the tree was for the most part fairly close range,,, 10 to 15 yards but I also nailed a couple of birds at a grain feeder 25 yards away from where I was sitting.
The Mendoza had performed well on her first hunt. The rifle was comfortable to carry around the farm, the balance of the rifle made it quick to point and get on target quickly and the accuracy of the rifle spoke for itself. I took a couple of pics after I got home so I could show off the Mendoza and her first kills to the other GTA hunters.
Jeff
The final tally was 25 dead starlings. I was only able to retrieve 10 of em for pics because most of the birds fell into briars and bushes so thick that there was no way to get in there to get em. Oh well,,,, at least the feral cats and raccoons will eat good tonight :)
