Finally got one of the feathered kind..

[only1harry]

After a 30-40 day dry spell, 6 Starlings finally decided to give my property a try again.  It was kind of late around 7-7:15pm.  They landed about 45yds out and slowly started walking towards the house.  They normally just hang out 55+yds out on my property but near the neighbor's, but not this time.  I had already opened a window and was in position with the Diana 36 .177 waiting for them trying to stay as still as possible.

Finally about 10-15min later most of them were easily within range at 30yds and I had picked one out, when all of a sudden one seemed to stray a little and walk towards my position.  I waited another couple of minutes until it was exactly 25yds out.  It seemed like the rest of them had spotted me and were getting nervous but not this one.  He kept walking straight towards me with his head down.  It heard the others giving some warning signals and stopped and turned sideways to look at the rest of his family.  That was the perfect moment and I let the 8.3gr Superdome fly.  The Starling immediately went down on its belly with his head on top of the freshly cut lawn like on a cushion, and did not move a muscle.  I looked at it again through the scope and its eyes were closed.  It was killed instantly.  The Superdome had entered and exited its upper chest.  I love this 36!  I think it will be seeing a lot more feathered-duty from now on, if only they will come to visit more often :-)   The pics came out crappy except one because the settings were messed up again and I did not return them to 'auto'.  It was a full-size but young Starling because his beak had not turned yellow yet.  This explains his carelessness that cost him dearly.

Funny thing is, I have not seen Grackles in about a month either.  2min. after I shot the Starling, they came out of nowhere doing fly-by's over the corpse.  They spotted me early on and would not land anywhere close but kept to the trees far away.  That's ok, they 'll make a mistake soon :)

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Feathers can get us thru "Tough Times" (Not talkin bout "Kevlar Crows")He He!!!!  I know your missing "Fur" Buddy!! How Ya holding up Buddy?? Got Hogs?? LOL!! Man Im such a smarty pants!! Great shooting Harry!!  Your South Carolina Buddy,,, Tim.

[only1harry]

You had to go and remind me, didn't you?!?  Thanks "buddy"! :-)  I haven't seen a groundhog since I shot the last one 3-4 days ago.  The twigs and leaves are still there on top of 14-15 burrow entrances the way I placed them.  Nothing has been brushed aside so I know I don't have any active burrows any more :(

Oh no!  I have commited groundhogicide!!  hehehe  Thank goodness for a Starling straggler now and then, but those 15-16 g-hogs I shot made it all worthwhile.  I have no regrets except I sometimes wish I had spaced them out a little more to last me until August.  What can I say I have no will-power.  When the trigger finger is itchy or I see fur, I am completely helpless :-)  
It probably won't be long until I turn to the squirrels again.  I have to hold out as much as possible.  It only takes 1 shot at a squirrel and next thing you know I 'm wiping them out too before hunting season even starts :)  I must find a support group around here!  You guys aren't helping, hehehe  Maybe if I were banned temporarily from the  forum until Sept/Oct. that might help :-)

[gunsup0331]

Shooting birds is a guilty pleasure for me, I cant help but chuckle at the Poof of feathers from a good hit.  nice shooting man!

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Harry My Buddy,, Im here for Ya,,UHHHHHH SORRY I GOTTA GO,, Thats a BIG DOE,, MMMMMMMM Backstraps!!!!!! I Will support Ya later Buddy!! Tim!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOM!! Can Ya say Big Bore?? He He!!

[shadow]

Good shootin and pic Harry and I haven't seen blackbird's eather, think they moved on for the season BUMMER! :( Ed

[longislandhunter]

Excellent Harry,,,,,   looks like a fine specimen of a giant bull starling  :)

You and that 36 are fast becoming a legend.........

As for the G-hogs,,,, I still think you're gonna see "fur" very soon  :)

Jeff

[gamo2hammerli]

Thank goodness for the "Young and Foolish" heh heh. That'll learn him......ooops, too late, he's dead.

[fatback]

Good shooting harry!!  You that 36 and them superdomes seem to be the hot ticket.  Like they say, don't fix what isn't broke and if I were you I wouldn't change a thing. Keep up the good work and hope some G hogs come back.. was really enjoying the pics and hunting stories.

[Progun]

Nice shootin' Harry. I guess feathers will have to do until squirrel season opens.That 36 works just fine in your hands. I bought one many years ago and my uncle borrowed it just for starling 'work' and I seldom get to shoot it anymore.Reading about yours makes me want to borrow it back.