I am back from the great archery deer/squirrel/scotch hunt in my ancestral homeland. Deerless to be sure, but no lack of action, only lack was my competence with a bow that I had not seen in 5 years, nor sighted in more. This is another story but a good hunt is being surrounded by opportunities and friends, and that is what I had.
The good news is that Senor Shadow has not yet wiped the state clean of squirrels; in fact, I believe he has driven them all into the Ludington/Manistee area. I have never seen so many luscious squirrels wearing all the fall colors, foxes, grays, black phase greys, all fat and cavorting on the same forest floor at the same time in beautiful weather at near-peak color change.
A good fellow shipped me a previously-owned RWS 34 Panther to my "base camp" sister's house in Kalamazoo, and it is a real goodie. I hate to say this but I think it is the best shooting gun I have, all of a sudden. It really liked the Gamo Hunters in hurried and informal testing, better than the Predators or the JSBs, so I went with 'em. Thanks to all for the mounting advice... I used two pieces of 35mm film, on the rear of the WFH "Optima" scope, sighted in in the basement (geez I miss those) and went off to the wars.
How nice to sit in the forest, on a ridiculously warm and sunny October mid day, and let the food walk into range. How cool to drop a squirrel with a "click" instead of a "bang", leaving one clean hole and his friends none the wiser. And how gratifying to feed the fellows on squirrels harvested by my curious black BB gun.
A few lessons learned:
AO is a PITA in the woods. Squirrels were mostly shot at 20 yds.
Anything over 5x was not practical. They are busy little guys and while 9x might put you eye to eye, you can't find the little devils in time. A fixed 4x focused at 25 or so would be less fuss and just as good, I think.
The WFH scope is merely adequate. This rifle deserves, and will get, a better set of glass.
A bunch of rain on your new rifle sucks. The hex heads on my bargain 1-pc. mounts (they were not the Accushots) rusted overnight, and I thought I wiped 'er down. Hunting in the rain was also tough, as the outside of the lenses fog even if the inside doesn't.
Gamo Hunters do not expand or deform much going lengthwise through a squirrel if they don't hit bone. However, the squirrel remains utterly dead.
The SKB double gun case absolutely rocks, hauled a 12 ga. pump and the Panther over 6 flights and much strenuous two-tracking with nary a problem. These are really good gun cases for travelling hunters (have one for the bow, too).
Bring the dang camera. I only have two relevant AG pictures to offer. What a shame!
If you fill a frying pan every day, everyone will want to shoot your BB gun.
