No Runners

[Mebits]

Two more starlings down today.

I figured something out. There's a temptation to go for big "easy" targets. It's a mistake. I went for a triple and for the life of me, I don't know how I missed. It was a huge target.

So are those side shots shots yesterday resulting in "Zombie Starlings". Huge expanse of black bird, most of it not an instant kill zone.

But a bird bent over and facing me only gives me about a silver dollar sized target. Of course, 96% of it is kill zone.

Take the small shots. Ignore the big obvious targets. It's not like I can't put 10 pellets under the end of a cork at 17 yards. No runners. Clean kills. Happier neighbors.

[airiscool]

Good shooting Mark,

Yeah, I know what you mean about aiming for the easy target.  When my brother was teaching me to shoot shotgun. I was taught to not "flock shoot", but to pick one bird out of the bunch, concentrate on it so much that I see details of it as I swing on it and shoot,

When the mob lands here they are all hyper nervous and jerking and weaving around trying to grab food before the others can. That makes for alot of movement. The sole bird yesterday was easier because it had the compost pile all to itself. It moved less, but even then breast shot and rolled with a Jumbo, it flew off.

While I was waiting for Starlings I saw two Reds chasing around the trees in the back. With the Whisper then sighted  in for Jumbos at 20 yards I had no idea where to aim that far back. So, this moring I re-sighted it back to 30 yards for the lighter Jumbo RS.

Then I put my spare Bushnel 3-9 on my Crosman Powermaster. It chronies at 620fps with 10 pumps and Copperhead BB's, and it always surprises me how accurate it is out to 20 yards.  Now, with a scope on it, it's putting all the BB's in a quarter sized area of snow at the base of a weed out by the feeder.

I'll try the Powermaster on the Starlings after the snow stops  and see if it makes a differance.

Paul.

[Mebits]

I picked off 3 more today. I'm probably done for today as Mrs. Bits is giving me the "just how bloodthirsty ARE you?" look.

I did the exact same thing. Waited for a "small target" longitudinal shot. Every one died within 5 seconds. No second shots needed. Lots of blood, today, too. Now, I did miss three shots, and one was that flock rush shot issue, one was a bird who ducked just as I pulled the trigger, and one flew off just as I pulled the trigger. Those last two are fine misses.

I just have to remember to take the right shot. I'm not interested in causing undue pain nor grossing out the neighbors.

[gamo2hammerli]

Wow...another 5 Starlings gone to bird heaven.  Good shooting.

[dk1677]

Great job! Glad the new tactic is working!

[Mebits]

make that 6. Another simple shot. I also missed another. Again, fine--just over his head.

They're still coming in by the boat load.

I'll take it.

[only1harry]

Where are the pics???    

Yeah you have to pick out 1 bird and target it carefully.  I know what you mean about 1 big black mass where there are 3-4 birds so close together and it gives you the impression that you can hit a couple or that you can't miss if you shoot into the "mass".  Nope, doesn't work that way  I have had plenty of those "black mass" days, hehe.  Must think rationally in all the excitement and just pick out one and make the shot count.

[jake]

good shooting! atleast your getting the hang of it

[Mebits]

Even a carp will learn after a few hundred times...