My hunting days in my back yard are over .......

[Silo]

This Monday my company laid off about 22'ish folks, I survived the culling but was pretty miffed, so I went home
and shot about 7 grackles on my back lawn. Although it made me feel better, it freaked my wife out.
She started crying and everything... darn those tears, melted my heart they did.
She begged me to stop and told me how much she enjoyed "all" the birds... even the "bad" ones... I caved in.
I can go and hunt and do whatever I like... just not in her back yard... go figure. Anyhow, I guess I'll be spending
less time at home on the weekends from now on? John, Dan... we need to set up at least one weekend a month to
be known as "our hunting Saturday" this should keep me sane hehe!!
Well, it's back to punching paper only at home for me then, Mikes hand drawn targets arrived just in the nick of time! LOL.
Thanks Mike!

[shadow]

:( ;( GOTTA KEEP THE LITTLE LADY HAPPY :) Ed

[patton123]

Yeah women don't like that kind of stuff.

[Gene_SC]

For some reason I do not shoot birds..:) I have been tempted many times but there is this barrier in my mind which I guess is my dark side that says don't do it.. hehe I have no problems with others shooting them as long as they are not the protected ones..:) I would not hesitate in shooting a tree rat or rabbit but birds no way.. hehe

Gene

[longislandhunter]

My wife feels the same way,,,, there's no hunting in the yard,,,, So,,,  I just wait till she's out :)

Jeff

[JMG]

Same here Jeff, my g/f wigs out to but I cant let the cowbirds smash all the songbird eggs in the nest thats just not cool hehe. So I just shoot em when she isnt around. Kind of like an unspoken agreement between us. Well Roald I guess we are gonna have to get us some comfy huntin grounds to hit up huh? I dont really know of anyone who has a decent amount of land that would allow us free access but I sure would like to find a place like Jeff's Duck farm that place is just cool!!

John

[Silo]

LOL Jeff!! I'll have to adopt the same MO.
I can however shoot rats and being just off the creek with the neighbors having dog food laying
out all the time, we have our fair share of those bad boys making their way through our yard
to get to the dog food. So at least it's not no shooting at all.
Ahhh and speaking of the neighbors, they have started "making it known" that they do NOT
approve of any guns at all and that the shooting of air rifles is illegal etc etc... so I'll have to
go back to being very careful of when I shoot.
This blows, I can't even zero in a scope while they are home now either...
I envy you guys that have indoor "ranges"  I cold set one up in my roof, but it will be unusable
in summer due to heat. :(

[Silo]

I hear you John. I might pluck up the courage to speak to a farmer or two and see
if they would allow us restricted access to a portion of land (far from the farm house)
to set up paper etc. just for a place to shoot. If I get desperate enough I could just do it :)

[Big_Bill]

Hay Fellows,

You all have my deepest sympathy, and if you want to hunt on a farmers land, you first show them your N.R.A. I.D. ask them kindly, tell them that you are a safe hunter, show them you hunting licence, andthen show them the bag you have by your side, a fifth of Old Grandad, they can tell when your a GOOD hunter ! That only failed for me ounce, I thanked him and offered him my hand, he shook it and I walked to my car, bag in hand, but he called me back, liked my bag !

As for my wife, she hates any bird that chases off or fights with the "little ones". So Grackles is fair game, for me.

[shadow]

Here in S.D. It's 80% famer's and farmland and most of them will let you go after the varment's. I have some land myself, no farming though. I use it for hunting hehe. If I wanted to hunt on a farmer's land I alway's went up and interduced myself, explained my objective and that I would be carefull of cattle and farm equipment, their kinda funny about that stuff hehe. I've even offered my services, a little help around the farm (free) in exchange for the run of the place for hunting. I would also make it a point to stop in and just visit with them, another plus. Ed

Neighbors like that are worse than no neighbors at all. I can help them move if necessary.

Mike

[Silo]

hehe! thanks Mike. but my luck would be to end up with  even worse ones replacing them. lol!
at least these havnt called the law on me..... yet.

First make sure she understands that you are only shooting those birds that compete with other birds for habitat. Then help her understand that some birds are beneficial while others are not.

   Show her the research you have done on the bird in question and how it affects your immediate ecosystem. Tell her stories of how this particular bird destroys the nests, eggs, habitat of native/beneficial species and how you are ensuring the survival of these native/ beneficial birds. Even if you have to make some stuff up.

   My wife was a diehard anti-gun nut, until I taught her how to shoot. You just have to find a way to ease her into it. Pretty soon she might be spotting for you.

   Finally, admit defeat and shoot them when she's not around. Just be sure to remove the evidence.

Mike

[Silo]

Thanks Mike.... I think I'll stick to the latter though. hehe!
She can shoot, in fact she's very good. She used to be on a shooting team and everything, but she
just loves birds... like she says "even the bad ones"
She grew up in a household that shot / hunted.... I think I can blame this whole thing on her brother
who made her carry all his dead birds when she was little, I find out now that this what started her anti
bird shooting feelings...the Rat!!