July Jack

[PBJ]

I was going up my drive after work and I noticed a good sized jackrabbit sitting under a bush in the south wash. I pulled over and idled the truck and he just stared at me. I don't usually bother to park and get the downstairs gun of the week out as they tend to run the minute you get out of the truck but it was so hot, I thought he might hold. I loaded the Gamo 440 and took two steps out of the garage; he was still there so I walked another couple yards to get a clear shot and let fly an offhand shot. Twang-thud and he did 10 or twelve cartwheels in the air and then laid down with a twitch or two and that was it. Have to tell you the truth, I shoot about as well in terms of hunting success without a scope as with one. The stock sights on this gun were so bright with the sun behind the jack that it took a minute to get a good sight picture.  I really appreciate that Gene C. sold me this 440; it is light, has a great stock and shoots as well as anything I own. Here are the stats:
Date/Time: July 23rd @ 6:15PM
Wind: still
Gun: Gamo 440 in .177 - tune & trigger by CDT
Sights: open (stock Gamo)
Pellet: Crossman Premier Lite at 7.9 grs
Distance: Measured 38 yards
Shots: One

[Gene_SC]

Hi Bob

I thought that springer looked familiar...:) Great shootin buddy..

Gene

[shadow]

Great shot and pic Bob, the jack and that sweet shooter look cozy together. Ed

[leftcoast1]

Way to go man. That is the only thing I miss about being stationed in Cali. We used to go out after work to the foothills in the oil fields and shoot those nasty things till dark. We used .22 rimfire though. Longest shot was a running jack at 107 yards one shot. Now that I'm back into the airguns I miss not having live rodent to plink at.

PS I love the fact that he is hugging the Reaper. Hehehe

[PBJ]

It does seem like he is giving the Gamo a hug!!! It has not rained even a half inch yet this year here in the high desert. All the game is hurting. Our dove and quail pairs had one or two chicks at most. Many pairs did not nest. I feed all year but their biological computer says not to lay eggs. The cottontails last year were out every day by the dozens but this summer I can go several days and see not one bunny. The jacks are hanging tough but they are so hungy they are eating my Cholla cactus at the base (and killing them to boot). I prefer airguns, especially as it is getting hard to find a place to shoot even 22 shorts. Hope you find some game to hunt!!

[Big_Bill]

WoW Bob,

That's one big mean lookin rabbit !

Good shootin, I bet the coyotes give them a wide birth...lol

[dw33]

Good shooting.  Seeing a lot of jacks out there this year?  Thanks

Add on:  Just read your post above about very little cottontails.  Hope it rains soon.

[PBJ]

Bill, I have a "feeding" station for the yotes in my neck of the woods. They come by every night and eat whatever I shoot. On their own, they seem to be doing quite well on small dogs and stray cats as I have never seen one of either breed in four years here!! Say what you will about coyotes, they keep the area clean of carrion and road kill.

[PBJ]

The jacks are still pretty abundant, they are way smarter than cottontails and so do not get lunched by cars and seem to avoid the natural predators. I went horseback riding on Saturday and the only thing I saw were a few quail and about 6 jackrabbits. There were 15 horses/riders  and boy did the jacks take off when we went by. Around here they frown on offroad vehilces but the equestrians can go just about anywhere. Hunting from horseback is nice as you can cover a lot of ground in a day.

[dw33]

Having a horse would be nice.  Cover a lot of ground that way.