It was very cold here today, in the low teens most of the day with a brisk skin numbing wind, but me and the .22 cal Panther went hunting. During the first part of the morning I tried 2 different woodlots near my house and while I saw plenty of squirrel sign I never did see a squirrel. After thoroughly combing both sets of woods I decided to head home, get my rubber boots and head over to the duck farm to see what targets I might find there.
I arrived at the farm to see several huge flocks of starlings roosted in several different locations around the farm. Just as I was thinking that I had hit the jackpot I had my bubble burst when I heard the distinctive sound of a shotgun being fired. I looked around the farm and sure enough one of the other regular hunters at the farm blasting away at flying starlings with his shotgun. I knew his activities would keep the starlings from sitting anywhere long enough for successful air gun hunting, so I decided to head for the other end of the farm, far away from him and his loud powder burning weapon and see if I could find some squirrels or rabbits in the woods bordering the farm.
I slowly worked the woods at the edge of the farm but after an hour and 1/2 I had yet to find a target. As I was standing inside a small group of trees I saw some starlings land in the branches of a large maple tree that was 30 yards away. I picked out a bird at the very top of the tree, put the crosshairs of the Leapers 3x9x32 on his chest and pulled the Panthers trigger. I was immediately rewarded with a loud "POP" and the starling fell like a stone. Picked up the bird and saw that the .22 cal Crosman Hollow Point had entered the chest, passed through the bird and blasted out his back leaving a gaping hole. Well, at least the day wasn't a total loss. :)
As I was walking back through the farm towards my truck I suddenly saw a pigeon pecking away at the ground inside one of the duck pens. The bird was about 75 yards away and I doubted he'd let me get very close but I decided to make a slow stalk anyway. Walking very slowly, moving only when the birds head was down pecking at the ground, I managed to get within 40 yards. I didn't want to take a chance of spooking him by getting any closer so I decided to just take the shot. At this point the bird was facing away from me which gave me his entire back as a target. I put the crosshairs of the scope at the base of his neck and pulled the trigger. Heard that same loud "POP" and the pigeon rolled over on his side, flapped his wings a couple of times and then gave up the ghost. The Panther is fast becoming one of my favorites and is certainly gettin the job done well. Picked up my trophy and headed home to take some pics for my GTA huntin buddies :)
Jeff
