Goldfinger Pest Hunt

[longislandhunter]

Today I had the pleasure of getting to meet Joe (joecuz/akitabreeder) and his lovely girlfriend Tanya at Cobra Airguns.  Super nice folks !!  I spent  some time at Cobra visiting with Dave and Joe, looking at all the beautiful airguns and just having a really good time.  While I was there I  decided which airgun is gonna be my next acquisition, which I plan on picking up on my next visit to Cobra.  :)   but that can wait........

After I left Cobra I headed home and planned on stopping by the duck farm for a short pest hunt.  When I got to the farm the wind was really howling and while there were huge flocks of starlings cruising the air space over the farm they were very spooky.  A large flock would descend on a grain feeder and the nearby trees but they would only stay for a few minutes, then they would all flare up, take flight and head for the other end of the farm where they would descend on a different feeder.  Realizing that there was no way I was gonna be able to keep up with the birds if I was out on foot I just parked my truck 30 yards from one of the birds favorite roosting and lookout trees and settled in to wait for some targets.  

For the next hour and 1/2 the routine was the same.....  a flock of birds would land in the tree, I'd stick the goldfinger out the window, pick out a bird and fire.  As soon as I'd fire the entire flock would take flight and speed away, except for the dead one :)  ,,, and then I'd have to wait for another flock to land.  All in all I took 8 shots and nailed 7 birds.  2 of the starlings I nailed did a long death glide into the duck pens so I didn't retrieve them for pics, and the 8th bird actually did take what I thought was a good hit, but he flew away squawking  so I can't add him to the "body count".   One of the birds I nailed was a lone pigeon that came swooping in all by himself,,,, he's resting comfortably in the freezer awaiting a future lunch  :)

Got home and took a couple of pics for my GTA buddies..   Hope ya like em.....  

And Joe,,,,,,,,, it was a distinct pleasure to meet you and your girlfriend today !!!!!   I'm looking forward to us getting together and doing some shooting  :)

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Glad you got over to see Dave and Joe, Jeff. I had the same first impression when they joined the GTA..:) A couple of down to earth guys that love air guns..:) I am jealous though because I did not get to meet you and them a Cobra..:) You got all that Eye Candy and all we got was the take.. hehe

Nice shootin Jeff and as always thank you for sharing with us..:)

PS  You never did say which one was your next baby..:)


Gene

[shadow]

Great shootin again Jeff and I just love the look's of the Goldfinger, she's fine indeed. I must say though the Starling's sure have a nice color to em and the big one in the middle look's like a meal to me.:) You all are killing me, hanging out a Cobra Airguns but I'm moving closer and I plan on making some visit's to fellow member's. :) Great hunt and pic's buddy. Ed

[longislandhunter]

Thanks Gene,,, thanks Ed,,,,,  

I said to Dave today that I just wish I lived a little closer to his store cause I'd be there all the time  !!  There's just something about standing in the middle of the room and everywhere you look all you see is airguns, scopes, pistols, mounts, pellets, air tanks, gun racks, decoys,,, well,,, you get the picture,,,, heck,, if Dave would let me I'd pitch a tent and live there.    

As for the starlings,,, I agree with you Ed.  I know they're a trash bird but I've always admired the beauty of their coloration and especially their yellow tipped beaks.   They are a fine lookin bird for sure.  

As for my next air gun purchase Gene,,,, All I'll say is that I know you already have one,,,,,,but then I don't think there's to many out there that you don't have :)

As soon as I actually get it I'll post some pics........

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Shoot and you are gonna keep us in suspence.. hehe Dang I wish I could spend a hour in Dave's place..:) Guess until Dave opens a place in the south I will just have to dream..:) Guess you were like a kid in a candy store Jeff.. hehe I would of been..:) Gene

[DAMAGE]

Nice shooting Jeff & I agree with you on the nice color of those pests even the pigeon has a nice splash of green in there, It always reminds me of oil spilled on wet concrete and it gives you all those nice colors.
If I can I will try and get a photo of one of our native wood pigeons for ya, At this tome of year they are huge I saw one at our last nationals shoot and when I saw it fly in to land in a tree I actually thought it was a peacock, They are protected now however so are of the hit list.

PS. Jeff I look forward to seeing what your next purchase is going to be, Any hints ???

[longislandhunter]

Thanks Sean,,,,,  I'll bet you guys have a lot of colorful birds over there..

As for a hint,,,,, ok,,,, here ya go,,,,  I won't have to worry about any recoil killing the scope on this rifle...  :)

Jeff

That is a great looking rifle.  Nice kills.

[Dave CAG]

Hi Jeff
Love the pictures: they are pretty birdsbut so are the song birds that are declining because of them
and they can sing. That looks like one happy Gold finger Great story keep them coming

Joe is looking forward to checking out some of the paces you suggested for hunting

It was great to talk to you instead of running from customer to customer (thank god for slow days)
We are going to add a small lounge area for coffee and bagels for all the great air gun stories that need to be told!!
Gene when thislocation is done we will look into South Carolina I love South Carolina and there is lot of air gunning
going on down there.

Dave CAG

L.I.F.T. : Long Island Field Target
Web site: http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/

Each Air Gun should have a purposes it is not all about velocity or power its
about walking away after a day of shooting,Smiling looking down and saying
"God I Love this rifle"

[only1harry]

Jeff,
I enjoyed the story very much and good shooting as usual!  

That R9 keeps looking better and better.  What kind of scope is that on her?  It's the perfect size.

Harry

[longislandhunter]

Thanks,,,, it's the 3x9 Beeman scope that came with the Goldfinger....

Works great,,, I love that rifle.....

Jeff

[crazy4salmon]

No recoil. The dark side is calling? The force is strong in this one. Then again if Gene has one. hmmmmmmm? Anyway nice shooting and that Goldfinger looks sweet. Jeff did you do any trigger work or tune your goldfinger? Or was she a smooth operator out of the box?

Dan L

[longislandhunter]

Hey Dan,

 All I did was take her out of the box, wipe her down with a silicone cloth and start shooting. Even the pre-mounted scope was basically all dialed in. The rifle is smooth as silk straight from the box.. The same is true of my .22 Goldfinger....

Jeff
 

[crazy4salmon]

Thanks for the reply, Jeff. I want a nice out of the box .22 hunter plinker. I dont want to do anything to it, and I want it to look nice. I was even thinking of doing the Discovery thing. Was looking to spend no more than 500 bucks w/scope. Just too many options. No place around here that I can put my hands on any of these nicer rifles. When I get the ready to push the button I think I will ask the GTA family for other option I might not have considered. Springer would be best for those quick shots when targets present themselves outside. hehe

Dan L

A friendly outing for some GTA members and another good hunt on the Island. The colorful pics of the beauty and the birds is bonus to our readers.