C02 Hunt

[longislandhunter]

It was 70 degrees here today so I decided to grab my .177 and .22 cal Flying Dragon tuned QB-78D's and head for the duck farm.  During the winter I took off the 4x scopes that I had on the rifles and replaced them with a leapers 3x9x32 AO which I put on the .22 and a Centerpoint 3x9x40 AO that I put on the .177  I needed to sight in both scopes so my plan was to get them both sighted in and then do some pest shooting.  

The wind was really blowing at the farm so I set up all my gear inside one of the large barns, paced off 30 yards and set to the task.  I sighted the .177 in with the CPL's that she loves so much and the .22 with the Predator pellets that she loves.  Didn't take long before  both rifles were shooting beautiful dead center bullseye ragged hole groups so I ended the target session and prepared to go huntin :)

There were some good numbers of starlings hanging out at the farm so I decided to arm myself with the .177 and see if I could rid the planet of a few yellow beaks.  Well, I did get a few shots but I missed em all clean,, except of course for the one starling that did take a hit but flew away squawking loudly.  AS I walked the farm I spotted a large flock of pigeons on the ground pecking away near one of the grain feeders so I slowly made my way to a shooting position about 45 yards from the birds.

I wound up getting 4 or 5 shots at the pigeons.  I would shoot,, and miss,,,, they would fly off,,, buzz the field and then land.   I'd shoot again,, and miss again  :(  and we'd play out the same scene all over again.  I'd like to blame the wind for all my misses today but I can't.  I'm sure it played a part but I was just having one of those days and just couldn't seem to hit anything I aimed at.  I did finally manage to nail 1 lone sparrow with a nice 25 yard head shot,,,,, but I"m not bragging about that cause I wasn't aiming for the head,,,, it just happened  :)

I finished out the day by swapping the .177 for the .22 and setting up in a well concealed sniping location 20 yards away from the burrow of the smartest G-hog on the farm.  This G-hog and I battled wits and skills all last year,,,,, with the G-hog being the clear winner,,,,, and our duel continues.   I sat in my blind for almost an hour and 1/2 watching him periodically poke his head out of the hole and scan  360 degrees for danger.  Only once did he appear to be getting ready to actually come all the way out and give a good clear, away from the hole, shot  but once again his nervous nature got the better of him and he popped back down the hole.  I conceded todays contest to the G-hog and called it a day.  Tomorrow the game will continue  :)

On a side note,,,, as I was pulling into my driveway upon my return from the duck farm I spotted a large G-hog feasting on my fast growing backyard grass.  He stopped eating, turned quickly and raced directly for my shed,,,, disappearing underneath it.  Well, not squatters are permitted so he's gotta go  :)  I may get up real early tomorrow and see if I can give him his eviction notice,,, courtesy of my new Talon .22  :)

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Well Jeff, I would say you are still on top of your game. No worries for you will probably bring home some fresh viddles for the freezer or dinner table tomorrow. I like the idea of taking that G-Hog out wiff the Talon..:).. He will not know what hit him.. hehe

Good luck tomorrow buddy.

Gene

[only1harry]

Oh well we 've all had a day like that Jeff, but I enjoyed the story very much.  

I 'm actually surprised you went after a g-hog with a CO2 gun.  You said it's tuned.  How much velocity or power does it have, do you know?  
I 've been looking at my groundhogs digging new holes and feasting on my grass for almost 2 weeks now and can't do anything about it.  My trusty 350 .22 is still not back from an adv.tune.  I did grab the 12fpe 850 .22 a couple of times when the g-hog came within 25yds of my window but I controlled myself and put it down.  If he came within 15yds I wouldn't hesitate putting one right in his brain.  I think the 850 should have enough power to cause some fatal damage at that distance, but probably not before he runs down the hole.  2 of them have managed to dig a hole about every 20ft now so they have plenty of escape routes.  I have never seen them dig that many holes before.  I think they might be yearlings (although they look pretty big) that got evicted by their parents in neighboring houses.  This neighborhood is crawling with them.  I have shot so many of them but their #'s still look healthy.  Oh well I don't mind, more targets for me to shoot at :)  They are very challenging to hunt and I like that.

Hang in there Jeff, you 'll get that smart g-hog!  Maybe you had the wind behind you and he could smell you?  I know how nervous they are.  I 'll open my window slowly, and with the slightest sound, the g-hog 45-50yds away will stand up and look around at the opposite direction having no clue where that sound came from, and that's enough to make him run down the hole.

[shadow]

Just great getting out there though buddy, nice account of your hunt thank's for sharing. I've been busy at work and still working on the shop but been working on a couple G-hog's myself, they've also camped out under my friend's shed. I spend a few hour's everday after work in the stick's by the shed just waiting, one peaked out the other day but not far enough to make a clear clean shot. We'll get em. Ed

[Big_Bill]

Your a Good Man Jeff,

Great account of your day at the farm ! The only way to determine success, is how much fun you had :-)

A day in the fields, is better than a month with a Therapist ! Did you ever notice how The rapist is spelled ??? Hummmmm ?

Bill

[longislandhunter]

Harry,,

My .22 QB78-D was shooting 700 FPS the last time I chrony'd it. That was with the Predator pellets that she's sighted in for. The rifle is so accurate I knew if I got clean shot at that smart old G-hog that I could put a predator right where it needs to go and take him out quick :)

I've already taken a large G-hog with the rifle (last year) and it stopped em cold.....

Jeff

[hunter78]

those G-hogs sure know who's the boss around town don't they (run for cover G-hogs run) HaHaHa!