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Squirrel Sh&gging
Topic Started: 12th December 2007 - 01:59 AM (191 Views)
photopro
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The Lord works in mysterious ways or so the God botherers would have it. And so it came to pass just as I was eating my breakfast I had a vision, a wonderful vision of me sloping off Benelli semi auto in hand. What could it mean I thought? I rang the golf course and it's a miracle - it's closed !! That meant I could shoot - so I did.
Three weeks ago I did the same only then I took the rimfire, although I got four squirrels I thought the 12g would be a better option.
I parked in the main car park since the members don't bat an eyelid now when they see me and the hardware.
The greenstaff I saw were very pleased to see me though and they really appreciate my pest control efforts. The first wooded area I came to which usually shows one or two squirrels was very quiet so wasting no time I carried on to the waste ground and a favourite squirrel area as the greenstaff dump allsorts of waste material here.
Within about 30 seconds a squirrel took to the trees and promptly plummeted again - after take the contents of a 32g No6 - yep he was sh&gged alright. Further along a second was in a large Sycamore however the first shot only "winged" him and he did the usual trick of hiding behind the trunk of the tree, shuffling round as I walk round to spot him. He was about 25ft up and the scenario was always going to end badly for him, and it did - he was soon bungeeless jumping and I had number two.
The riverside held nothing, I suppose with the trees being bare there was no food and no safe shelter. This is a stark contrast the summer months when squirrels abound here. This is also where they have caused the most damage by bark stripping.
I decided to call in to the workshops where the greenstaff would by now be having their break. This is always a good PR exercise and anyway there is often a cup of tea on the go.
The lads duly obliged with the Rosie Lea and were all interested in the Benelli, so it got passed round for "a go" (unloaded of course).
Back on the course the sun came out and was warming things up, this was bound to bring a few tree rats out. I headed for the edge of a wood and spotted some ground movement, taking a covert route I got very close to a dead cert, I lined up and squeezed the trigger - nothing, no click - nothing. The squirrel had now spotted me and was off. For a second I wondered whether I had a duff cartridge or maybe one of the lads had pull the trigger and the gun needed to be re-cocked . However it wasn't either, one of them had clicked the safety catch on - bug**r !!
I expected nothing else from this section of wood however two squirrels were mooching about at the base of a Horse Chestnut tree and by the time they saw me two shots in quick succession had added two more to the total of four.
I decided to go back to the waste ground. As I neared it I saw a squirrel a the very top of a tall ash tree - he thought he was safe - he thought wrong and thumped the ground with a satisfying thud, now we are five.
Then as this was happening I saw another out of the corner of my eye making for a Scots Pine, whirling round I fired just as it leapt for the tree. Thinking I may have clipped it I circled round the tree from about 20yds away to see if I could spot it. Scots Pines give stacks of cover so I wasn't too optimistic. I was about to give up when I saw his tail curled round a branch his body flattened and motionless. He may have been dead already but he certainly was moments later. So a final total of six, not bad for about two hours and a bit.
I hurried back to the car and made it back with half an hour to spare before I had to see a customer – it’s a hard life !!

*Squizz* *Benelli*

photopro

PS I hope you like the Squizz, I modified a prarie dog.
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bigmart
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Nice story photopro!!! Didn't spraying the trees with No.6 kind of shred them a bit? :unsure:

Sounds like fun though *QQQ*

Cheers

Bigmart
We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful!
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tulkyuk
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Cracking read that Pro - cant beat a day ot the little grey barstewards
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photopro
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Didn't spraying the trees with No.6 kind of shred them a bit? 


It's strange you mention it, I was thinking about that the other day. No they don't get shot to pieces, but I am careful about the shooting. I suspect the squirrels themselves do more damage by bark stripping if left to their own devices.

photopro
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bigmart
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Sounds like a good day's work then!

Might have to add that to my 'things to do today with my gun' list... :D *Benelli*

I guess the rimmie would be quieter but the shottie is probably more satisfying! I'd imagine that after each shot with the 12g the tree rats dive for cover for a while ...

Do you use a 3 shot or an FAC version BTW?
We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful!
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Blazer
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My favorite sport are squirrels photopro, hence this years bag of 388 so far. I carry both a rimmy =12g s/auto (most of the time) with a small scope great in woods. *QQQ* . If they show at 30m its the shotty but @ 60m on the deck its a chance to use the rimmy.

I started to feed them to my cocker Blaze, now when I even come home from work - its like he's on a drugs raid looking for squirrels in the back of my pickup.

Bunked off work yesterday afternoon and shot 2 squirrels, 5 pigeons, 1 crow, took most home for him - ate the lot in 2 days.

Friday is my Dept's xmas dinner function - lets say I have booked an alternative table for one + dog in the woods.

Glad to hear you had a good days 'golfing' , going for a 'birdy' next time?? *good*
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Danger Mouse
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Resident Sea Fishing and Pest Control expert

Well done Pro, nice write up too! One day you might even take your camera with you! It's OK we will let you keep the rights to the photos. :D
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? ....... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

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photopro
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Do you use a 3 shot or an FAC version BTW?


I did consider putting the Benelli onto my Section 1 and then having a 3+1 standard mag option (more with an extended mag) however they take a bit of selling when they are section 1 and for an extra shell I didn't think it was worth it.

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One day you might even take your camera with you!


What !! *aaaa*

I like what I do for a living but if I can't photograph properly i.e. with the pro gear I am not interested. It is too expensive and heavy to cart round with me when I am shooting.

photopro
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