What time do you go out ratting?

[appletree318is 21]

Ive got a bit of land that i can shoot on and the keeper has said theres quite a few rats about. He's seen a few in the day time an theres also quite alot of droppings about aswell.

 

I went up before christmas in the cold spell and got 6 in an hour from 7-8pm however i have been out twice now and baited the area up but i haven't even seen one.

 

The keeper said they might have got used to me going up there but im shooting with night vision and have left it a week or so before going back.

 

I was just wondering 7-8 was prehaps to early?

 

Any advise would be appreciaited

 

Matt

[zini 1,939]

As soon as it gets quite in the area the rats are located.

 

They seem to come out more in the dark as they feel safer, but will be out in the day if the area is quiet.

 

Si.

Edited January 3, 2013 by zini

[woodcote1 88]

Set yourself up half an hour before dark and be silent. If there are rats about then they will soon start to appear. Using a nv monocular can be better for scanning the area than a lamp.

[Thynne 2]

I know the problem. You go and shoot between certain times and see rats then go back at the same and there is nothing. Sometimes they just seem to change the time they are active for no apparent reason (i.e. not been disturbed more than usual). I think they may change their behaviour for all sorts of reasons (recent cats/dogs/fox experiences), a change in feeding routine of livestock etc etc, but my best guess is it something to do with weather/atmospheric conditions. As long as you're sure they are still there (not been poisoned out)? the best bet is to try a bit later in the evening. Basically rats will be active 24/7 but as previous poster says, more so at night and at later times when they would not expect any disturbance.

[Acuspell 329]

And when he says quiet - he also means STOCK STILL....no fidgeting. the number of people who I take out and ask them to stay quiet roosting pigeons - and they are like bloody jack-in-the-boxes! Hands and heads moving all over the place...I ask them to be still and they reply "I am"........still means, still like a corpse. Any movement needs to be VERY slow - lifting your hand to scratch your nose should take no less than 5 seconds....SSSSSsllllooooowwwwww Same with head movements, swivel your eyes in their sockets, that is what they are designed to do. Moving your head needs to be as slow as scratching your nose.

 

Take the sling off your rifle - the swivels rattle. Damnable things, slings. Ok for walking across the hill of fields, but once there mine gets hung on the gate post and collected on the way back, swivels and all. Carried in the crook of my left arm like a baby - you will not trip or fall because you are not moving fast enough to!

[optelic2 48]

Good advice already on here. I shoot as soon as it starting to get dark partly because the farmyard isnt as busy and as already stated keeping as quiet as possible is the best tactic. I tend to wait at know hotspots shooting off sticks or if possible (lazy version!) from my truck window.

[Probuk 93]

There might be one or two other lads doing the same thing on the same permission, another thing to remember is your not the only thing hunting rats at night. Cat's Owel's & Old Red are all after a meal, & rats in farm's must be the same as nipping to the nearest takeaway for a hungrey preditor...unfortunatley for them.... without salt and vinigar or garlic mayo or even curry sauce However a tastey bit of scoff for animal trying to survive winter.

 

If you bait up..dont over bait your spots, its easer tell if you've had a customer. & if you can, use what there taking..barley, cow pellets & milk powder's for youg calfs, chiken & duck egg's.

 

The rats are there for 3 reason's.

 

Warm Shelter.

 

Rear there Young.

 

FOOD.

 

Good Luck

 

Marty.

[appletree318is 21]

Thanks for all the advise guys, I'm the only one shooting there but there is the odd car about while I've been there so might try coming up abit later when the cars are all parked up.

 

Also think ill have ago at shooting from.sticks as I've been sat in the van shooting out the window and I'm wondering of the light from the night vision is lighting up the inside.

[j j m 6,533]

When all is quite