PlumpLee 2 Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 I got up rather early this morning and it was worth it... I got to the hide I had prepared a couple of weeks ago at around 5:30am, it was just about light enough to see my hands so I put the hide-net up that acts as my roof and got comfortable. Straight away I opened my ears only to get deafened by the sound of morning songs, sung by a variety of birds. The woods were alive and I had a good feeling. After about 15mins of first light I heard a great crash in the leaves behind then the corner of my eye caught sight of what at first I thought could be a bunny untill he ran down infront of the hide at speed to crash into another fellow tree rat! My heart got faster as I could see 'in range' these two squirrels play fight, within seconds the fight was over and I lost sight of one squirrel whilst concentrating on the other running back up the tree and coming to rest sitting on a branch munching on a acorn. Now I thought "I've got you'! Where the squirrel sat wasn't a good shot as I had a few branches between but I was now settled and in the ready position so I tracked him till he decided to jump on a closer tree and head down to the floor. He paused about 2ft from the floor and as I calmed my bouncing heart and thought about taking a shot he zoomed to the floor grabed a quick nut then zipped back to about 6ft up the tree trunk. This guy is stealing his buddy's breakfast ! Well now I can see how they earn the title of tree Rat! He had paused for too long at this point as I was now aimed up on him and before he could run back up to branch land my heart practically stopped. I take one last look into his eye as the pellet travels through the air and my ears are again awakened with the sound of a positive hit, he disappears from the sight falling to the base of the tree... I have to take a moment... I gather my thoughts and decide that is enough for today. I could stay and wait for another victim but I'm buzzing with excitement. This is my first real kill, and with a new gun. I have had a 177. For about a year but the only vermin I had shot with it are mice! I've owned a Air Arms S510 ultimate sporter for a week and today got it christened.!. I'm leaving the hide for a while too, letting the fresh spring growth take effect. So early as it is, I decide to pack up and adopt my butchering outfit in order to field dress my catch! I have never done anything like that before either, I don't even remember dissecting in science class at all! But it's amazing what you can find on the Internet ? 2 Quote Link to post
Tron 173 Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) I got up rather early this morning and it was worth it... I got to the hide I had prepared a couple of weeks ago at around 5:30am, it was just about light enough to see my hands so I put the hide-net up that acts as my roof and got comfortable. Straight away I opened my ears only to get deafened by the sound of morning songs, sung by a variety of birds. The woods were alive and I had a good feeling. After about 15mins of first light I heard a great crash in the leaves behind then the corner of my eye caught sight of what at first I thought could be a bunny untill he ran down infront of the hide at speed to crash into another fellow tree rat! My heart got faster as I could see 'in range' these two squirrels play fight, within seconds the fight was over and I lost sight of one squirrel whilst concentrating on the other running back up the tree and coming to rest sitting on a branch munching on a acorn. Now I thought "I've got you'! Where the squirrel sat wasn't a good shot as I had a few branches between but I was now settled and in the ready position so I tracked him till he decided to jump on a closer tree and head down to the floor. He paused about 2ft from the floor and as I calmed my bouncing heart and thought about taking a shot he zoomed to the floor grabed a quick nut then zipped back to about 6ft up the tree trunk. This guy is stealing his buddy's breakfast ! Well now I can see how they earn the title of tree Rat! He had paused for too long at this point as I was now aimed up on him and before he could run back up to branch land my heart practically stopped. I take one last look into his eye as the pellet travels through the air and my ears are again awakened with the sound of a positive hit, he disappears from the sight falling to the base of the tree... I have to take a moment... I gather my thoughts and decide that is enough for today. I could stay and wait for another victim but I'm buzzing with excitement. This is my first real kill, and with a new gun. I have had a 177. For about a year but the only vermin I had shot with it are mice! I've owned a Air Arms S510 ultimate sporter for a week and today got it christened.!. I'm leaving the hide for a while too, letting the fresh spring growth take effect. So early as it is, I decide to pack up and adopt my butchering outfit in order to field dress my catch! I have never done anything like that before either, I don't even remember dissecting in science class at all! But it's amazing what you can find on the Internet Well done on your first kill but I am a little amazed you heard a "Great crash!" in the leaves behind you, as down here in Shropshire there isnt any leaves on the trees although there should be in the next 2 or 3 weeks. Edited March 18, 2014 by Tron Quote Link to post
bigmac 97kt 13,776 Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Well that your first now go get the rest well dun bud atvb mac :thumbs: Quote Link to post
rabbitcatcher 1 287 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 I got up rather early this morning and it was worth it... I got to the hide I had prepared a couple of weeks ago at around 5:30am, it was just about light enough to see my hands so I put the hide-net up that acts as my roof and got comfortable. Straight away I opened my ears only to get deafened by the sound of morning songs, sung by a variety of birds. The woods were alive and I had a good feeling. After about 15mins of first light I heard a great crash in the leaves behind then the corner of my eye caught sight of what at first I thought could be a bunny untill he ran down infront of the hide at speed to crash into another fellow tree rat! My heart got faster as I could see 'in range' these two squirrels play fight, within seconds the fight was over and I lost sight of one squirrel whilst concentrating on the other running back up the tree and coming to rest sitting on a branch munching on a acorn. Now I thought "I've got you'! Where the squirrel sat wasn't a good shot as I had a few branches between but I was now settled and in the ready position so I tracked him till he decided to jump on a closer tree and head down to the floor. He paused about 2ft from the floor and as I calmed my bouncing heart and thought about taking a shot he zoomed to the floor grabed a quick nut then zipped back to about 6ft up the tree trunk. This guy is stealing his buddy's breakfast ! Well now I can see how they earn the title of tree Rat! He had paused for too long at this point as I was now aimed up on him and before he could run back up to branch land my heart practically stopped. I take one last look into his eye as the pellet travels through the air and my ears are again awakened with the sound of a positive hit, he disappears from the sight falling to the base of the tree... I have to take a moment... I gather my thoughts and decide that is enough for today. I could stay and wait for another victim but I'm buzzing with excitement. This is my first real kill, and with a new gun. I have had a 177. For about a year but the only vermin I had shot with it are mice! I've owned a Air Arms S510 ultimate sporter for a week and today got it christened.!. I'm leaving the hide for a while too, letting the fresh spring growth take effect. So early as it is, I decide to pack up and adopt my butchering outfit in order to field dress my catch! I have never done anything like that before either, I don't even remember dissecting in science class at all! But it's amazing what you can find on the Internet Well done on your first kill but I am a little amazed you heard a "Great crash!" in the leaves behind you, as down here in Shropshire there isnt any leaves on the trees although there should be in the next 2 or 3 weeks. Maybe it crashed into the leaves on the ground as it came down from the tree behind? Quote Link to post
secretagentmole 1,701 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Just you wait till you try to get the little beggar out of his fur coat! Quote Link to post
mattybugeye 884 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 Nice write up And good shooting Quote Link to post
stubby 175 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 sounds great, but having gone to the trouble of building a hide, why not go that one step further and build a few squirrel feeding stations, Quote Link to post
j j m 6,533 Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 good write up well done bud Quote Link to post
The one 8,463 Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Nice read mate Quote Link to post
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