Don't Sleep on Older AGN Hunting Threads...

I'm not sure why, but 2021-2022 has some of the best AGN hunting threads I've read. Thankfully I was able to be a part of that era. We had guys nailing everything from chipmunks, raccoons, squirrels, and woodchucks to hogs, coyotes, nutria, deer and more. Then the pesters were going crazy on starlings, rats, grounds squirrels and more. I may have to start compiling some of my favorite threads from that period. Maybe it was due in part to the pandemic shutdowns. I'm not sure, but we had a nice crop of airgun hunters. The one's I can think of are @gendoc, @Cheplicki, @AncientSword, @davidsng, @jwrabbit123, @Emu, @Flintsack, @sasquatch, @Monkyshine, @L.Leon, @Max115, @N2 Shooter, @Blackpaw, @Dairyboy, @dizzums, @Gerry52, @orion, Dana from Mountain Sport Airguns (he no longer has an AGN account, but still has a YouTUbe channel. His threads and videos have the username "Removed" on AGN) and more. Some folks had different user names back then, but it was a very active and memorable era. I know I left some folks out because I'm not recalling everyone off of the top off my head. I went back and reviewed threads from page 65 to around page 109 in the "Hunting" forum this evening. Good stuff. I got a bit nostalgic reading some of my older threads. I'm glad I documented some of my activity and shared it with y'all. One thread in particular was some of the best time I've ever spent airgun hunting. I learned a lot and some members were extremely helpful in my learning. For those that were around and participated in the beaver thread, thank you all for being a part of it. I loved it!! If you go back and read some these guy's threads, you'll probably learn some things. You will definitely be entertained if you're into hunting and outdoors. I don't know what's going on right now, but I'd like to see an uptick in the "hunting" forum. Some variety and excitement. Many of us used to get excited to be outside and excited for one another. I miss that. I dont' know what to expect in response to this post. It was just something on my mind.
 
Last edited:
Let me show y'all some of the types of hunting threads I'm talking about. These posts and threads require time to read them, time to review photos, and time to watch videos if a video is included. This is what our forums are good for. We archive information here. Some of it is absolutely excellent information, but you have to read to determine its value to you.

Deer taken with AEA Max HP .357 by @Cheplicki https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/aea-hp-max-357-first-deer-ever.1223752/

Zeus .58 cal Deer hunt (140 yards) by @Cheplicki https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/zeus-58cal-140-yards.1266145/

"Uragan 30 Has What it Takes" deer hunting thread with pics by @gendoc https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/uragan-30-has-what-it-takes.1171861/#post-1172708

Hog hunting thread by @Rallyshark https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/got-another-hog-with-the-maverick.1240376/

Florida Hog Hunt thread by @AncientSword https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/hunting-hogs-in-fl.1184185/

"Recent Boar Hunt" video link within thread by @Kaeokini https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/recent-boar-hunt.1054750/

Turkey hunt with Umarex Air Saber by @dagwodzz https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/wile-e-coyote-the-road-runner.1254158/

"Turkey Hunting with Taipans in Idaho" by @Vitals2k https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/turkey-hunting-with-taipans-in-idaho.1132251/

"Fall Turkey Hunting Success" thread by @Steelhead707 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/fall-turkey-opener-success.1127398/
This guy can tell a story!!

"Turkey Opener, NorCal East Bay" thread with link to video and photos by @0akhonor https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/turkey-opener-norcal-east-bay.1128029/

Ground squirrel pesting in a winery by @Gerry52 and @pesty3782 How many can say they are pesting in a winery? https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/compilation-of-winery-pesting-5-15-22-with-pesty3782.1256308/ one squirrel started moon walking on camera.

"Sniping Tree Rat/Daystate" (Regal .22) thread with beautiful photos by @dagwodzz https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/snyping-tree-rats-daystate.1145678/

"Sliced Him Sideways" groundhog pesting by @N2 Shooter https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/sliced-him-sideways.1269479/
When he used these visual and sound effects, I knew a groundhog was about to get anchored. Between his Maverick and Bulldog, he is hell on groundhogs!! Good slow motion and video production too.

70 yard shot on a ground squirrel with 10 mph crosswind w/ FX Maverick Compact .30 by @CoyoteGod https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/might-be-my-best-shot-of-the-squirrel-season.1261804/

"76 Yards Off hand Out the Window 177 Redwolf" thread w/pics by @Flintsack This guy's skills are amazing. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/76-yards-off-hand-out-the-window-177-red-wolf.1279126/

400 yard shot on a prairie dog w/.30 FX Impact by @rappert https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/yay-400-yard-prairie-dog.1267530/ 400 yards?!!

Iguanas Invading my Home video by @orion https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/total-disrespect-iguanas-invading-my-home.1264616/ This guy created his own super clear film-through-scope system and has great video production quality. The Image quality is insane!!
Another video by @orion "First Outing with Maverick, got 72 Iguanas" https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/first-outing-with-maverick-got-72-iguanas.1001005/

Pesting Rats at a Commercial Farm w/HW100 in .22 caliber. Almost 50 rats taken in this session. Thread w/video by @Max115 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/almost-50-rats-shot.1268204/

"First Trip Out for Rats with the Leshiy 2" thread w/video link by @Glem.Chally https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/first-trip-out-for-rats-with-the-leshiy-2.1089288/

“300 Pests Down for My Atomic” by @L.Leon
Who else recalls when he first went nuclear? And about 6 months later over 300 pests down! Using cheap CPHP pellets at that.

"The 1949 Sheridan “B” PCP Super Grade - gruesome ghastly pics…chipmunk"
thread w/photos by @Flintsack https://www.airgunnation.com/thread...grade-gruesome-ghastly-pics-chipmunk.1269077/ This man has one of the most eclectic airgun collections I've seen used on AGN. Absolutely gorgeous guns (some look like heirloom collector's items) that he uses!! If you search through some of his older posts, you’ll see that he shoots at some pretty extreme ranges on paper as well.

"Groundhog vs the 97k" by @Sqwirl57 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/groundhog-vs-the-97k.1269206/ Shooting groundhogs with a springer? Show me recent hunting threads like this.

How can I forget @JFCHARRUA of Uruguay!!? He had some pretty amazing hog hunts filmed using a Huben K1. I don't know what those big guns are in these photos. His production is well put together. Those Huben hunts were the most memorable for me. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/hi-and-hog-hunting-from-a-far-away-land.759170/
Here's one of my favorite of his Huben K1 .22 hog hunts https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/one-more-wild-boar-for-the-huben-22.1122045/

"Caught this fugger chewing on the fiber optic lines!" thread w/video by @Dr. Kralenstein
I had to laugh at this one because I'd have laid him out too. I was actually hoping he hit him with a Texas heart shot. I can't stand when they start destroying stuff by chewing on them.

".20 Caliber Pesting Compilation" (w/.20 Daystate Huntsman) by @intenseaty22 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/20-caliber-pesting-compilation.1269371/
You just don't see much hunting and pesting done with a .20 caliber these days.

"Couple Pests..." thread and photos by @Franklink shooting a custom .20 cal Taipan Veteran. https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/couple-pests.1089821/

"Long Range Rabbit Control in the Wind" thread w/video link by @247sniper https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/long-range-rabbit-control-in-the-wind.1258248/
These are some long shots with a .25 Impact 700mm liner. Sheesh!! He starches them. The Brits don't play, even with their power restrictions. @ZekeZX10 this seems like this would be right up your alley.

"Great Day in the Woods" thread by @Jammin22 It looks like he limited out in less than an hour with his Huben K1 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/great-day-in-woods.1157729/

"A Good Afternoon Hunt with a Springer..." thread with photos by @TiredRooster and his HW97 .22 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/a-good-afternoon-hunt-with-the-springer.1143101/

"Pitbull vs Coyote" thread w/pics by @bd2021 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/pitbull-v-coyote.1154823/

"First Coyote with My Truck Gun" thread w/video by @davidsng https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/first-coyote-with-my-truck-gun.1166418/
I think this is around the time we found out how crapphy those AEA mags are.

Coyote down w/.30 FX Power Pup and thermal scope by @Monkyshine https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/coyote-down-4am.1257699/ SHUT HIM DOWN! For all of you "I want to know what to use for a coyote gun" guys, go back and search the AGN hunting threads. There's good info in them.

"coyotes breeching the front line , Ohh no I have to set up a 30cal quick EVOL" thread w/photos by @jwrabbit123 R.I.P. Titus the little hunting hound.

"First Dairy Pest Control Video 2022" thread w/video by @hawkeye69 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/first-dairy-pest-control-video-on-2022.1163366/
This dairy has a real problem with these pest birds. This is an airgun pester's wet dream.

"Back in the Saddle at the Dairy" dairy pesting thread by @Blackpaw and his friend @Vitals2k https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/back-in-the-saddle-at-the-dairy.1136468/

"RTI Prophet Starling Smackdown" thread by @Hoytwon https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/rti-prophet-starling-smack-down.1161669/

"2021 Texas Cull Hunt" thread with video, explanations, and photos by @zx10wall Watch him take care of some herd management with a Pitbull modified Bulldog .357 carbine https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/2021-texas-cull-hunt.1153794/

"Uragan King 30 Night Time Beaver Hunting" thread with link to video by @Pysiths https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/uragan-king-30-night-time-beaver-hunting.1009797/ This is an impressive shot.

“Backyard Nutria Rat Hunting Adventure” thread with several video links by @Chris_Hoek. Folks this man had an ongoing hunting thread from 2019-2021!! I miss those types of threads.

So you’re not a big reader. Take a look at
“Photo Thread: Quarry and the Airgun that Took It”

So many that are slept on after time passes. These are some of the guys to learn from. Others are no longer active on AGN. I miss reading and viewing some of these guys' posts.
 
Last edited:
Wow. That's a lot of material to get through. I'm curious what folks are using for backyard racoon hunting in an urban neighborhood? Air gun? Lights? Scope?
@DawgDoctor Use “raccoon backyard” as keywords and try conducting an AGN search. Good info abounds in older hunting threads. You’ll often have to sift through them to find what you’re seeking, but this is how you learn what’s hidden beneath current threads. If you need help using the AGN search function feel free to PM me.

The 1st result yielded this thread. See post #20.

Here’s a thread where I shot a young raccoon while hunting squirrel.
 
Last edited:
I think that some of these educational threads should’ve been AGN ”Hunting” forum stickies.

“Skeltonized Skulls Fantastic Teaching Tools for Brain Shots: Warning Graphic!” thread by @AirNGasman is a great discussion on shot placement with excellent photographs.

“Brain Shots” by @markT was another informative post on shot placement distinguishing head shots from brain shots.

“Anatomy of a Well Placed Body Shot” thread w/photos by @intenseaty22. Great discussion regarding shots to the vitals of squirrels in this thread.


I also appreciate the discussions about poorly placed shots or not so good days afield and how to handle them. No one is perfect and hardly anyone kills something on every hunting outing.

“Unclean Kill Shots” thread by @L.Leon

“For Every Hero Story, There’s a Zero Story” an excellent write up on a disappointing day hunting turkeys in the hills of California by @Steelhead707 (this man can write!!)
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Wow. That's a lot of material to get through. I'm curious what folks are using for backyard racoon hunting in an urban neighborhood? Air gun? Lights? Scope?
I have only shot 2 coons so take my comments as impressions not experience. Key points: Minimum caliber .25; night vision scope (thermal or infrared); shot placement; muzzle energy; backdrop and angle of shot for safety of neighbors and their property.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DawgDoctor
Wow. That's a lot of material to get through. I'm curious what folks are using for backyard racoon hunting in an urban neighborhood? Air gun? Lights? Scope?
I have used my 18 fpe .22 AA S510 to kill coons at 20 yds and my crown mk2 .25 with a 380mm barrel set at 35 fpe. Both deadly and quiet shots but with coons you will get allot of noise from the death dance when taking head shots. The only coon that I gave a brain shot and not dance was with the 35 fpe .25. Not sure if it was luck but I suspect the pellet made it to the spine after passing thru the brain on a frontal shot and paralyzed the body. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. I have a pic of 5 coons laying dead under a tree from the AA S510 for anyone who doubts the effectiveness of a .22 @ 18 fpe for coons. The thread detailing that encounter is posted in the hunting forum but prior to 2021.
 
Last edited: