I think I can't hunt anymore

[JimD]

Most of the pellets I shoot are at a 30 yard challenge ot a 30 yard Masters target. I have to shoot from my side porch to have 30 yards in my backyard but it works well for me. I also have large oak trees, however, and I take a few squirrels each year. I cooked 10 of them yesterday. The only hard part of cleaning them is getting g the skin off. There are youtube videos on it. The method I use is to make a cut all the way around the squirrel in the middle. Then I hook fingers in the incision and pull towards the ends of the squirrel. Once the skin is removed I cut off the legs and the back part of the back. The rest goes into the trash. To cook I put the pieces into a pressure cooker and steam them for an hour. I put BBQ sauce on them as I eat them. I like mac and cheese and brocolli with the squirrel.

 

[Vana2]

I hunted my whole life - small game, waterfowl, and deer. Slingshots to bows to airguns to powder burners and then back to bows to slingshots and airguns.

Now the deer on my property all have names and come to me when I call them. The ducks and geese on the pond are comfortable with me close by as are most of the other critters that live here. Over 60 bird species here, some are "tame" enough to eat out of my hand.

I'm required to do some pesting around the house and I will "invite" a couple of squirrels for dinner once in a while but I don't hunt anymore.

As a predator at heart, I do miss getting out with the guys deer hunting on a cool fall morning. Find that I enjoy interacting with the wildlife more that I like eating it

I've always loved shooting. Now instead of hunting I plink, target shoot and go on walkabouts with my springers looking for acorns and other small targets of opportunity.

Nothing wrong with not hunting, it's not like we need to hunt to survive anymore.

Shoot straight, be safe!

Cheers!

 

[Perle]

I won’t kill anything anymore …not for sport.
Now if it poses real property damage or danger then of course I’d shoot / kill

Killing just to kill or “ sight “ in their gun on a kill …. Can’t and won’t do it.
Not anymore. People grow up

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

I used to really enjoy hunting, but now I get frustrated of shooting small animals. I used to drive an hour and a half every weekend with my partner to hunt, mostly small game (mostly squirrels). At that time, I dreamed of having a backyard and putting some food in there to attract small animals and then hunt them, like many Youtubers do. Now I have such conditions, but I feel sad about hunting them and wathc them diying. I don't know what makes me changed, but I still love to shoot. I only have a distance of 15 yards (from my back door) and 30 yards (from my front door). What kind of shooting challenges should I do to get more fun? Thanks guys.

Smaller targets and shooting offhand using open or peep sights.
Like a target like this:

 

[cahil_2]

You don’t have to clean paper targets.

 

[Blue Dog]

Worth reading…
Merry Christmas Cull Masters


The Cullmasters: Guardians of Oregon's Farms
In the heart of Oregon, a unique team known as the Cullmasters has emerged, united by their passion for precharged pneumatic air rifles. This diverse group, with members ranging from 30 to 80 years old, shares a common goal: to protect the small farms and dairies throughout Central Oregon, the Willamette Valley, and the North Coast from pests.
Dressed in their distinctive burnt orange team shirts, emblazoned with their names and sponsors on the shoulders, the Cullmasters are a sight to behold. Their air rifles, equipped with the latest technological advancements, offer a safer alternative to traditional firearms, making them the preferred choice for many farmers.
Each spring, the Cullmasters' reputation grows, attracting new clients eager to benefit from their expertise. They travel across central Oregon, targeting Belding's ground squirrels and rock chucks that threaten the crops of mini farms. Their journey doesn't stop there; they also venture into the Willamette Valley, where they help control the populations of starlings and grey digger squirrels. On the coast, dairy farms welcome the Cullmasters to rid their properties of pigeons and starlings, which can spread disease among the cows.
After a day of culling, the team gathers for a BBQ, celebrating their successes and sharing stories of the day's best shots. The camaraderie among the Cullmasters is palpable as they enjoy each other's company, relishing the satisfaction of a job well done.
Around the BBQ, tales of precision shots and near-misses are recounted with enthusiasm. Laughter and good-natured ribbing fill the air, strengthening the bonds between team members. For the Cullmasters, these evenings are more than just a chance to unwind; they are a testament to the joy of doing what they love, together.
In the end, the Cullmasters are more than just a team; they are a family, united by their dedication to protecting Oregon's farms and their shared love for the sport of air rifle shooting. Their story is one of passion, teamwork, and the simple pleasure of a well-spent day in the great outdoors.

 

[ToddGeddes63]

Try smaller

targets! At shorter distances these are challenging.

 

[rcarlisle]

I still hunt small game, but not in my yard. Which is to say I might get out once a year to do proper hunting. These days, when I go out and shoot, I like to think about how I usually end up shooting while hunting. Standing offhand, occasionally supported, seated, prone... The bench gets boring. If you've got limited range and need a challenge, shoot standing offhand. I've tuned most of my guns down a little for shorter range and expanded shot count. Just relax and keep at it. It's a satisfying skill to hone.

 

[crowski]

I target shoot on my range almost daily.
I had my roof shingled few years back. Have 4 vents in the roof, squirrels ate through 3 of them. Chewed wires. One of major causes of house fires. No free pass any more.
They also got in my store, flat roof. Not pretty.
I have tons of game here. Only tree rats, I’ll never give them another pass, that’s why I bought my first springer 7 years ago. Crow

 

[Blue Dog]

I target shoot on my range almost daily.
I had my roof shingled few years back. Have 4 vents in the roof, squirrels ate through 3 of them. Chewed wires. One of major causes of house fires. No free pass any more.
They also got in my store, flat roof. Not pretty.
I have tons of game here. Only tree rats, I’ll never give them another pass, that’s why I bought my first springer 7 years ago. Crow

 

[L.Leon]

In my backyard I have lots of what are termed by law, pest species in NYS, red squirrels, chipmunks, English/house sparrows, etc. They typically get a pass as they aren’t actually being destructive to my property. On the few farms I pest on? The same critters I kill without any guilt because I know the farmer appreciates the endeavor. This coming Spring I plan on patching up my chicken barn. After that I plan to make that area a death zone for the reds and grays that think the barn belongs to them… I put out suet cakes in my backyard and get lots of bird activity, I get a kick out of plinking while the birds are feeding. They don’t fear me…

 

[Blue Dog]

View attachment 524268

Death to vermin!

 

[Sleestak]

I used to really enjoy hunting, but now I get frustrated of shooting small animals. I used to drive an hour and a half every weekend with my partner to hunt, mostly small game (mostly squirrels). At that time, I dreamed of having a backyard and putting some food in there to attract small animals and then hunt them, like many Youtubers do. Now I have such conditions, but I feel sad about hunting them and wathc them diying. I don't know what makes me changed, but I still love to shoot. I only have a distance of 15 yards (from my back door) and 30 yards (from my front door). What kind of shooting challenges should I do to get more fun? Thanks guys.

Sames,

Was raised to hunt and it was an important part of my life well into adult-hood, I also have no ethical issues with hunting and appreciate it's imortance to wildlife management.

But due to personal reasons, the act of killing doesn't really bring me any joy so I simply don't hunt anymore.

Because I really do enjoy the activity of shooting I've gotten creative with what and how I shoot to keep it a bit fresh and unboring.

Just a few ideas:

Any target that is dynamic and metallic (silhouettes, spinners, etc.) will definately be more interesting than just hitting paper all the time.

Challenge yourself with smaller targets and spread your targets out at different intervals. You can also paint your targets in less obvious colors to make them difficult to see and hit

Shoot in different and more challenging positions (off hand, prone, etc.)

Shoot under less than ideal conditions like when it's a bit windier than what you'd normally go out in

 

[scottshirey1]

Growing up on a farm, pests were everywhere. I never felt bad about groundhogs as they were destructive to the crop.
I don’t have that problem anymore in a neighborhood. Poison takes care of rodents now. Target shooting is my vice now and I’m OK with that. I find ways to challenge myself in many ways.

 

[DesertSilver]

Use to hunt ground squirrels in the early 90s a lot. Now only thing I want to go after is coyotes! I have 3 small and 2 big dogs. I don't worry about the big dogs but do the littlins.

 

[boscoebrea]

Many years ago, I killed a lot of small critters, but not anymore; first,it is too easy; second, I just can not take another life unless it is causing damage.I am also a catch-and-release fisherman,unless it is a Salmon

 

[crowski]

View attachment 524268

Another 5 minutes I going to ask you to stop. That’s got to be a record. Very nice. Crow

 

[coastal drifter]

Its just to easy to kill things with my air guns although it's tempting, so if I'm not eating it, and it's not trying to eat me, I'm not killing it. Now if I lived on a farm with real pests like groundhogs ETC. I'm sure I'd be laying a few to rest.

 

[BABz58]

Hunter Gatherer here. No guilt here.

 

[Martin3528]

Try smallerView attachment 524230 targets! At shorter distances these are challenging.

Hopefully that is not your backstop!