And practice at night too. Maybe not where your prey is but definitely practice in the dark.
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Learn to shoot live targets
- Thread starter Reg Creep
- Start date
Went out in the backyard with the new light last night. Lights up (red) to 50 yards very well. Ok out to 100 yards. ...I'm happy with that for now.
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Good points, thanks.
Trapping season opens next week, I think. Will probably just have these poor buggars trapped and then manage the damage upstream so they don't come back down.
Like I said, I'm new to shooting so this thread has given some great ideas on how to transition to shooting live targets. I have a farm, so rats will likely be my first live target, but other larger pest will follow. Beaver may make my harvest list yet, we'll see.
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No real need to start on small pests. It is not like a sparrow, pigeon or starling’s life is any less valuable than a beaver. All animals deserve the respect of being taken humanely.
Practice shooting until you are completely confident in your shooting. That is the first step toward a successful shot on animals.
I have never shot a beaver with an air gun but would assume a head shot is best. They are large enough that a shot through the lungs would most likely be fatal but not necessarily humane unless you are shooting a high powered 30 or 35 cal.
Practice shooting until you are completely confident in your shooting. That is the first step toward a successful shot on animals.
I have never shot a beaver with an air gun but would assume a head shot is best. They are large enough that a shot through the lungs would most likely be fatal but not necessarily humane unless you are shooting a high powered 30 or 35 cal.
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Beavers head is much like any rodent. On side views I would shoot them behind the eye, or below the ear. Frontal shoot between the eyes or if head up shoot under chin. You want to hit the the brain or spinal chord at the base of brain. I would focus on probable distances you will see the beaver. If you are set up in a stand of some kind laser the distances and set your sights to that.
Sometimes when going after a quarry you may not get a good shot. Chalk it down as experience, don't force a shot, and come back with that info in mind. You can learn their habits as long as you don't spook them. Once spooked that behaviour may change and they become more aware and harder to hunt. So do your homework and wait for GOOD shots.
Sometimes when going after a quarry you may not get a good shot. Chalk it down as experience, don't force a shot, and come back with that info in mind. You can learn their habits as long as you don't spook them. Once spooked that behaviour may change and they become more aware and harder to hunt. So do your homework and wait for GOOD shots.
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Really appreciate all of the thoughtful and informative posts!
I've already employed many of the target practice and ranging suggestions. It's given me a whole new and enjoyable way of interacting with my AG.
I set up on some rats under my chicken coop a last week. Rushed one shot which just missed and managed to scare them (mice actually) off. Set up on them again a couple of nights later. Saw them darting around and waited patiently for a good shot. Then I see a set of big eyes off to the side. Scoped over to see a stray cat come in for the mice. Foiled again!
I'm not running out to shoot anything that moves. Folks don't need to worry that I'm some backwoods banjo plucker. I mean, I like bluegrass, but the whole point of this post was that, in a moment of clarity, I realized I don't know what I don't know. This thread has pointed me on a good path to learning.
I've already employed many of the target practice and ranging suggestions. It's given me a whole new and enjoyable way of interacting with my AG.
I set up on some rats under my chicken coop a last week. Rushed one shot which just missed and managed to scare them (mice actually) off. Set up on them again a couple of nights later. Saw them darting around and waited patiently for a good shot. Then I see a set of big eyes off to the side. Scoped over to see a stray cat come in for the mice. Foiled again!
I'm not running out to shoot anything that moves. Folks don't need to worry that I'm some backwoods banjo plucker. I mean, I like bluegrass, but the whole point of this post was that, in a moment of clarity, I realized I don't know what I don't know. This thread has pointed me on a good path to learning.
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Make up some scale size critters set them randomly about then try gor all head shots
Like conveled bird or squirrl in tree ,running on ground squirrel
whatever steel or paper whatever convenient to do.
Get'em set up and blast'em
Like conveled bird or squirrl in tree ,running on ground squirrel
whatever steel or paper whatever convenient to do.
Get'em set up and blast'em
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You could bait them to a best shot location .put bait out a few days in a row no shooting let them get comfy then 
Hmmm bait might be a problem un less you have cattails near , but the base inside part of the plant is like candy for beavers .
Hmmm bait might be a problem un less you have cattails near , but the base inside part of the plant is like candy for beavers .
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