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> Varmint hunting
Varmint hunting
@ 10:19 am (GMT) |
Gerry GoodHowdy folks. I live in rural Arizona and enjoy hunting coyotes and prairie dogs. When I lived back east, I'd hunt ground hogs and pigs. We are starting to get feral hogs out here in western Arizona so I'm preparing for that to happen soon.Anyone else shooting things we'd call varmints? We can shoot Bobcats but for some reason, I don't want to shoot them. But coyotes...I'll shoot them all day long. Maybe it was those Roadrunner cartoons that I watched as a kid. Best regards... |
Replies
@ 12:12 pm (GMT) |
David LandwehrRe: Varmint huntingHi Gerry.There's a number of Aussie guys on here and most of us will run into a red fox at one time or another. They were introduced to Australia by the British back in the day and have adapted very well to our environment now covering most of Australia's bottom 2/3'ds, but not in Tasmania yet. They do a lot of damage to small native animal populations. I hunt them as a target species as they are destructive to both the natives and my lambs and help a number of farmers out over the year. It's generally night hunting under light with or without Callers and i would love to go thermal at some point, but big $. I use a number of different cartridges but find the 223 to be a very good balance. I too enjoy being out chasing these clever predators. |
@ 11:40 am (GMT) |
Andrew MurrayRe: Varmint huntingI tend to see a lot of foxes where I'm shooting at the moment, the Upper Hunter/New England region of NSW, Australia.I don't think there's been a lot of shooting done at them; they are incredibly curious, very easy to whistle them in. I'll shoot them with whatever we have on hand, 22, 243, 308... it doesn't really matter as long as they drop. They are fairly destructive here with respect to the native wildlife. This does not make them evil or bad by any means; which is why if we have a 22, we whistle them in a bit closer before taking a shot. The animal does not deserve suffering simply because it is out of place. The property I shoot on belongs to a friend. He is unlike other farmers and does not shoot kangaroos; and has asked us to respect this as well. We shot 4 pigs on a ridgeline (we were above them shooting down), meanwhile a roo was standing 20m away from us, completely carefree. Neither of us have seen a kangaroo stand there that close to people, let alone that close while shots are popping off. It was a tad funny, perhaps she was sick of the pigs too. Either way, if you've got a nice flat shooting calibre, with appropriate projectiles, you'll be sorted. |
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@ 12:48 pm (GMT) |
Gerry GoodRe: Varmint huntingHi Andrew,I grew up in Indiana...farmland and woods. This was back in the 60's. I hunted and ran a trap-line and red fox was a animal that I'd take. They are beautiful. Here in Arizona, we have foxes...gray and red...but I won't shoot them. I live on a small farm along the Colorado River and we have horses, chickens, and ducks. The foxes leave the birds alone so I leave them alone. There are plenty of rabbits to keep them happy. I do enjoy busting coyotes though. They are smart and clever. I use a 223, 22-250, 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 308, or a 30-06...depending on terrain, weather, and location (population density). I handload all my ammo. It's always interesting to hear from shooters in other parts of the world. I spent three tours-of-duty (Army) in Europe and got to do some hunting there. Spent a year in Vietnam hunting, too...with some of you guys. I don't know if I would shoot a kangaroo. I'm not familiar with them but they seem kind of special. Probably don't understand if they are a problem. We have mountain lions...and I won't shoot them either. But the wild pig problem is growing. It's really bad down in Texas. Thanks for the reply, Andrew. Good to hear your stories. Best regards, Gerry |
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@ 01:01 pm (GMT) |
Gerry GoodRe: Varmint huntingHowdy David,Thanks for the reply. I can understand shooting foxes that threaten your lambs. We've got chickens and ducks but the foxes leave them alone. Gotta watch out for the coyotes, though. I'd love to go thermal, too...but it's too expensive for me. Yeah...chasing a clever animal is fun. I like being out in the wild, under the sun, walking, glassing, the smell of burnt powder...the whole experience. I reload several calibers and enjoy experimenting with different bullets. I have friends around the country and we share stories and reloading information. Thanks again for your stories. I enjoy hearing what other folks are doing. Best regards, Gerry |
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