Its almost Sage Rat time

[Toadkiller]

On the way back to civilization we glassed a few areas and found this rock chuck.

 

[Retired Guy]

I had a good 3 days in Crane. Not as good as in the past but good enough. Sure beats sitting at home!

We really lucked out with the weather too. All three days were sunny, light breeze, and upper 50s.

The shots were between 25 yards out to 250. In some spots, the alfalfa was getting high enough that the sage rats could easily hide. Just had to wait until they stood up or poked their heads up to look around. We also saw quite a few ground burrowing owls too. Had to be careful because one brown blob looks like all the others.

 

[Retired Guy]

The guide we were using was commenting about how rat numbers were still down and hoping they would go back up soon. I suggested that they might need some help to get "in the mood".

 

[Belial]

Time for the War Wagon !
View attachment 2061998

Shot from that rig last year. Saw some pics of the rebuild and excited to go again this year.

 

[Spitpatch]

Those two rigs would not be legal where I am. You cannot be on a vehicle of any kind that has an engine my trailer had to be completely unhooked from the pickup. Game wardens checked me a few times but I knew the rules and did just fine. I used to kill 600-800 a day. Squirrels that is.

I'm relatively certain that on private property either set-up is entirely legal. No rancher would put up with a game warden telling him not to shoot pests from his truck.

Where I hunt Prairie Dogs in Montana, the owners of the property will not even allow a Game Warden on the land. (Previous disputes with road access.)

 

[joken]

We shot Wednesday afternoon, all day Thursday, and Friday until around 1:00. Wednesday was slow compared to what we are used to, but Thursday was hotter than heck, and the shooting was excellent, and it was yesterday too. We killed many hundreds and one badger. Yesterday, they had all the Bulls on the ranch in a corral. That morning, some help arrived. It was a couple of women who donned rain gear and went to work. By then, we had figured out what was going to take place. They were gathering semen, although we didn't know until later that they were checking to see if the Bulls were worthy of their positions on the ranch. They had some -30 degree weather there last winter, and wanted to see if the cold had damaged any testicles. Five of the Bulls will soon be hamburger. They put down a lot of hay to protect the animals from the cold, but it wasn't enough at that temperature. They have around 30 Bulls, so it could have been worse.

 

[DirectDrive]

Keep your stones warm boys, or you too could soon be sent to see the hamburger man.

 

[Mono1]

We shot Wednesday afternoon, all day Thursday, and Friday until around 1:00. Wednesday was slow compared to what we are used to, but Thursday was hotter than heck, and the shooting was excellent, and it was yesterday too. We killed many hundreds and one badger. Yesterday, they had all the Bulls on the ranch in a corral. That morning, some help arrived. It was a couple of women who donned rain gear and went to work. By then, we had figured out what was going to take place. They were gathering semen, although we didn't know until later that they were checking to see if the Bulls were worthy of their positions on the ranch. They had some -30 degree weather there last winter, and wanted to see if the cold had damaged any testicles. Five of the Bulls will soon be hamburger. They put down a lot of hay to protect the animals from the cold, but it wasn't enough at that temperature. They have around 30 Bulls, so it could have been worse.

Glad you had a good Rat Hunt, Bro'. But I have a question regarding the rest of your report.... Are you sayin' it really is possible to freeze one's b*lls off??

 

[Tlock]

Glad you had a good Rat Hunt, Bro'. But I have a question regarding the rest of your report.... Are you sayin' it really is possible freeze one's b*lls off??

I knew it!!! I've been close before

 

[HaoleSlap]

Where can I join in this fun? Looks like an awesome fun time!

 

[joken]

Glad you had a good Rat Hunt, Bro'. But I have a question regarding the rest of your report.... Are you sayin' it really is possible to freeze one's b*lls off??

That's what they told us, and to date, none of the crew has called laughing.

 

[DirectDrive]

Where can I join in this fun? Looks like an awesome fun time!

Gotta know the secret password.
Then there's the secret handshake and the blindfold.

 

[HaoleSlap]

Dang it I knew it! Some people have all the fun

 

[Mrmerlinn]

Glad you had a good Rat Hunt, Bro'. But I have a question regarding the rest of your report.... Are you sayin' it really is possible to freeze one's b*lls off??

 

[arrowshooter]

My Son and I came up this past weekend and had a blast. Stayed out all day Friday with most shots between 150 and 200 (rats were learned), even managed our first "chuck". That afternoon the wind picked up which had us doing the "sideways lob" lol. Saturday though, ended up a bust for us . Woke up to a no big deal light rain so we headed into town to fill up the tank. On return we discovered our canopy had collapsed and my old tried and true tent leaked soaking our bags and clothes, so we headed home. The topper though is that we both ended up with Pink Eye due to whatever cow stuff was in the dust being blown around. We will go back to that spot next year.



I head back up next week for more, just a few hours further North.

 

[2gr8dgs]

went this last week with my buddy & his immediate family. Fair weather & good shooting.
we ran 10/22's...17hmr's...& 223's.
we took some before, & after pics.
before



after

 

[Toadkiller]

The red spray is always cool. I also like when they get airborne doing summersaults. I figured out that if they're standing up, shooting them in the lower third of the body usually gets em airborne. .

 

[Uglic]

On the way back to civilization we glassed a few areas and found this rock chuck.

View attachment 2080891 View attachment 2080892 View attachment 2080895 View attachment 2080897

Nice find! Rock chucks can be fun to spot. Great kill.

 

[Spitpatch]

The red spray is always cool. I also like when they get airborne doing summersaults. I figured out that if they're standing up, shooting them in the lower third of the body usually gets em airborne. .

There's actually an ersatz "club" or "association" of firearm-industry people that gather each year for a Prairie Dog shoot, calling themselves, "The Red Mist Society".

...and the people I shoot with call the airborne/summersault action a "Mary Lou Retton".