Varmint Hunting with the Kid

Rudedog · Apr 9, 2020

I am out with my friend's kid who is almost 12. We are out at Christmas Valley and the weather is great. He has his own scoped Savage bolt action and his first ever kill today was a sand rat (aka gopher) at 95 yards !

Last night we were out on jackrabbits and nailed one with a shotgun. He also saw his first elk and antelope.

flashpan · Apr 10, 2020

That's great ... I noticed the weather there and was wishing I was there. Thanks for making kids smile outdoors.

kmk1012 · Apr 10, 2020

Making me wish I was there! Last year we had a hard time finding fields not marked no trespassing and the maps Dindales hands out were of very little help. Keep us posted on the numbers that you are getting. Have fun and be safe!

Rudedog · Apr 10, 2020

kmk1012 said:
Making me wish I was there! Last year we had a hard time finding fields not marked no trespassing and the maps Dindales hands out were of very little help. Keep us posted on the numbers that you are getting. Have fun and be safe!

No hunting allowed on Dinsdale at this time. Young rats not out yet. At the moment we are glassing from a table. Will be set up some 500 yard metal targets shortly. Shooting scoped .223, iron sighted AR 10..308, and a Yugo M48 with a varmint scope using Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip.

Unka-Boo · Apr 10, 2020

I just postponed my bunny trip

My father in law is over 65 and my buddy that goes with me has a wife with a new kidney....as I'm still working and around people from all over, just not worth the risk....first time in 15 years we haven't gone in spring...

flashpan · Apr 10, 2020

Rudedog said:
No hunting allowed on Dinsdale at this time. Young rats not out yet. At the moment we are glassing from a table. Will be set up some 500 yard metal targets shortly. Shooting scoped .223, iron sighted AR 10..308, and a Yugo M48 with a varmint scope using Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip.

Thanks for the report...enjoy the weather

OtherGuy · Apr 10, 2020

I have been kinda wondering what the sage rat season was going to look like this year....
Lots of lodging options shut down. I'm sure those small, rural communities would like the influx of outside cash to come in, but do they want the risk of folks from the large population centers bringing in possible virus exposure?
Anyone adjusting their plans?

joken · Apr 10, 2020

I'm 72 and am going to go shoot rats with the same group that I go with every year. I will travel alone and stay in my camper alone. It's going to be easy enough to maintain a reasonable distance from folks since we will all be outside. I typically shoot by myself anyway. The only problem I have is that my wife has a short leash on me and I haven't told her I'm going.

Rudedog · Apr 10, 2020

OtherGuy said:
I have been kinda wondering what the sage rat season was going to look like this year....
Lots of lodging options shut down. I'm sure those small, rural communities would like the influx of outside cash to come in, but do they want the risk of folks from the large population centers bringing in possible virus exposure?
Anyone adjusting their plans?

Both motels in Christmas Valley are open. As are the restaurants for take out. Pump your own gas.

Rudedog · Apr 10, 2020

The kid shot my .223 Remington 700 varmint for the first time. He hit a empty spray paint can at 305 yards. No rock Chucks . We looked hard toward summer lake. Going out for rabbits tonight.