Would a decent air rifle kill a grey squirrel?
Discussion
I have a problem in my garden (very rural) in that the grey squirrels have found the bird table and associated food supply.
I was toying with the idea of an air rifle anyway, not for harming wildlife (except for the bloody squirrels) but for taking pot shots at tin cans, etc across the garden. But since the little grey f--kers have been making a nuisance of themselves, I thought I could take them out with a decent air rifle.
Thoughts? Recommendations?
I've put this in the lounge because there's always someone down the pub who knows about these things, right?
I was toying with the idea of an air rifle anyway, not for harming wildlife (except for the bloody squirrels) but for taking pot shots at tin cans, etc across the garden. But since the little grey f--kers have been making a nuisance of themselves, I thought I could take them out with a decent air rifle.
Thoughts? Recommendations?
I've put this in the lounge because there's always someone down the pub who knows about these things, right?
I bought a Hatsan AT 44 for exactly this purpose. Pesky vermin stealing food.
I had rabbits in the fruit cage, pigeons eating the pea shoots, pheasants stealing the chicken food and squirrels on the bird table.
After a good season of 'rapid onset lead poisoning' it all seems quite quiet and peaceful in the garden this year
With a decent scope, you can even use it for taking the slugs off the cabbages later in the year
I'm just applying for a FAC this year, a bit more power for the long range bunnies in the paddock that run as soon as they catch a whiff of you coming too close with the air rifle.
If you don't want to spend a fortune a good springer will do, but a PCP is great for low-effort, low noise pest control.
I had rabbits in the fruit cage, pigeons eating the pea shoots, pheasants stealing the chicken food and squirrels on the bird table.
After a good season of 'rapid onset lead poisoning' it all seems quite quiet and peaceful in the garden this year
With a decent scope, you can even use it for taking the slugs off the cabbages later in the year
I'm just applying for a FAC this year, a bit more power for the long range bunnies in the paddock that run as soon as they catch a whiff of you coming too close with the air rifle.
If you don't want to spend a fortune a good springer will do, but a PCP is great for low-effort, low noise pest control.
NormalWisdom said:
Yes, though sometimes you might need to "finish them off". Furry-tailed rats are a blight
No, you shouldn't be shooting them unless you can guarantee a 100% clean humane kill.I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
But please make sure you get good before shooting at live targets.
Foliage said:
NormalWisdom said:
Yes, though sometimes you might need to "finish them off". Furry-tailed rats are a blight
No, you shouldn't be shooting them unless you can guarantee a 100% clean humane kill.I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
Foliage said:
No, you shouldn't be shooting them unless you can guarantee a 100% clean humane kill.
I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
But please make sure you get good before shooting at live targets.
I don't agree with this. Nothing is 100% guaranteed. How else would you recommend controlling them that is 100% humane?I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
But please make sure you get good before shooting at live targets.
SHutchinson said:
How about a squirrel proof bird feeder?
QuiteThe problem isn't that squirrels are eating the birds food, it's that you are attracting squirrels with food. It's a bit like saying I want to shoot sparrows because they're eating the food I leave out for the blue tits.
Have you just put up a bird feeder or something, it's quite easy to make it squirrel proof without shooting them constantly.
Rosscow said:
Foliage said:
No, you shouldn't be shooting them unless you can guarantee a 100% clean humane kill.
I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
But please make sure you get good before shooting at live targets.
I don't agree with this. Nothing is 100% guaranteed. How else would you recommend controlling them that is 100% humane?I think you'd want a 12lb/ft .177 spring rifle, with a telescopic sight, but someone with more knowledge will be along soon, im sure.
But please make sure you get good before shooting at live targets.
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