“Body Count”

[STS]

It’s a bit of a challenge to gather a lot of bodies in one place for a mug shot, so I’ll offer this photo to give you an idea of what a couple of afternoons of gopher shooting is like. The hit ratio is definitely not 1 to 1 but it’s not far from that when most of the shots are from 20 to 150 yards. Please note that this does not include an additional 100 rounds or so of .22 rimfire also fired in anger.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

That’s a lot of buzzard food.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

And to think of how much money you just wasted...
LOL...
Just had to brang that up...lol

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

And to think of how much money you just wasted...
LOL...
Just had to brang that up...lol

Yeah, that’s around $70 just for the primers at today’s prices.

 

[Bojo]

Wish i lived closer , as i could also easily get into high volume hunts...
A smoking hot night here in PA would be an late day woodchuck hunt of maybe 10 chucks.

 

[Kittitas George]

They have a Sage Rat shoot in Unity, Oregon every spring. I don't remember if it's 3 or 4 to a team. The sage rats must be picked up to count. So at least 1 fast runner is a must. I think 15,000 were shot, it was a hell of a big pile in the back of that pick up. None of the ranches that participate allow shooting before the contest. I saw an article written by one of the Oregon colleges, that said in a 200 acre hay field could have as many as 2000 Sage rats, and each would eat about 14 pounds of hay. I shot in Nevada last year, we may have been a little early, but the poisoning program had really decreased the number critters. Our friends said "shoulda been here a few years ago". Shooting 10 years ago in Oregon, we shot pretty fast, mostly 22 LR. and 17 HMR. Our hosts wanted body count, not "I made a 500 yard shot". We're all old guys and pretty effective shooters, we always got invited back again, until the guides started paying the hay rancher so much per gun for his dudes to shoot. The rancher was soon making more off shooting than the hay. I should check it out now, with the ammo shortages, might be some possibilities. Good memories.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Yup, the "glory days" of rat shooting in Oregon is about over with all the "outfitters" locking up and leasing the land that basically shuts out all the local shooters who have been doing it for decades, now catering to city dudes that can and will pay the stupid prices now in effect.

Seems like just another chip into our freedom, and this time by those among us just to make a profit. I know that the ranchers have a thin margin, but dang, after 40 years of having fun in the outback, it's a real blow to have it cut off because of the usual nemesis.....$$$. The almighty dollar.

 

[Kittitas George]

We shot around Burns, there isn't much work with a good wage structure there. So "guiding sage rat" hunts generated some income for the locals. Can't blame them, everybody needs to eat. All it took to be a "guide" was a flat bed trailer with some kind of "shooting Bench" for 6 guns and access to an alfalfa field. Charge the 'dude' $300 and give the hay field owner $50 per gun. Now we shoot mostly in Mt., my friend has a wonderful cabin and is a good cook, we are very comfortable. We have benches mounted on our trucks, that rotate 360 degrees, we're about 8 feet above the ground, umbrellas if the sun is too hot, coolers with food and soft chairs. The height gives us the ability to see 'down' into the grass and can increase our range. I use 5 guns through the day, rim fire and center fire, something for close and way out there. We have a number of ranches to shoot on, we are always welcomed and invited back. Good shooting, good stories (no body lets the truth get in the way of a good story), good food, but the best part is sharing time with good friends. Good times coming, only 3 weeks away.

 

[Skookum]

I'm headed to Crane, OR in just a few days. I look forward to it just as much or more than hunting season. Not just for the shooting but the company and the environment makes memories you can't put a price tag on. A family friend owns a ranch down there and we have a similar experience as mentioned by Kittitas George, though I am curious if you might have photos of your bench in your truck, I wouldn't mind doing something like that myself. Elevation in a flat field makes a huge difference.

 

[Kittitas George]

I'm headed to Crane, OR in just a few days. I look forward to it just as much or more than hunting season. Not just for the shooting but the company and the environment makes memories you can't put a price tag on. A family friend owns a ranch down there and we have a similar experience as mentioned by Kittitas George, though I am curious if you might have photos of your bench in your truck, I wouldn't mind doing something like that myself. Elevation in a flat field makes a huge difference.

 

[Kittitas George]

I could send some pictures via text. Our benches are very similar to the Caldwell bench sold by Cabelas and others. We built platforms in on our trucks across the bed rails, it puts the gun about 8' above the ground, high enough to shoot over the cab. Plenty of storage underneath for rifles, coolers etc, etc. On the platform is enough room for 2 benches and 2 aluminum cross bed tool boxes. The extra height will increase the amount of sage rats to be seen at a greater distance. Mount the benches on the center line of the truck, tell your partner to hold still for you to make the shot. Our friend Jim, owned the store, cafe, gas station on the highway. He died a few years ago, we certainly enjoyed our time shooting there. I'll be heading for 'big sky' country in a couple of weeks. Have fun, stay safe !!

 

[Skookum]

I sent ya a PM. Can't wait to see it.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I'm headed to Crane, OR in just a few days. Elevation in a flat field makes a huge difference.

It sure does. Many times our rancher buddy lends us one of his flat bed trailers. It really does make a difference in the hit ratio. The BR Pivot will set up in the bed of almost all brand of pickups too.



Photo taken a couple of seasons ago in Crane. We also fondly remember Jim at the Crane store. Way back we used to rent the old RV's and trailers he had out back for a weekend. You couldn't beat the price of $25/night. Great burgers too!

Headed out that way with my crew myself very soon. If things go well, a "Rat Report" to follow.......

 

[a winner either way]

where does a man get a table/bench like that one?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

That's my old BR Pivot Lite. No longer in production here, but after selling the patent and manufacturing rights to Caldwell, you can buy an "offshore" version of it today from MidwayUSA. It is no longer made in the USA, and the Lite model is not available, but the ChiCom version is almost as good, but made entirely of steel vs. all aluminum 60601 T6 alloy. Heavier, not as precise, but works the same.

If you go that route, be sure to get the wooden/butcher block table top vs. the small crappy plastic bench top. The slight up-charge is very much worth it.

 

[small caliber lover]

Yup, the "glory days" of rat shooting in Oregon is about over with all the "outfitters" locking up and leasing the land that basically shuts out all the local shooters who have been doing it for decades, now catering to city dudes that can and will pay the stupid prices now in effect.

Seems like just another chip into our freedom, and this time by those among us just to make a profit. I know that the ranchers have a thin margin, but dang, after 40 years of having fun in the outback, it's a real blow to have it cut off because of the usual nemesis.....$$$. The almighty dollar.

There are now varmint outfitters. in the USA

 

[small caliber lover]

It sure does. Many times our rancher buddy lends us one of his flat bed trailers. It really does make a difference in the hit ratio. The BR Pivot will set up in the bed of almost all brand of pickups too.



Photo taken a couple of seasons ago in Crane. We also fondly remember Jim at the Crane store. Way back we used to rent the old RV's and trailers he had out back for a weekend. You couldn't beat the price of $25/night. Great burgers too!

Headed out that way with my crew myself very soon. If things go well, a "Rat Report" to follow.......

Do recall this image from perhaps a Saubier thread from several years ago when you first started promoting this new bench design of yours. i have some thing very close to yours, I do love the saddle seat you guys have

 

[Rick in Oregon]

There are now varmint outfitters. in the USA

Yes, we know. That was the point of the post.

Do recall this image from perhaps a Saubier thread from several years ago when you first started promoting this new bench design of yours. i have some thing very close to yours, I do love the saddle seat you guys have

Yes, remember it very well, as it appears two posts above. That pic was taken about ten years into the time the BRP was available from my outfit. In the time since, there have been many 'knock-off's' offered from various entities. Caldwell still sells my original design, albeit not the alloy version. The original seat was from a dental stool supplier, hence the nice cushy pad that made sitting at the bench all day a no worries deal.

Gearing up right now for some quality time afield soon teaching Skippy to fly.