Sage Rats Anyone?

[Rick in Oregon]

I don't know if there was a bout of plague or what but for the last 3 years the population has decreased each year. I am going to give it a couple of weeks then try again.

drover

drover, has any of those ranchers used the dreaded cabbage on those rats? That alone would explain the diminished population if so.

When you get out soon, remember that camera when you grab the favored rifle. You know how we all love field pics. I hope the field you shoot has a beaucoup population with mounds galore. Best of luck.

 

[jxb]

Yes please take pity on those of us that are stuck working and can't get away. Pics are great and some storyline is nice too.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Yes please take pity on those of us that are stuck working and can't get away. Pics are great and some storyline is nice too.

Keep in mind that those of us who shoot during the week are retired, and for me, that was 45 years of toiling away at work with the thought of retirement deep-seated in my mind, counting the time till I could join the ranks of 'weekday shooters'.

So.....if still working, we feel your pain, but remember, if all goes well, retirement will bring many joys, one of which is shooting as much as you want, when you want. I highly recommend it!

(Sorry if you're reading this at work. Your time WILL come! )

 

[drover]

drover, has any of those ranchers used the dreaded cabbage on those rats? That alone would explain the diminished population if so.

When you get out soon, remember that camera when you grab the favored rifle. You know how we all love field pics. I hope the field you shoot has a beaucoup population with mounds galore. Best of luck.

None of them are using any poison or other control methods - well, except for me shooting.

The first comment out of the owner of the place I shot on Monday was - "there aren't the usual numbers this year which is good for me but bad for you".

drover

 

[jxb]

Keep in mind that those of us who shoot during the week are retired, and for me, that was 45 years of toiling away at work with the thought of retirement deep-seated in my mind, counting the time till I could join the ranks of 'weekday shooters'.

So.....if still working, we feel your pain, but remember, if all goes well, retirement will bring many joys, one of which is shooting as much as you want, when you want. I highly recommend it!

(Sorry if you're reading this at work. Your time WILL come! )

Definitely, I've already done one mini retirement 2016/2017 (as my dad called it) and it was soooo nice. I was gone a week or two at a time with a week or so at home from before thaw to nearly turkey day with the PU and trailer, then sold those when this gig appeared it would run a while.

When this contract/gig is over I'm likely done. So I've been collecting everything I want/need of cost during this time (guns, reloading supplies, etc) and saving too so once I'm done I can just swing to retirement. At least until they call me again for another gig.

I've also got enough Oregun preference points my options are pretty nice. Basically if I don't know for sure by now (or May 1-15) whether I'll be working in the fall I just put in for preference points. Looks like we'll be working through EOY, so maybe next spring I'll have free time. Although I've said that since 2019, so...

Anyhow a person needs to make hay while the sun shines so I am. Between rodents, coyotes, big game, some long range practice, fishing, hiking, photography, and camping. I'm pretty sure I'll be busy as I want to be in retirement.

 

[leakeyjohn]

Keep in mind that those of us who shoot during the week are retired, and for me, that was 45 years of toiling away at work with the thought of retirement deep-seated in my mind, counting the time till I could join the ranks of 'weekday shooters'.

So.....if still working, we feel your pain, but remember, if all goes well, retirement will bring many joys, one of which is shooting as much as you want, when you want. I highly recommend it!

(Sorry if you're reading this at work. Your time WILL come! )

Assuming your health and family holds up. Had heart attack a year ago and the wife is not supportive of shooting which causes much friction. I have several rifles ready for use now….

 

[Majday]

Never been on campus but that is a pretty school.

The upper Payette?

I have to remember to bring my 22 lever Marlin for the close ones on the ranch.


Mort

It was. Had a nice baseball field there as well. Spent quite a bit of time on it. We were south 15-20miles and less than 1/2 mile from 84. So close and so many. Haven't been that way in years however.

 

[Lefty2506]

I have to close the gates and try not to get to upset tracking cow shit into my truck cab.

Mort

https://www.amazon.com/TINGLEY-Stretch-overshoes-Black-Large/dp/B000HHM964/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SrEGQiUlXADj2mrR2mpwoTSIP8QXHTkh9JI1koX63HkHpEkBeKaD1V6A-FuQV7uy2GFEMTGuTFiNEIHkSqCZQkX-8kOcs7C0p-3jOisRpW8mpnbfZpc_s4F1mk2bRekuITZvei7DyPKtulRpO3VDvcr9H8sFbrZWDjj4zFPAuApFK_XqAtttPxOM4W57ajx1o0giqPDX-YOAOd3QuohA-Q.asROk4ipQcGVkfVorJluLxYPouI7MVdADiYAMUFpc90&dib_tag=se&keywords=rubbers+for+shoes&qid=1714061662&sr=8-3

Peal them off and leave them in the bed at the end of the day.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Assuming your health and family holds up. Had heart attack a year ago and the wife is not supportive of shooting which causes much friction. I have several rifles ready for use now….

John, sorry to hear of the recent heart event; one of the things us into 'geezerhood' dread. Hope that's the end of it, and you continue to enjoy what we all come here to enjoy vicariously.

To your wife.....'be glad he wants to be out shooting and not in a bar somewhere or worse'. I'm about 30% replacement parts myself, but still able to get out. I'm also fortunate that my wife supports my passion. She even prepares "heat 'n eat' meals for my extended rat trips in the outback. Her only demand now that I'm a rebuilt senior is that I not travel long distance alone. So my crew and I convoy to the ranch. Best of luck to you, John.

 

[searcher]

Rick , I read a study once that claimed the Belding ground squirrel eats about 4 oz. of alfalfa per day. based on that number, and my conservative kill ratio, I figure I have save about 2000 lbs. of alfalfa per day just this year. wouldn't it be nice if the extra alfalfa savings from killing sage rats could be turned into some money to pay for some powder, primers and bullets.

I shoot up about $900.00 in powder, primers and bullets for a few thousand rounds in a few days of good shooting. Comes out to maybe $56.00/hour of shooting when the shooting is hot. I'm not sure how that would compare to the cost of poisoning as the alternative.

 

[jxb]

I shoot up about $900.00 in powder, primers and bullets for a few thousand rounds in a few days of good shooting. Comes out to maybe $56.00/hour of shooting when the shooting is hot. I'm not sure how that would compare to the cost of poisoning as the alternative.

Well considering those that poison pay for it you'd think they would feed and house us, but most charge to shoot so those that pay to shoot have that fee on top of the $56/hr and one of the reason's I'll never pay someone to shoot varmints.

 

[leakeyjohn]

John, sorry to hear of the recent heart event; one of the things us into 'geezerhood' dread. Hope that's the end of it, and you continue to enjoy what we all come here to enjoy vicariously.

To your wife.....'be glad he wants to be out shooting and not in a bar somewhere or worse'. I'm about 30% replacement parts myself, but still able to get out. I'm also fortunate that my wife supports my passion. She even prepares "heat 'n eat' meals for my extended rat trips in the outback. Her only demand now that I'm a rebuilt senior is that I not travel long distance alone. So my crew and I convoy to the ranch. Best of luck to you, John.

Thanks Rick

 

[jxb]

As for choosing between my wife and giving up shooting. I'd miss her.

 

[searcher]

I'll never pay someone to shoot varmints.

I'd like to think the same - but I know that if it were my only option - I'd pay. I enjoy it too much. I only pay to shoot when I go on sage rat trips to a few incredibly good places. Ninety five percent of my squirrel shooting is free - thanks to ranch owners who see the value in letting "vetted" guys in and don't have to worry about shooting livestock or irrigation equipment. I think a lot of the ranches who charge do so as a way to make ends meet more than trying to get rich off the arrangement - but there are some that have definitely made it a business. Where I hunt - I can shoot all the pigs I want. There are other local ranchers who now charge $750.00 to shoot a pig. I think that is freaking crazy. But then, I think paying 15K to shoot an elk is pretty crazy too. As long as there are guys who will pay it - there will be takers. The more they pay - the more the ranchers can't ignore what can be made.

 

[jxb]

Yep I have nothing against people who pay or those that charge. Business is business and when folks want to pony up hard cash to recreate, more power to those that can provide a service. I mean isn't that what capitalism is all about?

I've worked hard for what I have and don't mind spending a lot on some stuff that others might think is nuts, fee hunting/shooting just isn't one of them. Besides I like wandering around visiting with landowners and hearing NO doesn't actually hurt, sometimes the answer is YES.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Here's a few more pics from the Rat Rodeo. It's now wind/rain/light hail here now, so it appears we lucked out in the WX department and came home before it all turned to crap.

Our rat camp setup with water and power for the trailers. No motels or sleeping in the truck:



After the peak shooting hours, an adult beverage is in order in camp. Dan here with his Leupold spotter looking for that wiley badger that is on the owners 'hit list':



A squirrel condo that illustrates a mound the owner would rather not be in his field. Two of the current occupants can be seen on the right side, minus their bodies that is. Gotta love that 20VT for rats!



Gary getting some much needed elevation from his truck bed, also shooting a Cooper 20VT, his is a M21:



Empty cases.....a sure sign of fun being had:



This guy qualified for "rotary certification", as he launched about 6' into the air, spinning his body separate from his engine room. Still landing in one-piece though.....mostly:



Nothing needs to be said here. Just a great day afield with accurate rifles, a target-rich environment and good friends:

 

[durand mortenson]

 

[durand mortenson]

 

[durand mortenson]

This last photo shows the field I was shooting in from the truck. From here I can turn 180 degrees and shoot another field deeper than this one. The cover is high enough to hide these little buggers and they don't sit still for long. I got about 80 shots here and tagged most of them. Got some great air shots.

The owner put a salt block behind my truck where I park so I had lots of company. Turns out I didn't need to shoot that direction so no loss.

At the little cafe where i stop for breakfast I heard a guy talking about whistle pigs . Turns out he and a group of some friends come from Spokane to shoot here twice a year.

When I left the cafe I saw a pickup with the plate saying varmint. Pretty sure that was his.

Mort

 

[Majday]

Have a little population just down from my house. Wheat and alfalfa fields. I'll have to find a day pop a couple more. Here are a couple from today.
20P - 39 TNT - WC842
Blows em up pretty well
i wear a size 14, I feel they are pretty decent size