Stolen Day

[STS]

It's supposed to still be snowing in Montana this time of year but we had a couple of 60 degree days on Monday and Tuesday. We figured we might steal a day from winter and take advantage of the nice weather and make a run to the nearest dog town. There was quite a bit more wind than was predicted but we made it work. The Kestrel said 18 to 20 mph wind. That town died off from the plague about 10 years ago but has come back to normal numbers. Two years ago the landowner told us it had repopulated and that nobody had shot it since it had come back. That day two of us shot about 725 rounds, all at 200 yard of less range in calm conditions. There were 'several' hits made. Yesterday we shot about 350 rounds.

 

[DirtySteve]

Don't worry fourth winter is hitting in a few days..

 

[SmokinJoe]

Hey, those are nice fat ones.

 

[CaptainMal]

You dig that hole for a burial site?

Looks like you are sure having fun.

 

[saunaking]

Looks like you created some redmist! What calibers and bullets?

 

[K22]

Wow! If I get more than two shot opportunities these days on eastern ground hogs, it's a good day. You gave a new meaning to the term "blood and guts."

I can't imagine shooting that many rounds on one hunt. I think the most I ever got when varmint hunting was prime around here was about 12 or so but those days are long gone.

In 2023, the most I got in one day was 4 and that was only twice the entire summer.

I am +1, this year waiting for the Gail force winds to diminish and some warmer temperatures to return here in eastern PA. Eager to get out again.

 

[STS]

Well we had at the gophers today. Yet another nice day so we went a little closer to home on the east side of the Bridger Mountains. Like Monday it started slow until it warmed up in the afternoon then the gophers came out in big numbers. These are Belding ground squirrels and they tear the crap out of the ranch pastures. We ran into the rancher and he was happy to see us out there cleaning some of them out. The tally for the day was 370 confirmed hits. Gophers are quite different than p-dogs in that they are usually shot at much closer distances. Many of them at less than 50 yards. That makes for some very high hit percentages.

 

[Juan916]

I’m in Kalispell and received 4-6 inches of snow between yesterday morning and this morning, I’m waiting on gopher season but it’s hard to find semi close locations around here

 

[durand mortenson]

We have those little guys here in Idaho and they are fun to shoot. I shoot on a private ranch here with the blessing of the owner. As soon as my truck gets out of the shop I will be heading out. I wait for this all year.
I shoot with a Rem 722 222 and a heavy Savage 223. The barrel on the 222 is toast but still good out to 100yds.

Mort

 

[bobtails]

Awesome job there man!

 

[searcher]

Wow! If I get more than two shot opportunities these days on eastern ground hogs, it's a good day. You gave a new meaning to the term "blood and guts."

I can't imagine shooting that many rounds on one hunt. I think the most I ever got when varmint hunting was prime around here was about 12 or so but those days are long gone.

In 2023, the most I got in one day was 4 and that was only twice the entire summer.

I am +1, this year waiting for the Gail force winds to diminish and some warmer temperatures to return here in eastern PA. Eager to get out again.

You should take a trip to Northern California or Southern Oregon for a "sage rat" shoot. It is possible to get on alfalfa fields that enable 1,000-shot days. After several days of that, you are ready for a rest!

 

[K22]

You should take a trip to Northern California or Southern Oregon for a "sage rat" shoot. It is possible to get on alfalfa fields that enable 1,000-shot days. After several days of that, you are ready for a rest!

Can't begin to imagine shooting that much. That's about the sum total of an entire year which is range practice. Last summer I fired a total of 30 shots at groundhog and 3 at predators.

 

[D Coots]

Inside 200 yards even with a 20 mph wind is a hoot.....

 

[jxb]

Looks like a good time and glad to hear the numbers are good too. I'm looking forward to retirement one of these years and I know what I'll be doing each spring.

 

[leakeyjohn]

Retirement is not all good it depends upon your individual situation. I am stuck in the house in part due to the “boss” self appointed and a heart attack etc where we live the bosses choice etc