Unfortunate Squirrel - GRAPHIC PHOTO [Archive]

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CarlosDJackal

12-30-08, 07:26

I have been waging a fight against the local Squirrel population since I moved into this house back in 2001. It's a constant fight to keep them out of my attic. In fact, when I screened in their entry point, the pest chewed it's way down one of my walls and promptly died near the bottom of my stairwell to my basement. For the past few summers I still smell the rotting carcass every time I walk down to my basement.

Well, I finally snapped!! I'm one of those individuals who likes to watch birds feed. All types of birds to include Woodpeckers, Finches, Hummingbirds, and others. Well yesterday, the local Squirrels discovered the feeder I have set up on a tree in my backyard. I have it placed so I can observe the birdies feed from my kitchen (I even have a 10x pair of binos on the window sill for it).

Unfortunately for the grey squirrels that inhabit my property, they're in season (until January 31st). So I grabbed my home-defense SBR (which I leave suppressed) and slapped in my Colt .22LR conversion kit. I loaded it with CCI Segmented HP Subsonic rounds and took a shot at the one that was raiding the woodpecker feeder (it's the block type that you put into a "cage"). He had chased away two others just as I got there. Well I missed!! I also missed the second shot when the little bugger came back about 10-minutes after my first shot chased him away.

This morning, I woke up and got the SBR ready. I looked out at the feeder and lo-and-behold, no squirrel!! So I went about making breakfast (toasted pan-de-sal and butter :D). To my surprise, the feeder was gone!! I looked through the binos and it turns out that within the few minutes it took me to slice the Philippine rolls in half and stick it in the toaster, the little bugger snuck up and tore it down. The squirrel was at the base of the tree and eating away (amazing how their grey coat blends in with the tree bark).

I loaded the rifle and put on my shooting glasses and moved to my laundry room and slowly opened the door. Took aim at the pest and took the shot at about 18-yards. I heard the round hit the tree behind the squirrel and the squirrel go prone. I thought I had missed again when the bugger low-crawled around behind the tree (like I've seen them do before to avoid a second attempt). But since I never saw the squirrel E&E from behind the tree, I decided to take a closer look just in case I didn't miss.

Lo and behold one squirrel down (looks like I hit him low and broke his spine):

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w169/CarlosDJackal/DSCN3522.jpg

Littlelebowski

12-30-08, 07:29

CarlosDJackal

12-30-08, 07:31

I agree. I put the "graphic" warning for those who have very weak constitutions. I like using the can since I can shoot from inside my house without the need for any hearing protection plus my neighbors cannot hear any of the shots whatsoever.

FirstSpear

12-30-08, 08:40

But since I never saw the squirrel E&E from behind the tree...

Thanks for the laugh...

Scott Gerber

12-30-08, 09:34

Great hunting there Carl, from one that has taken several raiding tree rats from the bird feeders in my back yard over the years... :D

Scott

warpigM-4

12-30-08, 12:48

Now you need to hang his dead carcass in the tree so his buddies can see what their fate is!:D

Hersh

12-30-08, 16:17

Now you need to hang his dead carcass in the tree so his buddies can see what their fate is!:D

Now THAT's "gettin' medieval!" :D

I ping their little asses in my back yard with a Red Ryder BB gun!

SeriousStudent

12-30-08, 17:14

Very nice rig! A suppressor is such a handy thing.

On an off-topic note, where do you find mags for your Colt conversion kit? I recently got a deal on an old one, but only have the one mag that came with it.

Best of luck with your tree rat battles.

TackleBerry

12-30-08, 20:35

I tought I had missed again when the bugger low-crawled around behind the tree (like I've seen them do before to avoid a second attempt).

Under heavy fire he sought cover...now that is a well trained squirrel. :p

I wish I lived somewhere where I could shoot these rats from my back door.

BTW, thats a very nice SBR.

CarlosDJackal

12-30-08, 20:42

On an off-topic note, where do you find mags for your Colt conversion kit? I recently got a deal on an old one, but only have the one mag that came with it.

I bought my second one at a Gun Show some years back. It was not functioning, until I took it apart and cleaned it.

I recently purchased Ceiner kit because it takes the BDM 25-round mags. I did see the Colt mags for sale on some website but cannot remember off-hand which one. There is also a thread somewhere that shows how someone modified the Colt conversion kit to accept the BDM mags though. But it requires quite a bit of work.

CarlosDJackal

12-30-08, 20:43

Now you need to hang his dead carcass in the tree so his buddies can see what their fate is!:D

Oh, I just left his carcass where he died. Some other critter will eventually collect it for consumption. :D

SeriousStudent

12-30-08, 21:11

Thanks for the info, I will start digging. :)

CarlosDJackal

01-02-09, 17:21

Well, the Ranger-Trained Squirrel got away yesterday (Thursday, Jan 1st, 2009) morning. I never even got a shot off; he moved to the other side of the tree trunk as soon as I unlocked my door. Then the little bugger dropped down to ground level and E&E'd away while making effective use of the tree as both cover and concealment.

By the time I saw the little bastard, he had already made it to a downed tree and I could not get a clean shot; plus he was realtively close to my right-most safety limit. A neighbor's house is about 400-feet from my house through the trees past my established right limit (the only indication of their house are the lights I can see at night during the winter mnths).

So this morning I got up a little earlier and had my door open and me ready by the time the sun came up and the tree rats came out to raid the bird feeder. The first two that cameout started chasing each other at the top of one of the trees. I don't shoot at anything that does not have any terra firma as a backstop so I waited until one of them dropped down closer to the ground.

But lo-and-behold, a third tree rat ran down one of the far trees and started hopping his way towards the feeder once again making effective use of the tree as cover and concealment. So I raised my rifle and took it off safe (finger off the trigger of course) in anticipation that the squirrel would climb up the backside of the tree and make itd way to the feeder. But the little bugger suprised me by peeking around to the right of the tree at ground level!!

I swear that Ranger Squirrel looked like he was pieing the damned corner. So I very slowly (and very deliberately) lowered the rifle down to his location and waited until he exposed more of himself (not really sure of the critter's sex). The tree rat looked up and over the tree's root, moved forward, looked around some more, moved forwarda little more, looked right at me (I thought it had seen me - I was observing it through an Aimpoint T-1 and a 3x magnifier), then moved forward some more.

Then it stood up and *pthew* - *thump* I fired the shot. It dropped and started doing the herky jerk. As I was about to fire a second shot in order to put it out of it's misery, it stopped. I immediately turned my attention to the other two rats that was totally oblivious to what had just happened (Suppressors really work!! :D). One of them decided to run down the tree they were on, low enough that I had a safe shot which I took. Unfortunately, I forgot to adjust for the extra couple of inches of drop in POI (the tree was almost 20-yards further) and the two rats ran straight up the tree and made their way to their "home trees".

Here is the second unfortunate squirrel:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w169/CarlosDJackal/DSCN3523.jpg

CarlosDJackal

01-03-09, 07:41

As it turns out Unfortunate Squirrel # 2 was not Ranger Squirrel. This morning, I got up before dawn and staked out the feeders once again. Just after first light, a dark grey squirrel showed up at the top of the tree on which the feeder is attached to. The little bugger came down and showed up behind the trunk and slowly made its way to the front. When I had a shot I took it but alas, Ranger Squirrel dropped prone and low crawled to the left up an adjacent tree. By the time I saw him, he was at the top of that tree and in the clear.

So I hung around my kitchen window while eating my breakfast (Danish Cream Cheese Toaster Struddle :D) and within about 30-minutes, Ranger Squirrel shows up again. By the time I got to my station, the little bugger was already on the feeder. So, I had to move very slowly and stop moving whenever Ranger Squirrel would stop his feeding until I can finally zero in on him. It took me a long time to get that door open and my rifle up on target.

Finally, I got on Ranger Squirrel and slowly squeezed that trigger. The shot seemed louder than it should have been but Ranger Squirrel slumped down on the feeder so I knew I got him. Just as I dropped the rifle (placing it on safe at the same time), he suddenly jumped down and behind the tree!! I got up and went outside with the hopes I can get another shot. But before I can, Ranger Squirrel low-crawled behind a further tree. I ran up to where I last saw him and he was gone. :(

I gotta hand it to Ranger Squirrel, his survival skills were impressive. I though I had missed until I got to the tree on which I had shot him from. At the bottom was a blood trail. I looked at the spot he was on and it looks like I hit him low and right. It wasn't enough to kill him right off the bat, but it was a hit.

As hard as I tried to kill Ranger Squirrel, I hope he survives this encounter. You gotta respect a Tree Rat with this type of a Warrior Mindset!! :p

FromMyColdDeadHand

01-03-09, 13:57

Have you painted your rifle since the 30th?

Damn funny. Be sure your doors are locked and secure your trash!!

CarlosDJackal

01-03-09, 20:35

Have you painted your rifle since the 30th?

- Nope. That is my second SBR.

Damn funny. Be sure your doors are locked and secure your trash!!

- LOL. I just had this vision of a Platoon of Squirrels sneaking around outside reconning a way in to assasinate me as I sleep. I have an idea where they would establish their Rally Point so maybe I should suit up and pre-empt the assault. :D

ATTACK SQUIRRELS (http://www.geocities.com/nickedemis/attack.html)

FromMyColdDeadHand

01-03-09, 21:26

How's that 3x with the T-1? Love to see some gun camera footage on this. It would be a youtube hit!

m4fun

01-04-09, 05:15

Carlos - agreed - you have to setup the "Gun Cam" for this. Morbiddity of "taking the shot" followed up with the "herky-jerky" move would be well worth it.

CarlosDJackal

01-04-09, 07:30

Unfortunately, the Gun Cam did not work out because it mounts to the right side of the rifle. Since I wasshooting through a small opening (good use of cover), all the video had was the door frame!! :rolleyes:

I'm trying to figure out a way to mount it underneath.

No luck this morning, the tree rats stayed away but I hoe to catch them raiding the feeder throughout the day.

C4IGrant

01-05-09, 09:19

Damn things are like the VietCong (everywhere).

Kill'em all and let God sort'em out! ;)

C4

CarlosDJackal

01-05-09, 09:51

I've been considering installing a remotely operated 10/22 on my back porch so I can keep hunting them from work (via the Internet). But I'm not sure of the legality of this. :D

I think the buggers have learned their lessons, I have not seen a single Tree Rat since the morning I hurt Ranger Squirrel. :(

CarlosDJackal

01-07-09, 10:10

I took another shot at one this morning - the bugger got away. I need to go tot he range and check were the POI is on these things. :p

calebgriffin31

01-07-09, 10:27

Although it isn't nearly as fun as shooting them, you could stick a brick of suet in a live trap and see what happens. If you think they are erratic when you chase them, wait until they are in a little metal trap. :) I wonder if a rat trap could work too. You always have the tried and true squirrel pole... *thinks of more ways to slay tree rats...*

Gibbles

02-17-09, 02:56

I wish I lived out in the country.

I'm saving up for a suppressor for my AR-15s... hard part is talking the wife into letting me spend the $800, and I assume I can use it with my 10/22 after I thread the barrel :)

spamsammich

02-17-09, 11:24

I can't get away with shooting them where I live, but I'd love to chuck one of those western Gray's about a 1/4 mile with a catapult or something.

CarlosDJackal

02-17-09, 13:45

CarlosDJackal

02-17-09, 13:46

I can't get away with shooting them where I live, but I'd love to chuck one of those western Gray's about a 1/4 mile with a catapult or something.

Now that would be freaking hilarious!! If you ever device such a thing, please make sure you videotape the results. :)

Boomer10

02-17-09, 14:11

Now that would be freaking hilarious!! If you ever device such a thing, please make sure you videotape the results. :)

Carlos - First, I want to say thank you for this thread, it has been highly entertaining. I'm looking forward to more tales of the Ranger Squirrels! :D

Second, if you search for squirrel catapult on youtube you'll find plenty of videos.

markm

02-17-09, 14:14

I'm saving up for a suppressor for my AR-15s... hard part is talking the wife into letting me spend the $800, and I assume I can use it with my 10/22 after I thread the barrel :)

I wouldn't be firing nasty ass 22LR ammo thru an $800 can. It can be done, but most silencer owners advise against it.

And like CarlosDJackal, My M4-1000 cost less than 800 with the tax stamp included.

CarlosDJackal

02-17-09, 16:52

I'm actually in the process of looking for a CZ 452 American that I can use with my YHM Mite (that seems to be delayed in getting approved). That way I stop gunking up my .223/5.56 can.

Then we'll see just how Ranger Squirrel likes it!! Huwahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!! :D

I'll update this thread as appropriate.

LonghunterCO

02-18-09, 12:58

I've been considering installing a remotely operated 10/22 on my back porch so I can keep hunting them from work (via the Internet). But I'm not sure of the legality of this. :D

Oh yea and then you could set it up and a web site and have people pay to shoot... yea probably not legal.

CarlosDJackal

02-18-09, 15:15

Oh yea and then you could set it up and a web site and have people pay to shoot... yea probably not legal.

You do know that I was being very facetious, right? :confused:

-Wes-

02-19-09, 14:41

Someone already tried that years ago. Live-Shot (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4022147.stm)

Just checked to see if the site was still up, looks like it didn't last too long.

MadcapMagician

02-20-09, 18:44

Damn squirrels are like an insurgency.. I feel your pain.

The Marlin Squirrel rifle definitely lives up to its name... :D

Bimmer

03-19-09, 13:01

Well I missed!! I also missed the second shot when the little bugger came back about 10-minutes after my first shot chased him away.

Any idea where those rounds went? This sounds like potentially very bad news for your neighbors...

Bimmer

markm

03-19-09, 13:05

Damn squirrels are like an insurgency.. I feel your pain.

The Marlin Squirrel rifle definitely lives up to its name... :D

Maybe IEDs are an option. If you set it up right, you could blow the critter off the property.

ToddG

03-19-09, 14:12

We had a mouse in the house the other night. It succumbed to a single shot from my gen-u-ine Daisy air rifle. Didn't think to take a picture, though. Man, I'll never be a big game hunter at this rate ...

CarlosDJackal

03-19-09, 16:39

Any idea where those rounds went? This sounds like potentially very bad news for your neighbors...

Bimmer

No danger whatsoever. I have a clearly marked range fan (left and right limit) that ensures I don't take any shots towards any of my neighbor's house (which are all more than 200-yards away). Plus, I shoot down into a draw that is also very heavily wooded on the other side.

This is why the Tree Rats are safest when they are up the trees - I don't take shots at them once they are a few feet up a tree to avoid the possibility of a round weaving its way through the 40 acres of woods and hitting someone. However unlikely, it's not a chance I would take.

The few times I did shoot one of these rats out of a tree I used my Glock 35 loaded with CCI Shotshells (bird shot). It seems to have an effective range of about 10-yards and actually cycles the pistol allowing for follow-up shots.

BTW, my YHM .22LR Mite Suppressor came in and I have it mounted on a CZ452 American that I've zeroed out to 25-yards. Once a new batch of tree rats start raiding the Woodpecker feeder (I actually like watching and hearing Woodpeckers) I'll be ready for them. :D

FromMyColdDeadHand

03-19-09, 18:16

Woodpeckers are all well and good till they eat up and punch holes in 30 feet of trim around the roof line. They are on my No-Fly list.

spamsammich

03-20-09, 04:51

Woodpeckers are all well and good till they eat up and punch holes in 30 feet of trim around the roof line. They are on my No-Fly list.

Woodpeckers are the only reason I have for owning an airsoft gun. I hate them.

boltcatch

03-30-09, 22:23

I've seen tiny ass woodpeckers take three direct hits from a .22 air rifle and still run around on the ground. Little bastards are like the terminator.

On a lighter note,

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5696392767730292925&ei=7obRSfroEI2YrQKcuoH-Bg&q=electrified+bird+feeder+squirrel&hl=en

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ErtCdq239c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNPl8P8bfZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NocRG3r2zBw (my favorite)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsI2qFvxRCU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vdtkRMiZfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7TEjD6Lhd8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBb7KReY6Eg (a classic)

annnnd a compilation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-d3rZZ-_M

Edited to add - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ikH9ZRcF2Q

CarlosDJackal

03-31-09, 13:37

I have enough dead or dying trees around my home that Woodpeckers stay away from my house. I like watching them jack-hammer away at the trees.

CarlosDJackal

03-31-09, 13:39

I gotta get me one of THESE!! (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5696392767730292925&ei=7obRSfroEI2YrQKcuoH-Bg&q=electrified+bird+feeder+squirrel&hl=en) :D

Artos

04-01-09, 17:13

Here is what an Anschutz & Eley Sub Sonic HP's do to grackles (rats w/ wings)

ZDL

04-01-09, 18:57

(In Australian accent) That's not a graphic photo. THIS is a graphic photo :D 22-250 at almost 300 yards.

Good stuff, dude. I need a can for the Varmint Cong.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/baxshep/DSC00579-1.jpg

...................................damn. My contribution to the gross wall.

Nice hunt OP.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8617/imgp2362small.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp2362small.jpg)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6170/imgp2365small.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imgp2365small.jpg)