10 IN A ROW

We have been enjoying good weather, e.g. 75ºF afternoons, and  the emergence of more chizzlers from winter hibernation than we have ever seen before.  I shot the photographed vermin the other day with one single 10 round magazine full of .22 L.R. rounds in less than 10 minutes.  Yes, they were all out at the same time and within a 10 square yard radius.

I can only say there have been so many chizzlers out two different farmers have driven out into the field where I was shooting to ask me to come shoot on their land when I finish up where I am currently hunting.  The spring weather has the little varmints out and eating like combines.  On Fri. 3-25-2016 my two sons and I were hunting with Bounty Hunter 6 and we, four, managed to stop the crop damage of over 1,000 chizzlers in one field. 

It is the time of year!  We have found the spot! Chizzler hunting has never been better!  If only I had some good sources for ammunition. . . . .

CHIZZLERS ARE OUT ! ! !

Bounty Hunter 6 and I went to Iron County on Tuesday 3-1-2016 to help the farmers preserve their crops.  We arrived in the stubble alfalfa field around 9:45 a.m.  The temperature was 45º and rising. The little vermin started to run all over the place as the temperature warmed up looking for food and a mate. 

We set up the squirrel-o-matics in the back of the truck and started the carnage.  We shot as fast as we could load magazines for over 2 1/2 hours.  We eventually stopped laughing out loud at the "airborne flyers" and the "splat masters" they were so common an occurrence.  We were more or less verbally silent as we just fired, worked the bolt, regained a sight picture, and fired again.  Over and over it happened with only a pause to reload all the magazines.  I had 25 rounds total in three different magazines and would run through them all then have to take a minute or two off to recharge the three magazines.  Bounty Hunter 6 had four magazines that held nine rounds each.  He too would run through all his loaded magazines and would have to stop to reload them all from time to time.  The majority of our targets were from 10 to 120 yards away.  We just got down to business and tried our best to end the varmint infestation.  We ended up with over 300 K.I.A.'s.  Bounty Hunter 6 was using his .17 HMR and I used my .22 L.R. most of the time.  I did make a few 250+ yard shots with my .22-250 just for variety.

LATER NOTE:  Bounty Hunter 6 and one of his pals went up to hunt again in the exact same place on the next day and even drove in the same tire tracks in the field.  They set up the squirrel-o-matics and proceeded to shoot a few hundred more little chizzlers in the EXACT SAME SPOT.  Bounty Hunter 6 says it was as if no one hadn't ever been there before shooting.  The chizzler crop seems to be extra large this year.  I look forward to getting ahead in real work to go hunting again soon.  This varmint reduction effort is lots more fun than hauling hay, scraping corrals, or moving pipe in agriculture.