CHIZZLER SEASON STARTS NOW ! ! !

Bounty Hunter 6 and I went to Iron County to check for chizzlers on Wed. 2-22-2017.  We saw various chizzler scouts in their advanced chizzler guard positions on the side of the road as we drove to Beryl Junction.  We were getting pretty excited.  When we arrived at the farmer's fields around 9:30 a.m. we were greeted by 20 mile per hour winds, and an outside temperature of 45º F, with the wind chill factor -- it was cold outside for a desert boy like me.  There were overcast skies.  BH6 and I drove from farm to farm looking for possible targets.  Not much out and hardly any shots to be taken.  At around 10:15 a.m. after harvesting about 5 chizzlers total we decided to go back to St. George and have lunch and lick our wounds over a burger.  As soon as we started to throw in the towel and leave the sun broke through the clouds and the wind died down to maybe 10 MPH.  The chizzlers came out and were scurrying around the alfalfa fields.  We proceeded to introduce them to the great alfalfa field in the sky.  We shot for just an hour or so but ended up with maybe 4 dozen reaped.

I have to admit my skills are not what they were last year.  I probably missed 50% + of the time.  I have to practice my marksmanship skills.  BH6 was successful and his CZ .17HMR and he really connected at ranges from 30 to 130 yards.  The 17 HMR seems to be the perfect chizzler caliber.  The sadistic laughs were abounding in the truck cab.  There is now empty brass in the defrost vents of BH6's truck that needs to be fished out with a bent coat hanger.  It was a nice trip and I can hardly wait for the chance to go hunting again.

Notice in the photo below there is hardly any alfalfa sprouted out to date.  The chizzlers are hungry and there is little food available and zero cover for them to hid in.  In the next two weeks the chizzler reaping will move into high gear I am sure.  I hope I have enough .22 L.R. ammunition.

CRAP-O-RAMA I want to hunt chizzlers so bad I am almost ready to buy a 6-pack of hamsters at the pet store and set them out in my backyard as a way to ease to my passion's burning fire.  My trigger finger itches tons.  I am watching TV with my binoculars.  I range finder at my refrigerator.  My Supreme Commander thinks I am more nuts than usual.  I need to start the carnage.

It has been rather reasonable weather around here in Washington County -- 70º+ some afternoons.  Climatically, it should be close to chizzler season opener in Iron County even though it is about 3,000 feet higher elevation up there.  Bounty Hunter 6 and I went up to check out the prospects the other day and saw ideal conditions but not a single chizzler.  It was over 60º, blue sky, and no wind.  I was at least hoping for a few "mentally ill" type chizzlers that would be out and about early in the slightly cooler air.  NO WAY.     NOTHING.     NADA.

To make matters worse, my hunting pals are also going bonkers.  Mr. Bob is pretty much waiting in his truck for the word to come.  I think his wife is almost glad he is getting out of town as he has been driving her nuts with anticipation.

I will post as soon as I draw my first bead.  I have a lot of pent up frustration.  I will take no prisoners.