Daylight rattery

seoirse1980

I was recently asked to tackle a rat problem in a feed shed at farm nearby.
Having recently purchasing a new .177 air rifle (Gamo vampire whisper x) I jumped at the chance. I got 34 over the first six daytime raids. numbers started to dwindle so I've now turned my attention to night time operations. Good results last night with six in a half hour.

Filled with new enthusiasm for my new off season hobby I've been reading up on what ever I can regarding our furry little friends.

An article interested me in this months Sporting Rifle called "Daylight Rattery". The author said that rats in the U.K have not returned to the hedgerows after the winter. And instead have stayed in the barns and sheds. He noted that on every farm he has shot rats on, All have said that they have noticed similar or strange phenomena with the rats.

Also he has noticed that he is seeing the same amount of rat activity during the day that you would expect to see during the night, throughout the year.

Just wondering if anybody has seen any of this behavior here?

Also does anyone know if our furry friends would eventually get wise to the shadow sitting in the corner of the shed assassinating their friends? or should I keep changing tactics?

Seoirse

Dusty87

seoirse1980 wrote: »

I was recently asked to tackle a rat problem in a feed shed at farm nearby.
Having recently purchasing a new .177 air rifle (Gamo vampire whisper x) I jumped at the chance. I got 34 over the first six daytime raids. numbers started to dwindle so I've now turned my attention to night time operations. Good results last night with six in a half hour.

Filled with new enthusiasm for my new off season hobby I've been reading up on what ever I can regarding our furry little friends.

An article interested me in this months Sporting Rifle called "Daylight Rattery". The author said that rats in the U.K have not returned to the hedgerows after the winter. And instead have stayed in the barns and sheds. He noted that on every farm he has shot rats on, All have said that they have noticed similar or strange phenomena with the rats.

Also he has noticed that he is seeing the same amount of rat activity during the day that you would expect to see during the night, throughout the year.

Just wondering if anybody has seen any of this behavior here?

Also does anyone know if our furry friends would eventually get wise to the shadow sitting in the corner of the shed assassinating their friends? or should I keep changing tactics?

Seoirse

I read in a magazine that they cant see a red light. Hang one up in the shed and shoot at night:)
Havnt noticed much activity during the day, i get the trapped at night.

seoirse1980

Very good,

I'll give that a go tomorrow night. have a head torch with a red filter.

Seoirse

jwshooter

seoirse1980 wrote: »

I was recently asked to tackle a rat problem in a feed shed at farm nearby.
Having recently purchasing a new .177 air rifle (Gamo vampire whisper x) I jumped at the chance. I got 34 over the first six daytime raids. numbers started to dwindle so I've now turned my attention to night time operations. Good results last night with six in a half hour.

Filled with new enthusiasm for my new off season hobby I've been reading up on what ever I can regarding our furry little friends.

An article interested me in this months Sporting Rifle called "Daylight Rattery". The author said that rats in the U.K have not returned to the hedgerows after the winter. And instead have stayed in the barns and sheds. He noted that on every farm he has shot rats on, All have said that they have noticed similar or strange phenomena with the rats.



Also he has noticed that he is seeing the same amount of rat activity during the day that you would expect to see during the night, throughout the year.

Just wondering if anybody has seen any of this behavior here?

Also does anyone know if our furry friends would eventually get wise to the shadow sitting in the corner of the shed assassinating their friends? or should I keep changing tactics?

Seoirse

keep them guessing ,always try to shoot singles never fire into a group,same for deer to rats

doyle61

read that article last week.....very good.
on the point if they would "get wise to the shadow in the corner", well i remember watching a documentry on tv earlier in the year (think it was discovery chanell) and i couldnt get over how smart they proved rats to be. they used different mazes' to show how the rat was not only curious but was able to learn by doing different experments with its surroundings etc. so to answer your question; i wouldnt be surprised at all if he coped on to the shadow in the corner.........but best of luck and hope you get all of the dirty little fcukers:D:D

Terrier

seoirse1980 wrote: »

Very good,

I'll give that a go tomorrow night. have a head torch with a red filter.

Seoirse

Bring the camera, would love some pictures been a few years since i did ratting in the UK with a converted chainsaw as a smoker and a few mad terriers

The Big Fella

Why would ye buy an air rifle over live when there in the same firearm bracket?

fodda

The Big Fella wrote: »

Why would ye buy an air rifle over live when there in the same firearm bracket?

Wrecking the barn........setting fire to it..........also an air rifle is much cheaper and safer to knock small vermin down around farmyards......wish i still had one.

seoirse1980

Originally Posted by The Big Fella
Why would ye buy an air rifle over live when there in the same firearm bracket?


I wanted to get an air rifle to compliment my collection. I think it's good to have the right tool for the job. It's been working a treat in this small enclosed environment. The shed is about 35 yards by 70 so there's enough thump in it to effectively dispatch any vermin that shows itself. pelets are nice and cheap too so a quick 20 rounds at different distances into the target before i start doesn't hurt at all. And a great way to stay sharp in the off season.

Left a few of the furry little critters out for charlie over the last few outings. I'm going to see if he wants to make a cameo appearence tonight.

Fear not, the .243 will be out with me...

Seoirse

seoirse1980

Success, a nice dog fox came my way last night at 10.10. He stopped to investigate the rat/rabbit coctail I had been leaving out along a track.

Seoirse

EastTyrone

seoirse1980 wrote: »

Success, a nice dog fox came my way last night at 10.10. He stopped to investigate the rat/rabbit coctail I had been leaving out along a track.

Seoirse

great to hear! any pics?

seoirse1980

Tried to get one on my phone but the quality was too poor with the low light. Out again on wed will bring the camera in future.

Seoirse

welsummer

i got an air rifle in from england with the power cranked down below 6 pound pressure.changed the moderater that came with it to a real good quality one that i had on my 22 and you can hardly hear it. its good for killing out to 35/ 40 yards ,and has sufficent knock down power and wont punch holes in galvienised sheets if you are shooting insde sheds