Talked to a farmer friend of mine and he invited my son and I to one of his farms wnere ne raises pigs to exterminate some rats. So around noon today we went to the barn where he said he was having the most problems and did manage to kill 1 and saw about 20 or so and the sign was incredible, tunnels everywhere. We had to leave for the afternoon and I told him I would return around dark. So at dark I returned and was dumbfounded when I only saw 3 rats of which I killed 2. So my ? is is his rat problem not that bad or do I need to go there later at night? I thought that as soon as the sun went down they came out? Your thoughts. Thanks Jamie
Rats?
- Thread starter jspade
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You saw three rats in how long? You posted at 7:33 pm. Sunset in you area? Sometimes you just need to give them a little time to get comfortable. Are you lamping or running night vision? That's going to make a difference as well.
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Sorry, was there at 5:30 and it was just getting dark spent an hour and a half there and thats all I saw. Using my coon hunting light with a red lense. With seeing as many as we did in the daylight I just thought I would see alot more after dark.
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When I first started rat shooting I started off with a camcorder with NV and a separate IR light as an illuminater to spot the rats. Then when I took the shot I had a flashlight with red lens mounted to my rifle to take the shot. I found that when the red light was on the rats go very nervous and would leave the area. I would imagine if you are using a red light all the time to spot with and particularly if it is a strong light the rats would be reluctant to come out. I later on got an ATN NV 'night vision' sight to shoot with and things improved dramatically. Rats are very smart though and if you hunt them too hard and often they will wise up quick. Hope this helps Bill
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Hey thanks for the info I appreciate it. I have been back 2 times now (after dark) and the activity is nonexistent. I have killed 20 couple there in the daylight but only 2 at night. This morning before work I killed 12 with a couple crawl offs that I hit but got back in their tunnels. It is a blast and am happy to help the guy out. It really is redneck entertainment. LOL
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I have another suggestion as you say the rats seems to be more active for you during the day which is usually the opposite for most people. Do you have a game camera that will take pictures at night. I would set it up in an area with lots of holes and see what time of the night the rats are active. if you see a lot of activity maybe as I said its your red light that is scaring them off. Good luck Bill
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Well thats the problem there is a never ending supply of food for them, I'm confused though as to why I'm not seeing them after sunset. I wake sometimes at 3 or 4 in the morning and can't go back to sleep so I think the next time that happens I will go check out this farm and see what is stirring as it is only 6 or 7 miles frommy house.
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I have another thought that might help. Since buying a NV sight might not be in your budget maybe you can have the farmer put up a low wattage light enough to see for shooting. I would think after a period of time the rats would get used to it and allow to come back in time and do some effective shooting. Bill
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On a side note the .25 marauder wrecks these rats. Unless its a side brain shot they don't even twitch! Knock down is incredible!
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Very good , 25 cal on the rats makes for a big hole
I would use pollymags or H&N hunter extreme
I would use pollymags or H&N hunter extreme
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+!
Good idea. The rats will get used to it and ignore it. Give it a few days.
Back to my baiting idea. Give em something they cannot resist.
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That suggests that there are some night hunters about, maybe Owls. They are staying in their dens for a reason, foxes, weasels, owls, minks, something that hunts at night. Look for sign early in the mornings.
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After 4 visits roughly an hour per visit I have killed 25 rats and hit several others that made it back to their tunnels, (23 daytime and 2 nighttime) Also missed quite a few. Let them alone today and taking my boy tomorrow morning early and then late afternoon. The ones I have killed are absolutely huge.
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There may be a nocturnal predator that is putting pressure on the rats during the hours of darkness.
that could change their activity schedule.
that could change their activity schedule.
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I tried to do a little rat hunting with a red light and it scared the rats to death, Hit them with the red light and they were gone like rockets
Maybe Texas rats can see red lights , It was in a chicken barn,
Mike
Maybe Texas rats can see red lights , It was in a chicken barn,
Mike
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Hi
I am a Certified Pesticide Operator here in Florida. My original Degree is in Horticulture but I had to take a lot of entomology classes including Rodent Control in College. While your suggestion of a non-resistible bait is good in some cases. I don't believe you fully understand the depth of the Problem on a Farm.
The First Rule of Pest Control is SANITATION. But if you have ever been on a farm, you quickly understand this is not Possible. Spillage of Grains etc is every where and in every way. There is just TOO MUCH FREE CHOICE FOOD FOR BAITS TO WORK. For that reason Traps and Poison won't work either. Because there is so much food Rodent Population increase rapidity.
While there are Method that do work as Rodent Control on farms they can be more costly than effective. Responsible hobby sport air gunners are about the best suppression of rodent you can get on a Farm. Note I said SUPPRESSION not CONTROL. Suppression is lower populations to a acceptable Threshold. Control is the complete removal of the Pest.
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I am also hunting rats and have noticed more in the daytime here in Texas, some at night but without night vision it's impossible to get to them, green and red game lights will send them running.
Night vision scopes are way to expensive for a hobby.
We do bait them now with all day long success , deer corn works very good and we have since installed a 25w night light about 15 meters from the feeding spot and night activity is really picking up, this as well as a lighted reticle should make for some good hunting.
Night vision scopes are way to expensive for a hobby.
We do bait them now with all day long success , deer corn works very good and we have since installed a 25w night light about 15 meters from the feeding spot and night activity is really picking up, this as well as a lighted reticle should make for some good hunting.
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I started with a CHEAP NV SET UP that worked great up to 25 yards. I used a Gamo Laser sight, about $ 15.00 and a IR monocular for about a $ 100.00. Later I added Brighter IR Flashlights. Cheap IR Scopes work great if they have a good IR Light. Of course I use the Monocular as a spotter and then turn on the laser to aim. This works best from a bench rest. I like using a pistol or carbine because I am shooting one handed while holding the monocular with my other hand.
I hog hunt at night and have several NV scopes. Yes they are great and do all the fancy stuff. BUT THEY ARE HEAVY. The Gamo Laser sight weighs nothing so I like using it on Rats etc.
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I started with a CHEAP NV SET UP that worked great up to 25 yards. I used a Gamo Laser sight, about $ 15.00 and a IR monocular for about a $ 100.00. Later I added Brighter IR Flashlights. Cheap IR Scopes work great if they have a good IR Light. Of course I use the Monocular as a spotter and then turn on the laser to aim. This works best from a bench rest. I like using a pistol or carbine because I am shooting one handed while holding the monocular with my other hand.
I hog hunt at night and have several NV scopes. Yes they are great and do all the fancy stuff. BUT THEY ARE HEAVY. The Gamo Laser sight weighs nothing so I like using it on Rats etc.
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