I revisit this sensitive hunting subject because it is one of the more important hunting subjects of our times, and airgunners are perhaps more well-positioned to effect positive results for the ecology than any other group of sportsmen. That said, I'll not apologize for arguing for realistic control(s) of one of the worst scourges on wildlife we face; likely rivaling that of feral hogs' detrimental effects and proliferation.
I just killed another feral cat; that being a "house-cat" gone felon... most often due to the failings of its human caretaker! I don't know how many of the 7 or 8 feral cats I've executed were 'pets', but that's a moot point anyway. Even if every one was one your local cat-lady's (dozens of) 'house-cats', GOOD! Because any bull-s**t 'humanitarian' ignorant enough to let her menagerie prowl unchecked through the neighborhood deserves to 'lose' Fluffy, Cuddly, or Lovey... all UN-NEUTERED TOMCATS (though unbeknown to Clueless Cat-Lady)!
To say it aggravates HELL out of me that members of my own species can be so ignorant as to enable and perpetuate such Nature-wrecking malfeasance as requires ME thinning the over-population of feline felons would be a gross under-statement! Though un-neutered cats wreak absolute HAVOC on small-game and songbird species (as now well-documented by many scientific studies), I didn't overcome my aversion to killing feral cats until the second veterinary bill and third time my pets were injured by Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey. That was about five executions ago, and I haven't had to patch-up Whiskers since accepting the wisdom and reality of taking out ferals BEFORE they do lasting damage to my pets or ecosystem.
Tonight's (latest) victim of my vigilantism proves the value and effectiveness of awareness and a well set-up airgun rig. Typical of most of my feral cat executions, this one began with a couple of interloper sightings in my neutered tomcat Whiskers' rightful territory, OUR YARD. As always, I used a properly-powerful (30 foot-pound), accurate, and well-scoped .22 PCP to first confirm the interloper did not have a notched ear indicating reproductive neutering. He didn't, so I sent an 18 grain JSB at 870 FPS into the back of his skull for an instant end to his, my, and (imminently) Whisker's suffering... same as the previous several feral tom-cats I've exterminated.
The braining is because, even when removing destructive pests having no redeeming qualities, I abhor inflicting suffering on any animal; so, whenever possible, strive for a perfect brain-shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient. This WAS (a perfect brain shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient).
I felt no small amount of remorse at being forced to kill the first few feral cats I executed. However, the last several have inflicted on me no such silly guilt-pangs; REALITY having finally dawned that I do great favors to the neighbors of feral cats... and feral humans that perpetuate such inexcusable ecosystem havoc as Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey WREAK everywhere they (are allowed to) roam.
With a little help from Your's Truly, my .22 Brocock Bantam Hi-Lite did an admirable job of delivering its payload to Fluffy's cerebral cortex, ending his felonious ways before they could commence.
FWIW, Bro-Lite averages .60-.70" five-shot groups at 50 yards... regular as clockwork! The 30 yard shot in 40 MPH winds was a regular 'chip-shot'.
Moderators, nothing in this post violates laws... or sound game-management practice(s).
I just killed another feral cat; that being a "house-cat" gone felon... most often due to the failings of its human caretaker! I don't know how many of the 7 or 8 feral cats I've executed were 'pets', but that's a moot point anyway. Even if every one was one your local cat-lady's (dozens of) 'house-cats', GOOD! Because any bull-s**t 'humanitarian' ignorant enough to let her menagerie prowl unchecked through the neighborhood deserves to 'lose' Fluffy, Cuddly, or Lovey... all UN-NEUTERED TOMCATS (though unbeknown to Clueless Cat-Lady)!
To say it aggravates HELL out of me that members of my own species can be so ignorant as to enable and perpetuate such Nature-wrecking malfeasance as requires ME thinning the over-population of feline felons would be a gross under-statement! Though un-neutered cats wreak absolute HAVOC on small-game and songbird species (as now well-documented by many scientific studies), I didn't overcome my aversion to killing feral cats until the second veterinary bill and third time my pets were injured by Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey. That was about five executions ago, and I haven't had to patch-up Whiskers since accepting the wisdom and reality of taking out ferals BEFORE they do lasting damage to my pets or ecosystem.
Tonight's (latest) victim of my vigilantism proves the value and effectiveness of awareness and a well set-up airgun rig. Typical of most of my feral cat executions, this one began with a couple of interloper sightings in my neutered tomcat Whiskers' rightful territory, OUR YARD. As always, I used a properly-powerful (30 foot-pound), accurate, and well-scoped .22 PCP to first confirm the interloper did not have a notched ear indicating reproductive neutering. He didn't, so I sent an 18 grain JSB at 870 FPS into the back of his skull for an instant end to his, my, and (imminently) Whisker's suffering... same as the previous several feral tom-cats I've exterminated.
The braining is because, even when removing destructive pests having no redeeming qualities, I abhor inflicting suffering on any animal; so, whenever possible, strive for a perfect brain-shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient. This WAS (a perfect brain shot to avoid ANY suffering on the part of the recipient).
I felt no small amount of remorse at being forced to kill the first few feral cats I executed. However, the last several have inflicted on me no such silly guilt-pangs; REALITY having finally dawned that I do great favors to the neighbors of feral cats... and feral humans that perpetuate such inexcusable ecosystem havoc as Fluffy, Cuddly, and Lovey WREAK everywhere they (are allowed to) roam.
With a little help from Your's Truly, my .22 Brocock Bantam Hi-Lite did an admirable job of delivering its payload to Fluffy's cerebral cortex, ending his felonious ways before they could commence.
FWIW, Bro-Lite averages .60-.70" five-shot groups at 50 yards... regular as clockwork! The 30 yard shot in 40 MPH winds was a regular 'chip-shot'.
Moderators, nothing in this post violates laws... or sound game-management practice(s).