Another One In The Dirt

[rw550nc]

After taking out some other chipmunks last weekend this morning I got another. There was another one that disappeared and also another I could hear further away doing that irritating shrill chirp they do.
Taken at 25yds with the Diana 34 Panther with Air Arms Diablo Field. Why mess with success??
One shot, a very short shake and it was over. Humane and Quick.

I really do not understand how these little beasts can become so prolific in such a short amount of time. It's obvious more will need to be dealt with.

 

[intenseaty22]

I was researching the Chipmunk population and it said there were only a few per acre. I call BS on that. During season I get rid of maybe 2-3 per week, sometimes more. My yard is always full of them. 

 

[rw550nc]

I agree and call double BS on a few per acre. Unless they are considering hordes of them a "few".
The way it looks to me I don't think there is a time they take a break from breeding/churning out more little beasts.

 

[intenseaty22]

http://icwdm.org/handbook/rodents/chipmunks.asp

Here ya go. It says 2-4 per acre, but could be as high as 10. I live on about 1/2 acre suburban hood. 

 

[rw550nc]

Thanks for the link, some information in there is a bit shocking.
On the map it shows my area of NC as non-shaded and a bit west of me. Obviously that is wrong as they are here for sure.
The fact they eat insects and carrion is also a shock. So they are bloodthirsty!
And lastly that they prey on young birds and bird eggs. Yeah I can see where they would be an efficient killer on a young bird because they are so fast. Still shocking nonetheless.

 

[rw550nc]

Got 3 more today. No pics though, as one shot was fairly graphic. The pellet seemed to follow a rather rough course and some innards came out. I still don't think this is the last of them because after all these were down I heard that annoying chirp in the very near distance.
Probably give them a week to regroup and not get so leery. These today were considerably more aware and harder to get a shot on. In addition to that they were tougher than the others. 2 today required second shots, even though they were hit like all the ones before.

 

[intenseaty22]

The one that got away! Ran off before I could get a shot off.

 

[cea1960]

BS is right. At work you can watch them running around and i would estimate at least 40 per acre. That is with 10s of feral cats and 3 owls living in the same area.??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????