Of rats and rabbits at night

[BackStop]

Something I have noticed at night, at least in my own back yard, is that the rats like to "hide" in the shadow(s) of the rabbits feeding on the chicken scratch I put out.

I don't have NV or a "red light", but I do have flood light(s) that is about 20 degrees or so to the side from where I shoot. This lets me see the rats hiding behind the feeding rabbits from time to time. An angle of 90 degrees for the light *might* be ideal to see the rats given their habit of staying in the rabbits' shadows.

The rats have probably been out there for longer than I like to think, but now that I have realized that they hide behind (in the shadow of) the many rabbits that feed in my back yard, I am more diligent.

Several times, I have had to choose between letting a rat go or taking a shot that is danger close to a rabbit. I never take a shot when a rabbit might get the pass through or ricochet, but I have made rat kills where the shot is *danger close* to a rabbit. It is either that or let the rat take a pass. Not going to happen if I have a clear shot. Never have hit a rabbit. That is why accuracy/precision trumps everything for me.

Here is one example of a shot I took that required me to shoot about a half inch above the back of a rabbit. I am very proud of this shot.

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/night-shot-mouse-rat-without-nv/#post-1001864

Anyway, just thought I would mention this for the other pesters who might have rabbits and rats.

If you can, place your light at somewhere up to 90 degrees from the target in relation to where you will be shooting. If you can't do that and your only light source comes from YOU, then pay VERY close attention to the rabbits, especially when they move. That is when you will see the rats... if you are paying close attention.

As I said, this is something I have noticed in my own backyard with Norway rats. 

Good luck and good pesting!

Kerry

 

[SHOMER]

And good morning to you Mr. BackStop and that's some good advice on positional lighting. In our grove I've got a number of green flood lights setup that give just enough light for shadows of those cute little night raiders. My night stalker is a Benjamin Prod with an ole Sightmark NV scope it works very well in the me vs them there critters dance. At one time it seemed like the ground was moving, because there were so many rats running about. But I am glad to say that those nights along with their lost of saleable fruit are a memory . Just hope they do not make rats a new protected class? 

 

[BackStop]

And good morning to you Mr. BackStop and that's some good advice on positional lighting. In our grove I've got a number of green flood lights setup that give just enough light for shadows of those cute little night raiders. My night stalker is a Benjamin Prod with an ole Sightmark NV scope it works very well in the me vs them there critters dance. At one time it seemed like the ground was moving, because there were so many rats running about. But I am glad to say that those nights along with their lost of saleable fruit are a memory 

. Just hope they do not make rats a new protected class? 

LOL! Who knows with the current administration!

It amazed me how well these Norway rats stay in the shadow of the rabbits. I might have shot a lot more sooner if I had realized what they were doing, but I tended to just look out the window and see the rabbits, watch them for a while, and conclude there were no rats. BOY was I wrong!

Looking forward to the mail today. First order of Cigar of the Month Club that was due yesterday and should arrive today. I don't know what they sent... (grin)

 

[SHOMER]

Well my night shift is coming to a close and your right Mr. BackStop very tricky little critters it's almost like they when to night school or something?

 

[BackStop]

Here's what I found this morning in the side planter attached to my house. Uncovered them for the pic and covered them back up after. Sorry all the pics look the same. I have a hard time using this flip phone to make good pics, so I take MANY of each "scene" and usually just post the best of those. These 3 were the best out of about a dozen. I think there are 6 in this litter... at least 5. I've named the mother Thelma after the mother of a good friend who was a second mom to me back in high school. The one I think is the father I call Bud.

P.S.

Just realized that I did not say what these are.  They are baby rabbits. Just in case anyone thought they were rats.

 

[Arrowhead1951]

Mr. BackStop,

I am truly amazed the rats are using the rabbits for concealment to move about your shooting area. It makes me wonder what I may have been missing, rabbits do move about freely here, they are sort of pets we enjoy watching. The predators, winged and quad footed do control the rabbit population without my intervention. 

We don't have security lights, I use my NV scope and occasionally a red or green (both colors work good) LED flashlight mounted to a tripod. The LED lights work best being stationary and not mounted to my rifle, my wiggling around seems to alarm the rodents that a JSB storm is eminent.

At night it is supposed to be dark.....certain night creatures probably would not visit me if I illuminated their hunting grounds. I am old and cranky, so my opinions should be taken as that, just my opinions. I am also techno impaired, do not have a cell phone (no service here) it is also beyond my capability to post videos. My trail cam shows me lots of animals doing their night thing and I adjust my hunting hide locations and time in them to correspond to their schedule. Yes, it will be 24 hours later, but the critters usually repeat their activity if successful.

Thanks for your very informative posts, enjoy your smokes and please keep sharing your observations.

Good luck with your pesting, stay healthy and safe

Arrowhead1951

 

[BackStop]

Mr. BackStop,

I am truly amazed the rats are using the rabbits for concealment to move about your shooting area. It makes me wonder what I may have been missing, rabbits do move about freely here, they are sort of pets we enjoy watching. The predators, winged and quad footed do control the rabbit population without my intervention. 

We don't have security lights, I use my NV scope and occasionally a red or green (both colors work good) LED flashlight mounted to a tripod. The LED lights work best being stationary and not mounted to my rifle, my wiggling around seems to alarm the rodents that a JSB storm is eminent.

At night it is supposed to be dark.....certain night creatures probably would not visit me if I illuminated their hunting grounds. I am old and cranky, so my opinions should be taken as that, just my opinions. I am also techno impaired, do not have a cell phone (no service here) it is also beyond my capability to post videos. My trail cam shows me lots of animals doing their night thing and I adjust my hunting hide locations and time in them to correspond to their schedule. Yes, it will be 24 hours later, but the critters usually repeat their activity if successful.

Thanks for your very informative posts, enjoy your smokes and please keep sharing your observations.

Good luck with your pesting, stay healthy and safe

Arrowhead1951

Thanks! I think if it weren't for me putting out the chicken scratch regularly, I would not be seeing the rats as I am, amongst the rabbits. No doubt they would still be around, but the chicken scratch, in the middle of a safe shooting area, has finally paid off. That is once I figured out that the rats were hiding in the shadows provided by the rabbits. I think the fact that my flood lights are ALWAYS ON at night helps in that Norway rats get spooked by changes. ANY CHANGES. At least that is what I have read and from my limited experience pesting rats, I have to agree.

I am still thinking of getting NV capability, but mainly so I can do video. Not so much to post the videos, but so I can see what mistakes I am making while shooting. (grin)

Thanks again!

Kerry

 

[Longfellow]

BackStop

I can relate to that. I have the same problem when shooting hosp's off my bird feeder. I've been feeding 2 separate flocks of doves; (mourning & white wing), for the past few years. The hosp's intermingle w/ the doves all the time. Many, many times, I've had to pass on a shot at a hosp for fear that it was too close to a dove and/or the angle wasn't right. I feel guilty enough just nailing a hosp in front of a dove in the 1st place. No need to tell me I'm getting soft in my old age. I already know it.

 

[SHOMER]

BackStop If your thinking of going NV the BAY has the unit I use on my night stalking Prod. It's a basic old school Sightmark XT that does video, but does not make coffee or other fashionable things. It does work just fine doing what needs to get done and their CHEAP. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384182721211?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818141841%26meid%3D9192f3504b0d4fd3a6ab166dfe0dfeb4%26pid%3D101111%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D274751663113%26itm%3D384182721211%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2563228%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWithAblationExplorer%26brand%3DSightmark&_trksid=p2563228.c101111.m2109

Below is the better video newer model RT 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324650826517?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818141841%26meid%3D4b1e6f17b73f45f7bffa8756368969a4%26pid%3D101111%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D384182721211%26itm%3D324650826517%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2563228%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWithAblationExplorer%26brand%3DSightmark&_trksid=p2563228.c101111.m2109

 

[Longfellow]

BackStop

I can relate to that. I have the same problem when shooting hosp's off my bird feeder. I've been feeding 2 separate flocks of doves; (mourning & white wing), for the past few years. The hosp's intermingle w/ the doves all the time. Many, many times, I've had to pass on a shot at a hosp for fear that it was too close to a dove and/or the angle wasn't right. I feel guilty enough just nailing a hosp in front of a dove in the 1st place. No need to tell me I'm getting soft in my old age. I already know it.

Darn hosp's just did it again. 5 doves, 4 mourning, 1 white wing and a hosp on the edge, all of them on the 12X12 bird feeder . All of them moving around. Some shots just aren't mean't to be, I guess. *Sighs*

 

[BackStop]

BackStop

I can relate to that. I have the same problem when shooting hosp's off my bird feeder. I've been feeding 2 separate flocks of doves; (mourning & white wing), for the past few years. The hosp's intermingle w/ the doves all the time. Many, many times, I've had to pass on a shot at a hosp for fear that it was too close to a dove and/or the angle wasn't right. I feel guilty enough just nailing a hosp in front of a dove in the 1st place. No need to tell me I'm getting soft in my old age. I already know it.

I understand. You are not getting soft. HOSPs are not a real problem for me, so I have not shot many of them. Also, I am not able to ID the HOSP females from the other Sparrows on my property, so when I do shoot HOSPs, I only shoot males.

When it comes to rats? That is a different story. When I am really on my game, like I was when I made this shot 1/2 inch above a rabbit's back, I don't have a problem taking that risk. But there are times when I know I am not on my game and I don't take those risks.

Relatively recently I went for nearly 30 shots without a miss. Then, more recently, I started missing... Checked zero and fps and although the fps was consistent with what I expected, the POI was low compared to the zero. I have experienced this several times with the Aim Sports Alpha 6 4.5-27 30mm. It will hold zero for a while and then it shifts. Almost always the POI goes down and I adjust the turret up. Nothing else changes.

I know what you mean about feeling guilty shooting even near the rabbits, but the rabbits in my backyard are used to me shooting and usually don't even flinch. Even when the shot impact is close to them. Most of the time, the shot is not *danger close* as it was on that rat. (smile)

Good luck and good shooting!

Kerry

 

[davelarson]

Interesting information for sure, often the starlings here will try and slip in with the blackbirds and eat scratch. It’s really satisfying to still be able to reach through the flock, wait for a clear shot and smack the starling. And I know what you mean about the rabbits not flinching when you shoot, the other birds here are totally used to the shooting and since they never get shot they hang out even when I’m target shooting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BackStop]

Interesting information for sure, often the starlings here will try and slip in with the blackbirds and eat scratch. It’s really satisfying to still be able to reach through the flock, wait for a clear shot and smack the starling. And I know what you mean about the rabbits not flinching when you shoot, the other birds here are totally used to the shooting and since they never get shot they hang out even when I’m target shooting. Thanks for sharing.

I've seen Starlings mingle with the Grackles as well. Have not had any opportunities to tag Starlings once the initial nesting season ended, but I did get several that were attacking the Red-bellied woodpeckers that drilled out a den/nest in one of my Oaks. Very satisfying!

 

[Longfellow]

BackStop

I can relate to that. I have the same problem when shooting hosp's off my bird feeder. I've been feeding 2 separate flocks of doves; (mourning & white wing), for the past few years. The hosp's intermingle w/ the doves all the time. Many, many times, I've had to pass on a shot at a hosp for fear that it was too close to a dove and/or the angle wasn't right. I feel guilty enough just nailing a hosp in front of a dove in the 1st place. No need to tell me I'm getting soft in my old age. I already know it.

I understand. You are not getting soft. HOSPs are not a real problem for me, so I have not shot many of them. Also, I am not able to ID the HOSP females from the other Sparrows on my property, so when I do shoot HOSPs, I only shoot males.

Good luck and good shooting!

Kerry

I use these websites to help ID hosp's and/or other small birds.

http://www.sialis.org/hospphotos.htm

http://www.sialis.org/otherbrownbirds.htm

You're right. Female hosp's at a distance tend to resemble cowbirds and finches if they're facing away from you. I downloaded each of the photo's on the websites. I have my laptop hooked up to my flat screen. Using windows photo viewer, I can blow the pics up to King Kong size on the flat screen. I review them periodically to keep their details in mind.