Building a Safe Backyard Backstop

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Fenian

Fenian

Member
Sep 26, 2018
301
50
Mesa AZ United States
Hi Everyone,



I am new to air rifles, and I have a problem with backyard pests. I am surrounded by homes left, right, rear, and I do have a back yard maybe 250 feet long. 

I have squirrels and chipmunks, (but mainly squirrels) that jump up on the bird feeder and literally hog it all day, eat everything, and the birds are getting nothing. 

So....how can you safely shoot at the bird feeder, without damaging what is behind it or the round carrying onward?

For a start I was thinking of shooting downward trajectory from a 2nd floor bedroom window. What will a .25 Air Rifle pellet pass through? If I put up a large standard sheet of 1/2 inch plywood behind it would that trap the round if it misses? Again I will be shooting downward into the lawn....I guess I am just being super protective. How do you protect the area behind your 'alter of doom'? 
 
I found this on YouTube.....perhaps an idea I can simply store in the garage, remove, and hang from hooks on the garage exterior behind the bird house to contain any missed shots

What he is using is 1/4 inch polycarbonate sheets.

Has anyone ever tried PolyVinyl Chloride sheets? Also known as PVC but in sheet form? Much cheaper, and I actually have some large sheets of it already



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo2Fx_tQFvM


 
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Your taking about sheets of plywood? Wow, 8 layers, insulation material, and hay....that’s a serious backstop



the problem is I can’t permanently leave that in my backyard, is there something I can remove from the garage, put behind the target, and then place back in the garage afterward, something I can carry on my own etc
Click to expand...

What I plan on doing for next year is get a 4'x4' price of steel and have wheels welded on it. That way I can have a backstop I can move easily to different distances. It will cost a bit, but then so does replacing that plywood every couple weeks
 
Upvote 0
Your taking about sheets of plywood? Wow, 8 layers, insulation material, and hay....that’s a serious backstop



the problem is I can’t permanently leave that in my backyard, is there something I can remove from the garage, put behind the target, and then place back in the garage afterward, something I can carry on my own etc
Click to expand...

What I plan on doing for next year is get a 4'x4' price of steel and have wheels welded on it. That way I can have a backstop I can move easily to different distances. It will cost a bit, but then so does replacing that plywood every couple weeks
Click to expand...

What thickness of steel are you talking about?
 
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I agree to bait the ground and shoot DOWN into the ground. Sounds like you are in a very tempting but dangerous situation.

Don't do anything that can't be undone. Even a 12fpe gun can have unintended consequences. If you are really that much of

an enthusiast, and you are for example, renting, I would personally search for a place with a HUGE back yard with FAR AWAY neighbors.

Neighbors WILL complain and could eventually force you have comply with some kind of City ordinance to STOP shooting ANY and ALL of your airguns at your own home attached to a fine or threat of further legal, criminal and financial consequences.



CA


 
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Move the feeder....
Click to expand...

Anyway to squirrel proof it? Maybe post a pic of your feeder setup...I mean shooting may be the answer but at least we could all see what youre dealing with.
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There are squirrel proof feeders available in most stores, I personally don't have one. Another way to help keep them off it is to suspend it far from any branch and 5ft off the ground with 550 cord. That has worked for my buddy. I only shoot the red squirrels and the Grays get a warning shot with my slingshot. 
 
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