(my team, that is)
Ignore the '1/16 slo-mo' title for now. Each segment of the video has an appropriate subtitle.
I was going through the usual morning sequence. Mid-way through breakfast, I looked out into The Feeder Zone and noted my little songbirds, having breakfast with me. I happily remarked on this to my wife and son. My son looked out for a good 30 seconds and said: "Dad! A squirrel!" Sure enough, a nice-looking limb chicken was making his way down the mulberry tree. He had a few bites, then I heard a Blue Jay. Terrible-nasty birds they are; shame they're native... I said to the fam: "Just watch, that noisy Blue Jay is going to show up and chase the little songbirds away." Seconds later, he did just that, grabbed a few bites of cracked corn and flew off. They don't really like to hang around, unless it is to bully other animals or fight with other jays.
What took me by surprise though was that the squirrel also fled, for a moment!
The situation was: I was sitting at the table eating with the family and I couldn't break off to go drill that nutter. It is forbidden to break up a family meal for pesting. So he got to enjoy his last meal uninterrupted.
Wife finished and did dishes. Son finished and got ready for school. Daughter was brushing her hair and teeth.
The time was ripe.
I snuck out to the breezeway, prepared the Compatto, and rolled video. Audio-less high-speed video this time. I selected medium power (17 FPE) on the Compatto this time, to send out the Hunter at around 870 fps. That much power is unnecessary for a brain shot on a tree rat at this range, but I figure in case of sub-optimal pellet placement, the better expansion due to higher velocity might make the difference.
I lined up, hanging the Compatto's air tube in the crook of my thumb, while bracing my palm on the door's vertical stile, and let 'er rip. The only problem with medium or high power at close range is that the impact comes too soon to hear it; I was still hearing the blast from the moderator. (Maybe I'm a sicko, but I like to hear that "POK" when the round finds its mark.)
I got him in the fuse box between the eye and ear, maybe 3/8" low. No dance, just some nerve twitch.
Ignore the '1/16 slo-mo' title for now. Each segment of the video has an appropriate subtitle.
I was going through the usual morning sequence. Mid-way through breakfast, I looked out into The Feeder Zone and noted my little songbirds, having breakfast with me. I happily remarked on this to my wife and son. My son looked out for a good 30 seconds and said: "Dad! A squirrel!" Sure enough, a nice-looking limb chicken was making his way down the mulberry tree. He had a few bites, then I heard a Blue Jay. Terrible-nasty birds they are; shame they're native... I said to the fam: "Just watch, that noisy Blue Jay is going to show up and chase the little songbirds away." Seconds later, he did just that, grabbed a few bites of cracked corn and flew off. They don't really like to hang around, unless it is to bully other animals or fight with other jays.
What took me by surprise though was that the squirrel also fled, for a moment!
The situation was: I was sitting at the table eating with the family and I couldn't break off to go drill that nutter. It is forbidden to break up a family meal for pesting. So he got to enjoy his last meal uninterrupted.
Wife finished and did dishes. Son finished and got ready for school. Daughter was brushing her hair and teeth.
The time was ripe.
I snuck out to the breezeway, prepared the Compatto, and rolled video. Audio-less high-speed video this time. I selected medium power (17 FPE) on the Compatto this time, to send out the Hunter at around 870 fps. That much power is unnecessary for a brain shot on a tree rat at this range, but I figure in case of sub-optimal pellet placement, the better expansion due to higher velocity might make the difference.
I lined up, hanging the Compatto's air tube in the crook of my thumb, while bracing my palm on the door's vertical stile, and let 'er rip. The only problem with medium or high power at close range is that the impact comes too soon to hear it; I was still hearing the blast from the moderator. (Maybe I'm a sicko, but I like to hear that "POK" when the round finds its mark.)
I got him in the fuse box between the eye and ear, maybe 3/8" low. No dance, just some nerve twitch.
