Sad news, good news.

Just an update. Body count is close to 33 as of an hour ago. All were residents close to the street and used to seeing people. My neighborhood is all at work, no prying eyes to worry about.

I would like to say all were perfect head shots, but no. About a dozen were deliberately shot upper torso into the lungs area. Most of those holed up quick with a fatal wound. Yesterday was again too windy for shooting. Today is warm and still. The dogs are out in numbers. I have done two walkabouts in the field. I will say that those dogs are normal in the sense they are running for safety at my approach. Those that reappear within my accepted range are hit in the vital areas or head. Several have come completely out of their holes barking warning chirps and challenging my presence.

Those that know the power of a D34 in .22 can attest to the deep penetration on thin skinned creatures. My comfort range live target limit is under 50 yards. Most have been 30-35 yds. The D34 hits hard. The H&N FTT's are laser accurate and I know the capabilities of gun and scope.

Another thing. I hold an NRA Master class ranking in offhand rifle metallic silhouette shooting. Meaning? No need to worry about sloppy shooting and wounding of these animals. I will not take a risky shot. I am told D-day will be mid week, we have some snow inbound soon. I will keep at it until I no longer can. I will miss seeing these critters around.

seven08

.......another update...#36. I got two more with head shots 30 minutes ago. Just 10 minutes ago this big male pops up standing facing left. I had still conditions so I chose to take the 65 yd. shot. I dialed the Vortex up to 8x, got my breathing and squeeze routine perfect and "sent it"...haha. Bingo, he goes over on his back and running in place like that one the eagle hit. Expired in seconds. Hit was just over the arm and into the lungs. My wife witnessed the kill and says "why did you lose the match last week?

Pneumatic-Addict (love that handle)....there is a dude on here named Bob O. that runs a "take out" food service for eagles and ravens up north somewhere.



Rooster, my two 34's love the 5.54 HN's. I have been buying them at Field Supply when they go on sale for $10. a can. I have 25 tins in the house right now. Got that vendor tip from someone on this site.

.....update.

Count is at about 57 dogs so far. I did good on two more walks yesterday. The one in the photo is from 15 minutes ago. I saw him out the kitchen window 15 yds. behind the fencing. These remaining street dogs are getting skittish and hole up fast when they see me. I had to pull a detailed sneak on him. Shot was about 30-35 yds. offhand as usual. This young dog was crouched facing my direction but did not see me. The pellet barely cleared the top of the plastic fence but found the target. Looks like it went down the throat by mouth entry. He did three quick 360 turns and stopped. Had to leave the spot quick as two young ladies my age were approaching out for a morning walk. Done for the day, wind is up, temp is dropping and rain snow mix in a couple of hours expected. No clue when the exterminators will arrive. We got a door knob warning tag advising that a "prairie dog management event" was imminent. Stay away from fencing until it is taken down.

I have a few photos from yesterday but will just show this last one. They all look pretty much the same. This young dog was standing tall at a solid 50 yards. The hit was a lights out pass through. Perhaps my finest offhand live target shot in memory.

OK...last one, I promise. This one was standing facing me at 40 yards. He was six feet from his hole but expired quick before reaching it. The hit was a little lower than I wanted but was centered and fatal.

I might have just set a new personal best shot record. Just now from my front door inside the house. NE wind at 18 mph. 43 F degrees and falling. Shot was 55 yds. shooting NE direction. First shot only 1/2 inch left of head. Saw the dust impact past him. Second shot was a head impact. He was flopping around like a fish out of water for a few seconds. Oh yeah, offhand. What a mess.

"Prairie dog management" ....Hmmm, ahhh, already been in effect for a couple of days.

Picture taken moments ago from my living room window. 7:20 am... 23 deg. F.... 7mph N breeze. He must be thinking, where have all my friends and relatives gone? I will try for him later today.

Despite only warming to 26 F they are out and hungry. Zero wind, zero sunshine. I have three more down so far today. All shots taken from my front porch through an opening in the lilac bush. Hits were side of head, upper chest and this female with back to me at 65 yds. Hit at the base of neck centered. Did the running in place thing for a couple of seconds. It is cold and raw out here today. I did have a few clean misses but they stayed put. Fun fact...PD's do not hibernate in winter. Out of respect for this site, too much red snow for acceptable pictures on the other two dogs.



.....update....two more down. I am having to add a few up clicks on the Vortex due to the cold and 98% humidity.



......another update. I just got that one in the photo this morning. He is out there on his side DRT. This guy was really on to me. It took three stealthy approaches on the front porch to finally get the shot. Another almost clipped the fence shot.

Thanks for the encouragement, Dave. We had a little more snow overnight and the temp is stuck at 26 F. No dogs out yet. Will be partly sunny by noon and hopefully I will save a few more from a lingering death. You can see my little metal squares in the background. 25-50-75 yds. Two others not visible at 40-80 and the 10" fry pan is 125 and 10" saw blade at 100 yds. The dogs were hearing and seeing them clinking, clanging and moving every day. Once there was a new dog directly behind the 75 yd. 5"x7" aluminum plate...two inches from it maybe. I was in great form that day and slapped him with the plate. Funny to see him run fast for the hole!

Well, it started to snow again. The dogs will just stay in for the time being. There is a cottontail next to the 125 yd. 10" fry pan. That's the 80 yd. 5"x7" plate and 100 yd. 10" saw blade.











Noon time, snow tapering off. Dogs are up!

So far today five down. This one was taken at 75 yards very close to my 80 yd. plate. It was a risky long shot but I felt up to trying. Fortunately it was a fatal back of the neck hit again. No movement, just dropped. An adult male. It is still only 29 F and cloudy. Only a few dogs out scrounging for food. My walk out drove them to their holes. Will be colder and dark soon. Done for the day I think.

Yes sir, the D34 a fine, accurate and powerful low cost air rifle. Every one should own at least one! Google Earth says my place is 4965 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Or any ocean for that matter. Hey! another plug for the indestructible Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x AO needed, too. A perfect scope for the D34!!!