Posted on 05/13/2012 6:32:58 AM PDT by RightOnline
I have 6 pecan trees in my front yard(a corner lot) in Houston. I declared war on the squirrels 2 years ago that were claiming all the pecans as their own. I set out 2 live traps. One a havahart. the other is a squirrelinator. I trapped 17 squirrels that first year. Though one of my trees put out so many nuts that it broke several main branches.
So last year I didn’t set the traps out so often.
Traps are the way to go.
Yep. You say you live in a subdivision. You should definitely check out the local regs and even your HOA regs. Even with a tall privacy fence, all you need is one neighbor to call the police to report that someone is firing a gun in his back yard. That could end up causing you more problems than the squirrels.
Help me end the reign of terror of these cute-but-hugely-annoying little bushy-tailed heathens.
What exactly are the squirrels doing that is so annoying? I didnt really mind them in the yard until they invaded my attic. I had to call a professional trapper to get rid of the buggers.
Set up with CO2 and high pressure pump and night vision.
I’m in the city also....and actually a plain BB will kill squirrels (with a double or triple pump); my Remington has the capability for both BBs and .177 pellets, but I’ve made my kills with only the BBs.
Decades ago, I started out with a Crossman 1400 Powermaster .22 cal. pump pellet gun. One friend had a .177 Benjamin and one .20 Sheridan, all pumps, similar fps, but of the three, I still like that Crossman .22 the best. Too bad they don't make that model any more.
The pumps are nice, since you can choose how much power you want behind the pellet with the number of pumps. So, if some critter is where you don't want it to be, you can adjust the power from lethal down to a sting, depending on your intent.
If I was only going to hunt with it, I'd probably buy a single pump, and get a more quiet model if I lived within the city limits and didn't want the neighbors to freak when I took care of the squirrel problem and call 911 on me.
Good luck with your search and with the squirrels!
I've always said, you can't miss with a Havahart. ;)
Not bad advice at all.
Frankly, the discussion here on this thread made me finally do what should have been obvious (but wasn’t): check local regs.
Turns out....our esteemed City (happens to be Raleigh, NC) doesn’t allow the discharge of even a BB gun (or air rifle) within the city limits....however, it seems to offer an exception for use against varmints if you get a 90-day permit, etc.
As a side note, was perusing Wally World’s Web site, and most of the ‘decent’ BB or air rifles cannot be sold in NC.
Guess this is just a seriously wussified State. Sigh......
You could always go Airsoft:
http://youtu.be/-Jp1gZXVndI
After you’re done with the squirrels, you could mow the lawn with this baby.
If you’re using a scope, it shouldn’t matter that much.
Just practice, practice, practice - and you will be able to hit your target.
And while you’re at it, why not try some squirrel pot pie!
Then try one of these.
Can't say I ever whacked a squirrel with one, but there's bunnies in heaven and snakes in hell on account of one of these.
All them damn half way yankees escaping high tax progressive hell up north have brought their wussification along with them and then spread the disease wherever they end up.
However, if the recent primary and continuing DNC meltdown are any indication, I have a good feeling that NC is going to take a few more steps to get back to its roots this November.
The simple, cheap, most effective answer is the Crossman pump. You don't have to kill them to clear your yard. Three pumps will sting their tails at 25 yards. They will avoid your yard for a good while. BBs are cheap.
Don't bother with a scope. Wouldn't try to hit them at a greater distance due to the possibility that the BB will carry into someone's yard.
If anyone asks, you are just simply stinging them into another part of the neighborhood.
Woodpeckers are a different story.
What ever you do, keep it to yourself! So called friends, neighbors or even relatives can and sometimes will turn you in to the local PETA/SPCA for animal cruelty for tortuing God’s little tree vermin. Trapping and relocating does not work unless you move them a great distance from their infested site.
Lord have mercy!!! Awesome. Could use one of those if the squirrels attack en masse out of revenge!!! :)
Others here have suggested the same thing; just a few pumps on a decent BB gun is enough to scatter the little rat bastids, and HIGHLY unlikely to do any damage to the fence, neighbors, etc., etc.
To be brutally honest, I would really rather NOT kill the little beasties.....just chase ‘em off, it that would work.
So appreciate your post; has definitely changed my thinking.
If you're going to shoot squirrels and varmints like that I'd rather use the larger pellet in .22 with the applicable power rather than .177 because there's a greater chance of wind affecting the .177 and just wounding the animal. A .22 pellet will knock it dead......
I have a crossman, break-barrel, .177 pellet gun without a scope. Save your money on a scope. I have tried a scope and a laser and they both were a waste of money for me, YMMV. That gun has plenty of power. It put a pellet completely through a squirrel at 48 yards. Hope this helps.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.