Replies

Quite welcome. I didn't want you to learn the hard way as our neighbors kids did. Our subdivision was still classified by the county as “rural” when it happened. The boys were across the street from the development, in an open farm field popping away at tin cans with their BB guns. Some “concerned” busybody called the Sheriff. That's when we all learned that the county deemed the discharge of a spring-powered BB gun within a subdivision no different than discharging a 12 ga. shotgun. Fast talking and a sympathetic Deputy Sheriff kept the boys out of JD, and allowed the family to retain the “guns.”

Little update for y’all on the Great Squirrel Hunting Expedition.

First, let me sincerely thank ALL of you for some GREAT suggestions, ideas, food for thought, heads-ups (is there such a phrase? there is now), etc. Y’all are the best.

So the lady and I go to Wally World over the weekend and get a wrist rocket (Daisy brand....don’t waste your money), some ‘ammo’, plus a little tub of airsoft pellets. For the last few days we’ve been launching airsoft pellets at the little bast.....er, beasties. We even occasionally hit ‘em. It makes them jump up, take off like a shot.......and they’re back 15 minutes later.

So the super-humane approach did not work. At all.

Add to that, one of the tubing pieces on the slingshot ripped after only a few days’ use. Wally World exchanged it no problem today, but let’s just say that device is now relegated to “emergency backup”.

So.....we go to Dicks Sporting Goods this evening. Based on all of your recommendations, my own research....and, not to mention what they actually HAD in stock on the shelves....I wanted the Daisy air rifle, almost got the Crossman equivalent....but wound up getting a Remington AirMaster 77 kit. Fires 755 fps (either .177 BB’s OR pellets). Pump; easy. No air to leak (cartridges, etc.), plus I don’t have to put 25 pumps into it before firing if I’m not out to actually kill the furry heathens (but by God I CAN if I opt to).

Gonna try this thing with the BB’s first, about 9-10 pumps worth...put some hurt on ‘em to see if that makes them call U-Haul and find a new neighborhood. Or neighbor. I don’t care which.

If that doesn’t work....out come the pellets and a lot more pumps. It’ll be time for hardball.

AND....thanks to the very sage advice of several of you, we’ll comply with local city regs and go get the requisite 90-day license from the local PD to use the thing in our yard legally. We will be VERY careful and won’t go launching rounds downrange into neighbors’ yards, etc. The object is to damage squirrels, not neighbor kids or surrounding windows.

Thanks again to you all, and I’ll let ya know how this things works out. :)