ollie989898
Member
Which is why they set up baiting points to draw the rats out into area they can be shot without risking the damage of equipment or buildings.
Air rifle
- Thread starter Fergieman
- Start date
Which is why they set up baiting points to draw the rats out into area they can be shot without risking the damage of equipment or buildings.
- Location
- North West
Baiting is fine in buildings if you can restrict their movement and access to a food sources then you can get them eating bait. If they’re outside it’s more difficult to restrict their movement and access to food.
We’ve also found constant high water levels last year have forced a lot out of the banks of the streams to look for new homes plus, things like ab9 winter bird food have given them easy access to food!
However I had a few nights in a row a while back and dropped over 50 (first night was a massacre!) since then it’s been less and less. Was out last night and only got 3 out of the 6 I saw knocking about.
They have no idea you’re there when using thermal spotters, night vision scopes and a silenced rifle from 50+ yards away. I’ll generally only have one night a week or even every other week now as there’s hardly any about.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Not sure I agree. Thermal scope means I can soon identify where they are. Cold night and you can soon see any spots they have made a nest in. Shoot the big ones. Stove the holes in.
Best thing would be a ratting dog, but I've not got one and won't be getting one. Since the maize game strips went, and my big cats arrived, have kept on top with the gun. Infact I'd say pushed them right back.
I've a couple of ditch bridges done in the "old boy" way of loose stone etc that will be replaced with proper concrete work. Then I think my ratting will be done.
In any case, the number of folk who will pay to come kill rats, pigeons etc is unbelievable.
And we're aways being encouraged to diversify so why not in this department as well.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Honestly, the money folk will pay to shoot stuff, and search for treasure, on your land makes sheep keep look ridiculous.
ollie989898
Member
I keep posting to that effect- the number of people who are looking for land to shoot or ferret on is off the scale. No farmer should ever need to buy poison or ever shoulder a gun of his own in the cold at night, thousands of dudes will do it for free or even pay for the privilege.
- Location
- Stratford on Avon
I do get that , but we are fairly tidy where our rat problem is , but they wont take bait , to much other food available , i hit them hard with the air rifle and knocked off a lot of rats then noticed that they packed their suitcases and buggered off , not far tho , into another set of buildings but no food was available so all of a sudden they took the bait , some rats have gone back into their original home but they seem to be able to see the IR glow , so next job is to find a different IR source, maybe a weaker one , at the moment ive turned the light towards the gun and shooting in the shadows , not so easy but still shooting rats
- Location
- North West
Thermal spotter is an absolute game changer for ratting, they have no idea they’re being watched and it’s so much easier to find them. Had one in a curtain sider sitting against the sheet the other week, couldn’t see it through the scope but could see the heat. Managed to get it through the sheet.
Only trouble is the price!
Can you not stop them having access to other food, presumably what you're trying to protect? How long are you giving them to take the bait? They're neophobic (think that's the right word), so doen't like new things and take a while to accept your bait before they will take it, which hopefully hasn't spoilt
Rat Reeper 🐀☠️
Member
- Location
- North wales
The best combo for rat shooting is thermal spotter to find them and nv scope .. the nv scope will be able to identify what your shooting …
Last edited:
- Location
- Stratford on Avon
Had a morning at the NEC yesterday morning , went up to see a Walther Reign but once in my hand it just didnt come into my shoulder nicely so the salesman gave me a AGT vixen to look at , loved it , just waiting for a price for a FAC version now .
but the important bit was that i managed to chat to a salesman on the HikMicro stand and told him about my problem that the ratty seem to know my presence when I switch the IR torch on , it seems that im using the wrong frequency , so new torch turning up next week to see if its a game changer
but the important bit was that i managed to chat to a salesman on the HikMicro stand and told him about my problem that the ratty seem to know my presence when I switch the IR torch on , it seems that im using the wrong frequency , so new torch turning up next week to see if its a game changer
Rat Reeper 🐀☠️
Member
- Location
- North wales
The ir torches are either 850 or 940 ….
850nm torches will give the best picture, they will have a slightly longer usable range and they are less likely to create blurry images than 940nm torches. 850 gives better pictures because IR cameras are most sensitive to radiation in this wavelength
Weasel
Member
- Location
- in the hills
Has any one ever mounted a scope on a shotgun?
Wilksy
Member
- Location
- East Riding
Aim point make a thing it’s a red dot sight, I watched a you tube vid by TGS outdoors George digweed was trying it out, he doesn’t need one but he could see how it would help with eye dominance
- Location
- North West
Wilksy
Member
- Location
- East Riding
That’s it!
- Location
- East Sussex
I’ve got a holographic sight for the semi auto 12g. I scabbed from a mate in the defence industry who had it as a demo. Great for shooting slugs (the cartridge not the snail-without-a-house!) but not much use for moving game.
Saddle mount connects to the receiver with a weaver rail.
bit of fun I suppose
Saddle mount connects to the receiver with a weaver rail.
bit of fun I suppose
Rich_ard
Member
Have you sold it?