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When do you consider small game as a nuisance?

4K views 33 replies 19 participants last post by  gdmoody 
#1 ·
I've been small game hunting around our ranch since I was a kid and always enjoyed the practice and patience that goes into it. As I grew so did my conscious (not to sound all Deep and poetic or anything) but after a couple bad experiences I am sort of in a limbo for lack of a better term. It wasn't like I just killed things for the fun of it, it was mainly the massive squirrel population and the occasional rabbit here or there.


The first bad experience happened in my second season around 12-13, I owned a high powered pellet gun which I bagged a lot of squirrel with and was perfect for close range. It was my first shot at a rabbit and looking back now I realize I didn't quite have the experience yet to make a clean 1 shot kill not to mention the pellet gun being a little underpowered for a full grown rabbit. Needless to say I learned this lesson the hard way and I'm not sure how many beginners have wounded an animal but for me it was one of the worst feelings I've felt. It took 4-5 shots at point blank to finish it off and I just remember seeing it wriggling around in agony. It actually took me a little while to get back out there and shoot again but that one left an imprint on me.


A couple years later I had just purchased a new .17 hmr and had it all sighted in. The first shot I took at a squirrel with it went low and struck its jaw. Again not a good feeling to watch it squirm in agony. It took a further two shots to put it out and It was a miracle I could considering how frantically it was jumping around dragging its head. This was the second incident.


I don't want to come off as some kind of hippy dippy person who is against hunting or anything. I would just like to know if anyone else has experienced guilt like this or had similar experience and if it affected how you hunt. Is it ever common for someone to wound an animal at some point in their hunting career? I really would like to get back out there but I'm having trouble justifying when action should be taken to protect your property.


This might sound stupid but In all seriousness when do you consider something a pest and draw the line at harmless critter to potential risk that warrants being killed? For me it was always damage or likelihood of infesting living space. If something is tearing up your yard and in our case drip lines as well, does this warrant taking lethal action even if these things, while very annoying are relatively easy fixes?


I know there are people that say you should only hunt something if you are going to eat it. I definitely agree with this to a certain point such as with larger game such as deer and elk, etc. but with small game varmint, I don't believe you should have to eat it. I mean where I live that thing ain't going to waste trust me, something is going to make a meal of it.
 
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#7 ·
I really didn't answer your question. Legally, Fish and Game designates game animal versus varmints, their designations are fine with me. When do I shoot varmints? They are so designated because they are deemed pests and the populations can withstand unrestricted shooting. I shoot them when I want to.
 
#8 ·
Small critters were put here to feed larger critters, both two legged, and four legged. Nature is cruel. Ever watched a cat play with a mouse? They will play with it as long as they can keep it alive. I believe that we are the only critters on the planet that can even consider the concept of a clean, fast kill. It's what we strive for, but don't always achieve. I firmly believe that if it's a pest, kill it. Other wise, only kill if you intend to eat. I've made a few bad shots, and I've had critters get away from me, even though they had been hit hard. It happens. We live with our mistakes, learn from them hopefully, and continue to hunt.
 
#11 ·
I don't like to shoot anything I don't intend to eat. However if it is tearing up my property it quickly becomes "endangered". We have possums, *****, armadillos and squirrels that cause problems from time to time. I don't shoot the squirrels but if they start digging up flower beds and getting into the bird feeders well my wife is deadly with an old Winchester model 67 22 single shot. Squirrel beware.
 
#12 ·
I've wounded every rabbit I've ever shot, except the ones that I hit too good. I hunt rabbit with a shotgun and go for the rear legs, and usually break both legs at the ankle. I then run up, twist the head off and stomp on it.
If you try for a one shot kill on a rabbit with a shotgun, there is nothing left to eat.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
I've had a few bad shots. Of course I felt bad about it. However, you can't make that shot again, so only think of it as a reminder to make the next shot a clean one.

Within range, a good pellet gun is capable of cleanly taking a cottontail. I've done it many a time. The key is close range, a good, accurate rifle, and a good shot.

If I may suggest, get in some practice with scenarios you are likely to encounter in the field. Get good at it. If you are shooting at long range and have trouble judging distance, get yourself a rangefinder and use it when you can. You will get better at calling a distance when you don't a chance to range it. Know your rifle - that is, rough trajectory, and how wind affects the bullet. Try to eliminate as many potential accuracy problems as possible.

Even with all this, you can make a mistake, and perhaps will. We all do at some point.

As for shooting varmints - if it's a pest, get rid of it. Ground squirrels have been a problem this year for us. I shoot them when I see them.
 
#15 ·
I shoot every dang ground squirrel I can. Plunked about 25-30 last year from my porch. Shot only two so far this year. They burrow next to the house and that lets rain water next to the foundation. I always use my '97 Winchester 12 gauge with bird shot for them.

We have loads of cotton tails here. I try my best not to shoot them. I did get tempted to start plunking bunnies a couple of years back. They found that my spark plug wires on my trucks and my Vettes tasted like licorice. I have since built a shop/garage just to keep that problem away. I used to hunt and eat rabbits - but the wife won't eat them (city girl) so I won't shoot these around my place. They are a good food source, and if SHTF I'd plunk a few for supper. We have lots of antelope here, too.

As far as ugly experience while hunting - I've always taken head shots when possible so the animal doesn't suffer. I've passed on every questionable shot, and every animal I've taken has been under 100 yards. I don't hunt for trophies or horns - just meat.
 
#17 ·
You'll get bad shots on occasion, it happens to even the best. Learning from them is what makes you better. Small game, such as rabbits and squirrels, makes for great table fare, and is a great way to scout for larger game when the season comes.
 
#22 ·
I have been hunting sense I was a kid.
My pop-pop taught me that when I drop a animal for food that I should always thank God for the food he provided.
I think all hunters have felt the "Bamby syndrome" at one time or another (Those with hearts) but it is part of the hunt.
God put them here for food for us and it is up to us to make the first shot count so they do not suffer but also the faster they die the better tasting they are.
I have had to finish off deer that have been hit by a car (Or truck) and that can be heart twisting but always keep in mind you are helping them out.
Mike
 
#23 ·
I don't believe anyone with a heart wants to see an animal suffer, even vermin....and I shoot a lot of vermin.

Mother Nature is not a very nice gal. She's actually a rather brutal female dog. For a carnivore to live, something has to die, then the clean up crew takes over. In nature it is rare that it is a swift death.

I think Ortega y'Gasset, the great Spanish philosopher summed it up best when he said, "I don't hunt to kill, I kill to have hunted".
 
#30 ·
#31 ·
When I was about fifteen I was hunting does with my father.
I saw three deer coming and shot the biggest one. It ran about
fifty yards and fell over. When my father got to me we started to field dress it. We saw she was still full of milk. As we continued
we looked up and saw her two fawns following down the blood trail like beagles. They stood about ten yards away for quite a
while as we finished cleaning the doe. I felt bad even though I knew the were big enough to make it on their own.
 
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