AusVarmint

Hi everyone,

I've been asked to shoot some rats for a bloke that doesn't want to use poison and he asked if I could come out and shoot them. They are in and around his shed.

My question is this:
What is the best way to hunt them with airguns? Bait stations etc etc any info/links you guys have would be helpful. I want to find out everything I can as I've never hunted rats before.

I hunt rats regularly. Will be going tomorrow night in fact. I am no expert but there are a few things to keep in mind. I hunt around a large silo feed complex and chicken farms.

Use a red cover on your torch. Doesn't spook them as much as white light. I use a Fenix TK-11 R2 with a tactical switch and red cover. Strong focused beam.

I usually have a couple of spots that I can approach without being seen. Something like a pile of pallets. Then I can do a few rounds of the complex and stop for a short time at each vantage point. Rats are quite smart and it doesn't take long for them to cotton on to what is happening. The first time you go you'll get heaps probably, but that will tail off a bit as the rats sit and ponder "where are those JSB Exact Jumbo's coming from"?

It doesn't hurt to put out some bait. Peanut butter is good. So are those tiny cans of cat food. It needs to be something they can't pick up and run off with. Smear abit near their runs/holes. Get the owner to put some out each day prior to going there.

I always try for head shots, as they are tuff bastards. I use .177 and .22. If its a head shot it doesn't make much differance. Bit like a sniper hitting a target in the head with a 308 or 50 cal. Either way they are dead. .22 is definately better for a heart shot. A rifle with a mag is the go also if hunting in the dark. You don't need the likes of 900 fps in .22 either as it tends to dint sheds and bounce around abit. I have used everything from R7 in .177 to theRapid in .22, and they all do the job. PCP is a bit easier to be accurate with.

I have recently fallen in love with my R9 again and will be taking it out tomorrow night. With all this PCP business and more and bigger is better, the R9 in .20 got left in the safe, but I have had it out and been using it and I had forgotten how good it was.

It's stating the obvious but I don't pick them up. I went to Bunnings and they sell a really good mechanical grip thing for about $7 bucks from memory. Pick them up and move them with that.

All the English sites have lots about rat shooting. Rapid owners for example. Thats about all I can think of. Hope it is of some help.

Let us know how you go.

Thanks mate I definitely will follow your advice. Great post thanks again whitey.

excellent info whitey!

Defiantly put his fair share and half in there hey

Went out last night and nailed 10-12 rats. I always start out vowing I'll count them accurately, but end up loosing count. Used my Theoben Taunus in .20. I have been getting it sorted out, adjusted the trigger, re-mounted the scope with Loc-Tite, re did the stock screws etc and it is shooting really well. I have been shooting my R9 lately and it will be shooting really well, then all of a sudden all over the shop. Check the stock screws and sure as eggs they'll be loose. Do everything up properly and good as gold. It's amazing how much of an effect those sort of things can have on accuracy.

The best shot was in a hopper shed that is about 18m high. Shone the light around and two big rats headed straight up. One made the mistake of going up the rod braces. They always stop momentarily at the intersection of the rods as it must be easier to balance. Took a lean and put a JSB right between his eyes. Down he came to the concrete with a satisfying thud.

Sorry no pictures. Dropped my camera a few weeks ago and still waiting for the new one.

KJD,

Did you or has anyone else sought out Rattus rattus of late? Really is a great air rifle hunt. I have just picked up an FX Cyclone.22 and am looking forward to it for this very task. The main thing will be the adjustable power. First rat on Saturday night ran stright to the ceiling of a very high shed and stopped. Through the head with a JSB from my Rapid. Then punched a hole through the tin roof. The FX should be able to avoid that.

Do Cyclone owners have anything I need to know? My first FX but I am sure not my last. Would like a Royale or a Gladiator double air or even a Storm.

Also of note is a new Gamo PCP out. It is called a Dynamax I believe. Now before people moan, I understand it is a rebadged BSA based on a Hornet action but with a 10 shot mag and tactical stock. Highlands are the distributor. Now I had a Hornet single shot and it was a great rifle, but the lack of a mag held it back, because it was cumbersome to reload in the dark when ratting. This new Gamo should be just the ticket. I understand BSA has been owned by Gamo for a number of years so that is the connection. I had no problems with my Hornet. Should be a good opportunity for a reliable multi shot PCP here. Thoughts?

Whitey wrote: I understand BSA has been owned by Gamo for a number of years so that is the connection. I had no problems with my Hornet. Should be a good opportunity for a reliable multi shot PCP here. Thoughts?

You are correct Whitey, BSA have been owned by Gamo for some years.

I recollect BSA did a multishot version similar to the hornet. I reckon they called it the Ultra multishot, but I think it was unregulated.
And if it shoots like a Hornet, then there is no issue there......

Mind you, my biggest concern would be that Lewis would assist with BSA servicing, but never liked Gamo, so I wonder what his thoughts would be? I'd be firing a post to Lewis first (INHO).

regards, curan