For your reading enjoyment, backyard pest control is back. A weekend recap of the highs and lows ob backyard springer pest control Beeman style.
Saturday
I took out a destructive chipper at about 20 yards (maybe 23) with my .22 Beeman R1. Of course most casual readers may find chipmunks cute and cuddly types, but the fact is these varmints are plenty destructive, digging up the back yard, and under the foundation of the garage apartment.
Sunday Part 1
Earlier this afternoon, I was switching between the disappointing GA/Ohio St. elimination game, and the Dover race; periodically checking the back yard for varmints. A starling kept making an appearance, but everything I tried to get a zero on the flying rat, it always managed to fly away. So I would go back to the game, and eventually the Dover race; I see no comeback for the Dawgs.
At the first pit stop, lap 31, I decided to check the backyard for varmints. The starling was back. He looked like he was sunning himself, which I thought was a little unusual, because usually they are constantly moving, head bobbing up and down looking for food. I quickly load a Crosman Premier into the .22 R1 and figured the varmint was at about 20 yards. Lined up the crosshair of the ELITE 3200 at 12 power square on his head. Fire! Direct hit and a pass through; I could hear the resounding “thuck” of a clean hit, and then the distinctive sound of pellet on rock (some broken stonework was a few yards behind my target). The varmint dropped like a rock. When I looked at the starling, the pellet hit the top of the back of the head, and passed through at the front of the lower part of the upper breast. Lots of blood; direct hit, easy kill. The power of .22 Beeman R1 is plenty overkill for a starling.
No pictures. Dead is dead; no point in stirring up trouble.
Sunday Part 2
One of the neighbors complained about my shooting. This was the first time anyone has complained, and at the time I was shooting the Beeman R7. Apparently I am sending their dog into the nut house; neighbor complained that she has to give her dog a pill whenever I am out shooting.
This turn of events sort of sucks. Not sure what to do next. I will probably lay off shooting for a week, and then talk with the neighbor to come up with a good time to shoot that would not bother her dog. Good grief; the things I do.
Have you checked the city or county code to see if you’re legal to shoot? If so, you will be in a better position to negotiate with your neighbor. If not, legally you’re screwed and she will have the upper hand if she decides to report you.
Hoping that this matter will be in your favour.
My wife is an lawyer (a stay at home, homeschooling mom right now), so I am going to have to get her to do some research. The last time we looked, we could not really find any mention of airgun in the local codes, except for the pellet could not leave your property.
I think my tactics with the neighbor are going to be pretty simple. Not shoot for a few days, and wait for this weekend for her to be in the yard. Then I will approach her about shooting areas and times. I will explain again that I am shooting against a 2 inch backdrop of stone, will offer to arrange my shooting times for when her dog is usually inside, and offer to move my shooting area so that it is not near her backyard.