Crane Sage Rats 3/27 thru 3/30

Brrrrrr, cold and windy. That pretty much sums up the whole trip. Friday PM we were able to get out into he field and bust a few rats, but the wind and temp was not nice. Saturday was about the same, although I managed to stay out on the shooter rest all day and got a few rats. Of course, they don't think much of the wind and cold either, so the kill count was rather low. The wind really came up during the night. I thought the trailer was going to be blown right off the jacks. Rain was pelting dowm too and when we got up the next morning, we discovered that some had been snow. Temp 20 degrees. Wind still at about 25-30 mph. Hung around camp till about 10 and decided we could shoot from the rigs if any rats were up. As it turned out, the wind and cold kept us in the trucks but there were more rats than expected, so had a fair day shooting, given the conditions. Like always, the wind laid down about 6pm and when we left on Mondat morning it was sunny with no wind. I would say that the rat population is, right now, about average. About 2 weeks from now it should get really good, especially if the weather straightens out. On this last trip, I had my grandson and his step-dad along, so, it was a special trip for me. Confirmed kills ( see earlier post ) was 108 for me.

A Few Rats out Sisters/Tumalo

Spent this week taking care of "honey dos " and taxes, so no first hand report right now. However, during my travels around our area, I observed a few rats just East of Sisters and West of Tumalo. There are really to many houses in these areas to do much shooting but the fact that rats are showing here gives me reason to believe rats are starting to show in the Fort Rock and Xmas Valley pivots. By calling one of the businesses in Xmas Valley, you could probably find out for sure. I am leaving in the morning for Crane. Just talked to friend Jim and the weather was 47 degrees, light wind and mostly sunny. Check in Tuesday for the latest info.

RATS RATS RATS, Crane 3/16 thru 3/21

Rats Rats Rats everywhere. In the fields, in the sage and running across the road. When we left Bend on Monday, it was snowing hard and 3-4" was on the ground. Roads were just wet and by the time we got past Hampton Station, most of the roadside snow was gone. Dry pavement Burns to Crane. Tried to shoot during what was left of the PM but was to cold and rainy. But hey, the next day was better. Warmer with more sun and less wind and it improved every day thereafter. Our group at rat camp numbered 5-7 every day. We shot at a field that my friend Jim has a semi-exclusive access to and it was loaded. I shot 3 days with the Remington .22 and the last day I got out the .17HMR. Doesn't seem to matter what gun I shoot, the daily count on dead rats is about the same. Of course with the .17, I shoot up less ammo. You probably won't be impressed, but my 4 days count was 234 dead rats. Those kills are confirmed as defined in my earlier blog. According to what I was told, 150 sage rats will eat or destroy 1 ton of alfalfa in a season. So, I figured I earned my keep, so to speak, with the rancher. Of course, all my amigos claimed more kills than me. We all were using my pivoting shooting rests, which ups your kill ratio a lot. I will have some for rent at Crane ($10 a day) when I return over there. Best to make prior arrangements if you want one as cell phone service where I stay is nil. Call me for directions. 541-420-5342 The weather this week is supposed to be kind of iffy until about Friday. So, if it improves, I will head over on the 27th. I am putting up some pictures. I am the guy standing by my white Yukon. Look for it at Crane. Also, for you people unfamiliar with the area, there is lodging at Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Crane. Google them for info.

Did I really kill that Rat?

Being a fisherman (after Rat season I will be posting fishing reports here ) and a rat shooter, I am included in the two groups that qualify as the 'worlds biggest liars" but I have to say that when it comes to streaching the truth, fishermen have to take a back seat to Rat Shooters. If you are sitting around with a group of rat shooters discussing the days shooting and how many rats each shooter killed, the term " the first liar doesn't have a chance" really comes into play. Lets talk about what constitutes a "kill". I am a real stickler about this. I even have a counter attached to my pivoting shooter rest. To claim a kill, the subject rat has (1) to be crawling along the ground with guts trailing, or (2) flopping around ( we call it doing the chicken dance ) or (3) laying still, stone dead, ( if you are unsure, put another round in him ) or, (4) some times, thru your scope you can see a tail quivering in the air as the rat is hidden in a furrow. That is when a high power scope is handy. I have a 6X20 Simmons on my .17 HMR. Another claim to a kill would be when you hear the unmistakable sound of a hit, kind of a thud. But even that is sometimes questionable if one or more of these results are not there, you do not have a confirmed kill. The most common claim is when a shooter fires one off at a standing Rat. The rat goes down, mostly sideways, and disappears. If you don't have evidence as mentioned above, the rat probably just dove into his hole. No Kill. I always try to make it a competition. That makes everyone a better shot. After all, the ranchers don't let us onto their property to just burn up a lot of ammo. They want those rats killed and we have an obligation to do just that. No one cares if you shot up 1000 rounds today, maybe you are just a poor shot. Make your shots count and KILL RATS.

Guide Service for Rat Shooters, Crane, Or

Just got off the phone with Nikki Aamodt who with her husband Justin, have Diamond-A-Guides. They are old friends and have purchased several of my pivoting shooter rests over the years. My intent here is, not to promote the guide service, but to help any rat shooters unfamiliar with the sport or area to have a good source for expert help. All I will say is that Nikki and Justin are quality people and a Justin is a top guide . For information go to www.predatorparadise.com

Reports from Crane, Or 3/13

Talked to my friend Jim from Crane last evening on the phone. He said the rats are up by the thousands. He shot for about 2 hours yesterday and went thru 175 rounds. Doesn't sound like a lot, but Jim is an experenced rat shooter and he doesn't waste many bullets. Also heard from a couple of great guys, Doug and Bob from up in Washington. They sat in one field yesterday and each shot up 500 rounds of .17 HMR. Doug said he never moved from his spot for 4 hours. Bob was using the "Ratrouster on Wheels" that DOUG had bought from me on Wednesday. I told Doug "nice guy, that Bob" but I guess it was his Birthday, so it was OK. I, and some of my friends, 4 or 5, ( come to think of it, thats about ALL the friends I have ) will be heading over to Crane on Monday. I will post a report when I return. All Bulleyes

Best Buy On .22 Shells

In Bend, Or, the best buy on .22s is at Wal-Mart. They have a 550 round bulk pack for $13.47. The next best is BI-Mart ( when on sale ) with a 525 round bulk pack for $14.99. Both are Federal 36 grain hollow points, which shoot the best in my Remington 552 semi-auto rifle. Now, here's the catch. The federals you buy at Bi-Mart have a muzzle velocity of 1280 FPS, velocity at 100 yds 1020. 131 ft lbs energy at muzzle and 83 ft lbs at 100 yds. Drop at 100 yds 3.4". Wal-Mart's Federals don't hold up as well. Muzzle velocity 1260, velocity at 100 yds 1000 fps. 125 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle, 80 ft lbs at 100 yds and a 5.6" drop at 100 yds. Wal-Mart must have made a deal with Federal for lighter loads to keep the price down. So you run the numbers and figure out the best deal for you. We shoot so many rounds that opting for the more expensive shells like cci, we pass on. What I have done is. I bought quite a few .22s at Wal-Mart before I figured out the diference, so I am shooting up all my 1280 fps .22s first and then I will sight in my rifles again and switch to the several bricks of 1260 fps that I have. Check out the shooting pivot rifle rest I build under Sage Rats. Bullseyes and Tight Lines

Dos and Don'ts when shooting Sage Rats on Private Ground

I have been hunting on private ranches for so long, I don't even think about the unwritten rules. But then, I thought about the newcomers to the sport of shooting sage rats and varmints. First, don't ever go onto a rancher's property, or shoot onto it without first getting permission. If you can't find out who the owner is, or they are not at home, try somewhere else. You can be arrested for trespassing. Plus, it gives all future rat shooters a black eye. If the rancher says No, then thank him and continue on. If you are allowed to shoot, remember a few things. If you go thru a gate, leave it as you found it. Not all gates are ment to be left closed, or open. Check with the rancher before you shoot any centerfire rifles. Most ranchers only want you shooting rimfires. NEVER,NEVER,NEVER shoot in the direction of any buildings or livestock. Remember, that a .22 can ( and will ) richocet up to a mile. Don't pull that trigger if you might hit an irrigation pipe. If you do hit a pipe ( you will hear it ) tell the rancher and ask if he wants to inspect it for damage and then YOU offer to pay the repairs. Also, check to see if you are allowed to drive onto the field. Usually after they turn on the water, they want all vehicles to stay out of the fields. Ask about roads around the edges. Check to see if the rancher wants any other varmints shot if you see them. Badgers, coyotes and etc. Most do not want you shooting any birds, they get rats too, and clean up when we shooters are done. And that reminds me, clean up after yourself. Pack out the empty ammo cartons and lunch wrappers, etc. And, when you are done shooting for the day, look up the rancher and thank him or her for letting you shoot. If you want to shoot the next day, ask now. Don't assume that one days permission gives you the right to come back any time you want. Check in and ask each time. By following these simple guidelines, you will probably be allowed back. Remember, above all, respect the ranchers property, it is his or her home. P.S. Check out the rifle rests I build, below and go to superoregon.com sporting