February 1st Rat Report from Crane,Or

I just got off the phone from talking to Jim at Crane and he got out today and spotted 10 rats of which he killed 8. Not a bad ratio. Ten rats isn't many to brag about, but, as each day goes by a few more are showing, maybe setting the stage for an early start to the season. Time will tell.
There is still about an inch of snow on the ground and melting slow. It will also be a while yet before driving in the field will be OK. Way to soft yet and the ranchers don't need any more ruts to contend with.
For anybody shooting a 17 HMR, Bi-Mart has shells on sale, for $9.97 per box. They also have 10/22. 25 round clips on sale for $12.97. If the anti-gun nuts get their way, 25 round clips will be hard to get in awhile.
The weather in Eastern and Cenral Oregon is forecast to be clear and resonably warm for this time of year for the next week. If you are getting cabin fever it might be a good time to make a road trup and check out your favorite "go to " rat shooting area. Might even be some good fishing in some of the reservoirs that are open year round. At any rate, rat shooting should be up and running in about a month or so, giving us enough time to get all our gear ready. For me, that means by the time I leave, I will have 10 times what I need. Bullseyes & Tight Lines

First Rat Shot at Crane

Late yesterday morning, I got a call from Jim. He had just shot his first sage rat of the season in one of our shooting areas near Crane. In fact, within walking distance of his house. There is still some snow on the ground and he spotted a few more also.

When he called, I was on my way out to Xmas Valley to see if any rats were up there. Usually the Xmas Valley rats surface later than the ones at Crane. And sure enough, my wife and I scoped out all the fields between Fort Rock and Xmas Valley and never spotted one rat. However, we did ,during the course of the day, see 4 Yotes. No snow on the ground there. Just FYI, it is about 93 miles from Bend to Xmas Valley townsite.

Call me. Jerry at 541-420-5342 for info on renting a shooting chair at Crane, including a day shooting with our group. $65. Or you might check your local craigslist under sporting--sage rats. Check sage rat central often or sign up as a follower.

Sage Rats Spotted Near Crane

Talked to friend Jim today and he reports that some of the locals have seen a rat or two up and running around. Nothing to shoot at yet though. Jim is starting to patrol the pivots we will be shooting in and wants to shoot a rat in Jan. The weather is starting to warm a little, at least here near Sisters.

Starting to get calls to rent a shooting rest ( on wheels ) at Crane this Spring. If you are thinking of renting a rest, give me a call and reserve a time. $65 a day including shooting with our group of rat killers.

Finished my SRAV this week, now just need some rats. In the meantime, I have been doing a little local surfing. See attached picture.

SRAV Stage 2

I have got my SRAV ( Sage Rat Assualt Vehicle) nearly finished. Just a couple of tactical decisions to be made, such as, where to mount my drink holder. ( Water, of course. ) There are shooting supports to my left and across the front. Had to place the uprights so as not to get in the way of steering. Also on the left side is a gun rack and mounted on the front rack, a storage crate with a lid and a holder for my speed loader ( tube feed). Then angled across the front are dual gun racks for my back up rifles. Between the handlebars is a pouch for holding my loose ammo for easy access. The rear rack is clear for holding a cooler, or I can bungee down extra coats or etc. And then, of course, is the fold down rear drop rack for hauling 2 shooting rests. All in all, I think I have it pretty well covered.

Jim and I have decided to start taking reservations for shooting rest rentals. First date available will be March 1st. No deposit required, just call with the dates you want to be there. Jerry at 541-420-5342

First Stage SRAV

Here are some pictures of my current winter project. I call it my SRAV. Sage Rat Assualt Vehicle. I have built a folding carrying rack on the back to haul two of my "Ratrouster" shooting rest on wheels. It will fold up when not in use. Second stage will be a rifle rest in the front and LH side for shooting from the seat. The whole idea is to ride two up and go to the far side of the pivots to set up. Being an old guy, it is getting harder for me to walk any distance. Still struggling to get above freezing in Burns but looking out at my thermometer by my shop, which right now is in the sun, temp here near Sisters is 74. Farmers Almanac is calling for decent Spring weather. Lets hope so. Paint will follow when project is finished Jerry 541-420-5342

Rats In January?

Jim at Crane says the source of this information is reliable and from a local who knows the difference. A Sage Rat was spotted East of Burns, out on the snow, a couple of days ago. ?????

In the meantime, Jackrabbits are working over the haystacks in the Crane area. You have to have permission from the owner, but it is legal to spotlight the rabbits. Just be ready for some minus 0 temps.

Keep checking in. Last year we were shooting rats by mid to late Feb. Jim and I are renting shooting rests on wheels this year for $65 per day, including shooting with us and our rat killing group. Various models of shooting rests are for sale also. Check my earlier posts for pictures.

A Winter Update

If there were any rats up now, they would have to be on snowshoes. Drifts are 3 feet deep at Jim's place in Crane. But, looking ahead, Jim shot his first rat on Feb 2nd last year. So, possibly only 2 months until shooting. I made my first trip last year on Feb 16th. But if you recall, pictures from early last season show that shooting rats in Feb-March is not for everyone. It can be pretty cold and windy. Of course the wind is a 12 month occurence in that part of the counrty.

Right now, we are checking on the rabbit population over in the Catlow valley. Might try a trip pre-Xmas.

We have had an early winter here near Sisters. Not very harsh, but winter snow and temps. One of picts attached shows my shop this morning. I have been spending time in my shop when I can, mostly working on building " Ratrouster"shooting rests. Trying to get enough ahead so I won't have to spend any time this spring during shooting season building more.

Going to try a new approach this year with the "Ratrousters". I will have them for sale ( going to have to raise the prices on the ones on wheels ) but, I am also going to rent them out. Haven't worked out all the details yet, but a rental will include a day of rat shooting with our group. Jim and I are going to team up and should prove interesting. Watch here for further info or you can always call me at 542-420-5342.

On a personal note: Last summer I developed what looked like a cyst on my lower lip. Turned out to be mucosal melanoma ( cancer). It was removed and then Sept- Oct, I went thru 6 weeks of radiation treatments on the affected area. Dr said only a 10% chance of it returning, Also had a skin cancer spot removed from my old bald head. Also OK. Saw my heart Dr. last week and he said with my new pacer/defib device I was on cruise control and he would see me in a year. I just need to lose some weight now. UGH.

Around the first of last month, I fished Lake Billy Chinook for 4 days over 2 weeks. Limited on Kokanee every day.

More later as things happen. Let me know if anything is happening in your world. Hoping to get a few more followers this year so we can share rat shooting and fishing info.