204Ruger

Did a solo 3 days and 2 nights in Surprise Valley, can't really make Surprise Valley for a morning shoot so I stop in Bieber, had a good shoot till about 0900 when 3 bald eagles decided to fight each other over squirrels which put the live squirrels back in the ground so I left early, probably could have shot for another hour at least. Even though the number of squirrels out and about was down there was still plenty of them to keep me occupied through Wednesday midday. I'm still impressed how much damage and how well the 204 can make a rate fly at ranges over 200yrds. Looking forward to next year already, but is time to start limbering up the 30 cals. BTW there is now a great place to eat B'fast and get great BBQ/smoked meat in Fort Bidwell, along with the great B'fasts in C'ville.

Brooksb. Did you get a new table or change the top/cradle on the old one ? Looks like a nice area to shoot. Thanks for sharing. With the heat, alfalfa growing so fast and all, the shooting down this way as slowed, as they are really hard to see, plus I think a lot of them have went back underground for the season. Bill K

No everything's the same just a diff cam angle I think. I'm hesitate to guess but maybe 50% fewer on top now, it pays to have multiple ranches, I can almost always find baled or swathed fields.

So can we, but that alfalfa is still growing very fast, after they cut, bail and put water back on for another crop. But there are places to shoot still, even if it is slowing down. Still always nice to sit out there early in the morning, sun coming up and a cup of coffee glassing. Bill K

Amen to that.

Very nice report and pics....always makes me jealous of you folks living near small squirrel/rodent critters and/or groundhogs.

What type of critters, small or large in the varmint type do you have, down your way ? Nutria, etc. But it is nice, sitting, as I say, out smelling the fresh cut alfalfa, waiting for heads to pop up. Bill K

Well Varmint Shooter and I spent the morning in this pivot, shorter cut and did manage a few squirrels and jack rabbits, coming out to feed. It is slowing, with the hotter weather and the growing doing so fast. But still a pleasant morning, coffee off the bench's and watching for heads to pop up. Bill K

Could be shooting again in 5 months, but for sure in 6.

When the squirrels slow down, then I begin hitting the sage/desert areas more for Jacks and coyotes. So there is always something to call or hunt. Bill K

Nice shooting Bill, I've found a couple of fields up against the sage that produce Jacks at times, no Coyotes in past 3 yrs though, I'm using mouth calls but maybe I should move up to Electronic, what are you using?

I use both, have a ico tech and like it, but still (old school, I guess) I use a mouth call 75 percent of the time. Have about three of them, in various major brands, that I like. Mostly I use the jack rabbit or cottontail squeal sounds. Bill K

Thanks, I'm thinking about electronic, have 1 open Reed, 3 closed calls.