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Sadly, I may have blasted my last scurious californicus in the PRK.
This morning, my friend who owns the winery that is overrun by ground squirrels called and asked if I'd bring my 17HMR and turn it loose. I told him it'd be my pleasure, and by 0930 hours Mr Squirrel was hurtin' fer certain.
Although the wind was blowing, and gusting to 15-20 MPH, I was able to rack up 5 confirmed KIAs and multiple probables. (ie blood and guts around the hole)
The HMR is explosive at under 100 yards, and beyond that, all I've found in the remains are copper jacket frags and the miniscule plastic V-max point. There is such a small amount of lead in an HMR I can't see how it could be a bio-hazard to the freakin PRK Kondor. My friend liked the fact that I used a 17HMR due to it's low noise signature, lessened ricochet danger, and immediate lethality.
I tried to explain this lunacy lead-ban which will be enforced in a few weeks to my friend, who is a Vintner and a mechanical engineer. Although he owns guns, and is a 2A guy, he doesn't really keep up with all the Gov't stupidity like the lead ammo ban. He was aghast.
While the relationship between he as the property owner and winemaker, and me as a responsible hunter and shooter was a win-win, the PRK has seen to it to make it a lose-lose. He did not want to use poison on the varmints, since he is interested in keeping his land as pure, and his product as organic as possible. Any squirrels killed are left out, and in all cases gone the next morning, carried off by coyotes, foxes, or other critters. Now, poisoned squirrels will be consumed by the predators which will no doubt have an ill effect. I will not be victimized by Fish and Game for using "lead" ammo on varmints. I don't see HMR non-lead ammo coming, and the area of the winery is not conducive for use of a center-fire "Varmint Grenade" non-lead bullet. The HMR was perfect for the task, but soon will not be legal.
It's a sad time for those of us who will have to live with this draconian regulation. I probably will give up hunting of all types in the PRK, and spend my money on out of state hunts. My friend will be forced to poison the varmints lest they destroy his expensive vineyard. And nobody around here has ever seen a live Condor.
This morning, my friend who owns the winery that is overrun by ground squirrels called and asked if I'd bring my 17HMR and turn it loose. I told him it'd be my pleasure, and by 0930 hours Mr Squirrel was hurtin' fer certain.
Although the wind was blowing, and gusting to 15-20 MPH, I was able to rack up 5 confirmed KIAs and multiple probables. (ie blood and guts around the hole)
The HMR is explosive at under 100 yards, and beyond that, all I've found in the remains are copper jacket frags and the miniscule plastic V-max point. There is such a small amount of lead in an HMR I can't see how it could be a bio-hazard to the freakin PRK Kondor. My friend liked the fact that I used a 17HMR due to it's low noise signature, lessened ricochet danger, and immediate lethality.
I tried to explain this lunacy lead-ban which will be enforced in a few weeks to my friend, who is a Vintner and a mechanical engineer. Although he owns guns, and is a 2A guy, he doesn't really keep up with all the Gov't stupidity like the lead ammo ban. He was aghast.
While the relationship between he as the property owner and winemaker, and me as a responsible hunter and shooter was a win-win, the PRK has seen to it to make it a lose-lose. He did not want to use poison on the varmints, since he is interested in keeping his land as pure, and his product as organic as possible. Any squirrels killed are left out, and in all cases gone the next morning, carried off by coyotes, foxes, or other critters. Now, poisoned squirrels will be consumed by the predators which will no doubt have an ill effect. I will not be victimized by Fish and Game for using "lead" ammo on varmints. I don't see HMR non-lead ammo coming, and the area of the winery is not conducive for use of a center-fire "Varmint Grenade" non-lead bullet. The HMR was perfect for the task, but soon will not be legal.
It's a sad time for those of us who will have to live with this draconian regulation. I probably will give up hunting of all types in the PRK, and spend my money on out of state hunts. My friend will be forced to poison the varmints lest they destroy his expensive vineyard. And nobody around here has ever seen a live Condor.
now I have to throw rocks and bottles at the skwerrels. Perhaps even build a flame thrower.
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