Yard Varmint Safari
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:20 pm
The weather around here this summer has been different with all the rains we've been getting. My yard is as green as it would be in the Springtime and the moles are going nuts in my yard. Those little varmints are the worst I can ever remember.
I have had one working out toward the back of my yard for the last couple days. Tonight when I got home from work, I went out and mashed down all of it's runs and then went in the house till just about sunset. They usually start getting active around this time. I loaded up my Remington Nylon 66 and headed for the back yard to go on safari.
The little buggers can feel you walking so you've got to stalk them very carefully ( picture Elmer Fudd here). I sneaked around the corner of the shed and did a little recon before I got to close to the feeding area. I had to be careful, it might be a trophy size mole and I didn't want to blow it.
I saw a small fresh mound that wasn't there earlier so I started my stalk. I went one slow step at a time and put each foot down ever so lightly and kept watching the mound. When I got about 10' away I saw the dirt moving. I stopped to see which way he was heading then realized he was burrowing down.
I stalked even closer, keeping the sun to my back, the wind in my face and got to within 2' and waited, not making a move. About 5-6 minutes went by when the mole started pushing more dirt up. I lined up the sights on the Remmy and cut loose in a spiral, criss cross pattern with 14 shots. I then immediately laid the gun down and started digging with my hands in case it was only wounded and was trying to escape into the depths of the earth.
I couldn't believe it! I didn't find the mole but I did find his tunnel going almost straight down. I guess I'm going to have to go back to the 12 ga. I ran and got a 5 gallon bucket of water thinking he can't out dig me in a new tunnel while I'm chasing it with water. I poured the water in and in a few seconds the water started bubbling and here came the mole. I pulled him out and put the finishing shot on the little feller.
It wasn't a trophy worth mounting, but it was a good management mole, one that needed removed from the herd.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/melvin54/P1010017-3.jpg)
I figure I just as well hunt them now, it's too early and too grown up in the fields around here for coyotes and I have to wait till Aug. 1 to start squirrel hunting. A hunter has to do what a hunter has to do in the hot summer days between seasons!
I have had one working out toward the back of my yard for the last couple days. Tonight when I got home from work, I went out and mashed down all of it's runs and then went in the house till just about sunset. They usually start getting active around this time. I loaded up my Remington Nylon 66 and headed for the back yard to go on safari.
The little buggers can feel you walking so you've got to stalk them very carefully ( picture Elmer Fudd here). I sneaked around the corner of the shed and did a little recon before I got to close to the feeding area. I had to be careful, it might be a trophy size mole and I didn't want to blow it.
I saw a small fresh mound that wasn't there earlier so I started my stalk. I went one slow step at a time and put each foot down ever so lightly and kept watching the mound. When I got about 10' away I saw the dirt moving. I stopped to see which way he was heading then realized he was burrowing down.
I stalked even closer, keeping the sun to my back, the wind in my face and got to within 2' and waited, not making a move. About 5-6 minutes went by when the mole started pushing more dirt up. I lined up the sights on the Remmy and cut loose in a spiral, criss cross pattern with 14 shots. I then immediately laid the gun down and started digging with my hands in case it was only wounded and was trying to escape into the depths of the earth.
I couldn't believe it! I didn't find the mole but I did find his tunnel going almost straight down. I guess I'm going to have to go back to the 12 ga. I ran and got a 5 gallon bucket of water thinking he can't out dig me in a new tunnel while I'm chasing it with water. I poured the water in and in a few seconds the water started bubbling and here came the mole. I pulled him out and put the finishing shot on the little feller.
It wasn't a trophy worth mounting, but it was a good management mole, one that needed removed from the herd.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/melvin54/P1010017-3.jpg)
I figure I just as well hunt them now, it's too early and too grown up in the fields around here for coyotes and I have to wait till Aug. 1 to start squirrel hunting. A hunter has to do what a hunter has to do in the hot summer days between seasons!