jmj121 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Hi Guys, been asked by a perm to go sort some rats in and around some stables.... Any suggestions ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Air rifle or rimfire if you can shoot away from the horses with a back stop obviously. If its a livery yard I would let the clients know when your going to shoot, horsey girls can get very stroppy ( trust me im soon getting married to one)!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'd say the rimfre is unlikely to be usable close to stables, FAC air would be my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj121 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Air rifle or rimfire if you can shoot away from the horses with a back stop obviously. If its a livery yard I would let the clients know when your going to shoot, horsey girls can get very stroppy ( trust me im soon getting married to one)!!! ah, there well used to me shooting on that perm, as i have 3 horses on it myself !! FAC Air already so thats sorted ! As i haven't blatted any rats yet, normally Foxes,bunnies and Pigeon's.. just wanted some advise.... how best to bait them ect.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Yer I have the same problem, can you just mow the paddocks, can you do a bit of fencing, can you shoot the rabbits, trap the moles etc! fac air rifle is perfect, baiting wise a bit of maize or something for a few nights. IF it ever turns dry rats will go a long way for a drink so worth bearing in mind too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'd say use night vision, and no baiting reqd, just sit up somewhere around the stables and fire away failing that, large cheap can of sloppy dog food, punch holes in tin with a nail, position it at your preferred shooting distance, and use a lamp, or if the stable has ext lighting, get them to leave a light on prior to shooting, so the rats get used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 There are some good videos of this on YouTube. Check out this guy - he is ace: https://www.youtube.com/huntersvermin In particular, the NiteSite rat hunts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj121 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 i have a nitesite Ns200..... sounds like its in for some fun !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste eibar Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Use the ns200 and some nutella for bait. I've shot over a hundred from october until now. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj121 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Use the ns200 and some nutella for bait. I've shot over a hundred from october until now. Good luck. will do... nite shooting is the best way... or do they come out to play in the day also ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste eibar Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 You can get a good hour just before dark but the nitesite is the best, they don't even know your there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 lamp and terriers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossy 666 Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 I go out 2/3 times aweek shooting rats and I find it more enjoyable than any other type of shooting I do. I use a 22 air fac or my 22 rim fire were I can both fitted with NS50 and it works brilliantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 If they are around the stables, that is usually due to a plentiful food source. I am sure there is a feed store close by that they use as a canteen. Have a look round for the rat runs and try to find the canteen. That is usually when they sit still long enough to treat them to some lead poisoning. Depends how skittish the rats are. On my permission the farmer had the same problem. Cattle and horses right next to the feed store. The rats were so used to them coming and going they would sit out bold as brass having a feed. I educated 3 of them from about 10-15 yards and they won't be doing that again. My sub 12 ft/lb springer was ideal for that. Bear in mind you may be quite close up so a zero of about 15 yards is good. FAC air rifle will be plenty. Rimfire may well go straight through and probably a bit OTT. I shot mine during the day but at night you can use NV if you have the posh optics or if they have a light in the store/yard try that. I was shooting rats 20 years ago when all we had were open sights, Mk1 eyeball and the floodlights in the yard. Depending on how many rats there are, I do find Mk4 Fenn traps a good 24 hour option. Heard all sorts about baiting with nutella, mars bars, dog food and apparently peanut butter is very good as they can't pick it up and run off with it. Headshots are best - just behind the ear seems to work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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