Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Predators and Prey

I was introduced a really great local farm that sells raw milk, handmade cheeses and yogurts.

The morning I got there the owner was quite hectic. The last of their 30 ducks was taken and eaten the previous night. The predator is believed to be a coyote or fox. The farm is under constant attack, ducks and chikens are the primary targets.

The friend who patronizes the farm quite regularly mentioned to tot he farmer that he should talk to me.
The farmer told me that in the past he has had trappers go out and capture a fox, and that his son dropped 1 predator. Since I didn't get a deer in December I offered the farmer my help. The farmer happily accepted. I have permission to go out there, use barn roofs, and take predators/non-game animals after 9pm when the farm  animals get put in and locked up.

The farmer is offering to use a live rooster as bait for the fox, I told him that most likely gut piles would work better. I told the farmer I prefer to hold out until overnight temp is 60 or above. After doing a quick survey I confirmed that optimal shooting location is the rooftop of the barn his son used. the open fields/areas surrounding animal pens are best covered by 3 shooters, but 2 shooters may be enough.

I am doing some preliminary planning, and making up some range cards. In the next few weeks I will be looking for 2 more shooters. I am not getting paid, so neither will they. The farmer did say he's provide some free product if some predators are shot. I will happily split the product.

The shooters will need to have accurate rifles/optics, NVG, and preferably suppressors and be proficient with their hardware to 300 feet (longest safe/practical shot from the top of the barn is 400 but I rather not have it get to that). Thermals would work as well. This will be in north east or south east PA. The shooters will need to be close, or be willing to travel there. We will be spending the night on the farm, from 9pm to 5 or 6am

Am I forgetting anything else?

I will be re-posting this on a few forums I frequent, meet a few prospective candidates on a 300 range and just make sure they can hit the targets.

Any other thoughts about how this should be done?
Interested in helping out a friendly farmer?

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