you can tell when .22LR is hard to find

[Sabre]

yea, well the 22lr is mostly for mom, as she's got a walther p22. i have a 10-22, but the range we shoot at i can't shoot that inside, and i ain't goin' out in 30 degree weather to shoot a 10-22. i keep looking, as there's a couple home based ffl's around here that get deals every so often, and they pass them on to us.

Yep, the P-22 is pretty picky.  Haven't heard anything about Thunderbolts, but I hear CCI Stingers also feed well in the P-22.  About half of the P-22s seem to have feed problems with hallow-points, even the CCI Minimags, but there's a quick fix that involves a small amount of filing to the edge of the feed-ramp (if you have one that's picky about the HP rounds).

Was at Bass Pro last weekend, and they had CCI Minimags for $8.95/100 rd box (limit two boxes), as well as some Winchester Super-X and anther brand I'm not familiar with.  Don't pay ridiculous prices for 22LR...just be patient and develop a network of shooting buddies.  That way, when one of you sees something on the shelf, they can alert their friends.  The days of $8/50 rds of 9mm may be over, but you can still find it for around $15 if you're patient.  An buying in larger lots also brings the price per round down a bit.  Again, this is where having buddies helps, since you may not want of have the money for a thousand rounds, but several of you could go in on a bulk purchase to save money.

[PFactorDave]

Yep, the P-22 is pretty picky. 

I have a Sig Mosquito also.  When it was new, it didn't like anything but the CCI stuff.  But after about 500 rounds through it (and I polished the feed ramp), it will eat anything I choose to feed it now.

[CAP1]

Yep, the P-22 is pretty picky.  Haven't heard anything about Thunderbolts, but I hear CCI Stingers also feed well in the P-22.  About half of the P-22s seem to have feed problems with hallow-points, even the CCI Minimags, but there's a quick fix that involves a small amount of filing to the edge of the feed-ramp (if you have one that's picky about the HP rounds).

Was at Bass Pro last weekend, and they had CCI Minimags for $8.95/100 rd box (limit two boxes), as well as some Winchester Super-X and anther brand I'm not familiar with.  Don't pay ridiculous prices for 22LR...just be patient and develop a network of shooting buddies.  That way, when one of you sees something on the shelf, they can alert their friends.  The days of $8/50 rds of 9mm may be over, but you can still find it for around $15 if you're patient.  An buying in larger lots also brings the price per round down a bit.  Again, this is where having buddies helps, since you may not want of have the money for a thousand rounds, but several of you could go in on a bulk purchase to save money.

 i don't, and won't. when i bought the 10-22, the guy gave me 2,000 rounds various brands with that gun. there's a home based ffl right by my home, that i deal with. he's been cheaper for good .223, 5.56, and .22lr than most others, and knows that if he messages or calls me that at least some of it is sold right there, as i'll stop by on the way home.

[mthrockmor]

This is how to handle a racoon good and proper. Fast forward to about the 8 minute mark.

http://www.break.com/video/raccoon-pwnes-human-2439158

Apparently real life is not a Disney cartoon.

boo

[mtnman]

It quite interesting, infuriating at times, that humans have caused this problem of over populated low level predators.  We have eliminated the natural predators (coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves) and allowed the population of coon type animals to explode. 

Odd as it may seem, urban and suburban environments can (and do) support higher populations of various animals than rural habitats can and do.

Raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels have much higher population densities in the cities around here than can be found "out in the country". 

So much higher, in fact, that I often take my raptors into the cities to hunt, even though I live 40 miles out into the country.  If I'm hunting rabbits, I can get only 3-4 flushes in the country areas, in the same time that I can get a dozen or more flushes in an industrial park or a small grassy/wooded section between two businesses.  The same thing can be said for squirrels and crows (depending upon which type of raptor I'm hunting with).  It's easily worth my time to drive into an industrial area, even though I literally live within a 400 acre Boy Scout camp out in the sticks.  I can't do as well hunting in the camp as I can in the city.  Who'da thunk it?

Interestingly, coyotes are another animal that can enjoy a higher population density within an urban area than they can out in the sticks (and trust me, we have plenty of them out here too).

There are some interesting dynamics at play in urban settings, that allow for these high densities.  For one, park and set-aside green zones are often planted with nut-bearing trees (oaks, etc) as well as maples which provide great food for squirrels and rabbits.  The urban areas are also divided into handy "territories" defined by semi-uncrossable barriers (highways, busy roads, rivers, etc) that keep neighboring animal populations from directly competing (and spreading disease).  Lots of places to shack up too (under porches, foundations, etc) many of which are practically "ready-made".  In addition, people leave TONS of food readily available for wildlife- bird feeders, dog and cat bowls, gardens and various plantings (even comparatively succulent grass on the lawns).  And don't forget the garbage as a food source- dumpsters, bags, and even "distributed" food alongside the various roadways...

Omnivores like raccoons and coyotes have it made!  All that readily-available food in addition to the higher populations of prey animals...

[mtnman]

 
An buying in larger lots also brings the price per round down a bit.  Again, this is where having buddies helps, since you may not want of have the money for a thousand rounds, but several of you could go in on a bulk purchase to save money.

It still seems available (although more expensive than it should be) if you place orders too.  I was just able to pick up 26K rounds of .22LR, which is enough to get through about 1/3 of the summer.  I'll still need to order and pick up a bunch more, as well as a gob-pile of 12ga.

[guncrasher]

It still seems available (although more expensive than it should be) if you place orders too.  I was just able to pick up 26K rounds of .22LR, which is enough to get through about 1/3 of the summer.  I'll still need to order and pick up a bunch more, as well as a gob-pile of 12ga.

wonder why there's a shortage.


semp

[Lone82]

Ohhh man.... A big ole coon on a dutch oven with Sweet Potatoes!!!!  .............. Makes my mouth water thinking about it 

[NatCigg]

Odd as it may seem, urban and suburban environments can (and do) support higher populations of various animals than rural habitats can and do.

Raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels have much higher population densities in the cities around here than can be found "out in the country". 

So much higher, in fact, that I often take my raptors into the cities to hunt, even though I live 40 miles out into the country.  If I'm hunting rabbits, I can get only 3-4 flushes in the country areas, in the same time that I can get a dozen or more flushes in an industrial park or a small grassy/wooded section between two businesses.  The same thing can be said for squirrels and crows (depending upon which type of raptor I'm hunting with).  It's easily worth my time to drive into an industrial area, even though I literally live within a 400 acre Boy Scout camp out in the sticks.  I can't do as well hunting in the camp as I can in the city.  Who'da thunk it?

Interestingly, coyotes are another animal that can enjoy a higher population density within an urban area than they can out in the sticks (and trust me, we have plenty of them out here too).

There are some interesting dynamics at play in urban settings, that allow for these high densities.  For one, park and set-aside green zones are often planted with nut-bearing trees (oaks, etc) as well as maples which provide great food for squirrels and rabbits.  The urban areas are also divided into handy "territories" defined by semi-uncrossable barriers (highways, busy roads, rivers, etc) that keep neighboring animal populations from directly competing (and spreading disease).  Lots of places to shack up too (under porches, foundations, etc) many of which are practically "ready-made".  In addition, people leave TONS of food readily available for wildlife- bird feeders, dog and cat bowls, gardens and various plantings (even comparatively succulent grass on the lawns).  And don't forget the garbage as a food source- dumpsters, bags, and even "distributed" food alongside the various roadways...

Omnivores like raccoons and coyotes have it made!  All that readily-available food in addition to the higher populations of prey animals...

what is a raptor?  a hawk or falcon?

I would find it interesting if you have become companions with such birds.  Seeing the red tail hawk(S) on the property i manage is always a fond sight.  Im fascinated by the intelligence they exude, and always give a little smirk when i find the dust of feathers or clean picked carcases i assume came from last nights meal.

[mtnman]

what is a raptor?  a hawk or falcon?

I would find it interesting if you have become companions with such birds.  Seeing the red tail hawk(S) on the property i manage is always a fond sight.  Im fascinated by the intelligence they exude, and always give a little smirk when i find the dust of feathers or clean picked carcases i assume came from last nights meal.

Yup, both actually (and add in owls, eagles, vultures, kites, etc...).

I don't think "companion" is quite correct when it comes to a description of the relationship?  "Hunting partner" is probably more accurate.

I'm currently hunting with a goshawk, but have also flown/hunted with redtails, peregrines, prairie falcons, kestrels, and others...

[NatCigg]

  

how do you introduce yourself to these birds? and how do you get them to hunt for you(i assume)?

[cattb]

I use this at times while looking http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rimfire/22lr/

Racoons carry some nasty stuff like thishttp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/janfeb02/fn_raccoon.html

[CAP1]

I use this at times while looking http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rimfire/22lr/

Racoons carry some nasty stuff like thishttp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/janfeb02/fn_raccoon.html

 yea...i finally watched that video. that many of those filthy little pests? no effing way am i letting them that close to me.

[cpxxx]

He reached down and grabbed the racoon by the tail and brought it into the boat. Within 10 seconds the Racoon was Captain of the boat and my brother and I were swimming in the cove.  I've never gotten anywhere near  a raccon since. I won't go near any wild animal after that episode.

Now that's funny! Lesson learned the hard way.

Luckily we don't have them on this side of the Atlantic. We get foxes in gardens and towns but they don't cause any trouble unless you keep chickens. Racoons certainly are survivors!

[Lone82]

When I was 12 we had a lake house on the Texas side of Lake Texhoma. One afternoon my older brother and I were coming into the cove from fishing. A raccoon was swimming across the middle of the cove. I was driving the boat and my older brother said pull over next to the Raccoon. My brother was 22 at the time he was a big guy 6' 4" and king of the world he thought. He reached down and grabbed the raccoon by the tail and brought it into the boat. Within 10 seconds the Raccoon was Captain of the boat and my brother and I were swimming in the cove.  I've never gotten anywhere near  a raccoon since. I won't go near any wild animal after that episode.

Saw 2 guys on the Red River drag an 8 point whitetail buck into a bass boat with them. When the deer got on his feet they left abandoned ship. The deer lost his mind and was tearing up everything he could with his horns. That lil plastic windshield in front the driver position.... gone. After about what seemed 5 minutes, he lost footing and fell out the boat. He made it to the bank and ran off with 2 life jackets and 3 fishing poles hanging off his antlers. I was sitting on the bank hollaring "Get'em Boys". Was one of the funniest things I had ever seen.