Youngest’s first kill

My youngest son shot his first squirrel today, aged five. He’s been practicing on the speed shooting competition at his rifle club and so has become quite accurate at air rifle ranges. We set up and watched a squirrel approach the garden, then had to wait for it to stop moving for a moment before he slipped the shot. The .177 pellet fired from a BSA junior hit the Grey Squirrel in the neck, flipping it and causing fatal damage to the spine. A celebratory hug from his older brothers. We gave it a moment before sending the dog out in the rain to retrieve. As she did a Sparrow Hawk swooped into our garden, perching in the Oak before quickly deciding there was a bit too much energy about to settle. The bitch brought it back in for inspection. A little bit of blood was dripped onto the rug, but not any more mess in the house than normal.



He has asked for a Section 5 pistol now

 

[stubear]

Nice one!

 

[Nickb]

5 years old ...well done

 

[Hornet]

Fantastic, always a proud moment for a dad, well done to the lad.

 

[Popeye1974]

well done to the little fella

 

[WalkedUp]

My youngest has now managed to nab his first rat tonight. They were darting back and forth from the bait too quick for him to acquire in the 4-mag telescopic sight. It had been over a hour of half chances. Finally the big one dwelt in the shadows and my eldest son, spotting from another upstairs window, came to inform us of a chance. We moved position and the time from the five year-old’s sharp little eyes picking up the rodent lurking in the mistaken safety under the table to the shot being slipped was milliseconds. It died instantly.

 

[Fair Hill]

The young sniper is a natural.

 

[Klenchblaize]

My youngest son shot his first squirrel today, aged five. He’s been practicing on the speed shooting competition at his rifle club and so has become quite accurate at air rifle ranges. We set up and watched a squirrel approach the garden, then had to wait for it to stop moving for a moment before he slipped the shot. The .177 pellet fired from a BSA junior hit the Grey Squirrel in the neck, flipping it and causing fatal damage to the spine. A celebratory hug from his older brothers. We gave it a moment before sending the dog out in the rain to retrieve. As she did a Sparrow Hawk swooped into our garden, perching in the Oak before quickly deciding there was a bit too much energy about to settle. The bitch brought it back in for inspection. A little bit of blood was dripped onto the rug, but not any more mess in the house than normal.

View attachment 393309

He has asked for a Section 5 pistol now

I wouldn't want to take that squirrel from those jaws!

Here's hoping your 'interview' with Social Services goes well!

K

 

[WalkedUp]

I wouldn't want to take that squirrel from those jaws!

Here's hoping your 'interview' with Social Services goes well!

K

Oh she’s got a lovely soft mouth to be fair, I’ve never had an issue with these dogs but I guess it is them having the experience and exposure. I remember we were walking in Anglesey with my German friend and his young family. A little fledging took off in fright and flew half at us landing on the path yards away from the little German girl, my old bitch was stood there and in an instant hoovered the fledgling up. Trotting back to me. The little girl was horrified until I opened my hand up and the bitch ejected the damp but unharmed chick into my palm. It looked once to each side and then, orientated, took to the sky with much greater conviction than its first effort. The family melted in delight.

With respect to Social Services: as my 9 year-old has his own Shotgun Certificate and has stalked in Africa with a .308” WIN I suspect we may be on their radar already! The school was contacted by the FLO when my son applied for his SGC. The headmaster, as safeguarding lead, was great with the licensing department. Explaining that as he does not shoot he could not comment on my eldest’s ability to handle firearms, but that my eldest, like his brothers, is a model student who excels academically and socially. Hearing that endorsement relayed back from the police made me a very proud father.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Oh she’s got a lovely soft mouth to be fair, I’ve never had an issue with these dogs but I guess it is them having the experience and exposure. I remember we were walking in Anglesey with my German friend and his young family. A little fledging took off in fright and flew half at us landing on the path yards away from the little German girl, my old bitch was stood there and in an instant hoovered the fledgling up. Trotting back to me. The little girl was horrified until I opened my hand up and the bitch ejected the damp but unharmed chick into my palm. It looked once to each side and then, orientated, took to the sky with much greater conviction than its first effort. The family melted in delight.

With respect to Social Services: as my 9 year-old has his own Shotgun Certificate and has stalked in Africa with a .308” WIN I suspect we may be on their radar already! The school was contacted by the FLO when my son applied for his SGC. The headmaster, as safeguarding lead, was great with the licensing department. Explaining that as he does not shoot he could not comment on my eldest’s ability to handle firearms, but that my eldest, like his brothers, is a model student who excels academically and socially. Hearing that endorsement relayed back from the police made me a very proud father.

I was - as I'm sure you realise - only joshing in respect of "Social Services". It's great to see such natural and unaffected enthusiasm for the chase in a young person in 2024.

K

 

[CaseyJohnson]

Congrats to the young man!