I figured what better way to start the new year than to take the Pardner on a small game hunt. I took my 22" 20 gauge Modified choke with synthetic stocks, this gun is really light and a real joy to carry. I left the house with the temps in the upper 40's and a couple inches of crusted over snow on the ground and the weather man was calling for rain latter in the day.
I like to move slow when small game hunting and use my binoculars alot, it's amazing what you can pick out with the glass that you never notice with the naked eye.
Not long into my hunt I spotted a gray squirrel about 20 yards away, I put the bead on is head and hit the trigger, lights out. I put him in my game bag and continued on around the ridge. I was glassing below me and spotted a grouse about 75 yards away, I would have never seen the bird without the bino's. I got a big tree between us and slowly started making my way toward him. I cut the distance to about 50 yards and the bird couldn't take it anymore and I missed, oh well that's hunting.
Not far past where I shot at the grouse I spotted another gray squirrel in a big pine tree, I put the bead on his head, fired, and he hit the ground.
After putting this squirrel in my game bag, I continued on around the ridge. I hadn't went far until I spotted a raccoon sleeping in the fork of a tree, I shot him with my camera!
I made my way out of this patch of woods and was going to another spot I like to hunt when all of a sudden it sarted raining. I thought to myself that I had a great start to the new year so decided to head back to the house for some dry clothes and hot coffee.
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot