bumblebee hunting...

[Questor]

I wouldn't hunt them myself because they're among our most beneficial insects.  If you've got a big surplus of them, then I don't see any harm, but around here there pretty scarce and we need all we can get.

[Lawdog]

cknight98,

I used to hunt bees when I was a kid but quit when I missed and the bee didn't.  We got a type of bumble bee out here we call a wood bee.  Big, shinny black bees that have a real bad temper.  You don't even have to shoot or swat at these to have them chase you into a house.  Kind of like the Dangerous Game of the bug world.  Small groups, tight lines and a SHARP EYE  :eek:  to you.  Lawdog
 

[ihuntbucks]

Chris,how do you cook these bees? :lol: .........Rick

[Lawdog]

ihuntbucks,

It was recommended to me to let them marinate over night in a fruity white wine, garlic and lemon solution.  Then deep fry them till they are golden brown.  Eat them like popcorn along with a good fresh garden salad from the garden you were protecting.  Makes your mouth water.  Lawdog
 

[lilabner]

Never hunted bumblebees, but those big, bull grasshoppers of mid to late summer are a lot of fun with an air pistol. You have to stalk them to get within reasonable range.  They can fly long distances. It is fun to shoot directly under them when they are on the ground to let the concussion take them out. Another good shot is when they are clinging to a tall stalk.

[S.S.]

Cook on High in a Microwave
for Approx. 30 seconds. Then scrape the walls and
use as a sandwich spread!!! :grin:

[Deaf Smith]

Insect is the Crosman model 1100 airshotgun. Then little shotshells may not be good enough for anycritter bigger than a mouse or sparrow for bees and wasps they are perfect the tiny shot makes the insect nothing but a cloud of tiny dust especually the larger wood boring bees. these are fun to shoot as the danger level is not real high and you are getting rid of a real pest around the home. Its like shooting moving game with a shotgun shoot them in flight its a blast!

[Steyr]

I grasshopper hunt occasionally.
Wouldn't use a 'shotgun' if I had one, because I hope to finally find the front half of a "trophy" grasshopper and mount it on a little plaque to hang over the fireplace.

Bumblebees?? That's DANGEROUS game there, lads !!

[Lawdog]

My Fellow Bee Hunter,

The proper weapon for hunting Bumble Bees is a Daisy Red Ryder.  The proper clothing to wear is a pair of gym shorts.  Just more sporting that way.  Got to be fair now.  Lawdog
 

[Larry Gibson]

Lawdog  & My Fellow Bee Hunter,

In my neck of the woods we hunt the large bull and sometimes "rogue" grasshoppers too.  As to the bumblebees mostly leave them to pollenate.  However, when camping in mountains one of the favorite targets around camp are the yellow jackets.  Not so sure that the Red Rider is "enough gun" especially when attired in, as you describe, "The proper clothing to wear is a pair of gym shorts.  Just more sporting that way.  Got to be fair now."  Sometimes there is "fair" and then there is "stupid"!

I like to shoot the yellow jackets over bait; some bloody hamburger works well as does a freshly killed bull grasshopper.  With the Webley Hawk .117 I place the bait about 15 yards from my hide as it has a Williams reciever sight on it and that is just about "minute of yelow jacket" range with it.  With the R9 .20 cal I usually place the bait a little farther out from the hide.  Of course the "hide" is a folding camp chair, with arm rests of course, strategicly located in the shade with a ready supply of "cool ones" within arms reach.  Life can be good!

Larry Gibson

[Lawdog]

Larry,

Yellow Jackets definitely require more rifle than Bumble Bees.  Around here we have a monster critter that we call a Wood Bee.  These are big, shiny black and come with a bad temper.  They have been known to attack without any provoking of any type.  I haven’t yet found a bait that works for them like it does for Yellow Jackets.  I agree with you about the hide and how it should be set up and stocked.  And for Yellow Jackets the addition of a proper shirt should be added.  May your aim be straight on those Yellow Jackets.  Lawdog
 

[lindylars]

I don't know about hunting bumblebees (since I like preserving the keen working relationship that we have out in the yard), but I have been known to take a crack at the occasional wildflower in the backyard. Just sight in on the dark center and pffft. A light breeze makes the "hunt" even more interesting. For neighborhood stealth a Powerline 880 is fine, but when I'm in need of more envigorating therapy I break out the RWS Model 36. With that in hand, those rabid echinacea flowers don't stand a chance...  :grin:

Peace y'all!

Regards,
Ron

[panman]

Where can i get a air shotgun?.shooting grasshopers in the air sounds like a lot of fun.thanks.pan.

[maddmaxx]

Autumn Olive is a great attractor to bumblebees. I've spent several afternoons wasting bb's. For eating though, I'd rather have honey bees dipped in chocolate. Real sweet treat and not as much grit as grasshoppers or ants.