Info On Ratting - Snippets Of Knowlege, Feel Free To Add To The List

[RemyBolt 420]

Just thought this might help a few of the members on here new to ratting.

 

So here is a load of information, largely random and unorganised, that I hope will assist you with your ratting.

 

First off, using a bright light like lamping for rabbits will really not work. This technique will show you lots of running rats, and nothing where you're going to get a clean shot. Then they'll not come out for the next 15-20 minutes. However, nightvision should not be your only viewing system until you know the area. Confused? Yeah, it sounds odd, but read on.

 

In my experience if you quickly scan an area with a bright light to see where the rats are, they usually freeze for a second or 2 when hit with a bright light After that 3rd second...they're gone! So you have about 1-2 seconds to scan. If the light is still on for longer than that, they'll scatter. My trick is to scan an area quickly, get an idea of where they are, and then quickly change to night vision. The reason I do this is because my NV system is set up behind a 4x scope, and scanning an area with a 4x scope isn't the easiest thing to do (plus I'm too impatient). So, I quick scan with bright light, then switch to NV straight away for the shot. Once you know where they are, just enjoy NV. Never do multiple scans of an area close together.

 

There is also the option for quick-shot-ratting. This is where you use night vision to spot the rat, and then use a pressure switch on a light that is mounted on your gun, to take the shot. this is GREAT fun as you get 1 to 2 seconds to line up and pull the trigger, before the rat runs off. If you're quick enough with this, you can even get 2 rats in a row. After every shot, light off. If you're lucky you'll see the rat drop. You are literally taking quick snap shots with a moment of light, and back to dark ASAP! Really fun.

 

Next bit, use bait if you know the area. Set up the bait and leave it. Let the first rat or 2 that come to the bait, let them get back to the nest. This will bring out a load more than previously. If you shoot the first one that comes to the bait, then you'll only be shooting the ones that stumble across your bait line. Better to let the first rat or 2 get back and lead the others to the bait. Think of them as being on your team, recruiting rats to the shooting gallery! Kind of them isn't it?!

 

Moderator! If you're ratting without a moderator, don't expect great numbers. I've heard stories of people getting brilliant numbers with a 'loud' gun, but never seen it. I've tried it, and after every shot, they scatter and don't come back out for another 15-20 minutes. So getting big numbers when you're taking a maximum of 6 shots an hour....not very easy to do. The quieter the better. I've missed a rat, had it rear up on it's legs because it heard something (probably the pellet flying over it's head, or me swearing about missing the shot) and then gotten straight back to enjoying bait...WOO! Second shot effort! The only way I can envisage 'loud' shots getting big numbers is if you're changing spots, e.g. shooting in 6 different chicken houses, or something like that, and the next lot of rats didn't hear the first shot. No doubt it can be done, but it's much easier with a moderator. The quieter the better.

 

Moving. Use a small torch. Personally I have a small cheap 9 led torch from Tesco, and I cover the lens so that only the smallest glimmer of light comes out. Just enough that I won't be falling through any holes, but not enough so that I can see easily. If I can see easily, the rats can see me easily, and they'll scatter. Obviously consider health and safety first and foremost!!! If you don't know the area, just use a bright light and don't worry about scaring the rats too much. It's better to get to know an area safely, than fall through a hole and break your leg! Exercise personal safety and caution above high ratting numbers.

 

If possible, find a good spot, rest up, sit down, and start shooting. That's the ideal way to have it. A personal favourite of mine, open the car window and the door of one of the chicken scratch areas, focus my IR beam through the open door, and check out the bait. Sat in the car, energy drink in one hand, rifle in the other...easy night's shooting. My next car will have a sunroof, for similar shooting fun. But a deck chair, set of steps, or anything like that will do. If you can get stable and comfy with a good line of sight to a busy rat area, you'll have much more fun.

 

One other word on moving, don't be too worried about making too much noise when you walk, if you have to walk that is. Rats are used to hearing things scurry around. You can take your time walking like a ninja cat, or you can just walk a little slower than normal. The difference in noise will be moot. You don't need to be super ninja silent! Just walk a little slower. Stomping about will scare them off, but don't feel you need to be overly cautious.

 

Dead rats. Previously, I've known rats to 'freak out' when they see another dead rat. There was a time when brandishing a dead rat would be enough of a deterrent to other rats not to come near. Now...not so much. Rats seem to be climbing over their dead friends. The most disgusting of all, if you kill a rat and it's not there in the morning, it's likely that the other rats have dragged it off and eaten it. One point for secondary poisoning here! So if you have been told to collect rats or are rewarded for the number of dead rats, don't think "It'll be there in the morning" because it probably won't be. However, these behaviours are not what you'd expect from 'normal' rats. This kind of thing is more likely where the rats are used to each other dropping dead, e.g. through poison. One notion, if you have a powder poison, adding this to a dead rat could well result in others being poisoned. Not guaranteed, but an idea.

 

With dead rats, get a litter picker grabber stick. These things area great for those hard to reach bodies, but also if you think rats are disgusting creatures. Personally, I have one to check it's dead and to get the rats that fall between the slats that I can't reach.

 

Pellet size...really not important. a good head shot, or heart and lung will kill a rat. Whether it's from a .22 or a .177 pellet. so I'm not going to get into the whole "I like X because....." argument. A dead rat is no more dead from a .22 or a .177 pellet. Dead is dead.

 

It is worth being patient with rats just as with rabbits. The reason is that if you shoot a rat, even a head shot can make it twitch out and fall back down a hole. I've had this on numerous occasions and it's not made sense. Headshot, rat had dropped down and twitched a little. Same shot, different rat, it's dropped dead and twitched down the hole. Massively frustrating! Let them come out of the hole more and get a more retrievable shot.

 

More fun with lights. When you're in a rat area, if you turn the lights on, rats will scatter. You'll be lucky to get a single shot. Then you'll sit down and wait. Suddenly another 2 or 3 rats will rush out from where you weren't expecting. These are the second-flighter's. They didn't run fast enough, so bide their time and will vanish off as soon as they think the coast is clear. These are the best ones to take out. See where the first lot went, and take aim along their trail lines. When the second flighter's set off, you'll be ready and waiting. For these though, you'll not always get a clean shot. So be ready to take a second shot if the first wasn't good enough. No point making them suffer.

 

Last thought for now (because I'm being lazy) is if you stand between a rat and it's escape route, it will just rush you. Be prepared to stamp on them! Do not kick them! A rat has a 'crushable' skull that allows them to squeeze through small areas. Their skull will flex and squish. If you kick a rat, it's unlikely to kill it. It's skull will squish and be concussed, but not dead. A stamp will kill more effectively. But be warned, only act within the law, and under self-defense! If it's attacking you, you can defend yourself.

 

If I think of more stuff, I'll pop it up on here.

[RodN 41]

If you are rat shooting, and kill a rat..... leave it where it lies. You can collect them at the end of the session, and there is no sense in disturbing the area by moving to pick them up. Dead rats don't spook other rats. In fact, they seem to have more confidence if there are other rats around, and are not in a hurry to scurry from one hiding place to another. It isn't uncommon to see a new rat in the scene trying to drag a dead one away, which gives plenty of time for a shot.

 

 

Where they fell.

 

 

[RodN 41]

Your own garden can be productive.

 

If you have a bird table or bird feeders, then there is a very high probability that you have rats.

 

 

Site the bird table where you know you can get a shot from the house. Above is the view from the door of my den. The yellow arrow points to what I call the "superbowl". It is only 15 yards from the door.

 

They even made a burrow under a rockery stone at the back of the superbowl.

 

and the next day... two shot within minutes..

 

Last week I noticed that the fat ball feeder had been dislodged from its nail on the bird table and was lying on the ground. A rat must have climbed up onto the table to do that! The following day, the fat ball feeder had been dragged to the back of the superbowl, where I found it wedged between two rockery stones. OK Mr. Ratty... if you have a taste for fat balls them you can have your own serving.

 

So a couple of days ago I took a spare feeder, and placed it on the ground in the superbowl.... pinned down with a metal tent peg so that it couldn't be dragged away from my firing line.

 

 

 

.... and today at lunchtime I glanced out of the window and saw one helping himself.... no hurry... get the rifle out of its slip, load in a mag, open the door slowly and quietly.... click-clunk.