Utility of Airguns

[sinclair]

I have a unique problem that may require an air gun to solve.

Seems a skunk has taken a liking to residing under the back porch/deck. The little bugger lets off every evening and its getting really bad. I do not really want to shoot the little guy since every direction is downhill towards other residences. The only safe ballistic solution would be a .22 in bird shot, which has an effective range of about ten feet. That is a little closer than I care to be, given the potent nature of the target. I suspect this is one case where a pellet gun would be the permanent solution. Looking around, I was surprised to find that Ruger is now making pellet guns. Any body out there know anything about the Ruger airguns.

http://www.airgundepot.com/rugerairguns.html

Meanwhile I got lucky with a cup of cleaning ammonia and poured a bit thru the porch slats. Three days and the smelly little guy has not been back. But is it a permanent solution ?

[rof68]

A hand full of mothballs under and around your house should encourage the varmint to move on to another location .

[Colt 45]

I don't have any experience with Ruger airguns. I didn't even know that they made them, but I do have a pretty good air rifle that you can use. It is very accurate and quite powerful, .177 caliber. It is a German brand, but I don't remember the name. I can bring it on Sunday when I come to Alamo.

Max

[sinclair]

A hand full of mothballs under and around your house should encourage the varmint to move on to another location .

OK, have done that also. Going on five days and no skunk. Which did the trick ? The ammonia or the moth balls ?

I can bring it on Sunday when I come to Alamo.

Thanks for the offer, but hopefully no need if the bugger is gone now. Time will tell. I must be really suseptable to
those little varmints. The smell is so strong it gives me a blasting headache.

[Colt 45]

Ok, but you are welcome to keep it around the house for a while in the event he or anther one decides to squat again. Mine is a RWS. I saw they had them on the website you listed, but didn't see my model there. It could be they don't make it anymore. It is very similar to this one (http://www.airgundepot.com/rws-350-combo-177.html) but without the scope. I bought a scope for it years ago but never put it on. I used it to thin a very high population of squirrels and chipmunks.

Max

OK, have done that also. Going on five days and no skunk. Which did the trick ? The ammonia or the moth balls ?



Thanks for the offer, but hopefully no need if the bugger is gone now. Time will tell. I must be really suseptable to
those little varmints. The smell is so strong it gives me a blasting headache.

[rtuck77]

always shoot a skunk in the head and it wont spray and there for no stinky

[Descreet38]

If you decide to go the airgun route - look at GAMO before you buy. I have a Gamo Whisper deluxe and love it. Works real well around the house and at the cabin for pest control.

[Sam]

always shoot a skunk in the head and it wont spray and there for no stinky

After catching a few hundred skunks in traps, I'll tell you NO on this one.
Shoot in the back of the neck at the skull joint to paralyze.
About 50% of headshots will give you a spray.

[sinclair]

Haven't been here for a while so to update, the critter still visits at night but has avoided going under the deck/porch to spray.

Thus I have not borrowed (Thanks Max) or procured an airgun. Have to admit that the Gamo Whisper looks interesting but except for the sound suppressor, it looks a little pricey compared to the Ruger.

Does the sound suppressor really do anything to justify the price ? Question for Discreet since he owns one.

And have any of you ever used an airgun on a skunk ? Any idea what the ideal shot range should be to avoid the chemical retaliation ? Obviously a downwind shot should be avoided. Any other precautions I should take ?

[Descreet38]

Sinclair - the suppressor on a GAMO is pretty good unless you are the shooter. The spring action is what you are hearing while shooting. To my neighbors the suppressor works very well. I shoot a 177 RWS against my GAMO and they say there is an appreciable difference in the sound. GAMO is much quiter.