How Can You Shoot Rats With an Air Pistol?
WouterThere are a few things to consider before shooting rats with an air pistol. Firstly, you need to be careful with the distance between you and the rat. Unless you have the proper protection, the pellets may hit the rat. You also need to make sure that you have an adequate backstop, such as a wall. Secondly, you need to use an air gun with a sub-12 ft/lb bullet weight, and consider using a silencer. This will prevent the noise from spook the neighbors.
Lastly, you must be aware of the time of day. Rats become active during dusk, so it is best to arrive at the target location at least an hour before the rat activity starts. Once there, you can try to spot rat runs, which will lead to places where the rat feeds. Some of these places include silage clamps, feed stores, and buildings where cattle stay for the winter.
It is important to remember that rats are nocturnal animals, which means that they sleep during the day. Therefore, the best time to place snap traps is before dusk. Then, you can check them after the rat activity is over. Moreover, snap traps should be placed along the regular pathways that the rat uses. These paths are marked by tracks, droppings, and rub marks.
You should also consider the ammunition you’ll use. The best ammunition for this purpose is rat pellets, which are designed to kill on the spot. If you’re shooting for a specific rat, you can choose cardboard bullets or rubber bullets, which are designed to shoot without hurting the rat. However, if you’re planning to shoot at a rat from close quarters, you’ll need a scope.
