Gear up for varmint shoot.

[odysseus]

So in a while I am going to go on a varmint shoot for a couple of days. This will be my first time. So outside of the rifle, scope, and spotting scope, - I am curious what anyone might recommend. I am particulary wondering about a shooter's blanket and a stable base to lay rifle's on for long hours of prone or sitting shooting. Anyone got pointers and recommendations?

 

[dakotasin]

what kind of varmints?

 

[odysseus]

Groundhogs mostly I believe. Might be squirrels too. On farmland.

 

[Roudy]

A good set of Bipods would be helpful, or shooting sticks. Some people claim that bipods effect the accuracy of the rifle, if you beleive this then shooting sticks may be a better solution. Sand bags are a very good rest but a pain to carry around if you will be walking.

For groundhogs a good pair of binoculars (10 power or so) would be more handy than a spotting scope, again, if you will be walking. If you are going to be stationary for a long period then the spotting scope could work.

Another handy item to have is a rangefinder or binoculars with range finding capability. This will reduce distance estimating errors.

The last thing I would suggest is a snack and a bottle of water.

 

[~z]

Roudy, you apparently do as much varmint hunting as I do, as our list is identical. One thing to add, a few adult beverages?
~z

 

[odysseus]

Do you use a blanket to rest on or one of those shooter's mats I see out there?

 

[scott5]

Hey odysseus,
Don't forget lots of ammo

And don't forget the sun block, earplugs, earmuffs, and a nice cumfy chair .

You might check this site.
http://www.varmintal.com/

This guy has got all the gear and the lacations at his disposal.

 

[Roudy]

Do you use a blanket to rest on or one of those shooter's mats I see out there?

A blanket or shooting mat would be more comfortable, but I just lay in the dirt! Usually I walk quite a bit so the less I carry the more easily I walk. One of my favorite places is along railroad tracks, especially if there are farms with soybeans in the area.

In the early to mid summer when soybeans are about 1-4 inches high the edges of a bean field are very productive. Those groundhogs just love the tender soybean leaves.

A farmer friend of mine told me that a mature groundhog will destroy an acre of beans. Usually farmers are happy to let you hunt them on their farms. Hmm...lets see...an acre of beans at 50 bushels per acre times $6 per bushel...see what I mean?

 

[Dr.Rob]

I bought a parachutists' weapons case from The Sportsman's Guide and cut the rivets that hold the box end closed with a dremel tool... the result is a packable, heavy duty shooting mat.

A shooting bench/chair is far easier on my old man... I bought him anew varminting bench for Christmas at The Sportsman's Warehouse to go with his new Marlin in .17 HMR

Take plenty of sunscreen, water and ammo.

 

[adaman04]

If you are going to be doing a lot of prone shooting, I would recommend knee and elbow pads. I have a Prairie Dog video and he highly recommends it. Also, binoculars would be good to have.

So....
Rifle
Ammo
Bipod
Knee and elbow pads
Binocs
Plenty to drink
Snack food
Backpack to tote it all around in.