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the 22 bird shot pellets work!

15 years ago

I just got the HOSP that has been bonding to one of my boxes. 7:45 and I noticed the Downy was fluttering at the hole of the box then left. I walked up near the box and the Male HOSP flew out landing in a nearby tree. I could see that he was going to roost in that box tonight.I came inside grabed the 22 and my binocs, yup he was back in the box. I walked just close enough to the box for him to fly to the tree again , but not so close as to scare him to fly high. Did a quick double check for 100% ID with the binocs. One shot and he was down. He was never afraid and I am sure didnt feel anything, he was still but I could see he was still breathing when I got to him so I did stopm on him to be sure he was not suffering. RIP Mr. Hosp! Shooting them is so much easier on the bird and on me! I do NOT enjoy this!

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Comments (4)

deedee1028
15 years ago
I know I have been having better luck with the gun then anything, my husband thinks I'm crazy and says mother nature should take its course its animal kingdom...I said its one thing when it is food for another but just killing these beautiful birds for the houses and they are not native and messy they have to GO!!!!!! Good Luck hunting and I hope your BB nesting has many broods.
organicgardener
15 years ago
The HOSP that come by my yard still prefer the Purple Martin House. I've trapped 4 so far this year. I looked back in my journal and saw that I had trapped 16 by this time last year. Maybe I'm making a difference with the trapping.

Linda C
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dzyg
15 years ago
Glad you got him Lisa! I have had a flock of HOSP around lately and some of them have been checking out some of my nestboxes. I put a van ert in one this morning and was suprised to see a start of a nest in it, HOSP, I am sure. So hopefully I will get one of them. Haven't seen them around the box though since I put the trap in. I have been monitoring my feeders for them since they seem so numerous right now and so far I got six with the bb gun, five males and a female. None of mine have been still breathing when I go out to get them, I shoot them from in the house, just open a window quietly and shoot. I know this flock comes from a car dealership that is near us and actually only a few ever try to nest in our boxes but I still try to put a dent in the ones I see in our yard. I don't want any of them around, they always seem to kill at least one TRES in one of the boxes that I have at the park near us.

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kendra2003
15 years ago
Linda C, I have never had a Martin, but I do have up a Martin house. And you're so right that they are very attracted to those. I have little enclosed inbox traps for those and it seems to keep HOSP away from the Bluebird houses, plus makes them really easy to trap. So even if I never see a Martin, building the T-10 was a worthwhile investment. The HOSP just can't resist the multiple nesting cavities.

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