On Safari in Washington State for Giant Dairy Rats!

[Zelos1]

Just wanted to share with any interested.
Did 2 evening sessions at a local dairy that has a bit of a problem with very large rats.
The Zelos with the DNT thermnight was more fun and effective than i had hoped.
Stock tuning with the trigger lightened up and a 700cc bottle made for 140 shots in two nights without a refill and I’m still not below reg pressure.
Rats from 8”-12” not counting tails were by far the norm with a half dozen or so little ones.
Standing/walking with a tripod, dodging the cows. What a blast!

Just did another visit to the dairy. They are in spring cleanup mode and i only found about 30 rats in 2+ hours of creeping around. Still a wad of fun but not the 80-100 rats that i got used to earlier.

 

[mrage]

Just did another visit to the dairy. They are in spring cleanup mode and i only found about 30 rats in 2+ hours of creeping around. Still a wad of fun but not the 80-100 rats that i got used to earlier.

Zelos1, Good time for sure! Don't worry ,the population will recover fast enough. I'm currently at 56 rats from two different barns for '26. I managed an even dozen at the main barn some weeks back. That's a good haul for me
anymore. When I was first asked to take out rats I would routinely take 12-15 every visit a few days a week before I even considered night work! Yes it was that crazy ! My best haul was 19 at the first visit to another barn. Good luck & keep the pellets & air coming!!

 

[Zelos1]

Zelos1, Good time for sure! Don't worry ,the population will recover fast enough. I'm currently at 56 rats from two different barns for '26. I managed an even dozen at the main barn some weeks back. That's a good haul for me
anymore. When I was first asked to take out rats I would routinely take 12-15 every visit a few days a week before I even considered night work! Yes it was that crazy ! My best haul was 19 at the first visit to another barn. Good luck & keep the pellets & air coming!!

The place that i am currently hunting will also let me come out during the day, ( which I have not done yet), to work on starlings and pigeons.
I arrived during daylight on my first visit for rats thinking that I would still see some, but there were virtually no opportunities until it got pretty dark, then the gates flew open and there were rats everywhere!
The TNC225 has paid for itself in fun ever since.

 

[EdinGa]

Drop you reg pressure to 1800 and install a weaker hammer spring. I'm getting over 60 shots at 30 fpe and I'm still running the cylinder. No telling how many shots you would get with a bottle. You could probably shoot for a week.

 

[Zelos1]

Drop you reg pressure to 1800 and install a weaker hammer spring. I'm getting over 60 shots at 30 fpe and I'm still running the cylinder. No telling how many shots you would get with a bottle. You could probably shoot for a week.

Reg came set at about 1800. Shooting 18.1 JTS. Haven’t messed with anything else except lightened the trigger up.
Couldn’t be happier with the setup.

 

[jv1953]

I, too, would like to start ratting (Okla.) I have most of the needed equipment, but not sure how to line up permissions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zelos1]

I, too, would like to start ratting (Okla.) I have most of the needed equipment, but not sure how to line up permissions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It is just as simple as stopping in and saying hello, letting the farmer know what you do and assuring him that you are not going to damage his infrastructure or his livestock or his privacy.
Farmers are, in my experience, some of the nicest folks you will encounter anywhere and are also well aware of your potential to benefit or harm their world.
The one that I was fortunate enough to find on my first stop will likely be able to steer me toward others who he undoubtedly knows.
Let me know how it goes!