Skunks and the Venom .30 — A real-world night hunt

[MountainSportAirguns]

So this week’s adventure got a little “aromatic.”
We helped out on a farm where skunks have been raiding the chicken houses—stealing eggs and even killing a few hens. It was time to put the New Western Airguns Venom .30 Long Strike to work. We set up after dark with the Guide Thermal scope, running the Venom at just under 70fpe using the 44gr JSB's, which turned out to be a lifesaver when one skunk decided to make a break for it. Quick follow-ups, semi-auto with no drama. The power and accuracy were spot-on; everything performed exactly how you’d hope in tight quarters. The extra air capacity helped too over the Mordax that I have been used to using. Honestly, I was more worried about getting sprayed than missing. Thankfully, the only thing that stank afterwards was the barn. This was one of several nights of adventure here, hope to share the rest of the trip soon. If you want to see what real pest control looks like—thermal footage, close-quarters shots, and how the Venom handled in the field—check out the video below. This isn’t a bench test; it’s real-world use with everything in-between. Aside from the Venom, I was testing out some new camera equipment that will help filming these types of pestings a bit easier for me.


Watch the video:

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[Pumacarl]

I'm glad that it was a productive evening because that sure doesn't look like a pleasant one. Good for you, for doing it. We use to have chickens when I was a kid, and just a dozen in a small coop can smell really bad, nevermind the smell of the skunks. Good job for a semi-auto too.

 

[FL22]

@MountainSportAirguns I seriously thought when you hit that skunk multiple times that it was going to spray and you were gonna pay lol.

Glad it didn’t though, I don’t wish that on anyone .




I was saying to @Billm the other day that at this exact Airgun would be great for his armadillo problem.

I’ve already spoke to my wife about it, and the .30 will be my Christmas present. It’s time for a raccoon reckoning.

 

[SpindleB]

Shooting skunks i found it best to hit heart/lung with no followup. They don't spray and only move off a few feet before expiring.

Surprising was head shot always sprayed and followup usually sprayed. The other thing was a single shot attracted other skunks for elimination.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@MountainSportAirguns The Mordax looks handy in that configuration. It actually looks like it was designed to be a small carbine. At which velocity are you slinging lead at these skunks? You lit that second skunk up. Of course it let loose because that’s what you did. Are you getting any pass throughs? I can’t imagine 20 skunks in one barn. I mean I can, but that’s a lot. That’s a good service you’re doing for that farmer.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

@MountainSportAirguns The Mordax looks handy in that configuration. It actually looks like it was designed to be a small carbine. At which velocity are you slinging lead at these skunks? You lit that second skunk up. Of course it let loose because that’s what you did. Are you getting any pass throughs? I can’t imagine 20 skunks in one barn. I mean I can, but that’s a lot. That’s a good service you’re doing for that farmer.

Hey Dave, this isn't the Mordax it's the Venom as mentioned in the video and the post. Shooting 44's @ 830/ The goal is to keep them out of the inside of the free range, once they get inside it's near impossible to single them out with thousands of birds in the way. People always have ideas on what works best to not get sprayed...out of hundreds of skunks I've killed it doesn't matter where you hit them, some will spray regardless of shot placement. Heart/Lung/head/ass/spine, some spray and some don't. Lol

 

[Ezana4CE]

Hey Dave, this isn't the Mordax it's the Venom as mentioned in the video and the post. Shooting 44's @ 830/ The goal is to keep them out of the inside of the free range, once they get inside it's near impossible to single them out with thousands of birds in the way. People always have ideas on what works best to not get sprayed...out of hundreds of skunks I've killed it doesn't matter where you hit them, some will spray regardless of shot placement. Heart/Lung/head/ass/spine, some spray and some don't. Lol

@MountainSportAirguns I misunderstood. I thought the Venom was a variation of the Mordax. I’ll have to look this one up.

Edit: I just looked it up. It’s what I thought it was.