After moving what was left of the winter's hay back from the opening of the barn's loft door I chose to sit on an old crate and watch the world go by as my old bones needed a rest. The robins had been very active in the cherry orchard than ran up close to the barn. The young had hatched last week and by now were quite noisey in the nest near the right fork of the closest cherry tree. Curious as to how big the young were I thought of going down to the tack room and getting the binoculars. My bones weren't ready to move so I instead reached for the always handy CZ527 that I had rebarreled to .221 Fireball. It was a bit dusty from my hay moving activities so I blew the crud from the 3x9 Burris, turned it up to 9x, and leaned against the barn door opening. It was easy to find the yellow beaks of the open mouthed, hungry and still noisey young robins. I had watched them long enough and was about to take the rifle from my shoulder when I noticed a sudden shadow coming from the left. I realized it was a calico jumping from the left fork of the tree to the nest in the right fork.
Years of training kicked in when I flicked the safety of instinctively and without a concious thought released the trigger when the cross hairs were near the calico. The young robins were lucky that my mind was pre-set to shoot cats and guided that 40gr Nosler on its way to
do what it was destined to do.

Tough love is always the best solution OEH, may the force be with you. BTW, I'm starting to have some of those "resting the bones" moments myself. Only thing that keeps me going is Mrs. Dan(Revereware) and crat whacking. I shall no doubt live longer than Methusela, even with knots on my head.

Dan

Pres., TYHC

www.TheFountainOf.Youth

I woulda shot the robins too. I hate them damn things.

When you saved the Robins young by removing the Cat threat did Mom Robin get to feed the young any fresh Cat chitlins (sp)?

I got to know the local government hunter. He has a pet cougar. I usually took the kills to him for treats for his "cat". The cougar really likes crat so I consider him a very fine cougar.