It is obvious a lot of folks really enjoy Varminting on this Board. But I suspect the reasons vary. Which brings us to:

Question:
What is the reason you Varmint Hunt?

Choices:
1. Just for the challenge of Varminting.
2. To extend my Shooting Season.
3. To enhance my shooting ability for Big Game Hunting.
4. More than one of the above. Feel free to elaborate.
5. Other. Feel free to elaborate.

 

Lets see, why do I varmint hunt?

There are so many types of varmints. Crows, grackles, starlings, nutria, prarie dogs, fox, coyotes, badgers, hogs, ring tail cats, armadillos, porcupines, coons,turtles, frogs, etc.
You can shoot them all year long till your heart's content. No limit.

I tailor my loads and shoot at the range enough to where hitting targets, whether they are paper, fur or feathers is not a major problem.

I do enjoy the challenge of calling in coyotes, bobcats, fox and crows.
GWB

Night hunting for coyotes is so different from every other kind of hunting I've done. There is something about it that I really enjoy. I think it maybe the challenge of hunting the critter when the conditions are in it's favor.

and besides, nothing beats medium rare coyote steaks

Cause I like to shoot! Cause I like to shoot ALOT! No I mean cause I like to shoot a AAALLLLOOOOTTTTT!!!!!

God Bless, Louis

This may cause a little furor and perhaps some introspection Does anyone NOT believe there is an excitement in shooting Live targets as obviated by mentioned thrill at a Pink mist?? Fess up now. roger

All of the above, but mainly I just like to shoot stuff.

bartsche,
Pink Mist,Bang Flop,Poof(crows and the like);
how can any "shooter" NOT get a thrill?
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

I enjoy "varminting for two reasons mostly.
One. I enjoy shooting varmints. Yes bartsche I do enjoy live targets. Most of my shooting is at paper so the change is fun.
Two. This is mostly PD and Ground Squirrel related. The volume of shooting allows one to get some very good experience shooting in differing wind and light conditions. Of course you have to pay attention to what is going on around you. Making adjustments as indicated. Not just blasting away.

muck

All of the Above!

Years ago I liked taking out my 270 Winchester and 308 Norma Mag befor big game hunting. I would pick on the jackrabbits and prairie dogs so I was in shape for big game hunting. Now at age 74 years most of my shooting is at prairie dogs with .172 and .224 bullets.

Therapy- nothing like a dead varmint to releive stress.

Other:

To keep the yotes from the cows, to keep the hogs from tearing up the land and to keep the crows from eating the pecans.

You all sure have some excellent answers.

Varminting is a way to extend my hunting for most of the year.
I guess I just love to hunt.

I voted 'other' because my reasons are many. I love to shoot. The chalenge in New Zealand is mostly rabbit and our rabbit dosent confine itself to warrens but spreads over entire properties and there are no two shots the same, as mostly hilly country means constant elevation, distance and wind considerations are the norm. Either walking the gullies with a sxs 12 g or stretching out with my 20 VarTarg. A 350yd first shot hit on a crouched rabbit is cause for celebration. Final reason is that they taste real good and I like to bring enough home for the freezer.

Von Gruff.

"Just for the challenge of varminting!" I like it! I like it a lot!!! Killing a B&C record book whitetail is all right (and yes I've come close 178 2/8 Gross, net 158 2/8 net).........not a real challenge..........he showed up, I fired!! A lot of hours sitting in a stand, or stealthly looking for the beast, keeping myself obcevvily cleanwhile hunting? NO!!................... Stopped to help a neighbor pull a calf and the buck walked out about the time we were done with the cow duty! So I shot him! And thats about how all B&C records are gotten! JUST PURE LUCK AND TIME OF OPPURTUNITY!! Now go find 100 groundhogs to shoot at!!! That's huntin! GHD

More than a few "jackass rabbits" have gone to my .300 and .264 Magnums. A LOT more shifted into 3rd gear because I was "in town."
At night, with a call or squeaker in my mouth, my M94 .25/35 Improved has done what she was built for.
My M98 .25x2 (wildcat) does well with coyote, and can do double-duty on deer.
"Picket pins" call their "buds" when my 700V .222 shows up, so they can stay home. Most don't!
There's smoke in the air when my M57 or Ruger BH .41 Magnums is in jackrabbit territory.
There are two more "in process", an M92 Winchester(Rossi) is having a .256 Magnum barrel installed, and a HiWall .219 Zipper Improved is having a Redfield 3200 mounted!!!
So....I have to say "other." All of the above + another excuse to buy one more gun.
Have fun,
Gene

All of the above, But really good Fun