Sage rats are out!

[Grizzly95]

Can't believe how excited I can be over a little rat!

[NW-GSP]

I've never hunted them but am going to want to now that I'm going to have a ar!

[Grizzly95]

I gave up with the 22 and 17, I just use a gamo now. I can always find pellets, not so much anything else. Plus a little safer when I know there are workers in the orchard here. My boy just got the first one of the year!

[NW-GSP]

That would be allot of fun with a air rifle

[fowl smacker]

I've never done it so if somebody is going and needs a companion hit me up.  I'll split whatever costs there are.  Sounds like an absolute blast!

[Heredoggydoggy]

A buddy and his son and I are planning on a Ground Squirrel trip end of next month.  Thinking about taking one of my pellet guns this time... in addition to my new custom 10-22! and my 2 .17 HMRs, and my 17 Fireball, and..... 

[PolarBear]

We use to shoot them on Les Schwab's ranch in Prineville.  Talk about a lot of fun.  We got bored with .22's and switched to .308.  Ya gotta love sniping those rats at 300-400 yards with a .308!  Splat!!!!!

[Heredoggydoggy]

My buddy likes the long range bench rest shooting.  His son and I like the 100 yard and under rats.  Heck, I've even heard them twittering 8 feet behind me while I'm "fencepost shooting"! 

[Grizzly95]

Here at my place it is close quarters, I have had them pop up right behind me. I had on of the little turds on my front step earlier today. You can literally sit and shoot them within 30 feet of you all day here. No real long range with all the orchards and vineyards. Between my landlord and the rest of the property owners here there are hundreds of acres to shoot them in, and the owners are generally happy to let you do it!

[Heredoggydoggy]

Here at my place it is close quarters, I have had them pop up right behind me. I had on of the little turds on my front step earlier today. You can literally sit and shoot them within 30 feet of you all day here. No real long range with all the orchards and vineyards. Between my landlord and the rest of the property owners here there are hundreds of acres to shoot them in, and the owners are generally happy to let you do it!

Sounds like you have a good pellet gun area.  I've heard the little buggers are making inroads into the Yakima area...

[Chukar]

Helpful info before hitting the "sage"
These are not protected...yet. Townsend, Columbia and California Ground. These are found not so much in the middle of the "sage" part of the State but around Walla Walla (small pockets in the farmlands) and primarily 1500-2000 foot elevations outside Kittitas/Kilckitat). They are about a foot long. Not so much spotted. Flicky smaller tail.
The Cali Ground is a lover of rocks, boulders with some elevation and Oaks. Bigger. Fluffy tail. Oak Creek drainage is a common zone on down south.
The Columbia is outside Spokane in the pines and pastures nearby. Big. Orange to reddish on the sides. Disappear once summer comes.

[Grizzly95]

If you have the ammo you can literally shoot a thousand or more rounds a weekend. I think I scored points with the owner when I asked if I can shoot sage rats here, he said kill them all. The neighbor said over the summer he killed over 200 in my front yard just driving by. I'm all kinds of excited!!!

[Grizzly95]

These guys don't have much of a tail and are about 8-10 inches long. I'll post some pics later.

[Chukar]

Now...the WA State Ground Squirrel is Protected. This one is in the Basin. Outside Potholes, hills of Crab Creek, bottom of the Yak Canyon, Wenas...these are 90% Wa State Ground Squirrel. Smaller. Grey. Lightly spotted. Chubby. Like orchards and softer ground. Essentially the most of the "Sage" areas here.
Every year the squirrel threads start and every year I see guys describing areas and even posting pics of areas that primarily hold WA State Ground Squirrels or dead ones. The other squirrels are being considered protective status currently...mistaking targets and posting dead pics of protected species can only accelerate the process.
Know your stuff friends.

[Chukar]

Wa State Ground Squirrels additionally are early season risers, smaller 8-10 inches, very lightly dusted with vague spots, smaller tail. Slight whitish eye ring. Are completely protected...