From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
​ Tree Rats to scaly Tails

Blimey I am rather late getting this article out this month, what with being overloaded with pest control work, heading up as the lead lecturer on pest control courses, shows, masonic commitments, being a town councillor and running two young sports charities.

I think I will just chat about the pest control side of things, well I headed up a Lantra Affiliated grey squirrel Management course for Red Squirrel South West, this course was fully booked within 24 hours, what a wonderful day spent with like minded people, as I always say I might be the lecturer but my classroom is a place of learning, so I learn too as we all bring something new to the table, if you would like to book a squirrel management training course drop me a line via my email, if your not in my area I can put you on to a course closer to you, email [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you.

What a month it has been dealing with tree rats (grey squirrels) with spring in the air they are in overdrive, I am head keeper on a small estate, we do partridge/pheasant and duck for a family/friend syndicate, the tree rats are destroying my game feeders, let alone the influx of rats them old scaly tails, game season well over I can get my teeth into dealing with these pests, I am also really busy with my professional pest control company too, so much so I have had to draft in extra help on top of my own lads that work for me.​

I and my under keeper team are dealing with the tree rats and scaly tails on the estate, both trapping and shooting by day and night, as always as you clear the squirrels it causes a vacuum and more move in from outside, especially as my neighbours really don't bother controlling them, I have offered my team to help but they like Cyril the squirrel and don't really understand the conservation nightmare they are, I will be working on them further this year.

I have put Jamie one of my trainee lads on three big agricultural jobs in Gloucestershire. I simply personally cant fit any more in, armed with a PCP air rifle and the Night Pearl thermal spotter and scope, he is making short work of the rats both by day and by night.

Many of you have read about George one of the young sports I am most proud off, he is now a fully grown man and truly inspirational chef, he now has his own shot guns and Air Arms air rifles, I gave him a home made night vision kit I found in the back of a cupboard, it works a treat and he loves it, I put him on a job nr Clevedon, a small farm but running alive with rats around the hen houses, its given him and his friend something to do and helps me out as I really can find the time to help my masonic brother out who owns the farm, I think Georges smile and thumbs up says it all, Arrrrr Tiz Proper Job Mucker.

I even Have my Old Dad out working for me too, Ole Snake Eyes himself, he misses nothing that ole boy, armed with his NiteSite Viper, Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter and a Night Pearl thermal spotter there's not a scaly tailed raticuss that gets away from that ole boy I telle, well that's when he is not taking my kit and telling me to be the retriever like I was a boy again.

​I wont go on about all the lads who work for me and the professional side of things, this would take far to long to write, but if you would like our pest control services contact me via this website or my corporate website below www.reallywildadventure.co.uk or email me on [email protected] either way you will get to me.

Now as many know I wont stock any products in my shop unless I have proved they do what it says on the tin, just lately I have stocked a new line of PCP air rifle in the gun room, The Crossman Icon.

I bought myself one first mostly for the young sports on the weekly rifle range, I took this out on a professional rat control job on a very large agricultural education centre I have the contract for, I obviously took my tried and tested beloved Air Arms air rifles with me, but putting a Vortex scope and a Huggett moderator on it then I zeroed it ion on my range, I was very impressed from getting out of the box, you know you really do get a lot of gun for your money with this one, targets are OK, but what it will be like where the metal meets the meat is another thing.​

Right from the start this gun was as sweet in the arms as it is on the eye, OK its not an Air Arms so I was not expecting silky smooth and spanky, but I will say it punched way above it weight and price range, I actually didn't even get another gun out for the whole 8 hours I was there, this gun dealt a mighty humane thwack on both the feral pigeons and scaly tailed raticuss, I really am impressed with this little gun, this is now one of my top selling PCP air rifles in the shop both for beginners and veterans alike.

In my next article I will be writing about the wonderful time I had at The Stalking Show 2024, keep your eyes peeled for that article, this is a show built by Hunters For Hunters.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribble, so until the next time, stay safe and well one and all, For Tiz Proper Job Muckers.

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
Tree Rats to scaly Tails​

By Rob Collins
aka The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk