Jim Taylor
THE HUNT
Friday, August 29, 2025, 17:15

The hunt was not going as I had hoped. It's challenging when hunting in an environment where you not only are looking for the prey, but you have to be alert as to which direction you are shooting and where the other people are. Add in a large number of other creatures and it takes moving slowly, cautiously, always thinking of safety concerns.

After a short stalk I spotted the one I was after. He was larger than the others and more aggressive. Not only that, but somehow he seemed to sense that I was after him. Every time I spotted him and started to get into position to shoot he would move. After a few times he simply started to leave the area.

I liked where we were because it was open enough that I could get a clear shot. And I could approach from different angles so that I had a good “backstop” of sorts if any shots ricocheted. As he moved away I went away from him at a 90 degree angle, then moved through the clutter and got in the path of where he was headed without alerting him. I waited until he appeared headed for me and stepped out, ready to fire, only to have him reverse and go back the way he came!

I thought “Crap!” and headed back the way I had come. I was able to get to where he was headed before he did and I had the rifle ready. As he came into sight he spotted me, gave an alert call and reversed, going directly away from me. I put the bead on his butt and pulled the trigger. At the shot feathers flew and he took off running. He ran maybe 10 feet and piled up, kicking his last. The Federal .22 Long Rifle hollowpoint worked really well!

He was old, a very large rooster, weighing close to 10 pounds. I carried him around to the compost barrel and tossed him in. He was too old and tough to try to eat, but he would make good compost.

Now we only have 9 other roosters to deal with, all young enough they will be good eating!