I have a confession...

[Tyler Durden]

I was posting in the de-barking thread about the non-shocking buzz/beep trainers we used and their humanity (I actually put it to my own neck and activated it. Wouldn't stop ME from barking, but I'm not a canine).

Here is my confession.

About a year back, I saw one of the local feral tomcats come within an inch of catching a hummingbird, one of the universe's most sacred creatures in my book.

We own 4 cats, and while the dogs are my faves, I don't dislike the cats except the one that tears up the screens. Small price to pay.

Anyway, I LOVE birds. It was getting real quiet around our feeders, and the seed didn't need as much replacing. That's when I noticed the toms staking out the feeders (our cats are all fems except for one, and he's an inside kitty: they could care less about the birds).

I tried chemical warfare; there are "keep away" products, but no joy, so I bought a SOFT PELLET air pistol. I tried it on my own bare leg and YES, it stung like Hell but no welt, just a red spot, and this was very close range.

Needless to say, the toms now leave the birds alone. They DO piss on my car, though.

Am I a bad person? I don't think so.

[Texasgal]

1. Dude.....

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

I am just settling in for what will be a looooooong afternoon.

Zip up your flame retardant suit...

[Shell Beau]

2. I am going to sit back and watch!

:popcorn:


I don't think it makes you a bad person. I wouldn't have done it, but I am a weenie who can't even kill a bug (unless it is a roach)and who has never used any kind of gun. But the cat is fine, the bird is fine! No problem here.

[Texasgal]

3. Munch...munch....

Hey Shell.... do you have any junior mints?

[Shell Beau]

5. Nah, but if we run out of popcorn,

I'll be sure to pop some more!

[Tyler Durden]

4. The thought of dead hummingbirds made me crazy.

I used to spend HOURS at the Detroit Zoo in their Butterfly and Hummingbird Aviary; those birds are HOLY.

If I'd been a REAL prick, I'd have gone for a pellet gun, but I didn't even consider it. I agonized over the damned soft pellet gun: First, I even put out FOOD for the little bastards, but they kept after the birds, even killed some babies.

[Shell Beau]

6. I, too, love hummingbirds.

I see them quite often around my parts. They are amazing!

[kick-ass-bob]

7. hummingbirds? They aren't even songbirds!!

:rofl:

:popcorn:

[DS1]

8. Eh. I shot a neighbors yipping dog for barking all fucking day once

with a similar pellet gun.

Then again, I was about 14 years old.

[Shell Beau]

9. I am glad we aren't neighbors.

I might not have a dog. Of course my neighbors can't hear my dog b/c she is inside and their houses aren't that close to mine.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear Tyler Durden...

GOOD FOR YOU! Hummingbirds are sacred in my book too... they love to come in my yard and take the nectar from the flowers that we deliberately planted to attract them...They are such exquisite little creatures, IMHO...

You did just right...let the little pissers piss on your car...who cares?

NO, you are NOT a bad person...unless I am...and I know I'm NOT!



:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[billyskank]

11. Fair enough but

did you consider one of those pump-action water pistols first? I hear they are well handy for keeping unwanted cats off your property.

[XemaSab]

12. You're OK in my book

Cats have no place outside. Period.

[Mutley]

13. Who was just asking for a flamewar?

Looks like they got it right here.

:popcorn: I'm just gonna sit this one out as a spectator.

[Mutley]

14. kick for the cat people!

:kick:

[motely36]

15. Come on guys!

Let's get it going!

:evilgrin:

[Shell Beau]

16. Y'all are so bad!!

:spank: :P

[motely36]

18. I know

:)

Now I gotta go home, and I will probably miss all the fun

:cry:

[Shell Beau]

19. It always happens when I am away, too!

[Modem Butterfly]

17. Yes, Cruella, you are a bad person

[Left_Winger]

20. I care for birds too and there are some feral cats which roam the area

but I've never had to pop one with the BB gun. I have thought about it, but going outside usually keeps them away.

Lately the birds have been going through two tubes of food a day and I fill the bird bath at least three times a day. I have more of a problem with squirrels damaging the feeders in my yard.

[Tyler Durden]

21. We keep extra feeders for the squirrels

They prefer more sunflower seeds and corn, so there's not too much conflict.

Didn't use a BB gun though. Soft pellet air.

[Left_Winger]

22. I've had this BB gun since I was a kid ( a long time)

and I have no idea if it still works. I do prefer to scare them away which usually does the trick.

[redqueen]

23. I don't think so.

If you'd gone hunting them, maybe then... but for this? nah.