A few degrees might not look like much—but down range, they can make a big difference. Cant changes the relationship between your optic, firearm, and gravity, and as distance increases, that small angle can turn into a surprisingly noticeable point-of-impact shift. What looks insignificant at the firing point can become impossible to ignore further down range.
The fight against the invasive grey squirrel !
There are several ways to control the invasive grey squirrel, with shooting being one of the most effective methods. Today was spent stalking through some local woodland in search of these invasive greys.
The FAC Airgun offers just the ticket.
Part of being a responsible firearms certificate holder (FAC) is knowing how to use your own judgement and select the right tool for the job at hand.
Today’s outing involved stalking through some local woodland in search of those pesky grey squirrels as they foraged on the ground amongst the autumnal leaf litter. For this particular situation, an FAC-rated .22 air rifle running at around 32 ft/lb was ideal. A sub-12 ft/lb air rifle could also be suitable, but the additional power offers a little more flexibility when it comes to range, where conditions and a safe, appropriate shot allow.
Moving slowly through the woodland, scanning with a thermal spotter and keeping noise to a minimum, the aim was to pick up the initial heat signature before confirming the target visually. On this particular outing, it was fantastic to see red squirrels in the woods, serving as a timely reminder of why the control of invasive grey squirrels is so important.
With red squirrels in the vicinity, choosing the right equipment is essential. For that reason, I wouldn’t consider using a thermal scope in this situation. A good-quality glass scope or digital day scope is much better suited to ensuring positive visual identification before taking any shot.
As we moved quietly through the woodland, the unmistakable sound of leaf litter being rummaged through caught our attention. A little further ahead, a grey squirrel was spotted, completely unaware of our presence. With the air rifle settled onto the Viper-Flex shooting sticks, a well-placed shot brought the encounter to an end.
Continuing through the woods, we eventually found a suitable spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the real highlight of the day: watching red squirrels frolicking amongst the tree canopy.
An amazing sight and a reminder of just how special our native wildlife is. Long may it continue! 🐿️









