The Story of a very elusive HOSP …

[Martintown33]

For 3 days, I have been battling a very elusive HOSP. It Started 3 days ago, when, from inside the house, I heard the blood boiling chirp of a male HOSP, doing the mate call. That sound that we all know. I grabbed my pellet rifle, and went out to my shooting blind. Of course, as expected, he flew off. So , like I usually do, I sat in my blind and waited for him to return, to meet his fate. I could hear him chirping about 25 yards away. I figured , the usual 10 to 15 minutes and he’d be back . But he didn’t return. I waited about 20 minutes, but he still didn’t come back, so I figured , I’ll get him another time. As soon as I got out of the blind and started back to the house, here he came. Landing back on the same perch rod., waiting for a chance to go in and peck holes in my Martins’ eggs…So I turned around, to get back in the blind, and again, as expected, he flew off. I got back in the blind, and again, I figured , about 10 minute wait and he’ll be back. But as has been his pattern, , after 20 minutes, he didn’t return. So, I got out of the blind, started heading back, and here the little sucker comes again! This cat and mouse game repeated over and over , and went on for 3 days.. I never got one chance to get a shot off , at him. So again, this morning, I heard him chirping, from the perch rod. I said to myself… this is his last day in HOSP world. I grabbed my rifle, and went toward the blind.. as expected, again he flew off.. I got in the blind and waited, but as usual, he didn’t return.. I knew , he was waiting for me to get out of the blind and head back. So I did…. but this time , I took 3 steps toward the house, and then quickly turned around, and got back in the blind, hoping he would assume I went back to the house. He must have looked away for a split second, at the time I had quickly turned around, and got back in the blind. I could hear him chirping about 25 yards away. Then about 15 yards, then about 10 yards. I slowly slid the barrel through the porthole in the blind. I knew this was finally going to be my chance. I put the scope on the spot on the same perch rod, he had been using for 3 days. He had been studying me, but I had been studying him too. I knew where he was going to land. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear his chirp, getting closer and closer. 5 yards now… Elusively taking his time, making sure I wasn’t there. Making sure that I had gone back. I heard one more chirp…very, very close….then, there he was! He landed on his spot, right where I thought he would. I quickly put the crosshairs on his middle chest feather (Conrad Baker). He gave out one more mate call. That was his last. I pulled the trigger. The pellet cracked the air. He never knew what hit him. He will be dinner for the stray cats tonight, and my martins eggs are safe.
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Oh man what a story Rob! Great play by play, had me reading close! Got him! Chest feather hahahahahaha! Yep he was watching the whole time. Got brave and figured the humans routine would be the same. Nailed. Good dang job. Nothing like that final fall.
Eggs are safe, they are in excellent care!

[Jones4381]

Enjoyable read. Nice writing and congratulations too.

[Thomas Maddox]

That's a great story. Enjoyed it. They are so smart. Every time I've shot and missed, I never got another shot. They know and don't forget.

[DeeCee]

I'm sure my heart rate was up just reading your story as yours must have been!! How can a pea sized brain be so smart. Loved your story!!

[Phil01]

Great read Rob! Glad you got his butt!
Phil

[Thomabear]

Ha Ha! That story was very entertaining. That rascal was smart but not quite smart enough.