Ya gopher slayer is correct, they aren't protected up here, you can shoot em anytime and as many as you like (dislike[:-]). I for one can attest to their smarts...it's like they know when you have the ability to shoot one or not and will screw with you. If I'm carrying a bow, they'll be 15yds away, a shotgun...100 yds away, a rifle...1000 yds away. I hate them with a passion because they used to squak at my bedroom window at 5:00 am. Just get some bait (dead carcass of some sort if you live on a farm) and pick them off with the .22 from 50yds. KFC chicken bones work well also. Their stomachs take over from common sense when they see a free meal. JDinAB