nobby

Lots of good advice here but remember field craft is as important part of hunting as the shooting itself, If you can't get with in range you can't hit them. Also read up on gaining permissions. Your rifle should be man enough for the job. Take your time, practise and learn mate. Nothing will put you off quicker than a messy shot. Good luck and keep us posted.

Well done mate and you definitely have the right attitude for hunting. As long as you are concerned about making a bad or messy shot then the less chance you have of making one. Rabbit cannelloni is the nuts btw.

Never had an issue before with my shooting style and my old shooting partner was an old army mate so we were on the same wavelength field craft wise. There is a definite decrease in numbers of late but I do need to pull my finger out, I am a couple for the pot hunter unless the landowner specifically wants an area hammered. Just need some rabbit cannelloni in my system.

Glad it's not just me mate but gutted sport is quiet Not seen any on verges either hope it picks up soon. Seen a few places that seem to be heaving with them ( more so than normal) but not got permission there. Haven't noticed any signs of vhd though and fingers crossed I won't.

Just me then. Doh. Cheers for the offer Bruno but I'd have to draw the line at applying your sun cream. It is only a recent thing I put it down to the rain, there is not much stealth when your ankle deep in mud. Been out and Sussed activity so have a night laid up on my Todd and break the cycle. I have taken a newbie out a few times so I had expected low numbers and one of my mates has come out a few times that has an inability to keep shtum. Lastly my impatient brother who when spooking the bugs starts clock watching waiting for them to reappear about 30 secs into it. (Never my fault as you can tell). Having said that I've not seen many about compared to befor e Christmas. They are drowning in their burrows I tell you

Have had more empty bag days recently than I like to admit. Mixture of this chuffin weather and taking out people I don't normally hunt with and have different styles/patience to me. Anyone else having issues?

Before moving back to the IOW I took a squizzer out a tree with a head shot it fell 30 odd foot onto its head received a follow up shot and when I went to grab it the f@&!&r jumped up and pegged it to the base of the next tree. A third shot dispatched it. Checked him to see if he was wearing a crash helmet and there 3 well placed shots on his head. I ran my rifle through my chrono to check power and all was good. Put me off taking them for a while, mainly because he caused pant stainage when he jumped up. Don't have to worry now as we only have reds here. Double hard little **** and when I do venture to the mainland I always give a follow up shot.

As you can see there are lots of answers to this. I prefer side on or chest( breast bone) shots.mainly as I favour the superior calibre of .177 ( wait for abuse) so penetration isn't an issue. I do take head shots when the are the best option. Now I'm far from sniper class but I can't recall any flying away after being hit. I have been the victim of the yips before and missed the head but everyone to the body has fallen clean.

you can get a ready modded one with changed stock, bulk fill and suppressor fitted, tuned upto 11.5ftlbs for about £250 you'd be hard pushed to get a pcp and charging gear for that. pcps undoubtedly have the edge on the co2 over all but if it wasn't for my co2 I doubt I would have stuck at the sport as a newbie to progress to pcp. Bearing in mind that a second hand tx200 would cost you the price of a new modded xs78.

I have a 78 modded with bulk fill and brought up to power an suppressor fitted. The whole thing cost me less than a second hand mid range springer. There is a guy on ukchineseairguns called porkyyorky ( Dave) who works wonders with these thing for a very reasonable cost. Performance wise it is a cracking rifle very accurate with an ok shot count. Temp changes don't effect them as much as is made out but it is a variable you need to take into account when zeroing on a days hunting. Still have mine and would not sell although it doesn't get much of a run out now my r10 is fit again and old faithfull is alway ready to go. In short don't dismiss them as the are an affordable way into what can be a costly hobby and they produce great results. And welcome btw

Good write up mate. Springers definitely have more soul.

I think after a lot of consideration I am gonna postpone getting some ferrets. Mainly down to the amount I work and he initial handling will have to be done by the wife. Still something I definitely want to do in the near future so thanks to everyone for the advice and tips.

I use the ns50 and it is a quality bit of kit. But it does make judging distance and issue if you don't have markers.

Dusk or dawn, work on your field craft move slow when stalking downwind when ambushing. Have fun and work on what's best for you. Rabbits eyesight isn't actually that good but they will pick up on sudden movements. Smell and hearing is superb and just remember they survive being every predators dinner by recognising danger. Patience is key.

Cheers

Cheers. What about vacinations ? I know it's a good idea to get the canine distemper shot but anything else

Cheers guys this is exactly the sort of advice I was after.

You're spot on teh. I know a bit about bugs behaviour through the hunting I already do but I appreciate that is an all together different craft. From reading up there are 2 trains of thought on training them. One is getting them used to tunnels ect and the other is let instinct take control and sling them down the hole. Now the animal welfare is of prime importance to me and I would ensure that it was completely use to me and pretty much fully grown before I would even consider letting it work. Locators would be used but is there a need for training the ferret to work? I may have found someone to have a session or 2 with to see how they do it. And I'm not short of patience as many a miserable cold wet empty bag day can vouch for.

I think 3 would be my limit as the missus would probably stretch my neck. Bad enough with my rifle collection.

I'm relatively new to he area and don't know a lot of people. Most of my mates are the football and lager crowd that don't venture out if there is a chance thier Barnet might get ruined. I have put the feelers out tho but I'd rather have my own to work so I can pop out at the drop of the hat without arranging a meet.

Mainly an air gunner but recently landed enough permission to warrant getting a couple of ferrets. Just wanted to know how much training is involved as I work a lot of hours, time out of cage wouldn't be an issue as wife and kids would be at home but I don't want to play at it and end up with another pet I can't take and use in the field. (Not strictly true as they would be more pet than worker). Was thinking maybe a couple of sprites but don't know pros and cons of each sex. Any advice is appreciated.

Likewise. And it's more fun if you get into something big.

Cheers guys think I'll have a new addition soon then

What he said