sako751sg Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 With the weather wild windy and baltic yesterday we decided to try for a goose and ducks at the old reservoir.Arrived in a hail shower and with a superb wind things were looking promising athough the ducks could be dodgy with the wind in their tails.The old valley went about 200 yards downwind of Mac and i hoping to get a chance at the ducks coming inwind up the vally.We went into a wee fund bush that borders the march with is usually better for anything coming off.When we drove passed the water there were huge rafts of widgeon and quite a few mallard but as these would be coming off with the wind they would be a hard shot.Geese started streaming in but away to our right but then packs of widgeon started moving.They were absolutely flat out but one lot came right over us well up so i told Mac just to pull through them and pull the triiger.I put two barrels in,and Mac one and the result was 2 birds coming down.From then on it was pretty hectic but Mac nay getting another shot with the lack of light,the height of the birds and the speed of them.The old fella was getting a few chaps too but even the ones coming inwind were pretty high.I stopped with 2 mallard and 4 widgeon down,but lost one widgeon that i think made it into the burn and Rab couldnt find it.Unfortunatly the old fella didnt connect with any but still enjoyed the flight.Proper fowl weather and makes the bag all the more worthwhile. We had planned an all nighter at the MILs for the foxes so after checking to see it the bait was still going,we headed home to change tools and grab a couple of pizzas for the night.The forecast was for frost so thought it would be spot on for the moon,but at times the cloud made it very hard to shoot so the chances had to be timed right.We got there latish at nearly 1900 so we sorted oot the bedroom and then lights out.I went for a quick look with the binos to see how light it was,and there was a fox in the bait straight away,and i presume he had been working it prior to use getting there.By the time i had the .17 ready and the window sorted i couldnt see him,and a look through the binos confirmed it.I then tried the study window and i watched him walk straight up to the top bait and start digging.I got the rifle and set up at the window,and waited till he presented.He wasnt very obliging so the next time he was head on i took the shot for the head.The reason for the head was with the strong wind i was hoping it was either dead or gone as i didnt know what to allow.On the shot he stood,and then legged it and i knew a clean miss.Not a good start.Another 15 mins later another one appeared back at the bottom,and this time i got Mac to spy him with the binos and ill scope him and take the shot.This lad was picking bait up,moving 20 yards to the rashy bit to eat it and then coming back for more.On his 3rd trip he sat head on facing us,and with the wind head on to us i put the pill into his chest.This time on the shot he dropped,spun and then started legging it to the right.Mac said he had lost view behind a wee tree but hadnt seen it come out the other side so i thought he was down but wasnt sure.After a five mins we went and put Rab on the job,and he followed the trail right to him,about 50 yards away.After the miss we were a bit happier and hoping the other fella came back later on,but at 0400 i got the head down with no sign of more.On waking at about 8.30,i kicked Mac oot of his pit and started getting everything ready to load the Jeep and head hame.As usual i had a quick squint to see if there were any hoodies or maggies at the bait but obviously the squint was too quick,as when i opened the front door a hoodie rose from the park.I turned to Mac and said a bad sweary word,and said there was a hoodie doon,and when i turned back i said a lot of bad sweary words as there was a fox walking away from the bait about 60 yards away.Mac kept an eye on it while i got the rifle set up but the fox had gone through the fence and into the wood.He said it had some of the bait in its mooth so we watched from the window for a while,hoping it was eating it and might come back for more.Sure enough,after a 10 mins it came out but instead of coming back started walking r to l on the treeline.We went out and i got on the bonnet with Mac on the camera,and just as he was going out of sight i gave a sqeak,to which he sat face on.I squeezed one into his chest,and again this one dropped on the spot before legging it into the trees.Unfortunately,even with Rab have a good look around we couldnt find him,although im sure he didnt go far.There are a lot of trees blown down at the edge of the wood and im hoping hes just gone that far and no more and that Rabs missed him.One downside of the Hmr is the lack of blood trails but still a top bit of kit if used right. Then we packed up,and swapped tools again with the rifle getting binned for the shotguns for a walk round for a pheasant or two.Im probably as sick of typing as yous are of reading this *****,so ill keep this bit short.We ended up walking about 5 miles in all,and managed 9 pheasants and 3 rabbits with no birds lost.Mac again managed his usual 1 pheasant and it was the only decent chance he had although he did chap at another 2.Only 8 in the pic but managed another one when we were filling the feeders.A great finish to the holidays but hoprfully the weather gets worse shortly so i can have some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning n spaniel Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) good pics mate, you dont look no happier , Edited January 6, 2012 by browning n spaniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
englishman-in-wales Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Well done chaps, excellent pics and write up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Cracking write up and good pictures your dog is the absolute spitting image of mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodcock1 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Fantastic write up again. Well done. I love hearing of people taking their old fella out to shoot. After all the years of them taking us its nice to return some. Well don again to Mac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verminator69 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Top stuff again fella I like the pic of Mac standing with the thumbs up and Rab pinned on the pheasant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Good shooting mate. I think I can spot the fox at the treeline in that picture . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Great pics as usual.Just wondering why you dont use a centrefire for the charlies as .17HMR is limited?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Another good day Dave You will need to get Mac a set of Tweeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 good pics mate, you dont look no happier , Cheers fella.Im happy deep deep inside,but you cant see it.Honest. Well done chaps, excellent pics and write up... Cheers fella. Cracking write up and good pictures your dog is the absolute spitting image of mine Ta fella.Hes getting on a wee bit so hoping to get a pup off his soon. Fantastic write up again. Well done. I love hearing of people taking their old fella out to shoot. After all the years of them taking us its nice to return some. Well don again to Mac. Totally agree with the old fella thing.I started on ground that he had managed to get and its fine to return the favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Is the Old man still showing you how to do it Dave please pass my best regards on to him next time you see him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Top stuff again fella I like the pic of Mac standing with the thumbs up and Rab pinned on the pheasant! Cheers again fella.I took the camera and by the time it was ready he was turned roon with that grin on his face,and then he put the thumbs up.A very nice moment for me.Rabs just waiting for the word. Good shooting mate. I think I can spot the fox at the treeline in that picture . Cheers Ollie.I think thats maybe him at the base of a post but not 100%.Good spot if it is.It was a satisfying thump and hopefully he ran and pegged it. Great pics as usual.Just wondering why you dont use a centrefire for the charlies as .17HMR is limited?? Cheers fella.The .17 is limited but for the baiting which is around 50-60 yards and the max 100ish yards then the wee pill is ideal.If you put it in the engine room it could run but the end result is the same.I hate nay retrieving a fox but do think it was spot on and has pegged it very quickly.I do this from the hoose,so disturbance is minimal inside and ootside and you see the shot striking which is good when just using the moon to shoot.I do know the wind is a huge factor with the calibre,as i learned again last night whereas the .243 would have ploughed on.The forecast was for the wind to die doon but in hindsight taking the big rifle would have been better as it only blew oot in the early hours. Another good day Dave You will need to get Mac a set of Tweeds Cheers Tam,and indeed it was.He has plenty shooting gear but then comes out with a hoodie on.Tweeds are for posh folks fella therefore we wont be wearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Is the Old man still showing you how to do it Dave please pass my best regards on to him next time you see him Will do Tam and he aye asks after you too.Ill forget the first bit,as that stopped years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 My dogs the same, coming up to 7yrs, but you woulnt think so, when he is out in the field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Aye, I thought that aboot Tweeds too till I found a pair of Breeks at a price I couldnae refuse & a Deerhunter Tweed Jakkit at a guid price - the most waterproof & warm clobber I have ever worn To be honest - sometimes too warm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 top stuff again chap love reading yer posts do yer release pheasants on your land or just put feeders out for the wild birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimsy Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 10/10 great report & pics. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Well done Dave,Mac and Rab!Also excellent write-up and pics-brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) I might be wrong but I think this might be him on the photo, where I have put the faint red arrow : Edited January 6, 2012 by ollie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Dave we could never fault your narration, you paint an interesting and colorful picture of the hunt with words. Perhaps a second career as an outdoor writer?? Brilliant pictures as well, I am sure both Mac and the old fella immensely enjoyed the sport. Rab certainly earns his keep, and appears happy doing it. Again good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgunspud Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Mate fantastic write up and photos well done! going to have to meet up soon mate. Regards Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Aye, I thought that aboot Tweeds too till I found a pair of Breeks at a price I couldnae refuse & a Deerhunter Tweed Jakkit at a guid price - the most waterproof & warm clobber I have ever worn To be honest - sometimes too warm A wee bit heavy for me Tam,but you are right aboot them being warm though. top stuff again chap love reading yer posts do yer release pheasants on your land or just put feeders out for the wild birds Cheers fella. Have a few good bits for wild birds,but i have one that marches an estate.I was shooting this farm before the new laird was realeasing pheasants and used to have a walk every 2nd weekend with Mac and the missus,and then one day the new keeper drove onto my land in front of me when we were shooting and i wasnt best pleased.Long story shortened,he got roon to asking me if i had been shooting hen pheasants in his wood so i ended the conversation very rudely and went home and phoned the farm to see if i could put feeders down and the lad said please do.I had a letter published in the shooting times regarding this,and how some keepers are still thinking they own everything,and the keeper saw it and went round to a neighbouring farm with it and showed it to him and said this is what your lad shooting has put in the magazine.I only shot on this farm.which is around 300acres,for roe and vermin and never game,but the farm lad was so ****** off at the keeper ranting that he phoned me and told me to shoot everything from now on,and also put feeders down and he would even fill them and i obliged.I dont have feeders direct on the march and they wouldnt have been there at all if he had screwed the nut .I asked if it was ok on his next shoot if i drove in front of all the guns and asked if they had been shooting on my ground,as he had done to me but unsurprisingly there was no answer. 10/10 great report & pics. Thanks Cheers fella. Well done Dave,Mac and Rab!Also excellent write-up and pics-brilliant! Ta Mark.A great couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 I might be wrong but I think this might be him on the photo, where I have put the faint red arrow : Im pretty sure you are right Ollie.He was just this side of the fence. Dave we could never fault your narration, you paint an interesting and colorful picture of the hunt with words. Perhaps a second career as an outdoor writer?? Brilliant pictures as well, I am sure both Mac and the old fella immensely enjoyed the sport. Rab certainly earns his keep, and appears happy doing it. Again good job! Cheers Tim.Dont know about the writer thing and i think i bore myself never mind everyone else.Rab done a power of work and has hardly moved since and certainly earns his keep.The old fella used to do real wildfowling and loves being out in the harshest weatherfor a crack at them.He gave up most his guns a couple of years back but he had 10b and an old 8b and took great delight in reloading and going to the estuary. Mate fantastic write up and photos well done! going to have to meet up soon mate. Regards Alex Cheers again Alex.Will meet up for sure fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Great write up and photos as always Dave, a real pleasure to read! Can I ask, what mod is that on the rifle (Which I assume is your 17HMR) in photos 9 and 10? It looks quite slim and much like a Parker Hale. If it is a Parker Hale can I ask what you think of it's performance on an HMR as I am thinking of putting one on my 17HMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Great write up and photos as always Dave, a real pleasure to read! Can I ask, what mod is that on the rifle (Which I assume is your 17HMR) in photos 9 and 10? It looks quite slim and much like a Parker Hale. If it is a Parker Hale can I ask what you think of it's performance on an HMR as I am thinking of putting one on my 17HMR. Cheers again Pete.The mod is an LEI Stainless and the profile is the same as the barrel on the 455 Varmint.I checked a review on testing mods for the Hmr and it wasnt top but got a good enough write up.The reason i really got it was for cosmetics and keep the mod as unbulky looking as possible.If you put in the search engine something like Moderator Reviews you should see some indepth sound testing which will give you a better idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.