Underdog Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 As it came light I slowly crunched my way into position in the frozen rain and snow, slipping and sliding all the way. I seriously doubted why I was there a few times! I made my stand over looking the area I worked last Saturday and within one hour he came walking along, as he got closer and closer I just could not get a shot off. Then I lost sight of him over a ledge just in front of my position where upon he started to gently bark. In front of me was a holly bush and he reappeared under it to which he noticed a pheasant, a pheasant that must of been hiding from me for over an hour! The 150grn Hornady SP slammed into him knocking him over his mouth wide open seeking to attack his assailant untill he succumb. 25yds! Look in the picture under the Holly, he is there. Returning back to the car I took a walk with the shotgun only due to being wrapped up against the cold I was constantly missing the rabbits so opted to visit a little place with young trees to see if I could get another vixen I know of but she is very wary and wise to my efforts. The recent cold and a shortage of food made me think I may have a chance. I gave a good ole' rabbit sqeal on my hand, and then again and paused. Some jay's came straight in and squalked at me, I responded by squealing fast and hard again. Then there she was, coming in steady easy to see against the snow. At 15 yards I waited untill she dipped her nose to check the ground and slammed the first 11/8oz of 5s, even at that short distance she growled loud as she collapsed, the second shot was released as soon as that bead came down on her again of which seemed to take ages and that silenced her! You can see my dog looking and smelling the air, that is the vixens dog following but not coming in. He's for next week! After returning back to the car for a bite to eat I grabbed the rifle and headed back for another vixen, the one I have been after for weeks. The wind had changed slight and called for me to use a new stand I prepared weeks ago. Not hoping for much I squealed loud and fast a few times, nothing, I tried again and waited. Across a small valley in the wood I noticed a rabbit run and stop head bolt upright and against the snow at 100yards or so could clearly see him stamp it's foot and bolt down it's hole, "game on" I said to my self! Then there she was moving slowly with a limp down the slope, listening and watching. I called again briefly but she just sat. I could not squeeze the 150 Hornady through the sticks. It was the last Hornady round nose I had loaded from a few left over from my 30wcf days and all testing showed it shot to zero at 100 if not an out standing group. Eventually she came closer and clear of any sticks and branches I fired, it missed! Why I don't know! She ran away, I messed up. I waited half an hour and then noticed a woodcock fly close by and land bolt upright! Hmmm I thought! Sure enough she was coming again! Only this time closer. Now loaded with my pet load I was determined not to srew up again! She must of been real hungry and around 75yards gave me the shot, job done. A good day in the field, priceless. Underdog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangNik Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 wow, sounds like you had a top day. a very good read indeed. well done fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 (edited) Great day and thanks for the write up. Edited February 12, 2012 by Fisheruk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Dog Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Great write up and pics. Good job well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Great Results!Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid basher Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 good write up grate photo"s an round good day that looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galkoi Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 great write up and pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ireland's Finest! Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Excellent write up and great day had by the looks of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazofboro Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Nice write up mate and good pics Well done Baz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Well done a great day out and the persistence paid off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcherman Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Cracking day out good result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Well done, Fantastic shooting :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Excellent write up, I thought I was there with you for a while. Good shooting as well, it looks as though the .30 is ample for the fox!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Well done! Out of interest, how long do you call in each location before you try a new spot? I have a few places to go on saturday. Do I give each place 10/15 mins and if they are there they will show up? Or do I call for a lot longer? say 30 mins before changing spot? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les gedge Posted February 13, 2012 Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 well done bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2012 Well done! Out of interest, how long do you call in each location before you try a new spot? I have a few places to go on saturday. Do I give each place 10/15 mins and if they are there they will show up? Or do I call for a lot longer? say 30 mins before changing spot? Cheers! Thats a tough one to answer! I go of firstly checking the area for activity, footprints, scats and with pheasants around a cock giving a regular "cock up" alarm call ("cock up", a term an old keeper friend of mine used to describe a pheasant that has seen something it don't like. The hens just squeak). I try and put some time in then and look for any pattern to their activities, sometimes that is harder than other times! Once I get an idea of their little area I make a stand or two that will cater for the common wind direction. I go of feel when calling, most fox around here are savvy to a call, some run away from it! If I get it correct like when the jay's came in I go for it, them squalking only helps convince the fox it is genuine, I gave 4 good bursts of a rabbit squeal on my hand! Same if I call rabbits in, if they are fooled so will a fox plus they then act as a early warning system. The last fox on Saturday took a good while to appear, 1/2 hour or more and then after missing her took another 1/2hour or so to return (extremely rare!). The first vixen came in in less than 5mins! Due no boubt in my mind because of the jay's! There are no exact rules and I actually prefere good scouting over cold calling including when lamping! Good luck and don't give up, I may have to go weeks before I have another contact. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Nice write up and great shooting well done :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Really enjoyed the write up,thanks for taking the time Well done on the Foxes too 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.