Thunderbird Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 I wasn't going to do this, I don't usually post sporting stories or pics, but to be fair to those who made it happen I thought I would. I had a thoroughly enjoyable night's lamping with Garygreengrass and Brown Sauce from PW a couple of weeks ago and it resulted in my first fox with a rifle. The story should be told. The evening began in unusual fashion (for a visit to west Wales) where a good few beers are usually consumed. We had a very sober dinner then set out at about 8:30pm for a trip up to Crosshair's farm for a play with the HMR and Crosshair's 243. After shooting the hair-trigger, unmoderated 243 and not making a total poofter of myself, and enjoying the amazing view from the farm across Swansea Bay and the Mumbles, Brown Sauce and I headed off to Gary's place at about 9:30pm. After inspecting the shooting enthusiast's delight that is Gary's man-cave, and a very strong cup of freshly ground black coffee we loaded up the dedicated (and I mean dedicated) lamping 4x4 and headed for the hills. I was impressed with the dedication to shooting exhibited by the wagon, I think it was the little touches that impressed me most; the LED headlights to replace the main ones when we got into fields, the speaker under the bonnet wired into the CD player which could, at the flick of a switch, play fox calls, to name a few. The array of lamps, the sheer enthusiasm of the driver... On and on we went, up and up, through numerous gates, on through more, up and over fields and green (and not so green) lanes, lamping as we went, wending our winding way past sheep both black and white. We saw half a dozen foxes but never a bead we drew. I hang my head when I say I left the vehicle once, but wasn't quite quick enough on the cub we saw. It got to about 1:30am and I was in the passenger seat and we came to yet more permission land, and pulled into a recently cut field. The lamp quickly showed up the tell-tale pair of eyes. I silently, (well, I say silently, it wasn't silent) slipped from the vehicle trying, in one smooth series of co-ordinated movements, to chamber a round, flip the scope covers up, lever down the bipod, thumb off the safety... and so the rifle came to rest on the bonnet of the 4x4. The red light moved across the grass and once again lit up the fox, sitting no more than 50 yards away. OK, it was a sitter and, satisfyingly, it fell stone dead to my play-it-safe body shot. Sadly for the guys it was the only kill we had that night, and after that I took the back seat of the vehicle to allow another to take a shot. It was not to be, despite finding, almost under the arc lights of an open-cast mine, a fox feeding on (of all things) a dead horse. We stalked it and tried to call it in but it got wind of us and scarpered. I will never forget this evening, and a big thank you to the guys who have made my trips down to south Wales such good ones. Let's do it again soon. Here's my fox: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Well done mate nice write up.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Fantastic write up Duncan, congratultions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Thanks, I didn't do it with a BFG9000 though...;( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 top stuff mate, you will remember your first for ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 A top night and hats off to Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtailhawk1 Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Well done and hope you have many more. I felt I had been out myself after reading that lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendersons Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 Brilliant write up. Sounds like an amazing night. Well done on the fox and well done to you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halight Posted August 7, 2012 Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 (edited) Well done mate Good wright up and a good night out for you guys Edited August 7, 2012 by halight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2012 It was a cracking night and doesn't the time fly? Got in about 3am. Well up for doing it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Your first fox is a fox that you will not forget in a hurry mate, well done! A great write up too. What more could a man ask for, good company, a well kitted out motor with a driver that knows what he is doing, great scenery, and your first fox with a rifle. Excellent, I'll bet you're still smiling now whenever you thank about it mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I am :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Good on the lads for making it happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) Good on the lads for making it happen Yes, I'll second that sir! This is what this forum should really be about, everyone trying to help each other out! Let's please see much more or this sort of things! Edited August 8, 2012 by Frenchieboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Good write up, and glad you enjoyed the Welsh countryside. We're not a bad bunch of lads, here in Wales, well, most of us anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 No finer place IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrypen Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) Good write up, and glad you enjoyed the Welsh countryside. We're not a bad bunch of lads, here in Wales, well, most of us anyway! on reflection ,,,,POOR TASTE deleted Edited August 8, 2012 by harrypen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crosshair Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Always a pleasure to educate you English boys. And I did tell you, that was not a dead horse the fox was eating, it was a Welsh Rabbit. Anyway, congratulations on a well written article on your first fox, it is one you will never forget. And glad you enjoyed your trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 What took you so long?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 What took you so long?? Been out shooting... Always a pleasure to educate you English boys. And I did tell you, that was not a dead horse the fox was eating, it was a Welsh Rabbit. Anyway, congratulations on a well written article on your first fox, it is one you will never forget. And glad you enjoyed your trip. I thought Welsh Rabbit was just cheese on toast??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygreengrass Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Glad you enjoyed only to happy to help out a novice see you next time your down this way Taking Charlie out tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Glad you enjoyed only to happy to help out a novice see you next time your down this way Taking Charlie out tonight. Another 3am job I hope! Don't let him hog all the shots!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted August 9, 2012 Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 Have to say the funniest thing happened last night, still chuckling now. The mighty Gary was demonstrating a quick way of dispatching a clipped wabbit, we reckon I'd shot it through the neck and it was still kicking. Well the method is to pick up said clipped bunny by the head as if holding a cricket ball for a full toss and kind of give it a yo yo flick. Well the body landed about 10 feet away, whilst the head stayed put. Hi-lar-ious almost wet me selffff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Cracking write up Duncs, sounded like a great mission. I can imagine much fun is had with the under bonnet speaker in an urban environment! I do hope you left it in the field and won't be doing fox burgers / sausages / tortilla etc at the next Cotswolds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Still hanging in the shed, I looking for that true gamey flavour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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