deaquire Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 The 500 acres...where do I start! What a time! I arrived at the farm house for 6.45pm and met the farmer. The sun was warm and the shadows getting longer. Bit of a breeze but other than that...perfect. We had a chat for 15 minutes about where I could go, he was pretty busy with the combine and didn't have time to take me, so I stayed within the 50 acres he could comfortably describe without me straying off his land. I didn't have long as it was very short notice for me and needed to be back by 9pm for my tea my gf was cooking so was pretty eager to get out. Well...there were rabbits everywhere! Within 5 minutes I'd taken my first shot...and missed. I took a second shot..and missed. I took a deep breath and fired for a third time, this shot took the rabbit in the back of the head at about 50 yards. I can only put the first two misses down to not being able to control my nerves and excitement on new land. By 8pm I'd shot a further 6 rabbits, mostly young adults but a couple of good sized adults as well. At this point I decided to call it a night, as I had a couple of errands to run, the sun was dropping fast and needed to gut these. I did of course get a picture! But need to work out how to upload it (please not photobucket?) Heading back I was lucky enough to have one run out of a maize field and stop about 15 feet away, this was quickly shot and, as I'd got lucky with it, it went to the farm cat with her 3 kittens - fully gutted with organs left in the lucky so and so's. So in an hour I got 8 rabbits, I was chuffed to bits with this. I forgot to mention I did miss a further two I should have hit as they well within distance but I'm unsure what happened. I also had a couple of problems with my bolt and one misfire. Recently I've taken to removing the bolt when transporting the rifle and it's only since then it's happened, basically it's sticking a bit. It was solved easily enough by removing and reinserting but going to try a bit of grease. The misfire was strange, I pushed the bolt forward, took aim, and fired...click. I was puzzled. Pulled the bolt back and the unfired bullet remained in the chamber - it wasn't pulled out as you would expect. Also, there wasn't a dent in the bullet as if it were a dud so no idea what happened. I put the bolt forward again, took aim and fired. The rabbit dropped. Pulled the bolt back and the empty case came came out. Odd. The rabbits were extremely healthy, I saw no sign of Myxy, not a single flea, and lovely big, bright eyes. Anyway, I loved it! Going lamping tomorrow night with my better half, she's very reluctant to even hold the gun, let alone fire it so hopefully we can broach that tomorrow. (I know, a farmers daughter and she won't hold or fire a gun) my mum is heading round to listen for our son who "should" be sleeping so should be able to get a good 3 or 4 hours in at least Once I'm familiar with the land, there is definitely room for another gun, at which point I'd love to invite one of you guys out, I'm sure the landowner won't see it as a problem as the rabbits are rife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channa Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Quality you can't beat that mate ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ants Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 well done, i love it when its your first time on a new permission and its HEAVING with game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 interesting read mate, well done good luck with your new perm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Fully gutted with the Organs left in an oxymoron, surely Sounds like you had a short but productive day out What were you shooting with? Your missing could have been many issues? Wind deflection, unsteady hand, I understand the excitement, buzz! I still get that now after over 25 years of shooting. I got an invite, a while back to have a bash at the rabbits. I chose a spot in the hedgeline, right between two runs, to set up the hide, It didn't take long for them to venture out. A couple of hours saw me get 8 shots for 7 bunnies. All head shots with the .177 titan air rifle. If there is a large rabbit population, then a Hide can offer some nice cover, also laying prone with some good camo, I.can't lay still long enough for that Hopefully he will be done with the crops soon, and you can expand on your choices! Hope it all goes well. ATB Edited September 3, 2013 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channa Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Maybe he put the liver back in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Maybe he put the liver back in? Liver and kidneys I would say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaquire Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Fully gutted with the Organs left in an oxymoron, surely Sounds like you had a short but productive day out What were you shooting with? Your missing could have been many issues? Wind deflection, unsteady hand, I understand the excitement, buzz! I still get that now after over 25 years of shooting. I got an invite, a while back to have a bash at the rabbits. I chose a spot in the hedgeline, right between two runs, to set up the hide, It didn't take long for them to venture out. A couple of hours saw me get 8 shots for 7 bunnies. All head shots with the .177 titan air rifle. If there is a large rabbit population, then a Hide can offer some nice cover, also laying prone with some good camo, I.can't lay still long enough for that Hopefully he will be done with the crops soon, and you can expand on your choices! Hope it all goes well. ATB Sorry, you're bang on. I mean the intestines were removed, I like to use the organs so keep them in till I get home. Anyway, I look at the guts being stomach and intestines. Guts generally refer to stomachs don't they? Organs are generally contained within the chest? I've the same problem, I can't sit still long enough - I get itchy and fidgety. Last night I was driving. A lot of the fields have been ploughed, sown and rolled already but his fields all have a grass track around which I was able to drive. I can't believe my own luck! .22 RF. My biggest problem was with because I was driving in relative daylight and using a .22RF. I had to get within a certain distance without scaring them. If I can extend my range to 120 yards I should be able to double my bag in the same sort of time scale. I've put a deposit on a .17HMR which should help me achieve this. There was a light easterley breeze, but by heading south along hedgerows, keeping them on my right hand side, and the same with the maize field, I was able to pretty much eliminate all wind. I think I was just rushing the shots in all honesty. Notes for future reference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaquire Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 bit of an update. took them to the butchers, normally get £1.40 a rabbit. they gave us £7. I rang them to see what he thought of them and his reply was "i paid too much, there are only two that are a decent bloody size" i couldnt help but have a chuckle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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