Nick8310 Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 (edited) Now this is a little something which happened not to long ago, one of those moments which only happen a few times in your life. I was out on a permission of mine on a cold frosty morning a while back, out after for some rabbits. I was wrapped up warm laying prone in my favourite spot with my bipod extended, just admiring the sun glistening off of the frost covered ground when the first rabbits started to emerge. About 2 hours later and several rounds in I have got some clearing up to do and perpetrations for the dinner table to begin, But just as I am about to get up to fill my bag a young adult fox walks out of the bush-line i'am prone in, and walks 10 yards in front of me and then freezes. I knew that he had spotted me and he knew that he had walked right in the line of sight. As I looked down the scope cross hairs fixed firmly on him, my finger slowly squeezing he just stared at me, and then he done the unthinkable he just sat right there in the field. If it was fear or not knowing what to do that made him do it I don't know but he just sat there and relaxed as if he knew that these were his last moments. So I relaxed and let go of the trigger, it didn't seem fair 10 yards with a sat still target, I stood up which made him run down to the zone which I had been firing in and followed, as I made my way down he grabbed one of the rabbits only pausing for a brief moment to look back knowingly that for today we was both out just to get some food, but another day he might not be so lucky as to walk away with part of my food. What would you have done? Nick. :-) Edited March 14, 2014 by Nick8310 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Shot it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootgun Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Shot it ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbietherimmer Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Swapped phone numbers, given it my last rolo, shared a tin of beer round the camp fire............. THEN SHOT IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Would have done the same as you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camokid Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 sounds nice and a good read but end result would have been a dead fox for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRWC Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Definitely shot it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 I fear you have started to turn in to a tree hugger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Fair play to you....Nothing wrong it what you did as that was your choice. I often let squabs fly out the pattern as they present no sporting shot and young rabbits go when the tumble out the warren not knowing where to run.... I might well have shot it but I use a 22 rim fire for rabbits and the c/fire for bigger stuff.... TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Pulled the trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 The moment can sometimes change your perspective - especially a shared moment. Any hunter who can be moved to see more than a shot desnt have to ask. Since you did, I am with you but, another day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Depends on the permission. If the one with only cattle: probably let him have the rabbit, on one of the ones with day old lambs bouncing around,,,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick8310 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 No lambs running around so there was no real need to dispatch him. I just thought sporting wise it wasn't a challenge and because of his youth I don't think he was very cunning hopefully this life lesson for him will make for a interesting hunt for the future. ( I am very surprised at the amount that said shoot!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 If I was on a sheep farm or one with hens, I don't think the farmer would appreciate a live and let live moment! Bang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDRsniper Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 As said above it would depend on what perm I was on, this is a "you had to be there moment" and we have ALL stood in awe at some of the wildlife that by virtue of our sport we come into contact with which can change your perspective at the time. I was out once with my S410 bunny bashing on a summers eve and could have grabbed the horns of the leader of a load of roe that strolled by literally within 5feet of me. On another day it would have been me - 1 fox - 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fandango Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Some times it's not all about the killing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Perhaps similar, its only happened once with a fox and I was carrying an airgun so it was always going to be a no shoot. Happened many times with deer, cant answer the why bit fully but I think its part respect and part the fact that the experience is often sullied by the killing more than improved? Your not alone, if you have no respect for that which you hunt you are no hunter just a killer. Sometimes though needs must and the job gets done, I am sure the need wasn't there in this case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicdmb Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Perhaps similar, its only happened once with a fox and I was carrying an airgun so it was always going to be a no shoot. Happened many times with deer, cant answer the why bit fully but I think its part respect and part the fact that the experience is often sullied by the killing more than improved? Your not alone, if you have no respect for that which you hunt you are no hunter just a killer. Sometimes though needs must and the job gets done, I am sure the need wasn't there in this case +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 That happens to me all the time! In the place to which I refer foxes are off my quarry list because the hunt rides through the farm. I have had many a 'head in cross hairs' moment with foxes there, and without exception they are the easiest shots where the bloody thing sits still for about 5 minutes at 50 yards! No poultry about, just cattle. Plenty of pheasants though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 I would have done exactly the same as you and let it go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 ...... good write up but only then ending was a tad wrong...... I would have shot him. I would have said a little prayer for a fellow hunter and maybe even stopped and thunk for a bit but he would be dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick8310 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 As I said earlier no lambs or poultry and the permission I was on wouldn't mind if I had or hadn't shot, and I agree with the notion that there is a difference between hunters and killers. I have shot with many people and from experience people who have a shoot now and admire when dead approach are trigger happy neanderthals. If it wasn't my target species for the day and no nearby farms for him to disturb and with him sat still basically waiting for me to pull the trigger (unsporting) there's no harm in letting Mr Fox roam for an extra day or two although it must be said I would happily get him another day. However as stated above it was a you had to be there moment. Nick :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 As I said earlier no lambs or poultry and the permission I was on wouldn't mind if I had or hadn't shot, and I agree with the notion that there is a difference between hunters and killers. I have shot with many people and from experience people who have a shoot now and admire when dead approach are trigger happy neanderthals. If it wasn't my target species for the day and no nearby farms for him to disturb and with him sat still basically waiting for me to pull the trigger (unsporting) there's no harm in letting Mr Fox roam for an extra day or two although it must be said I would happily get him another day. However as stated above it was a you had to be there moment. Nick :-) Fare point and well put. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted March 14, 2014 Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Same as you ... its not all about pulling the trigger ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick8310 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Thank you Fare point and well put. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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