wraivi Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) I just wanted to post an account of a great night out with another member, Colin Lad. I have recently lost a permission due to land developments for quarrying and building operations, well, not totally gone but just not really shootable. Luckily, I have a bit of land thru a 3rd party for pigeon and corvid control but much further afield. So like many members, its is a real struggle to get permission, with a these roving game keepers and syndicates etc, and of course many farmers reluctant to allow what they deem, general public, armed access to their multi million pound farming investment. Understandable. It is sadly rare for these opportunities to be offered free by many more fortunate members on here. Often due to abuse of the privilege, or poor behaviour by those invited and occasionally attempted 'permission theft'. Again. Understandable. So with this in mind, I was very grateful for the opportunity, very kindly offered by Colin Lad in this section to join him on some vermin control on his local grounds. After much messing around on my part due to work commitments, Colin was very accommodating, and adate was set for Saturday night. I arrived at Colins place, and without much ado, within 10 minutes we were on our way in Colins Fourtrak. After a short drive, we turned into the first of many fields we would be visiting that night. Colin very kindly allowed me the use of his own weapons for the evening. A suppressed 17HMR, and an NV equipped & suppressed CZ 22lr wth HP subs for the rabbits. And a suppressed 222Rem with Colins own recipe vmax loads for Charlie Fox. With the mags loaded, we were in business. Within 15 minutes, I had taken a healthy hare with a 100 yard headshot, with a 222 vmax. Over the next 30 minutes of twilight, I had 2 more rabbits with the HMR, one was a myxy victim, which was left for the fox. Darkness was upon us and Colin armed me with his Cz 22 nv setup. I was impressed, having never used NV sights on a weapon setup before. A scope mounted IR torch and laser completed the kit and it delivered! Colin really knows his area and grounds like the back of his hand, always getting us into good shootable positions in the undulating lands to ensure safe shots and solid back stops. A real testament to clean safe shooting. Quarry was located with red led Surefires, it was the lights off, NV on..... and .....click! I forgot to chamber a round on more than one occasion, I am embarrassed to admit. In Africa, and in some military circles, thats called the dead mans click.....more like ******* click in my case. Much to Colins amusement! Suffice to say and empty chambers aside we had a good time. Colin even got to test the 4x4 operation of his wagon, when we slid into some deep ruts in long grass, where a tractor had been bogged down during winter..........should have been looking where he was going, instead of extracting the urine at my failure to reload on a regular basis! Just about midnight, after picking up a trio of bunnies we just shot,just below a tall ridge, Colin picked up the unmistakable bright glowing eyes of not one, but two foxes - about 160-180yards. They were below the ridge, obviously been observing the warren where we had just taken a hat trick. **** law, they were on Colins side of the vehicle, and it was quickly decided the less faffing about exchanging position, increased the chance of a dead fox. Another flash with the scope mounted T20 was followed by tbe muffled crack of the 222 sending a vmax to work! The unmistakable hollow thump a second later told us it was job done. Fox number 2 had bolted. The dead fox was small, one of this year's offspring and the other escapee was possibly a sibling. He had taken a round directly to the sternum, and had died instantly, dropping on the spot. It was time to call it a night, Colin expertly paunched the rabbits, doing 11 in the time it took me to do 1! The hare and the other 2 were done earlier. I was allowed the pick of the crop and the remaining rabbits were destinrd for the local predator centre nearby. Total was 14 rabbits picked, a couple lost in hedges and long grass, a hare and a fox. It was a fantastic opportunity, I had a great time and enjoyed every part. Colin is a true gentleman, very professional and has a great sense of humour. The night was definitely well spent in good company, full of varied and interesting conversation and banter, topped of with some first class vermin shooting . So, I want to extend my thanks personally to Colin for his knowledge and guidance, and of course the opportunity, one which I hope to repeat one day. Cheers Colin. P.S Please forgive the spelling errors. ..predictive text on my naff phone, and possibly naff operator input too. Edited August 24, 2014 by wraivi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) That sounds very much like an excellent night in brilliant company, well done both of you. I occasionally invite people along - sometimes just for companionship, but sometimes it helps me to commit to the night rather than decide to do something else instead at the last minute. By the time the night is concluded I have always felt it was a good decision and enjoyed the company: Bar once, but that's not for this thread. Edited August 24, 2014 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 glad you enjoyed it Paul was a good night my only regret was that when the fox appeared the .222 was on my side of the car and the time it would of took to move over to your side would of seen the little critter run off, Next time, nice to of met you and sure we will do it again in the not too distant future colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 great write up and seems like a good time was had by all, generous offer too from colin. That sounds very much like an excellent night in brilliant company, well done both of you. I occasionally invite people along - sometimes just for companionship, but sometimes it helps me to commit to the night rather than decide to do something else instead at the last minute. By the time the night is concluded I have always felt it was a good decision and enjoyed the company: Bar once, but that's not for this thread. now that's got me wondering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonk Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Sounds like a great night, well done Colin and well shot Paul! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Great write up, hats off to colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Colin for president!☺ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesWhat Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Great to see that generosity is rewarded with impeccable manners.....well done to you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Good on ya Colin .....sounds like you had a good night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Great write up well done Colin its nice when you invite a member off here for some sport. Had quite a few myself and really enjoyed their company. atb Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt 205 gti Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Well done to both of you two , always nice to get out, meet new friends and have a shoot , what more can you ask for ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 27, 2014 Report Share Posted September 27, 2014 Nice book you wrote there.. Sounds like a good night had by all. ATVB Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jody Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Great write up mate a very good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zx12rash Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 I can also vouch that colin lad is a fantastic host. He invited me out some time back. Had a great night lamping with him. I have to say that colin lad is a great ambassador for the sport and we should all aspire to be as welcoming and selfless. Top bloke. 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.