Hard earned Wabbits

[Paul taylor]

I'm sure you all have times in your lives whether be it at work or while doing your hobbies or sport that you feel like your doing everything right and no different from when you where successful but for some reason nothing goes right and you fail miserably time after time well that's what my Rabbit shooting has been like this year, failure after failure lol. Well been out last two weeks and had one Rabbit each night but for way too many shots but thought I'd give it another bash tonight as weather was so nice. Got to farm at 8 while still light and first little field saw movement only about 15m away in long grass, smallish Rabbit hiding could only just see it but a touch of hold over and down she went. Picked it and drained its wee and hung on fence to pick up later, only a few steps down this field and saw another in next field about 40m away so knelt down rifle on sticks aimed at bottom of ears and gently squeezed off another pellet, crack another down perfect shot placement, well chuffed.

Had a pop at a few more which I missed, reckon my range estimate was a bit out and not giving enough hold over😞

 

Walked back to van for a drink and to fit IR to scope and got a shot at a nice Rabbit in next field, must have been its lucky night as I heard the pellet zing off the one and only thin strand of electric fence between me and it, didn't see it at all in the dark. Decided I'd pace out the range to a few trailers and earth mounds then lay up on some bails see if anything popped out and they obliged, missed one dropped two again lovely shot placement unfortunately I did hit one that dragged its self off into the warren which is something I hate seeing but unfortunately happens now and again. Ended with four tonight so Dog will eat well again😀

Just hope my run of failures has come to an end and the old me is back. Had a great night and hope you all get some good days/nights now the summer is here👍

[Danger-Mouse]

Nicely done Paul.

[Rim Fire]

Well done Paul i used to shoot alot of rabbit with air rifles you need to get that much closer perfect for later when you start stalking good shooting

[motty]

Good report, sir.

[fenboy]

Well done , sounds like a decent outing .

Edited May 20, 2016 by fenboy

[la bala]

Good stuff mate, . Truthful aswell, talking about one dragging itself off. Unfortunately it does happen and not many on here can truthfully say it hasnt happened to them, but we all strive to make it a humane strike.

[7daysinaweek]

well done Paul, goes to show that continued efforts will pay off and increase your field craft. Bunter stew coming right up!

 

ATB 7DIAW

[oowee]

Great report I was almost there. So satisfying when they go down quietly Do you feed them whole to your dog? I have been taking the loins for my last dog but maybe they could manage the lot?

[Paul taylor]

Cheers for the comments gents.

Yes la bala I always take head shots only on mammals even rats deserve a painless end but on this occasion I only allowed 1.5" off hold over when it should have been nearer 3" but range estimation in the dark is hard to say the least😞

Oowee I boil the Rabbits until all the meat will just fall off the bone then none goes to waste, he also gets heart lungs liver and kidneys if they look healthy when I gut them. Mixed in with his dry food a Rabbit does 3 or 4 days. I believe raw is probably best but cooked stretches out further and I don't worry about any parasites then.

[oowee]

Cheers Paul i will give it a try.