racing snake Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Top shooting FH1, good night's work. Headed out to the new permission last night. Forecast wasn't brilliant - clear skies, still a fair sized moon and a drop in temp which might bring some mist up from the valley. Pulled up at the yard and looked up at the towering hill in front of me. Just to put the gradient into perspective, where I parked was 60m (196ft) above sea level, and where I was heading was 390m (1279ft) above sea level, and it climbed to that height in .75 of a mile as the crow flies! Set off with the rifle over my shoulder, rucksack on my back and the Primos, and started the climb. To say I was puffing a bit when I got to the top would be a mild understatement - I thought I was going to have a coronary! There was literally no break from the punishing climb, it was uphill every step of the way. Just about made it without having to call in an air ambulance, and got set up with the caller in the field that fell away below me. I'd skirted left as to call towards a big conifer plantation which looked like it would hold a few. Got comfy and put showshoe on the Foxpro....nothing for about ten minutes, then I spot one coming up the field....and one coming across from my right....and one coming in from the left! As I thought ...fox city. Trouble was they all hit the field around the same time so I just had to pick one and hope the others hung around long enough for a shot. I picked the one out coming straight up the field and gave him a squeak with the mouth which brought him to a standstill, sent him 55 grains of bad news and number 1 was down. Quickly got back on the thermal just in time to see the other two bolt off in opposite directions. Tried to hold them but they weren't trotting - it was flat out whirly tail running so had no chance. Gave it a rest for 20 minutes or so then started to run the caller again, almost immediately a fox runs in from the right, possibly one of the ones from earlier but impossible to say. Brought him to a stop with a squeak, got him squared up on the crosshair and down goes number 2. .... As expected the moon was starting to rise and illuminate the entire hill. Where I was sitting was pretty much useless now so decided to have a walk around the hill to familiarise myself with the lie of the land and work out some ambush points. Didn't see anything for the next hour but as I was on the move and lit up like a sore thumb I decided not to do any calling as I didn't want to reduce my chances of foxes coming into the caller on better nights. After making a few notes and marking some spots on Google Earth I headed back down towards the lower section around the farm. Patchy mist was rolling up and down the valley so didn't really fancy my chances of picking anything else up, but found a nice gorse bank which gave some shelter from the moon, so got the gun on the sticks and gave a few mouth calls. Quick scan with the thermal and there's a fox coming up from the yard...and another coming down the bracken on my left! Like bloody buses! I chose the one coming up from the yard, picked him out in the scope and number three was in the bag. Again the other fox legged it at the sound of the gun and seeing me move. Dropped down the last couple of hundred feet towards the valley floor and onto the track that leads back to the yard. The moon was unbelievably bright by now, but thought I'd give a few quick calls at the gate that overlooks the last field before the river. A couple of calls, quick scan...nothing in the field, panned all the way round and there's a fox coming around the back of the farm towards me. Quickly crossed the track and got the gun on the other gate, scanned again and he's sitting under an ash tree about 70 yards up the field. That'll do, and down goes number 4. Given the conditions I was happy to get 4 on the first night. For sure there's more to come from there, but it's really hard work getting up that kind of terrain so next time I go will be better conditions to make it worthwhile staying up on the hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Good work RS , brilliant start on new ground. It was really bright last night but just goes to show you can still get a result. Well done on the climb up the mountain , I never used to think twice about it but the years are slowing me down now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 FH1 and RS great work write up and pics. Felt like i could have been there, then saw the foxes and knew i wasn't as we don't have any Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 (edited) got my first centrefire last week. a tikka T3X in .222. popped out earlier this evening after some practice yesterday and got a young dog fox at 100 yards Edited August 14, 2017 by belly47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 got my first centrefire last week. a tikka T3X in .222. popped our earlier this evening after some practice yesterday and got a young dog fox at 100 yards Good work buddy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Welcome to the club B47 great start. Tidy looking rifle. looking fwd to more bags (foxes that is not man bags) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 (edited) Cheers FH1, oowee. Nice to get off the mark Belly47. Tikka T3X is a cracking gun....even if I say so myself. Planned to head out again tonight but got rained off in epic style. Sod that for a game of soldiers, will try again tomorrow. Edited August 14, 2017 by racing snake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Cheers FH1, oowee. Nice to get off the mark Belly47. Tikka T3X is a cracking gun....even if I say so myself. Planned to head out again tonight but got rained off in epic style. Sod that for a game of soldiers, will try again tomorrow. The cattle have moved out of the back fields and i put the bait back out last week so after polishing off a few more rats under the chicken house I decided to take a look last night. On the kitchen window with the girly rifle and the caller in the garden at 10. It rained so hard the NV was reflecting back at me and I went to bed at 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 The cattle have moved out of the back fields and i put the bait back out last week so after polishing off a few more rats under the chicken house I decided to take a look last night. On the kitchen window with the girly rifle and the caller in the garden at 10. It rained so hard the NV was reflecting back at me and I went to bed at 11. Bit of white noise nv display was it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Well done chaps, I'm getting really frustrated now, been out 4 nights and seen nowt but rabbits. I can see me selling up at this rate. I was hoping the wheat would be off this week but with the drop of rain we've just had I think that's put back another week, I booked this week off too, just to rub salt in the wound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Gents, apologies for my absence I am in a stroppy mood at the moment so trying to keep my foul mood to myself Well done to all of you gents for keeping up the good work and many thanks for all of the man bag related comments they have cheered me up and made me decide to pick up the rifle and head out and see what this fox shooting lark is all about. Hopefully a few foxes on the deck will sort me out...though I think it may take a bit more then that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Gents, apologies for my absence I am in a stroppy mood at the moment so trying to keep my foul mood to myself Well done to all of you gents for keeping up the good work and many thanks for all of the man bag related comments they have cheered me up and made me decide to pick up the rifle and head out and see what this fox shooting lark is all about. Hopefully a few foxes on the deck will sort me out...though I think it may take a bit more then that Yey! Mike's heading out! Watch out foxes....big bad Mike's coming after you with his bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Yey! Mike's heading out! Watch out foxes....big bad Mike's coming after you with his bag. Cheers bud. I reckon I will have forgotten how to use the rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Good to see you back mate. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. GET THAT RIFLE OUT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Good to see you back mate. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. GET THAT RIFLE OUT!!! Cheers Grant. All work and 14 weeks of trying to sort my new house out makes me a miserable old goat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Cheers Grant. All work and 14 weeks of trying to sort my new house out makes me a miserable old goat 14 weeks? Me and the Mrs have been waiting since March... 🙄 past the point of caring now though the all work bit doesn't sound great though good to see you back 🖒 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 14 weeks? Me and the Mrs have been waiting since March... past the point of caring now though the all work bit doesn't sound great though good to see you back I dont feel so bad now. When I say new I mean new to me as the place is over 300 years old. Our first buyer pulled out after 5 weeks so playing catch up a little at the moment..hopefully we will be moving in Early sep. Good luck with yours mate, I am sure it will sort itself out and thanks for the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Cheers Grant. All work and 14 weeks of trying to sort my new house out makes me a miserable old goat better arrange another date night to cheer you up. obviously no ******g hand bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 better arrange another date night to cheer you up. obviously no ******g hand bags And no tissues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonker Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Getting worried about you four ! all this talk of handbags and tissues. What are you wiping ? is it a man foursome thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 better arrange another date night to cheer you up. obviously no ******g hand bags And no tissues Cant promise Getting worried about you four ! all this talk of handbags and tissues. What are you wiping ? is it a man foursome thing? Cant disclose such things, need to get involved to find out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Got over my strop last night so headed out for a walk around a couple of bits of ground. Pretty quiet for most of it though I spotted a nice pair of eyes in some cover (that I cant shoot). Got the rifle set up on the sticks and put the caller on. No reaction for a bit then swapped to the "gekkering " call and in came the fox. I was waiting for him to come onto my ground from behind a tree when Mr badger appeared. The fox came out from behind the tree, had a stand off with the badger then followed him up the bank. The badger got a shock when there was an almighty crack and the fox fell over. 90% grown dog fox cub. Cant figure out how to post the pics still and having limited permissions on my work computer doesnt help. Nice to be back out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Nice one Mike, great to hear you've been out, and bagged a charlie too. Top work. Another night out for me last night on the hill. Was planning on coming down from over the top, as there's a track that you get up there with. But had second thoughts and went up from the yard again. Used the lack of moon earlier on to have a good walk around and a bit mouth calling but didn't see anything. Once the moon (half) rose I made my way around the top of the hill and dropped down a bit to the fields above the yard. Set up the caller on the slope and got comfy under an oak tree. Action was steady rather than frantic. Dropped a bit a clanger at one stage - was running snowshoe hare on the caller and was studying something really far away with the thermal, couldn't be sure if it was a fox or a badger, studied it for a few minutes and decided it was a badger, scanned in front of me and there's a fox with its nose about 6 inches from caller, Bloody hell! Was cursing myself for not checking as I switched over to the scope, luckily it only dropped another 20 yards down the field before I had it in the crosshairs, and down it goes. Two more followed over the next couple of hours, another big cub and a vixen dropped at 150 yards. In two visits I've taken the dog. vixen and 5 big cubs from this area so reckon it's clear for a week or so now. Got back to the car at 4:30 with the sky starting to lighten and the farmyard cockerel in top gear. Was absolutely shattered. Without doubt this permission is the most difficult to walk that I have, though strangely quite rewarding when you can crack on over 1,000ft in such a short distance without keeling over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Nice one Mike, great to hear you've been out, and bagged a charlie too. Top work. Another night out for me last night on the hill. Was planning on coming down from over the top, as there's a track that you get up there with. But had second thoughts and went up from the yard again. Used the lack of moon earlier on to have a good walk around and a bit mouth calling but didn't see anything. Once the moon (half) rose I made my way around the top of the hill and dropped down a bit to the fields above the yard. Set up the caller on the slope and got comfy under an oak tree. Action was steady rather than frantic. Dropped a bit a clanger at one stage - was running snowshoe hare on the caller and was studying something really far away with the thermal, couldn't be sure if it was a fox or a badger, studied it for a few minutes and decided it was a badger, scanned in front of me and there's a fox with its nose about 6 inches from caller, Bloody hell! Was cursing myself for not checking as I switched over to the scope, luckily it only dropped another 20 yards down the field before I had it in the crosshairs, and down it goes. Two more followed over the next couple of hours, another big cub and a vixen dropped at 150 yards. In two visits I've taken the dog. vixen and 5 big cubs from this area so reckon it's clear for a week or so now. Got back to the car at 4:30 with the sky starting to lighten and the farmyard cockerel in top gear. Was absolutely shattered. Without doubt this permission is the most difficult to walk that I have, though strangely quite rewarding when you can crack on over 1,000ft in such a short distance without keeling over. Fantastic work again mate, well done Are you planning to race the train up Snowdon? ...you will certainly be fit enough pretty soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racing snake Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Fantastic work again mate, well done Are you planning to race the train up Snowdon? ...you will certainly be fit enough pretty soon Ha, maybe mate, though my legs were wobbling like hot hosepipes when I got to the top last night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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