sandersj89 Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 A very enjoyable and successful night with the lamp on my syndicates ground. The game keeper wanted me to join him for a session with my 17HMR to see what was about and if we could get close to any foxes. We met up at just after 8,15pm and I got the rifle set up whilst he fitted the lamp to the roof of the Land Rover, then it was out to the fields that had been cut for silage to check for rabbits and hope for fox later. We soon got into the swing of things with the first rabbit dropped at about 80yards, a pair of pheasants nearby, approx 10yards from the rabbit, did not even bat an eyelid. Moved to the next field but abandoned that one at speed as approx 30 yearling steers decided to take an interest in us and chased us around the field! Still that brought us to another field and as we turned the corner we spotted about 6 rabbits at 75 to 90 yards, I had time to check the distance with the laser range finders. Engine of and I lined up my first rabbit, down he went and the others did not move so worked the bolt and next round in the chamber, number two in the bag, worked the bolt again and number 3 of this group in the bag. The remaining rabbits got the message and moved off but as we moved forward in the landie to pick up the rabbits one more popped his head out and bingo he was in the bag as well. We carried on around the silage fields for a bit taking the odd rabbit here and there and then the light started to fade and we went into Fox mode. We searched a few fields and for an hour only saw a single Roe deer and lots of rabbits. Rabbits left for another day. We then skirted around an old orchard and spied the first set of fox eyes in the beam of the lamp about 150 yards away. As we moved in slowly, squeaking all the time we saw a second pair of eyes about 30 yards back. We got to approx 100 yards and sat and squeaked hoping to bring them in a bit closer, this was on a field that had been cut for silage about 6 weeks ago and the grass was close to knee high. The first fox refused to come in any closer and sat with it’s back to us at a 45 degree angle. No amount of squeaking would get it to budge, every now and then it would look over its left shoulder at us….frustrating! We carefully moved the landie to open up a shot and the fox stood and turned to face me, heart pounding a bit as this was the first fox with my HMR, I squeezed of the shot and heard that satisfying thump of the impact….bingo. Fox one in the bag. This years cub about half grown and a dog. We swung the lamp around looking for the second set of eyes but nothing showing so we sat up for 15 mins to have a drink and then flicked on the lamp again, in the gateway movement and a small cub was on the move. No angle for the shot and by the time we moved he had jumped into a ditch, shame but as no shot taken he wont know what the game is about just yet. We then moved on again to cover some more ground and got to close to one of the release pens, as we drove down a track we scanned the next door field with the lamp, longer grass here due to be cut for hay. We get a reflection of a pair of eyes off about 200 yards so pull up and start squeaking, they move in towards us and as it is on the wrong side of the vehicle for me I get out to shoot of the bonnet but I cant see a thing due to the grass. The keeper tells me it is coming in and is in range, still no sign of it for me so I climb on the roof of the landie, it has a full roof rack with platform, for a better view and now I can see the eyes and also another set behind. 2 again. This time they come in a bit closer but stay side on, no safe shot but I follow the closest in the scope hoping for it to stop and look at me. For what seemed an age it wont do as I wish, we squeak, we whistle, the polystyrene comes out and it is slid down the wing mirror glass. The fox stops and turns to look at me and I squeeze of the shot, again the slap as the bullet hits home. We scan the field for the second one but cant see anything. We stay put for 10 mins and nothing so the game keeper goes out to try and find the one I shot. Not an easy task in the tall grass but find her, this time a female ¾ grown cub. I check the distance with the laser and it is just over 90 yards. Well happy. It is getting late so call it a day and head back, all in all 16 rabbits and 2 foxes. I failed to take a picture of the first one as we disposed of it out on the estate and my camera was back at the shoot hut! Doh! But here are a couple of photos of the night. These are the first foxes with the HMR and I am more than pleased with the result. We will have to get back out next week though as there are more to sort out. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyjaimz Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Great write up sanders and cracking pics too, good shooting mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussex lad Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Nice going Jerry Not been out for 5/6 weeks myself working from stupid o'clock to even stupider o'clock at the moment But seeing that i damm sure i'm gonna be out this w/end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted July 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Nice going Jerry Not been out for 5/6 weeks myself working from stupid o'clock to even stupider o'clock at the moment But seeing that i damm sure i'm gonna be out this w/end All work and no play....not good! Mind you the weather forecast is not great either for this weekend! I certainly enjoyed last night though! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 I hope the keeper was impressed. The HMR is a very versatile gun and the accuracy means everything when you're able to hit foxes exactly where you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Thoroughly enjoyable read that was You did yourself proud there,especially waiting for a safe shot..bet the keeper was happy Well done GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Well done Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kip270 Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Now that's a good night out with thw HMR, can't wait to get out with mine, but this rain is not good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Some nice rabbits as well Jerry, a top night out P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Great write up Jerry and good shooting. Just waiting for a break in the weather and i'll be out as soon as. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie 1 Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 hi m8, well done. that some good shooting. and the fact the keeper was with you means that im sure you will get alot more shooting. nice one charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted July 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Thanks guys, Yep the keeper is happy and glad he has some one else helping on on the foxes. His vehicle certainly helps as well. Roof monted lamp with shooting platform on the roof helps in the tall grass. We covered a lot of ground last night, estate is 1,800 acres. Would have hated to walk that far, expecially with the bunnies to hand. Looking forward to the next trip out. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBLATCH Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 good shooting mate,write up too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOM'S DAD Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Great shooting and great write up on what was a good evening What ammo were you using inthe HMR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted July 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Great shooting and great write up on what was a good evening What ammo were you using inthe HMR? Thanks I was using Remmington 17gr V-Max, they seem to work just fine in my CZ Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Can't fault that! Well done and good write up. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hewi Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 nice 1 mate keep it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rabgoat Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 FINE BAG OF RABBITS SANDERS,GOOD SHOOTIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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