Market garden mayhem

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

After taking Martin one evening last week , to a place i have and seeing 9 deer ,i thought i better have a look around myself .Its a market garden with many types of cropping ,brassicas mainly but root crops too .Arrived at dawn to a very dark and cloudy outlook.Changed the route from the one i usually do as the wind was wrong for that .Saw a fox curled up in a plough furrow ,well we saw each other at the same time really and off he went but in no particular hury .They arnt shot here as they help keep down the vermin and do no damage to the fields .I glassed a trio of does up against a hedge at about 160 yds but the ground here is rather flat so a closer shot would have to be taken off sticks .The trio was a doe and two followers .Got to about 90yards when one of the followers got up to stretch and was starig in my direction so on sticks and took her quickly .As expected the other two were up and off and disappeared in the thick hedge to my left .Very noticeable that the follower was underweight ,no doubt a legacy from the recent cold spell.Left it where it fell as i could already see 2 more deer out in the cabbages up ahead ,a buck and doe.Stalked up the hedge a bit nearer but didnt get far as the doe and one remaining follower came through to stand no more than 40 yards away .A bit of careful juggling and the rifle was on sticks .Took the other follower to which the doe just stood and she joined the other on the floor .

The two out already were off now and i thought that was that when back they came followed by no less than 7 more including another buck .Something must have spooked them so over the brow i went to see what it was .A women was walking 2 labs through the middle of a patch of spinach with pheasants erupting everywhere .The landowner is a bit soft when it comes to locals and dogs but but im afraid i had to say something as the footpath goes beneath the wood about 300yards away and not across the crops .

She was defensive at first and couldnt see the need for deer control but explaining the reasons and safety in a quiet voice, i was able to win her around to at least using the footpath in future . 12 deer seen ,probably the same lot seen in the snow a while back . Couldnt help thinking i would of had more if it wasnt for that dog walker 'off pist' so to speak .

Driving past the local estate i saw a fox sat out in a old game crop .Time was now 7.20 am so i phoned the keeper and was told to "shoot it, then phone me"as he knew id have a rifle with me at this time of the morning .Parked up along a lane and went back with the rifle and sticks.Peered around a bramble with rifle on sticks and sure enough there he was about 70 yards and looking away from me .A head shot and the phone rang before the shot echo had finished."Did you get it " ,"yep ","well done lad ".Hung it on the fence for him to see and headed off to the game dealers .Keepers mad on his foxing here !.

[waidmann 105]

a great write up and a bosting morning by the looks of it bud

good pics too(the foxes mask looks messed up )

atb

[bagzi 0]

What calibre are You using?

[john robbo 30]

a better do than me this morning mate well done, we saw 10.client shot twice at same deer both clean misses, 130m's kneeling off sticks.

but shit happens eh at least clean misses.

His gun has been checked, he pulled the shots.

[black lab 3]

Nice one FD, good story to, thought i was there with you :11:

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

What calibre are You using?

.243 mate

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Top class morning mate , it doesnt get much better than that.....

[wboulter 3]

nice one FD great write up it did make it feel like i was with you

[ArchieHood 3,692]

Done and dusted before the clock chimed 8

[Hywel 53]

A very productive morning indeed

[martin 332]

Well done that man,hope to have you over this week if you got time FD..........Martin

[beno 0]

What bipod length are you using there? Trying to look for one my self how do you get on with that one for prone and kneeling shots?

 

Thanks

 

Ben

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

The bipod is a 12-26 mate .Excellent for kneeling and sitting but the prone is what has always worried me .I use it like that but it brings my right shoulder off the ground too far sometimes for a steady shot .Just invested in a 6-9 to hopefully solve that.Very good for long grass and sitting out but you cant have it all.

[weejohn 3]

great mornings shooting. You might find the 6-9 too short for using prone unless

there is no vegitation at all. I had one and sold it to get the 9-13 as i couldnt

use it without being constantly fully extended.

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Yep mate Ive also got the 9-13 much better