An hour an half or so at the new permission

[Phantom 631]

As you know from the other day; I had gained a new permission that was a Bunny clearance job.

 

I went up there today and as the lady took me round, her lawn looked rather good, she told me that it was actually the small paddock, where she kept her Geese that had the most problems.

 

She showed me to the paddock that was at the end of her land, she also grows a lot of veg herself and has quite a sizeable land area, but for today it was bunnies only

 

As we entered the paddock, I counted 17 bunnies on the right side and she counted a further 12 on the left side!!!

She herded the geese out of the paddock and I told her where I would be sniping from.

 

She then left me to it closing the gate so no geese could get back in.

About 1.5 minutes after I got my baby on her pod and loaded, out popped target number one.

 

It was a young un, it bounded over to the far end off the land and I followed it through the scope. It stopped next to another kit that was partly hidden by some nettles. I decided to scan the far end with the scope to see if there were any more out there, sure enough there was a 3/4 grown sat munching on the far left again hidden by nettles but I could see its face through them.

 

Decisions, decisions!

 

I put the scope back towards the two kits as they were going to be the easy targets. They were sat about 3 inches apart. So my target was chosen by the most important factor when selecting quarry, the easiest shot to ensure a clean kill.

This plot of land is about 40 x 25 yards and I was 3 yards from one end, the target was about 3 yards from the other end at the base of the embankment that seperated my pellets from the cars on the duel carriageway.

So just placing the crosshair at the top of the targets head I went through my breathing cycle and let slip the 16 grain missile that hit its mark perfectly. One down

The other kit just sat there looking at it dead brethren.

Pulling back the bolt, I loaded another FX pellet into the breach and placed the crosshair on the second one in the same spot as the previous. A gentle squeeze and click, phut, and the bunny jumped skywards, landing on its back. 2 down!

 

I moved the gun back in the direction of the 3/4 grown, it had moved just a little, but was still sat there munching although its ears were now upright and I couldn't get a clear positive shot!

 

Ten minutes later I spotted another mark, this time an almost full grown at the top of the embankment. Finding it quickly in the scope I followed it across the top of the embankment until it stopped at a break in the fence. Damn! Thats a no shot due to the fact that the only backstop at that point was the cars and lorries travelling at 70 mph on the A63!

Keeping my eye on this target I knew it was only a matter of time before I got my chance.

Only a couple of minutes later the bunny decided to get comfortable in the sun and laid out sideways.

Now was my chance, the fence was now a safe backstop

Estimating this to be the furthest point I would need to shoot today at 35 yards I gave it just under one mildot hold over and let the pellet fly. Bug's sprang forward on his belly and rolled down the steep side of the embankment comming to rest a few feet away from the half grown kits.

 

I wandered over and brought my quarry back to my sniping point. It was only when I got to them that the other 3/4 grown (I'd forgotten about him) decided that I was probably a danger and gave it legs into one of the veg plots!

 

Fifteen short minutes later another full grown showed up half way down the fence to my right, it quickly made its way to the far end and stopped I was amazed to see that this one had a very quick sniff of the air before scratching at the grass and snaffling what ever it was under it. It was totally unaware of my presence or indeed the lead slug heading in its direction. CRACK (that was the 1st impact I had actually heard). Bug's flipped over onto its side its left leg stretched out in the air waving gently for a second or two.

 

Four down in less than half an hour I'm liking this permission

 

No sooner had I got myself settled a young kit appeared to my left next to the pond. It caught me unaware's as I'd been told they only come from the embankment and the fence next to the growers and this was the directions that they had all scattered when I first entered the area.

 

It was a tiny little thing and I really wished this was not a clearance. It seemed totally unfair to drop this young one. I could see the land owner in the veg plot watching me so I lined up the crosshairs and gave it one mildot under on its forhead as it was now facing me.

 

Letting the shot fly instantly the kit jumped skywards it landed on its back and began flipping and jumping F :censord: K I must have fluffed that, a second or so later I was at the kit, its brain was hanging out of the entrance wound on its forehead, it was dead but man it wasn't half twitching

I've not had that before and I found it rather disturbing I must confess

 

Heres the little thing (don't look Aaron you'll only chuck up )

 

and to give you an idea of the size in my hand

 

Like I said, I really didn't want to shoot this one, but with the land owner watching me I couldn't not do it as its purely an erradication/clearance permission.

 

20 Minutes later I caught a reflection from the inside of my glasses, I looked round and there just behind me was another full grown bunny.

This is such virgin land I couldn't believe my luck. I slid my baby round slowly slipped another round into the loading bay and drove home the bolt I also adjusted the parallax setting to its lowest 20yards. The bunny must have been 10 yards which is virtually spot on my secondary zero! Maybe a touch less than 10 yards but well within the PBR of my baby and her new scope.

Placing the crosshair directly between the eye and the base of the ear, I let loose the round. A loud crack and the bunny was on its side with its hind leg frozen in the air. Perfection

 

Thats six in the bag from six shots. This one was also the biggest of the session. The pellet entered exactly where I placed the crosshair and had left the other side of the head then embedded itself in a large piece of wood behind the bunny.

 

The seventh I had to wait for, but not for long. I was browsing over the large nettled area with my eyes when I could have sworn I saw a pair of ears flick, I got my baby and trained the scope in that direction.

Sure enough another decent size bunny. I don't know where it came from as this lump of nettles was by itself and I should have seen its approach from either direction. I could only see the ears and even clicking my tounge did not make it sit up, I clicked my fingers and that didn't cause it to stir either.

Only one thing for it and that was to try a kneeling shot. I dont like shooting the S200 apart from off the pod, because the fore stock does not agree with my left hand. Still I decided a kneeling shot would be more favourable to a standing freehand shot.

I got myself up from prone and steadied myself. Placing my left arm across my left thigh I got as comfortable as possible I was not very stable so decided to sit on my right leg near the foot. This gave me the stability I required and I had a clear view through the nettles.

 

Breathing settled; I set the missile free, hurtling at 556 feet per second towards its mark. Less than a quarter of a second later I saw the bunny fall over to its left and out of my sight. I walked over to find the mark was stone dead as the micro-missile had hit home nice and hard at close to 8.5 ft/lbs. Bugs didn't stand a chance.

 

Number 8 came about 15 minutes later. This was again a tiny little thing, and a wonderful colour, sort of fawn/sandy colour. Again I really didn't want to do this, in fact I would have loved to have caught this alive and given it to my youngest daughter as a pet.

 

It popped up out of nowhare! about 15 yards away from me, I had just taken the group photo and had begun packing my gear away for the evening

 

Anyway as I had not discharged the last pellet I decided to take the shot, one mildot hold under and click, phut, followed by a thud and a cloud of dust as the pellet entered the ground behind the kit.

The little kit launched itself high and landed with a dull thud stone dead!

I collected this little one and took its photo so you can get an idea of its colour.

 

I decided that I'd done enough for this evening and finished packing away my gear.

I then went to the land owner for a chat, she asked how many I'd shot and she gave me a fiver telling me to have a couple of pints for a job well done.

She then asked me how much my cartridges cost. I told her that the price was negligable as I use an air gun rather than a cartridge gun. She insisted on knowing how much they cost me and told me she would buy me a new tin of pellets I thanked her then started talking about the amount of Woodies that had come into my kill zone.

She replied "Them blasted things!, They cause as much damage as the bloody rabbits do"

"So you wouldn't mind if I shot a few?" I asked.

"The more the better" was her reply

As I left, she said "You will come back and get the rest won't you? Just chase the geese out and put the gate across each time you come back" . "I will indeed", I replied, "its been a pleasure."

 

Heres the group (Finale) shot:

 

 

I left a very happy pest controller and I left her as a very happy client.

 

Phantom

[venomviper 129]

hi ya tony

well looks like you was having fun matey cracking shooting and write up tony pal and i am liking the pictures pal and spot on shooting as ever to tony looks like the new scope and yourself are doing a good job

 

shay

[johnboy19 38]

You have landed on your feet there Phantom, rabbits and woodies! Result. Good shooting mate

[falcongit 242]

very good shooting mate,nice write up and good pics,its a short life span for them babys mate but had to be done.

 

sym

[farmerkev09 105]

hi phantom

 

great write and pics

 

looks like you had a good day out

 

happy hunting

 

farmer

[ArchieHood 3,692]

Your gonna eat well this week Phantom

[Phantom 631]

Thanks guy's

 

I'm still miffed at having to take out the tiny one's though That sandy one would have made a nice pet for CJ

 

I'm looking forward to getting his dad though

 

Freezer is now well and truely stocked, despite the 'Dont bring any more rabbit home with you' from the wife

 

Phantom

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

great shooting tony! biggest bag ever? were they pretty tame as i know a few places (not permissions) where you can practically pick up the things, whereas on my permission you walk into a field and every single one scarpers.

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hiya Tony.

 

Chuffed to bit's for you mate , what a great result

Excellent shooting, and brilliant pictures too .

 

Sound's like the good lady is very pleased with your marksmanship.

It's nice to, that there is trust between you already.....i.e....."when you come next time just move the Geese out".... Help yourself, at ease, kind of comment from her.

 

She is obvioulsly a good hearted soul too, who appreciates you as much as you appreciate the oppurtunity to shoot there.

 

Excellent post Tony, and a great start on the new permission.

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[Phantom 631]

Hi guy's, thanks for the comments.

Aaron, no its not my biggest bag, but in such a short time it was certainly the best

I've had larger bags but over longer durations.

 

They are not particularly tame as I walked into the area and the ones that were there scarpered. If I'd been able to get it by hand I'd have probably kept both the tiny kits as pets we already have a hutch out in the back garden.

 

Shay, this scope is brilliant and I've not needed to get to know it either, just made a note of the aim points from Chairgun Pro and its been spot on with every shot

 

Thanks again guy's

 

Phantom

[Phantom 631]

Hiya Tony.

 

Chuffed to bit's for you mate , what a great result

Excellent shooting, and brilliant pictures too .

 

Sound's like the good lady is very pleased with your marksmanship.

It's nice to, that there is trust between you already.....i.e....."when you come next time just move the Geese out".... Help yourself, at ease, kind of comment from her.

 

She is obvioulsly a good hearted soul too, who appreciates you as much as you appreciate the oppurtunity to shoot there.

 

Excellent post Tony, and a great start on the new permission.

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

 

Thanks Bill and NO your not claiming responsability for these

 

Turns out the land owner went to school with my late mother in law and stayed in touch with her all her life

Also she said the land hadn't been shot over since her late husband passed on many many years ago.

Her son works at a large Quarry not far from here as well but it would be at least 45 minutes walk for me.

 

right, Im off to get this woody roasted now Sluuurrrppp

 

Take care all

 

Phantom

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

 

 

......Thanks Bill and NO your not claiming responsibility for these.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your Pigwin mate

[Malt 379]

Nice one Tony, you're starting to rack 'em up now mate!

[stealthy1 3,964]

There's gonna be some curry farting next week in Hull, and where did you get those Albert Steptoe gloves, very nice bag mate

[JackReid 35]

Nice one man, good bag!!!

Happy for you!

Jack