hunting tips ?

[davyt63 1,845]

I think I'll start off with one of the military 'lists' of 5 S's

 

Shape - disruptive camouflage patterns help break up you shape / outline, even a pair of green trousers and an old DPM jacket is better than nothing, anything to make you a little harder to distinguish from the trees / bushes.

Shine - avoid carrying anything that will reflect too well, a rapid flash of light can / will spook most prey.

Shadow - If the sun or moon is strong and casting good shadows try to stay in those shadows so you don't cast any new moving ones which show the bunnies something isn't right.

Silhouette - Carries on from Shadow, avoid ridges etc where your shape will stand out against the sky, even at night if it is cloudy and you are near a town you will be a dark moving object in the sky to a rabbit.

Sound - Be as quiet as possible, any un-natural sound usually send bugs running for cover.

 

Beyond that, take account of the wind, if you get to a field and it is blowing left to right, start by moving around the right hand perimeter, that way anything on the left hand edge doesn't smell you.

 

Take a walk round during the day and look for sign from any rabbits, by that I mean burrows, grass nibbled really short, runs (look like really small footpaths), their favourite watch point (loads of droppings on a small patch of exposed soil). If you find some or all of those, you at least know there are rabbit about, you could have one of the places in the country where rabbit haven't done that well.

 

If there are rabbit, then you have to figure out when they are active, bugs doesn't have a set time across the country. Some places you will see loads in the middle of the day but none at night. In other places it is the complete opposite. In general they seem to be most active around sunrise and sunset. I have even noticed both extremes on my permission, and that is 46 acres of grazing land.

 

If the weather is really bad, I wouldn't bother going out. Also if it is really quiet then it is probably not worth it as the rabbits will hear you moving around and vanish.

 

 

hi Alan

sorry to say this!!! buddy,but the above comments are crap!!!!

 

you really have to do your home work buddy,bunny's come out in all conditions "how do i know this"

because i know my quarry. i go out in it,unlike you!!

 

come on now! you all know you have to take the rough with the smooth,now don't be giving bad advise!!

they they still need to eat & shit!!

 

so my advise is get out in all conditions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

rant over

 

regards

 

Davy

[tomrichards 0]

some really good tips getting to learn abit more

[lampingboy 226]

i certainly dont mind going out in dodgy weather and im sure tom wont either unless its absolutely tamping it down :L ....nice slight breee with a tad of rain here tonight aswell so we could be lucky , like i said ....trying a few more fields tonight so we will see how it goes . as for swapping, i dont mind ill let tom shoot tonight and ill take the s410 out when i get a lamp since i havent used it for ages at a decent range, i think ill check its zero at about 45 yards and see how it goes

[zini 1,939]

Hi Davy,

 

I think the words are "hardcore hunters" .

 

Get out in all weathers regardless of conditions lads, rain, snow and wind .

 

See and learn the benefits and pains in each weather condition, also how you react in the weather conditions yourself.

 

If you feel cold and wet and uncomfortable then I suggest that your shooting will be bad and in accurate.

 

This isnt fair for your quarry as your shots will be in-humane, so learn to keep warm and cope with the conditions, or if you get uncomfortable and wet and you find that youre not enjoying it any more go home like I did last night and try another day.

 

I cant say that I like shooting in less than perfect conditions myself apart from a slight breeze, but sometimes beggars cant be choosers can they so think about the conditions that you are going to be shooting in and adapt accordingly with your equipment?

 

No animal likes a cold wind or rain slamming into their faces, so where would they go to eat and play without getting this effect?

 

In the snow look for the tracks leading too the best used warrens for later static hunting trips.

 

In the wind use it wisely to sneak up onto bugs with it in your face so they cant smell you and find it hard to hear you approaching.

 

Ive been out with Gary and Darryl and lamping for them in very strong winds. The good thing here though was that the rabbits sat as they didnt hear us approaching and we could get to 10 metres easy enough.

 

In rain look for more sheltered areas that your quarry will go to feed in. Think like the quarry species.

 

Hope this helps

 

Si.

Edited January 18, 2011 by zini

[davyt63 1,845]

i certainly dont mind going out in dodgy weather and im sure tom wont either unless its absolutely tamping it down :L ....nice slight breee with a tad of rain here tonight aswell so we could be lucky , like i said ....trying a few more fields tonight so we will see how it goes . as for swapping, i dont mind ill let tom shoot tonight and ill take the s410 out when i get a lamp since i havent used it for ages at a decent range, i think ill check its zero at about 45 yards and see how it goes

 

 

that's the spirit!! buddy

i have been out in heavy shower's,i just pull me poncho over me till it passes

shit!! i even got footage of bunny's out in the rain!!

 

 

you see!! "you have to be in it, to win it"

 

regards

 

Davy

[zini 1,939]

Did you sneak up to those bunnies Davy and that magpie?

 

I would of been temped to get to that gate and have a shot if it was within range from that gate post.

 

They were begging for a pellet especially that nest robbing fecker.

 

Ill shoot a magpie any day over a bunny.

 

Great bit of footage though to use as a demo like that.

 

SPA

 

Si

[lampingboy 226]

yes ,great bit of footage that! and thanks

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

HARDCORE my arse ........been there done that for too many years, stay home by the fire, warm and dry, I go on my own terms now, but thats because Im soft and frail with no desire at all to go out in such extremes anymore.

 

So I vote for the softer, more comfortable approach.......long live and prosper the softies :laugh:

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[lampingboy 226]

hahaha do it while you can i say! ....went out with tom tonight ,met at about 9:10PM and got in at about 11:15pm .

had a good ole walk as the places were a decent distance apart, it wasnt the best night atall tbh weather was shite.....full moon and the air was way too still,didnt see a bloody thing, apart from the 2 bunnys that were in my field when i left (i live on a small holding).

Think its time for a lamp and decent camos ,and ill sort my permission out this weekend hopefully bag something in the near future.

brad

[rossy08 33]

hello mate.

 

i'm one of the more hardcore shooters but i still have youth on my side.. i more often than not go camping while im hunting and will be out in snow rain the works,was even camping in over a foot of snow not to long ago. as its been said you may not see much in snow but its very use full for finding traks.

 

i have been on the land i shoot since i could walk and still found new enterances to warrens i though i knew well.

 

just get out there.

 

in regards to your cammo, it dont have to spend a lot. i get my cammo from the army stores or yomans outdoor shops,can get them cheep from ebay the cost about £5 for trouses and jacket. there called N.B.C suits. charcoal lined very very warm,there are a fair few of us on hear that use them.

 

see pic

 

me and andie(base jumper) out in the snow.

 

hope it helps a little pal.

 

atb

Andy

[Lab 10,979]

i certainly dont mind going out in dodgy weather and im sure tom wont either unless its absolutely tamping it down :L ....nice slight breee with a tad of rain here tonight aswell so we could be lucky , like i said ....trying a few more fields tonight so we will see how it goes . as for swapping, i dont mind ill let tom shoot tonight and ill take the s410 out when i get a lamp since i havent used it for ages at a decent range, i think ill check its zero at about 45 yards and see how it goes

 

 

that's the spirit!! buddy

i have been out in heavy shower's,i just pull me poncho over me till it passes

shit!! i even got footage of bunny's out in the rain!!

 

 

you see!! "you have to be in it, to win it"

 

regards

 

Davy

I cant be 100% but i'm sure i seen that rabbit turn to the other 1 and said...."This is the best time too come out for a feed when its pishing down, they'll be no daft b*****ds out shooting today!".........

[pianoman 3,587]

HARDCORE my arse ........been there done that for too many years, stay home by the fire, warm and dry, I go on my own terms now, but thats because Im soft and frail with no desire at all to go out in such extremes anymore.

 

So I vote for the softer, more comfortable approach.......long live and prosper the softies :laugh:

 

 

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

That's just made me bloody howl! :laugh: Nice one Bill. Got to confess I'm becoming more inclined to look at the rain pouring outside and think.."Hmmm they'll still be there tomorrow!" So I have become a softie as I'm getting older. I've had some seriously great sport in absolutely pissing down rain. They seem to be out feeding in rain mostly around 1800 hrs/6pm on my permissions. I don't know why. Of course I've tried to predict for this and been patiently waiting in the rain from quietly setting up in the afternoon...and waiting.....and nothing!

 

The rabbit's instincts to feed, breed and survive are far stronger than anything the weather throws at it. They really will not put off feeding till the rain stops. They just go someplace other than where we usually are! You have to go recce the landscape and find it!

 

Simon

[gurtwurz 792]

too true fellas! i've seen rabbits out in rain,strong winds and snow,although they dont seem to like sleet much-me neither come to that- get out there and have a squint, you never know what you might find if there are no bunnies about you might find some pigeon sheltering in higher hedgerows, or if youre lucky enough to have woodland, or wooded rides between fields you might get some squizzer bashing in...

 

you can pick up good quality ex military waterproofs, gore tex even, for not too much dosh, and if you wear a sensible amount of layers to keep the cold out with there really is no excuse for being a fair weather hunter these days, unless youre knocking on a bit and feeling a bit soft(no offence bill mate!! glad youre back buddy!!)

 

cheers, wurz

[darren watson 14]

i always find a camo tarp/basha provides both a backdrop to avoid silhouetting , and lightweight shelter should it start raining. and, it can also be draped over your gear and covered with leaf litter and floor debris, should you need to hide it all

[orangeeric 2]

My tuppeny worth.

 

(1) Don't rush - the comments on movement are bang on, so move slowly and steadily.

(2) Patience is so important - don't expect to just stumble on them - they'll soon get used to you, so don't be too predictable! As said before if you find a warren, stake it out for a couple of nights and then move on.

(3) Hands and Face are absolute beacons, day or night. You've had good advice on cheap camo gear, but dark clothes do as well - just get those other bits covered! The first thing you'll move when you see a bunny is your hands - bringing your gun to bear - and this can be enough to set them off....

 

Good hunting!