First Rabbit (Officially)

[The_Oakster 2]

This morning the weather looked bad but as the day wore on it brightened up and after checking my leave, it was clear that 2 hours could be spared so at 1600 I left work, rushed home, kitted up and left for one of my permissions.

 

Its a couple of paddocks, with a wood to one side and drilled pea fields to the back. A nice sandy bank looks like its home to many rabbits according to the amount of holes but luck and inexperience have conspired against me so far. However the warm sunshine and a vision of rabbits lazing in the sun made me try again.

 

I arrived at about 1630, got out the car, looked across the paddock and I could see the bunnies hopping around. It looked like an adult and 3 kits all at about 200 yards. A bit to far for me and my springer so I set off in hunt mode. My crap field craft and still short patience caused me to spend the first 40 minutes trying to get somewhere out of the way but close enough to have a pop. I shot at a couple of kits (thats what I'm there for) but they live to tell the tale.

 

After deciding to calm myself down by walking all around the permission I returned to the car and looked over again and there they were. This time I concentrated and gave it a proper go.

 

I stalked towards them and when I was about 100 yards I started to slow right down. The kits were still around the warrens but the adult was a good 10 yards and enjoying the short grass amongst the nettles. Every time it bent down I walked towards it, crouched down and quiet. When it looked up I stopped. Due to the undulations and gradual rise of the paddock as I got within 50 yards, when I stopped and ducked down, I was out of sight and slowly, keeping an eye on the tops of the rabbits ears to gauge whether it was up or eating I got in range.

 

Looking through the scope, now with out the bipod of course, I kneeled, tried to remember some of my military training, took a deep breath, waited for the rabbit to look up, exhaled and squeezed what I consider to be a heavy trigger and THWACK. Rabbit down.

 

I walked over and the shot wasn't the cleanest, it looked like it went through just behind the eye, and it wasn't dead so a quick yank of the neck and it then was.

 

In the Field

 

In the Kitchen

 

In the Freezer

 

Im going again tomorrow. Watch me miss everything again To be honest though, its good to know that I can stalk a (pre-occupied) rabbit, I can shoot straight and my air rifle is up to the job. The trouble is that means I have no excuses now

[Parabuteos lad 878]

what rifle is it bud? nice shooting

[The_Oakster 2]

Its a Norica Marvic Gold. It was bought with the intention of getting used to shooting and then when I apply for a FAC I have a bit of experience and a bit of money in trade in.

[Karpman 44]

Love to see em ready for the pot nice one pal.

 

Karpman

[The_Oakster 2]

Unless I get a big bag I'm looking at eating what I shoot. It was easier than I thought it would be to prepare it so I was pleased all round.

[j j m 6,539]

nice shooting mate

[gurtwurz 792]

nice work mate, well done on popping the norica's cherry

 

cheers, wurz

[markha 99]

Kill it cook it eat it Well done, we'll soon have you tanning hides for gloves and hats

[77 si 21]

Nice shooting pal

[rossy08 33]

Nice work there fella

 

very good right up also so well done all round,,,,a very good nice honest post there. have an spa from me.

 

Andy

[The_Oakster 2]

Cheers for the points

 

Been again since then and only got 2 kits so not much to write about but going in the next few days and hope to do better.

[markswan20 2]

nice shooting how come u take the kits does the farmer want rid of them ? just curious

[The_Oakster 2]

Yeah it's paddocks and the rabbits are slowly turning it into a horse trap with the holes. He'll have broken ankles if they aren't sorted out.