theflashingblade 11 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just had the privilege of spending the weekend on Simon’s permission in South Yorks. For blokes that work too hard and constantly worry about the little things in life, like earning a living and looking after a family, two days out hunting, camping and drinking whisky was a small slice of heaven. It’s been 5 years since I last went camping without my kids, so understandably, I went a little mad. I only managed two hours sleep on the Saturday night. As I say, some time was spent drinking whiskey round the camp fire, and quite right too, but mostly I was out in the woods. I’m new at this game and not a fantastic shot, in spite of Andy and Simon’s patient tutelage! But the thrill of wandering through idyllic farmland, my HW90 cradled in my arms, as the dawn stirred the world to life around me is unforgettable. High above me a Great Spotted Woodpecker scuttled around the trunk of a birch. Unsighted pigeons cooed up in the canopy, taunting. The rapidly warming earth drew out three eagles, soaring up in the strengthening thermals coming off the fields of barley. The rabbits, it appears, sensing such an exacting predator, all had their furry little heads down. That’s my excuse for not getting anything for the pot and I’m sticking to it! So after 2 days and a night of hunting we had nothing to show for it between us. But having just spent that time with a couple of mates out in the field, I really can’t bring myself to call it an unsuccessful trip… My thanks to Simon for inviting us. 1 Quote Link to post
secretagentmole 1,701 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Glad you had a great time, stalking is hard to learn but easy to remember! A good tip to get a bunny is watch, see where they come out, then get them in range before they come out then when they do, shoot them! That can be boring but productive. Lie in wait for them! Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 It was good to get away for a bit wasn't it, mate I still can't get over seeing those eagles, I've put up a post in the falconry section about it but as yet no replys. I did get some joy from the general chat forum and it does indeed seem we saw something very unusual. I've spoken to a few other lads since and no one's heard of any other sightings around the area. It'll be very interesting to see if any other sightings turn up. Take it easy, mate Cheers. Quote Link to post
davyt63 1,845 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 It was good to get away for a bit wasn't it, mate I still can't get over seeing those eagles, I've put up a post in the falconry section about it but as yet no replys. I did get some joy from the general chat forum and it does indeed seem we saw something very unusual. I've spoken to a few other lads since and no one's heard of any other sightings around the area. It'll be very interesting to see if any other sightings turn up. Take it easy, mate Cheers. you lot had a ginggang goolie around the camp fire! "with out us" Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Sorry, Davy, it was a last minute thing and we only had a very limited supply of lube Hopefully see you at the meat, erm, I mean meet :kiss: :kiss: Quote Link to post
Daz 7 563 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Glad you Lads had a Top Time, I'm the same if i don't get anything while out shooting, at it at least i'm getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the Country side, Hope you Lads can make the Meet this time, But don't pitch your tent between Davy or Phantom, The HLF Snoring Champions regards Daz. Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Glad you Lads had a Top Time, I'm the same if i don't get anything while out shooting, at it at least i'm getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the Country side, Hope you Lads can make the Meet this time, But don't pitch your tent between Davy or Phantom, The HLF Snoring Champions regards Daz. Paul was keen as mustard, he's fairly new to shooting. He's been out with me a few times on one of my permissions near Halifax and has been over to Simon's a couple of times before with me. Predation, mixy and poachers have hammered the rabbits over there in recent months. I did nail one in the woods but I lost it in thick ground cover After that I spent most of the weekend getting steadily pissed by the fire!! Quote Link to post
Daz 7 563 Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Glad you Lads had a Top Time, I'm the same if i don't get anything while out shooting, at it at least i'm getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the Country side, Hope you Lads can make the Meet this time, But don't pitch your tent between Davy or Phantom, The HLF Snoring Champions regards Daz. Paul was keen as mustard, he's fairly new to shooting. He's been out with me a few times on one of my permissions near Halifax and has been over to Simon's a couple of times before with me. Predation, mixy and poachers have hammered the rabbits over there in recent months. I did nail one in the woods but I lost it in thick ground cover After that I spent most of the weekend getting steadily pissed by the fire!! My kind of Weekend Andy !!!!!! Booze Fuelled with a good bunch of Mates Glad you had a good time, The small shoot i've got which is 19 acres is teaming with Rabbits but i only take 2 - 3 at a time and the land owner is happy with this so i've always got some to take home, Unless its pissing down then i won't bother !!!!!! regards Daz. Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) Coming in late on this as my laptop went on the fritz a few days ago. Well it wasn't a rabbit shoot-fest as I hoped for but, it was lovely to have my two good friends over and a weekend away with the guns, plenty of ammo and some wonderful food namely, the most delicious spiced and seasoned rabbit stew and rice I've ever tasted; (thanks Paul!)and good beers and whiskey around a roaring campfire. It is a beautiful place to shoot I have here but, it's been shot to hell over many a year now, along with all other manner of things as Andy has described. See a rabbit here and if you miss your shot, you can forget it for the night, as nothing will be coming out for the time you'll be out there. I was out tonight and bagged one rabbit with my HW77 .22. And I had to use all the fieldcraft I know of to stalk it and shoot it. I had a good look at these mysterious birds of prey through my scope tonight too. Certainly too big to be anything but a pair of Eagles that I can see. They are of a golden brown, tan colour body feathers with darker wings and a wingspan of a good 2.5 to 3 foot -maybe longer. Nothing was around where these two were swooping out from their roosting tree. Never seen anything like them here before. Still would welcome another night or two under canvass if you two fellas fancy another crack at the fields here. Might make something of the photo competition, if nothing else! And I would like Daz and Markha to join us sometime when they can too. I can't promise red-hot rabbit shooting but, you never know with this permission. Sometimes, it can be. The principle ingredients of Paul's killer stew were all hopping about scoffing the barley here not so long back! Thanks for making a great weekend Andy and Paul Simon Edited July 10, 2011 by pianoman Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 2.5 to 3 feet wingspan? I hope you mean each wing!! They were MUCH bigger than the raptors we normally see around your way and I'd really like to hear from anyone who could maybe enlighten me a little on this Quote Link to post
zini 1,939 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Glad that you had a blast with Simon and Andy, Ive been there buddy and they are both top lads to go out with. welcome to the forum Si Quote Link to post
kevin from bristol 95 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 just goes to show its not all about the kills ,sound like a great time Quote Link to post
benji benji 60 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) It was good to get away for a bit wasn't it, mate I still can't get over seeing those eagles, I've put up a post in the falconry section about it but as yet no replys. I did get some joy from the general chat forum and it does indeed seem we saw something very unusual. I've spoken to a few other lads since and no one's heard of any other sightings around the area. It'll be very interesting to see if any other sightings turn up. Take it easy, mate Cheers. all my land will be getting cut soon if you fancy it mate i got some decoys if you want to try that you can bring both your pals if you want also got 3 more farms to shoot on not that i havent enough already lol loads of rabits but he wants me to clear crows first theres loads went down to sort permission with a good friends say so but its horse place and i can only go saturdays so not been down for a while with having to take young lad to football on saturdays but farmer said just ring before we go down and he seems sound and me mrs dad worked for him for years so theres room for movement i dont supose it matters when your camoed up in a bush with a quite air rifle think he ment just shotguns on saturdays Edited July 10, 2011 by benji benji Quote Link to post
pianoman 3,587 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Glad that you had a blast with Simon and Andy, Ive been there buddy and they are both top lads to go out with. welcome to the forum Si That's really nice of you to say Si. It was a real pleasure for us to have you over to shoot with us both in the springtime and share our various knowledge and skills together. I sincerely hope you are enjoying your Canadian tour with your Regiment and it's living up to expectation. Come visit us when you are home again in the UK and bring Laura along. We'd be delighted to meet her too! All the best to you both:thumbs: Simon Quote Link to post
andyfr1968 772 Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 It was good to get away for a bit wasn't it, mate I still can't get over seeing those eagles, I've put up a post in the falconry section about it but as yet no replys. I did get some joy from the general chat forum and it does indeed seem we saw something very unusual. I've spoken to a few other lads since and no one's heard of any other sightings around the area. It'll be very interesting to see if any other sightings turn up. Take it easy, mate Cheers. all my land will be getting cut soon if you fancy it mate i got some decoys if you want to try that you can bring both your pals if you want also got 3 more farms to shoot on not that i havent enough already lol loads of rabits but he wants me to clear crows first theres loads went down to sort permission with a good friends say so but its horse place and i can only go saturdays so not been down for a while with having to take young lad to football on saturdays but farmer said just ring before we go down and he seems sound and me mrs dad worked for him for years so theres room for movement i dont supose it matters when your camoed up in a bush with a quite air rifle think he ment just shotguns on saturdays Nice one, Benji, thanks for that I'll have a word with Simon and Paul, I'm sure they'd be up for that, work and family permitting. Just give me a shout any time. Cheers, mate. Quote Link to post
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