After Months Off I Finally Got Out Tonight!

[WoodsmanJim 160]

Well it's been a while, but after months of dirty nappies and a whole new routine I finaly got a chance to hit the golf course again tonight. Just got back and couldn't wait to share!

Arrived about 7:15 and immediately noticed loads of bunnies hair off the car park! Had to wait for the last fella to finish on the driving range/ practice area but managed a nice kneeling supported head shot on a 3/4 grown. Now I know nerves can take a while to stop a rabbit twitching, but this thing wouldnt sit still after being shot, so my partner put a follow up shot into it's noggin. I went to retrieve it and when I tried to pick it up it tried to run away! I kid you not, this thing was as tough as old boots! I rung it's neck and felt it snap at which point it started squeeling! So a rung it again the other way (felt it crunch), it was still making a right racket so a grabbed a good inch thick stick and gave it two to the back of the neck. Then it died. I know they were head shots too as the entry wounds were clear as day, and the eyes were bulged out from the pressure of the .22 hitting home. Quite a distressing one that, but we sorted it a quickly as we could and 2 head shots into the bargain, can't do much better. Just a tough bunny!

Then went for a stalk about and very soon spied I squirrel as we got up onto a fairway. It saw us and froze, not much time so a standing shot was called for. It was close range, about 18 yards so I felt confident and slipped the trigger. Dropped on the spot to a clean head shot. I was very pleased with that one! We hid it at the base of a tree for collection on the way back. More about that later....

Anyway a mooch about the course surprisingly yielded not much. Few rabbit out but with very little cover it was hard to stalk into them and they were gone before being in range.

On the walk back to the carpark we were discussing doing some lamping next time and decided to try it with the car head lights on the rabbits near the car park. Amazingly it worked! My mate stalked into a covered spot then I drove the car into position and hit the lights. Two rabbits hopped a few paces and stopped to see what was going on, one perfectly broadside to where my mate was sat. A .177 was sent away from his 97k and with a single backflip a full grown male joined the bag.

Now, about my squirrel. We went back to retrieve it not 45 mins after hiding it and it had gone! We then smelt the lovely smell of fox so I reckon one had been out scenting and checking his territory and found an easy meal. Well that's one nil to Charlie then! Grrr!



Jim.

Edited August 27, 2013 by WoodsmanJim

[moxy 617]

Nice write up and welcome back jim

 

Best of luck with the routine and nappies

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Good shooting mate bet it felt nice to be out with the gun again

[Craig Fosse 286]

Nice to see u again jim!, I myself was successful the other day after a few weeks off, two pigeons and a rabbit that I stalked up to for a good 10 minutes because the grass was too long! It's nice to get back to it

[stealthy1 3,964]

Good shooting Jim

[Andy_c 210]

Good right up nice shooting good to beback at it I expect!!

[WoodsmanJim 160]

Thanks guys, it certainly was a great feeling to be back out. Nothing like going for a wander with your trusty rifle in you hand eh?!

 

It felt especially good as we'd been struggling on that ground before the break, so to go back and be straight into getting some in the bag was very pleasing!

 

Jim