First Rabbit Of 2017 ........

[Jonjon79 13,358]

I popped out with my shooting buddy and a lad that he's taken under his wing last night.

 

I really wanted a rabbit. Shooting rats is fun and, has been good sport but, I do prefer getting rabbits

 

......I like hunting something that I can take home and use.

 

We went to the big permission first.

When we got there, we split up and went to different parts of the orchard.

 

I did see a couple of rabbits but, they were running before I could get within 100yrds

 

After a while, I discovered why - those 2 fuckers had abandoned the rabbit hunt and starting banging away at rats by the chicken sheds

...... Every rabbit in the orchard was doing a runner ffs.

 

Sod it - I joined in and shot a couple of rats.

 

Then, we headed off to the rugby club - no rats there, only rabbits

 

By the time we got there, the cloud was blocking the moon well and there was a thick mist coming in.

 

We tried a few of the usual areas but, they were very thin on the ground.

The couple that we did see were very alert and quick to run.

 

We eventually ended up at the back corner of the club. I decided to go and stand by myself, watching the treeline.

 

I got the GSX100 up on the shooting stick and started scanning left to right. As I panned across the open ground, there was a rabbit running straight for me

 

....... He was still a way off so I kept watching.

He ran forward a bit, then stopped, then ran toward me a bit more, then stopped again.

 

From the size of his head between my 2 horizontal mildots, I estimated that he was within range so, I put the crosshairs right between his eyes, took up first stage ....... then he turned left and ran a bit more.

 

I kept the crosshairs on him and, when he stopped, I aimed just behind his eye and squeezed.

 

The shot was good

It hit home with a crack that I haven't heard since last October.

..... He just laid down without a fuss. Result

 

It took my long legs 43 steps to get to him so, I estimate that he was around 45yrds away, give or take a bit.

When I picked him up to piss him, it looked like the JSB Heavy had completely emptied his head via his left ear.

 

I only got the one but I was chuffed to bits - he was a decent size and, he was in good condition

 

When we got back to the car, I showed the lad how to gut it and inspect the liver. He paid attention and seemed genuinely interested.

 

..... let's hope this is a good omen - I do miss having rabbit in the freezer.

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Today, the dogs had a raw kidney each as a treat - they love those.

 

I cooked the liver and had it in bread with tomato and English mustard. I'd nearly forgotten how good that tastes.

 

And, inspired by Marks recent comment about deepfried squirrel, I did the same with the rabbit, adding my own special chilli, salt and sugar coating - it went down very well here

[big napper 3,619]

Nice one jon, you went out and enjoyed it, 1 or 21 it doesnt matter does it and that looks very tasty pal, nice one.

[j j m 6,555]

nice going mate

[just-A-snap 1,269]

Well done Jonjon, alway a good thing when the drought ends. More to come and soon.

All the best

[bigmac 97kt 13,807]

Fecking hope its me this week end feel like im loosing my touch

 

nice one Jon

 

atvbjimmy :thumbs:

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Cheers guys

 

I did enjoy it - it was so nice to get one.

 

It might sound strange but, it's nice to be able to pick one up by the back legs after spending time hunting it.

 

I even like that smell that they leave on your hands when driving home

[just-A-snap 1,269]

I love the smell of Rabbit in the morning and evening. You know, one time we had a hill full, non stop shooting for 12 hours. When it was all over, we walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, Fing Foxes, not one Fing stinkin' dink Rabbit body. The smell, you know that Rabbit smell, the whole hill. Smelled like AHHHHHH nothing like it Son.

 

Ps

From the film

Where are the rabbit Now?

Edited March 15, 2017 by just-A-snap

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Fecking hope its me this week end feel like im loosing my touch

 

nice one Jon

 

atvbjimmy :thumbs:

I know what you mean mate - I started feeling like that a while back

 

I don't think were doing anything different - they just seem to be more tricky lately.

 

I'll tell you something though - this one was an absolute gift, running toward me like that. The only thing missing was the target on it's head

[mattwhite 1,993]

The first of many Jon.

Well done on not fluffing it under pressure with him running at you too. ???

[si brown 8,486]

Cheers guys

 

I did enjoy it - it was so nice to get one.

 

It might sound strange but, it's nice to be able to pick one up by the back legs after spending time hunting it.

 

I even like that smell that they leave on your hands when driving home

thats cos your twisted

nice one jon... was looking for your post before work this morning

 

I've felt like shooting my mate a few times when he scares the fcukers off!! lol

 

liking the sound of how you did the liver!! yummm

 

atb si

[philpot 5,031]

Funny but I don't like shooting rabbits as nobody wants them, we don't eat them and I don't know anybody locally who does but I need to knock a few off to keep the farmer sweet. Give me rats or pigeons any day.

 

Nevertheless Jon, nice shooting the first bunny of the year. That stock looks superb, beautiful shades.

 

Phil

[Jonjon79 13,358]

The first of many Jon.

Well done on not fluffing it under pressure with him running at you too. ???

Oh mate, you should have seen how focused I got when I finally had a chance

 

I think I would have wrapped my rifle round a tree and taken up knitting if I'd missed that one

[Jonjon79 13,358]

 

 

Cheers guys

 

I did enjoy it - it was so nice to get one.

 

It might sound strange but, it's nice to be able to pick one up by the back legs after spending time hunting it.

 

I even like that smell that they leave on your hands when driving home

thats cos your twisted

nice one jon... was looking for your post before work this morning

 

I've felt like shooting my mate a few times when he scares the fcukers off!! lol

 

liking the sound of how you did the liver!! yummm

 

atb si

I do like that smell - it reminds that I'm not really a shit shot

 

I'm starting to get the hang of getting him to go and check a seperate area

 

The livers are nice mate, give them a go

[ftm 3,357]

well done mate -ftm