Sigmund Fraud 0 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 (edited) Had my first kill today, wasn't out hunting at the time and it was probably the best shot I've ever made. Gotta love adrenaline. I live on a cattery, the cattery is to the left of the house (facing it from the road) and our land lays behind both. The local crow population like to gather at the top of the field containing our livestock (ducks and chickens currently) sitting on the fence posts and gate. As I was walking over to the cattery I spotted a large black blob sitting on the fence posts; at first not sure whether it was a crow or just the light hitting the post, I grabbed a pair of binoculars and confirmed that it was in fact a large crow. The main problem I have with getting the crows round here is the length of this field and the openness of it. There's no way to get within range of the quarry without it spotting you. If you walk too close to the top of the field, they'll just fly back a few fields, if you're carrying a rifle, they'll get out of there much quicker. I'd fashioned a small hide out of the grass lying around and was planning to lie in wait early one morning, waiting for them to land and then take some out; however I couldn't let this one get away. I grabbed the rifle and loaded it, keeping an eye on the crow as I did so. I began walked at a diagonal towards the other top side of the field, hiding the gun behind my leg. The first time the crows line of sight was broken by some tall grass, I dropped down and started moving in the direction of the grass, when I got to it I moved up as far as I could go without the crow spotting me. This left me around 40 yards from it (note that I've only had the gun a couple of days and most of my practice so far has been unscoped, my best shot being a perfect bullseye from 14m with the fibre sights). I zeroed the scope the other night and so felt fairly confident as long as I was steady and aimed slightly right to compensate for the crosswind, I could make the shot. And there was my first kill, in comparison the other crows I've seen around it's bloody massive (I did confirm it wasn't a raven, tail feathers were curved, however it's wing span came close to a ravens, around 3'4". Edited June 17, 2008 by Sigmund Fraud Quote Link to post
mark01856 7 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Had my first kill today, wasn't out hunting either and it was probably the best shot I've ever made. Gotta love adrenaline. I live on a cattery, the cattery is to the left of the house (facing it from the road) and our land lays behind both. The local crow population like to gather at the top of the field containing our livestock (ducks and chickens currently) sitting on the fence posts and gate. As I was walking over to the cattery I spotted a large black blob sitting on the fence posts; at first not sure whether it was a crow or just the light hitting the post, I grabbed a pair of binoculars and confirmed that it was in fact a large crow. The main problem I have with getting the crows round here is the length of this field and the openness of it. There's no way to get within range of the crow, without it spotting you. If you walk too close to the top of the field, they'll just fly back a few fields, if you're carrying a rifle, they'll get out of there much quicker. I'd fashioned a small hide out of the grass lying around and was planning to lie in wait early on morning, waiting for them to land and then take some out; I couldn't however let this one go. Loading the gun I walked at a diagonal towards the other top side of the field, hiding the gun behind my leg, the first time the crows line of sight was broken by some tall grass, I dropped down and started moving in the direction of the grass, when I got to it I moved up as far as I could go without it spotting me. This left me around 40 yards from it (note that I've only had the gun a couple of days and most of my practice so far has been unscoped, my best shot being a perfect bullseye from 14m with the fibre sights). I zeroed the scope the other night and so felt fairly confident as long as I was steady and aimed slightly right to compensate for the crosswind, I could make the shot. And there was my first kill, in comparison the other crows I've seen around it's bloody massive (I did confirm it wasn't a raven, tail feathers were covered, however it's wing span came close to a ravens, around 3'4". nice write upo and good shooting Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Nice one! You get mixed emotions after your first kill don't you? (I did anyway!) Quote Link to post
Sigmund Fraud 0 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Oddly enough, no. The adrenaline took a while to subside, which was amplified by the fact I have a cold, so when it had left my system it was hitting a brick wall. Quote Link to post
SEAN3513 7 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 nice one SF ...................lets hope the first of many !!!!! regards sean Quote Link to post
Sigmund Fraud 0 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Was wondering when you'd show up! Thanks Sean. Quote Link to post
Coney 3 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Great post and great shooting, well done. Quote Link to post
ferretville 69 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 With shooting like that SF you will sure make a mark on them crows. Real buzz notching your first kill that anticapation of the moment when the cross hairs are lined up and a gentle squeeze on the trigger and bang down they go briliant. Quote Link to post
Scuzy 1 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 A good tip, dont look at crows when your walking up to them, they will fly away quicker, if you look like your occupied with something else i.e. looking at the floor, you seem to be able to get much closer to them i find . Anyway good shooting and kill some more! Luke. Quote Link to post
Sigmund Fraud 0 Posted June 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks for the tip Scuzy, that's what I was trying to do. We've got a strip half way up on side that we use for vegetables. Lots of people are always walking up there to farm it and the crows don't seem to care. That's where I was going with the diagonal, then just ducked out of it's line of sight. Quote Link to post
celticwar 1 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 nice one mate great feling first kill Quote Link to post
moxy 617 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Well done mate. I hope that is the first of many for you. ATB Quote Link to post
LOGUNSOLO177 0 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Nice shooting mate!!! I love the rush too hahahaha!! Quote Link to post
felltool 5 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 (edited) Well done mate 1st of many to come, good luck in the future bud Edited June 17, 2008 by felltool Quote Link to post
victor 10 Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 the adrenaline is awsome, wouldnt know with shooting crows but i have shot birds with my bow, it is soo wasome when they are lined right up. anny way keep it up Quote Link to post
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