Lamping the night away

[Guest JohnGalway]

Saturday 1st November.

 

Late start tonight, Schindlers List was on the box and it was a good half way through, to be honest I wasn't really paying it much attention. I've been breaking in a new lamping backpack. It's waterproof and ex French army. Large compartment with a smaller one in it against my back, I keep the battery in there wrapped in a balaclava as a bit of cushioning. Two side pockets. got an LED torch plus a hat in one and gloves and my two tail removing dowels in the other. I had two reasons to change my old one, it had started to get a bit weak looking. There were a few holes appearing and I didn't really need a battery falling out through the arse of it in the middle of nowhere in the dark. Also, I wanted a backpack that would carry the battery a bit higher on my back. I was fed up with getting smacked in the lower/middle back anytime I needed to jump an obstacle - which can be quite often. First impressions are very good, it's very sturdy and fairly quiet once I'd taped up the surplus buckles, but it's a little squeaky due to the waterproofing material but that's no major hassle.

 

I loaded up my 20amp battery and connected the Striker, checked I'd my remote caller and it's bits and bobs, rangefinder, head lamp, bullets and oh yeah, my rifle. Usually comes in handy. I set off for my first port of call, just a quick stop in a place I can lamp the front of the hill my dad has his ewes on. Sometimes there'll be a fox crossing it from right to left, they don't often go the other direction for some reason, only once have I seen it happen. Maybe they do it very late in the night when I'm warm in my bed! After scanning and waiting around then scanning again there's nothing to be seen. Not much patience tonight so time to move on.

 

Second spot of the night is rather hilly and quite boggy. Tough going for walking in. I'm there a little while when I see a funny looking eye near a bunch of ewes on a hillock. I'm suspicious right away but not entirely convinced because of the way it's acting. I dim my lamp and decide to sneak in for a closer look. I've to go slow, it's a quiet enough night not much wind, and the ground is sodden. I loose sight of the funny eye as I stealthily squelch my way towards a rocky outcrop. As I move through the rocks I see a better position to take a look from so I make my way there. Just as I approach it, a nice little hillock with a good rock on it for shooting from I spy that funny eye again. This time it definitely looks foxy. A quick spy through the rangefinder gives me 138 yards.

 

I extend the bipod legs fully and chamber a round. I've settled nicely now and through the scope I can see my fox moving left to right across a little rise. She's near enough the top of it for me to hold fire and follow her hoping she'll find a little hollow to dip into for a moment so I can take a safe shot, which she does. As I shout "Hey! Hey!" I mentally slap myself good and hard for not yapping or barking first. Whatever. My fox stops and looks, I've the crosshairs lovely and steady just behind her shoulder and I squeeze the Jewell trigger.... Nothing. F******G NOTHING! Guess which dimwit left the bolt up when he chambered the round? Mmmm no, wasn't me, honest injun.

 

Bolt down good and fast, make sure the safety is off. I look over my scope and spot eyes to the right of where she'd stopped. Back into NXS view and I see her against the reticle. I shout again, she's stopped well down the rise looking at me, Boooooooooooooooooooom! - Thud!

 

*Exhale*

 

That's about all my luck used up for this month I think lol. This years vixen I'm thinking? She was 140 yards off when the little Vmax connected, knocked her right over and it was lights out.

 

 

 

I take the tail, and decide to bring my fox back to the car. I need to bait some hoodies and they love when fox is on the menu. Besides, why let her go to waste. I take note of my surroundings and head off across the bog towards the car. Or at least I think I do. I'm walking for a while when I cop on I should really be there by now. Oh yeah, this is about the time when a 20amp battery, a varmint barrelled rifle and a vixen start to get real heavy. Remember the thermals and waterproof trousers? Exactly....

 

Right, think. Get to the top of a hillock, can't be too far away. Now, getting lost in this place isn't a nice prospect. Think bogs, swamps, lakes and rock. That's about it. I am lucky enough the sky is lightish behind the mountains, and I take another bearing with a local lighthouse. OK I know which side of the road I am as well so after exercising the grey matter I work out I walked too far and went past the parking spot. It wasn't that nice a feeling walking to a spot and finding a lake and bog when I expected a car lol. Drama over.

[SportingShooter 0]

Finding a lake and Bog

 

I'm not bloody surprised!!! If you're road signs weren't in double figures, maybe you would know where you were going!! What was that about locals not needing signs :laugh:

 

Well you are having some success now John, there are a few about after all and not quite exterminated by the "man with a high powered rifle"

 

She looks a youngish fox there, and in very good condition, as all of them you have had so far have been.

 

She was obviously completely unaware of the danger, as she stayed when you were fiddling with the bolt.

 

A few less sheep worriers now, whats that 4 or 5 ye've had now?

 

Good shooting and as ever a great read bud

 

SS

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Bolt up............ oh my god...........had you time to practice your 3 shot group on her.......... nice one mate.........gps for crimbo i think.........

[Guest JohnGalway]

Locals don't need signs.... on roads That's five now

 

Where are you going with your three shot groups SS, everyone knows only 27 shot groups really count!

[clivej 0]

Good going John.

How are you getting to like the remington 223 now, a few months back you were thinking of trading it away.

[Guest JohnGalway]

Hiya Clive,

 

Always liked it, I just regretted buying another heavy barreled rifle. But, I'm not lamping as much as I used to, or for as long so I'm adapting to it. I've missed one fox this season, but that was my own fault so I can't find a problem with the rifle Instead of trading I'll probably have it modified in the future, shorter barrel, mod, get a smithy to see if anything needs improving, that kind of thing

 

Any word on your app?

[clivej 0]

Hiya Clive,

 

Any word on your app?

 

Only no word.

I made an appontment to see the Super last Friday with his secretary so may know this week. Not looking forward to it as I'm not good at putting my point of view across well.

And now I can't find my mobile phone to get the appointment time when she calls thats more grief.

 

I was out last Thursday on my own with the 22lr walking in the fields. Stopped to look over a gate for about 5-10 minutes and turned to see a good fox behind me in a thicket about 40y away. He was 6 feet into the field and did not see me at all.

I crouched down slowly, I had a good thicket and tree behind me for cover. Took out and unfolded a bi-pole. By this time the fox had gone into the thicket but a squeeked him back, I could only see his face between some branches now. Put the gun on the poles but again he retreated back out of sight.

Squeeked again and after a while back he came in full view. Got him in the scope. What a beautiful looking animal he was. Full red coat and he looked to be in good health.

Again I took aim between his eyes and let off a shot.

I missed by a mile and now after a know why. I had the sights set for 75m zero and in the thrill of the moment I aimed high instead of low, I know 1 mill dot higher would give me 50m, but perhaps in hind sight I should have not taken the shot at all using only the 22lr.

Mr. Fox lived to tell the tail as did I.

 

I ordered a 75watt bulb for the Cluson shootalite that I got for lamping and a 30mm mount. Hope it will now give a better output and make a silk purse out of that sows ear of a lamp.

I know I should have got the lightforce 170 same as my son has ---- but as always I live to regret. Without mistakes where would I be. (richer perhaps)

Edited November 3, 2008 by clivej

[the cheater 1]

Bolt up just as well you got the luck of the Irish eh John

 

Pleased it ended well anyway she looks older than this years judging by the gums though??

 

Just started back on shifts last night,so will hopefully get some time on my hands to get out after a few!

Was out on the Pheasants on Fri when someone shouted Woodcock over,i close the gun and look up waiting in anticipation only to have a fox run past about 2yards off me dropped 20+ rabbits with the rimmy on Sunday evening so got plenty of bait for him

 

Cheers for the write-up..made me laugh what do you mean it was supposed to be serious

[Guest JohnGalway]

Clive,

 

I'd ring them and give a secondary number just incase, you don't want to be a no-show for an appointment with the Super lol.

 

Your .22lr zero is too far mate, IMHO. Go for 50 or 60 yards With .22lr range estimation is always going to be key. I've shot them with my .22lr, I don't anymore unless he's a dead cert (meaning ideal conditions and me being very confident of the shot), but you need to get it exactly right, there's not a lot of wiggle room for errors. I'd invest in a bipod too, but that's just my way of shooting

 

Save up, buy a Lightforce and sell on the Cluson

 

TC, you git ,

 

Yeah, bolt up, I like to give them a sporting chance.... Cheater See I knew when I typed what I thought her age was I'd have it wrong, lol.

 

Serious. No, not a bit of it, good luck with the red lads, you'll need it

 

Oh yeah, question for you, any wild boar up your neck of the woods?

[clivej 0]

YES TO MY 223 LICENSE

 

I just had to SHOUT this out for all to hear. Just got word from the Supers secretary that my license has already gone up to Dublin and I should have it back in a week or so.

AND it only took 3 months.

I must be one of the first to be granted a 223 license, or anything bigger, here in Kilkenny City for many, many years.

Well my thanks to the new Kilkenny Super

[Guest JohnGalway]

Well done Clive Am delighted for ya mate!

[clivej 0]

Well done Clive Am delighted for ya mate!

 

Thanks John

 

I'm quite choked up here just thinking about "I actualy have my 223 license".

I feared the worst as you know and then the time to go through the courts.

 

No 22lr for those foxes now.

 

IT'S NOT APRIL 1st is it

[the cheater 1]

There,s supposed to be some in a couple of the nearby forests,but not in any of the woods i frequent..yet!!

 

Clive,congratulations on getting your licence passed just remember to drop the bolt when you see a fox as them .223,s are a sod for not loading themselves...just ask John

Edited November 3, 2008 by the cheater

[Guest JohnGalway]

There,s supposed to be some in a couple of the nearby forests,but not in any of the woods i frequent..yet!!

 

Clive,congratulations on getting your licence passed just remember to drop the bolt when you see a fox as them .223,s are a sod for not loading themselves...just ask John

 

Har de feckin har har, last time I tell the truth around here You'd best get busy and rustle up some permission in them thar forests matey, if I ever make it over I wouldn't mind a bit of boar (and that's different from a bit of a boar, I know you'll be there already ).

 

...and no more stripping please, my eyes still aren't the same from the last time....

[clivej 0]

John I thought you were older and wiser that to rise to the bait from 'the cheater'

Never mind about going over the pond come on down to KK for a week end but even though I have over 400 arces to shoot on it must be the only 400 acres without a sign of wild life to shoot.