Cracking day/night out

[bullmastiff 615]

After a cracking afternoon out with the Air rifle and Tia (see Air rifle section) I got back to the farm for a cuppa to warm up a bit, then grabbed the lamp, my Xmas pressie (Lidl NV Monocular) and Roo then headed out into the fields for a look about. Usually I'm restricted by time or other people with me but this time it was just me and the dog (first time in ages!) so I could mooch about as much and for as long as I liked.

Pottering through the first field I switched on the NV and got used to the focusing. Having never seen/used one before I was amazed! I was expecting a really grainy image but it was more than enough to spot a rabbit out to about 75-100yds! and a glowing eye from much further!

I got near to the gate at the end of the first field and started playing with the focus trying to get used to it, when I spotted an eye just out from the hedge squatting under a tuft of grass. Slow quiet stalk using the NV and I managed to get between it and safety within about 10-15ft of it! NV off then lamp on and the Rabbit sh*t itself! jumping straight in the air! Roo launched but overran as it ran straight for the hedge, quick turn and Roo was back on it again and managed to turn it from the Hedge as he made a strike twisting over his shoulder? he screamed at this? I don't know if it was down to frustration or turning an ankle/toe? either way it didn't seem to affect him as he got behind it straight away and made a good catch in the gateway.

Two fields over and I spot another glowing eye at 100yds start to stalk closer and it's off like a rocket across the field? by the time I've got the lamp on, it's a long way off. Quick flick about and spot why the Rabbit high tailed it, bright Yellow eyes stare back at me and Roo from where the Rabbit had been. Finally a chance to test Roo without Tia crashing the party! By the time it realized it was in trouble it was too late and as Roo reached for the strike it rolled over and tried to defend itself. So not the most exciting course but an exceedingly quick kill from Roo which I was pleased about. In the time it took me to jog the 100 yds he was picking it up trying to retrieve it!!

I dropped everything as I approached Roo to give him loads of praise and managed to loss the slip lead! First time on the lamp without a lead so was a bit apprehensive buit Roo shined at it! walking maybe 5ft from me and stopping quiet as I shined the lamp about. spotted our first squatter (never had one before) and walked straight at it hissed Roo on to then have him run straight over it and run down the beam all the way to the hedge! called him back and walked him right up to it, still nothing so went to poke it with my foot and it took off, it must of been young as it didn't put in any turns and just tried to straight line the dog to the hedge. Nº 2 in the bag.

There just seems to a real shortage of Rabbits about at the moment, out of only 3 Rabbits seen we managed to get 2 of them in the bag.

On the way back to the farm we walked up across a 12acre winter wheat field and spotted a Roe stood in the centre, a quick stalk just for a look at it and found another four sat on the ground around the fifth and none of them seemed fussed out being in the lamp, quick phone call to the Farmer and he confirmed he still had a Freezer full so lamp off and headed back to the farm for a well earned hot brew for me and warm lights for Roo.

 

Yet again the rescue pooch has given me a bit of sport and put something on the table! He's just simply a pleasure to be out with.

Thanks for reading

 

Luke.

 

Edited to add pic. Their a fair size pair of bunnys, the knife next to them is 6inch's blade to handle.

[Tyla 3,179]

Sounds like a really good day, its great when the dog performs well like that

[bullmastiff 615]

I'm not hard to please! a day out with just the dogs for company and perhaps a little sport thrown in and I'm happy!

[Guest fence_hopper]

whats the lidle night vision like i seen it there the other day

[bullmastiff 615]

As it's the first I've ever seen/used I can't compare it to any other for quality etc. but so far it's proving to be really useful.

The rabbits round my way are very lamp shy so as soon as the lamps turned on, their high tailing it to the hedge and seconds later the entire fields empty. It was getting to the point that I had to slip the dog down the hedge before even switching the lamp on!!!

Now I can walk into the field, scan around with the NV, spotting and stalking rabbits into slippable distances before reaching for the lamp. So for Lamp shy quarry I'd definatly recommend it.

Downside, it's another piece of equipment to carry! and a fairly delicate piece at that! Three hands would be handy to hold the NV, lamp and dog!! although I found you can hold the NV strap between little and second finger and the lamp between the index, middle finger and thumb.

 

Sorry it's not a more through review.

 

Cheers

 

Luke.

[bullmastiff 615]

posted twice.

[collie/grey 238]

I really enjoyed reading your post, good write up and it did sound like a cracking day/night out.