whippeter69
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Posts posted by whippeter69
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Haven't had time to put this post up earlier in the week and todays my first chance.
I work a odd shift pattern, 4 days on and 4 days off which gives me plenty of time to go shooting on my days off, its pretty handy actually. I had arranged on my last four off that me and my mate would go do some serious pest control on a couple of farms that were getting hammered by all sorts of pests. Feral pigeons, foxes, rabbits and canada geese. All which we were more than happy to take out of the equation !
The day started with a pump up of the air arms s400, should i add that we only had a hand pump for the gun and we took it in turns to fill the cylinder up. I had forgotten how long it took to use those bloody pumps! Hard work. But anyway, with that done, we fired a few shots to make sure the Premier rounded point .22 pellets were shooting well and that was the first gun of the evening ready !
We made our way over to a farm near me that always had a few pigeons hanging about. The barns are full of cows and feed so it really makes an ideal place for them to live, i don't blame them to be honest. We loaded the single shot Air Arms and began our walk around, tracking turns in shooting. We managed to creep around the farm buildings without spooking too many of the cows. I always get a bit nervous of the farmer if he sees cows rising around in the barns, i don't think they like it that much.
Being here with an air rifle reminded me of when i started shooting, funny enough on the exact farm, hunting the same quarry over 10 years ago! It was such good fun back then, and it still is now.
We had been at this particular farm for around 30 minutes now and had 6 feral pigeons in the bag, that left on the farm yard whilst we searched for more not even the farm dogs fancied touching. Horrible things.
With the birds in the bag and nothing around, we mad our move to the second farm. Funny enough the farmer was going to ring my mate to say he had a problem with pigeons and ask if we could come over. Well a problem was to say the least, there must have been a good 40 when we turned up !
We spoke the young farmer, he likes to chat this lad, don't blame him really. Farmers probably don't get to do much socialising this time of year when lambs and calfs are being born left right and centre. With the 'quick' chat done, we set about doing as much damage as we could, to the pigeons of course.
It was the usual story of feral pigeon shooting, you go to them, shot 1,2 maybe 3 and then follow them around until the stop and repeat the same process. it saves time, waiting for them to come back and also stops any horrible dead leg or arse from sitting down for a stupid amount of time.
An hour in and we had exactly 27 pigeons in the pile ! Not bad. We couldn't retrieve 4 as they landed on roofs or behind cows with calfs in the clafing sheds so we rather not disturb them for a scraggy pigeon.
We made our way back to the van when we could see two rabbits playing in the field next to the yard, a pair of rabbits would have finished perfectly for the session, my mate took aim and dropped the larger rabbit at 35 yards with a lovely head shot. I had forgotten why the sound of a pellet hitting a rabbit skull had sounded like. It sounded good !
The second ran through the fence onto the yard, stopped for a moment and received a .22 rounded pellet to the neck with disabled it not 25 yards from where we stood ! With that done, we informed the farmer that we would return at night when they were securely in the barns and so we could mop them up ! All good.
We returned home to prepare for a nights lamping, you know that feeling when you now you're going to have a good night, i was smiling before we had even started !
I made sure i had everything i needed, bullets, gun, sticks, lamp, caller, battery, license for the old bill incase we got stopped, coat and snacks. All was ready and waiting for darkness to fall. It was a looking to be very good conditions for lamping, not too much wind, very dark and plenty of cloud cover, had there been a drizzle of rain this would have been perfect !
We started on the farm that we had left, Castell, which is welsh for Castle. We arrived, parked in the same spot, got the air rifle ready and began operation 'mop up'. Within minutes we had picked off 10 extra pigeons. It really is the best was to control these vermin. The shooting was second to none, humane and efficient, no loud noises, no "give me a go" as you sometimes get with other so called vermin controllers. We went here to have fun, we were here to do a job.
With a walk around the yard, barns and buildings, we had picked off a rather healthy 20 pigeons, unfortunately, not all were retrievable as to where they had landed, but the farmer did not mind this, he understood that not all the pigeons can be picked up.
With the beams of the barns and cracks in the walls looking free from pigeons in almost all the locations we looked, we were happy to put the air rifle away and trade in for the mighty .223 !
As this farm is in the middle, tail end of lambing, we wanted to try our best at shooting a fox to minimise the chances of lambs being taken, as the usual story goes 'you don't know you've got foxes until its too late', well prevention is better than cure and we wanted to prevent mr.fox as much as possible.
Lamps ready and rifle loaded, we made our way to the top of the yard to call for a ginger ninja in the rather large flat fields of Castell !
I called for a good 10 minutes, my mate with the rifle in hand, as it was his permission i let him shoot first. The red filter on the light force lance is good at picking eyes but you cannot really make out a shape or body at more than 200 yards. But this didn't matter, the red light being propelled from my light force picked up a pair of eyes that were not there thirty seconds ago. I need not inform my mate of the customer, he was already ready for him. The fox was safe, the shot rung out from the Tikka T3 .223 which only had to travel
yards before connecting with the fox, but no slap was heard, only a bullet to disintegrate into grass and the tail of mr fox giving the 'I'm out of here' look ! It was a miss. I whipped off the filter, and my mate reloaded, we waited for the four legged vermin to give the 'last look'. He was a long way away but still in the same field. He reached the hedge and made is was 90' to our left. He stopped, the white light illuminating his rather fearsome eyes, and his body against the hedge. I called the shot good and the shot was release, we waited for the 53 Grain V-Max Superformance to do its job, and the sound of the bullet hitting the engine room allowed me to release the tense hold i had on the light force. He was down!
It was a long long way down the field, we paced it out and the fox had been 270yards from the gateway which we had shot ! Not bloody bad .
We called for a second but nothing showed. It was time to move on. A text in the morning to inform the farmer is all thats needed now.
We moved to the second permission, this being a 2 minute drive from this particular one. Earlier in the day we noticed a field being cut, we both knew what this meant. We pulled into the field and I prepared the rifle. Before i could even unclip the gun, my mate had spotted a fox having a sit down in the pile of grass that had been drying int he sun only 6 hours ago. I readied the rifle and acquired the fox in the Leupold, a nice long breath out, half a breath in, tight hold and a squeeze of the trigger the bullet connected with the fox, for him to only run a short distance, but enough for him to give us trouble to find it ! We searched for 20 minutes but could not find it, we arranged to come back in the boring with my GWP for a good search. I knew the shot was good and the connection was solid.
Across the valley i had notice a second fox, this was laying up in a ploughed field. We could walk right up to this one i thought, it was one of those foxes ! I handed the rifle to my mate, it was his turn. We walked carefully into the field which the fox was laying up in.
My mate readied on the bipod, the fox was not bothered by us, as a busy road was near by he probably thought the white light was that of a car passing, how wrong he was.
The shot was taken and the fox simply dropped its head in the sudden moment of death. She didn't move an inch. Later we would realise that not only did we do the farmer a favour, we did the fox a favour swell. She was an old thing, missing teeth, brown gums, but a large fox by all accounts, a vixen. Not in cub judging by her underside. How strange. A fine sized vixen like this deserves to breed, both those straggly town foxes.
We hung her on the fence for the eye of the farmer in the morning and made out way back the van.
We made our way to another permission that is very handy, you can drive the lane for a mile landing each field left and right, i had the rifle in my hands, and a fox was spotted about
yards from us, a quick load and a shoulder of the rifle and i was ready. A simple, text book shot to the engine room, dropped this young dog fox. He was simply not quick enough. 
We continued on our nights lamping, going to the early hours of the morning (3:30) we spotted a further 3 foxes but they were clever and experienced, the foxes i love to hunt. Its those types of foxes that keeps us wanting more, keeps us going out in hope to finally 'Outfox' the fox.
Here is a picture of my retrieved fox the next morning, the shot was good as i had thought and he was found 30 yards from where hew was shot, just goes to show that foxes can run after being shot, even by a v max .223 that took the heart and lungs out !
Happy lamping guyes, its day 4 for me so i gotta go or il be late for work, but i know what I'm doing for my 4 off !
Josh
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HOLD FIRE, Its not what you think.
Yesterday, i was browsing through the forum and found a comment a gentleman had made about how he had only see 1 fox in daylight in 32 years. Well, it was my day off and I had nothing much else to do so after reading this comment I decided to protest the fact that fox's aren't active during the day (never mind I had shot one in clear daylight not 3 days ago).
I grabbed the Tikka, applied the mod and grabbed my coat, and camera of course. I wanted photographic evidence for this. !
I was heading for a local sheep farm, not 2 miles from my house. It is a great little place, lots of rabbits, open ground, cover, woodland. It is a place where everything can be found (apart from deer……….yet). The weather was perfect, warm, a slight breeze with plenty of sun to really warm those foxes coats up.
The first watch was about 100 yards from the farm yard overlooking a wood which once held foxes in their earths, sadly over taken by badgers. I placed myself on the mound of mud which has always been on this farm, not even sure why but it comes in handy at times like these. The caller was set to rabbit in distress and away we went.
I gave it a very generous 15 minutes of calling and came to the conclusion that there was no fox here, its a small wood and he would have appeared by now. He was some where but not here. Caller switched off and rifle over my shoulder supported by the butler creek sling (Mighty comfy these things) and off i went to another place where i knew foxes would cross. This farm is almost a mound like shape, its high up and has a hill all around it, one side cover in woodland and the other gorse. A fox paradise some would say ?
I walked about this place very carefully, I knew if i was going to achieve the outcome I wanted I couldn't go about with a heavy foot andy clumsy step, you won't see foxes in daylight if you're movement is as such. Instead I was quiet, slow, careful and clever. I noticed along side the old brick wall a mound of mud. I had dug a litter of foxes from here two years ago, the memory came rushing back. As I moved closer to the wall, it came apparent some activity was occurring here. Maybe the relative of the fox i had once removed from this earth has moved in ? Watch this space.
I arrived at my destination and watched for a few minutes before I put the caller into action, just incase mr fox was about. If he was, he didn't cross between the wood and gorse so I activated the caller, again my call of choice was rabbit distress. What fox could resist a juicy rabbit in this weather ? I placed the caller at the base of a tree in-between the two covers and retreated to a safe distance with the rifle.
A healthy 25 minutes where spent in anticipation for a fox to appear and come into my death call. But, to my surprise, nothing! I was adamant that a fox would appear from either side. Theres no reason why there wouldn't be a fox in the vicinity. Maybe i was too loud, maybe i was to quick, maybe i was too stupid. Maybe i was looking in the wrong place. He was not left, he was not right, he was there, right in front of me !!!!
Across the valley, about 600 yards away, a field with a small patch of cover held a happy, playful, healthy FOX !!!! I looked at the time, 6.00pm ? and its still daylight, well, my experiment has produced the expected result. I looked through the scope to see this fox walking about the field, stopping, starting, running, walking. He was enjoying the weather i would also enjoy if i was a fox.
I watched him, through the leupold at 9 times magnification. He was still small. I think i need a nightforce or something.
He played like a terrier would in the long grass, rolling on the bank, jumping in and out of cover, even lying down and jumping up. Maybe he knew i was watching and decided to show how cute they could be. Well, he was being entertaining to say the least.
I recorded through the scope to PROVE that foxes are about in the day time, you have to be in the right place at the right time,. No fox shooter will tell you that foxes aren't about in the day, if so they are probably lazy and shoot from vehicles. You can't enjoy the country side from a seat.
Anyway, heres a little video of the fox in daylight, enjoying life………..while it lasts.
Josh
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I haven't been out foxing for a good month or so, my first taster was yesterday afternoon where we went to see a farmer about a fox problem. This fox had been taking lambs regularly. He would often walk in the fields mid day around the farm with no worry or care about who was about.
We arrived at around 4:30 and went for a drive while the farmer sat in the front of the L200. He pointed out where he had seen this fox not two days ago, and highlighted how bold he was as he watched him trot from the field down and disappear into the reeds and hugh bog/forestry. It was the second field, or maybe even the third and i could see the crows making a fuss, then the unmistakable shape of a fox walking down the fence line to the safety of the reeds. We stopped, i loaded the .223 and rested on the bonnet making sure not to scratch the red paint work on with the Harries bi-pod. I squealed for maybe a few seconds and out pops mr.fox, this was good, the farmer must have thought i was a god at this point. He continued to trot up the field with not a care in the world, nose in the air and looking straight at us.
He came into about 160 yards, any closer and the fence that the field we were parked in would have been in the way preventing a shot. The cross hairs hadn't left his white chest from the second he popped out of the reeds. I then raised them, flicked off the safety of the T3 and pulled the trigger sending a 53grain Superformance down the barrel which would be moderated by the Wildcat Predator 8 and straight for his noggin. "Gwwwd Boiiii" said the farmer followed by a "Got the fu*cker"! I was chuffed. I didn't miss in front of him and I had got the fox many local 'fox lads' had tried getting.
That sorted, we planned an early morning to mop up any other foxes that were around the place.
It was now about 8:30 and time to prepare for some lamping.
I gave a call to my mate to see if he was keen for some lamping which he was. I made sure my lamp was charged, got a battery for my fox caller, cleaned the rifle quickly and got some snacks for the night. Everything in order we arranged to meet at mine for 9:30. Sorted.
9:45 came and we went off to the first destination, nothing much just a few rabbits. I won't bore you with the description of how we walked over land for 2 miles to see nothing, instead Il get straight to the point.
We pulled up at a place where I shoot for the farmer on all of his farms ( He's got 3 ) There were lambs about and i hadn't checked this part for a while now, last time nothing showed. We got the guns ready, the guns being my .223 and his .22, climbed the gate and off we went. 2 fields in and a fox was in the hedge looking rather shifty. He wasn't hang in about but wasn't in a rush either. We walked to the gate way to get a decent rest so i could shoot the bugger. As we got to the gate way he started walking away up the field. With his back to us, i got the rifle ready, lamp on him cross hairs on his head, gave a quick squeak which would stop the fox at around 60 yards and then came the satisfying sound of a headshot. You know the sound, its more of a snap than a whack!!
We called further but nothing showed, I was happy and so were the ews !
Time was getting on, probably about 1:45 by now and seeing as i had arranged to do an early morning i didn't really want to stay out till then, I wanted a kip !!
I returned to mine, put the stuff away and got my head down for 2 hours.
4:30 came and it was time to go, where did my sleep go !!!
We soon arrived at where the fox had been shot in the day time about 12 hours before hand. We parked up and waited for the world to wake up, I love this time of morning !
As the light got brighter and the mist cleared we waited. My .223 in the slip beside my mates T3 Varmint .222, we were ready for battle. We tried the caller, rabbit distress, cubs playing, even hare but nothing. just sheep making the distance between them and us further, mostly likely because of the the range of noises coming from us !
We gazed across the valley at the bank and noticed a shape moving, it was a fox ! He was more than 400 yards, no match for my Leupold 3-9X50, it was just too far. We watched him almost float like up the hill, such a glorious animal to watch in his environment. He was just finishing his night time duties no doubt and on him way home for some sleep. I don't blamed him, i was still a little starry eyed !
We waited for another half an hour, but nothing. We did hear the sound of a coo coo bird in the forest which was nice, i can't remember the last time i heard that soothing noise.
We drove home back to base, on the way spotting a hare flicking its front legs together in the field. Such a lovely sight, i haven't seen on in yonks. ! Funny really, the early mornings are always the best time to be up, nothing like watching the world wake up before you're eyes. !
Heres a few pics anyway ladies and gentle men, more post to come !
Josh
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AWESOME
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I know Mike. Im not a customer of his though.
I go to Lloyd in Lampeter Shooting Supplies and some times down to Llechryd to Teifi Valley Supplies
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£19 !!! Thats not bad. Better than my local £25 !
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The bullets i buy from my local dealer, ask in yours for some Hornady Superformance in 223 and if they don't have any, then tell them to get some. They are about £25 for 20 but they are good mate. The best factory load iv tried.
The set up i use is a Tikka T3 Stainless Synthetic with a 1 in 12 twist rate, Predator 8 Moderator harris bipod and Leupold VX1 3-9-50
Looking to upgrade there scope in the summer to something a bit more powerful but it works well enough having shot a fox a few weeks ago at 350 yards under the lamp.
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53grain V max Hornady Superformance = THE TITS
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Mix bag of approx 172 once fired .223 cases
Bag contains makes such as PPI/Hornady/Remington
All suitable for reloading
No cracks or splits
£30 Posted
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£325 price drop
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£10 a net mate and there is five, do the maths ?
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For sale is my bellman and flint collar and box set bought new in december last year and used a handful of times. Everything is in very good condition, works great and is really a great tool to have for the digging.
Everything is included Box, Collar, Magnet, Charger, Belt bag for the box.
Also 5 fox nets that are in mint condition. Heavy duty 6 foot nets with big pegs .
All included I'm asking for £325
POSTED
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This sight is still full of dicks then !
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Lamping with lamp and rifle by Robert Bucknell
Mint condition and signed by the author himself
Going Foxing
Also mint condition by Robert Bucknell
£30.00 each + P&P
Also
Dig Deep, Throw Well Back by J.Darcy
Very good book and full of great stories of digs and rescues of very good dogs.
Mint condition £120.00 + P&P
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For sale, my 53 plate Vauxhall Combo LPG van 1.6 petrol engine.
This van is very clean inside and has been kept in very good nick by the previous owners.
113,000 miles on the clock (Gearbox replaced with 66,000 miles on it @ 112,000 miles, Clutch Kit and right wheel bearing replaced all at 112,000 miles)
1.6 petrol engine
TRIDENT roof rack
Tow Bar
One Key
Slight dent one right hand side of vehicle and damaged rear bumper on rear left but nothing serious
£1850 ONO
Location : Aberaeron, West Wales
Picture and info put this number into Fleabay !
141045926899
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Got a visit from the local FEO and it was a breeze, hes comes into the bar that i work in and has a lot to do with the rugby club i used to play for and it went fine, he said that hes going to try and not get me supervision as he thinks im fine with out it and iv been shooting long enough, and should have my license with me in not longer than 2 weeks !!
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literraly i have spent £200 plus on fox calls over the years and the best one i have ever used it my hand and lips. A high pitched squeak is all you need, the advantage of the hop bought ones are the volume of them, but you can get a loud sound with youre hand. Bedsides, a proper way to czll foxes is to call in each field, if nothing shows, move to the next one. Call foxes from a long way off and they will hunt you !
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Thanks guyes. Lost my shooting interest in the last 6 months but now after changing my attitude and getting my arse into gear im back foxing with the dogs and rifle. Cheers guys. Il let you know how it goes !!
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Can i not protest this ? AS they have deemed me safe enough to go out with a .17hmr on my won but if they were to apply mentoring to a .223 this would stupid as they have already deemed me safe with a rifle, the fact that its a bigger caliber is regardless of the safety precautions one just take, its the same with all rifle calibers.
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I started with a .22lr that had mentoring on but taken off after 6 months, then after another 6 months changed to a .17hmr now 7 months down the line changing to .223, mentoring ?
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I have traded my .17HMR in for a .223 and mod. My question is will i have to have another interview and go through all that again to be granted a .223 or will they just get on with it, change my license and send it back to me in short time? Thanks
Lightforce Striker/lance housing + red filter
in Miscellaneous
Posted
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Lightforce Striker/lance housing + red filter
Lightforce Striker
Lightforce Lance housing with red filter
Spare coiled wire
Both in very good condition
Both come with boxes.
£100 ONO