Lads thanks for the replies, it did sound a wee bit strange to me, but you know the saying, a friend in need.
Anyway we hit the farm at 23:30 last night and low and behold Charlie was running among the cattle in the top field. Little fooker was very reluctant to leave the herd, bear in mind that the next field was alive with lambs, yet he was happy to scatter the cattle in all directions, strange behaviour.
At last I had a clear shot at him, 150 yards with big white chest sticking out like a light house, how could I miss.