Adventures with Charlie

[firepower 68]

My regular shooting partner told me the other day that he had seen a fox in the same spot at different times on different nights. There is or was a large warren at the base of the rather large bank where it was seen so we presumed that it was a vixen that had evicted the rabbits. The field is next to a main road and has a lay-by right next to the wooden fence that runs along the full length of field. We parked up on the lay-by and did a quick scan of the field. Sure enough as soon as the lamp went on we were greeted by the bright orange eyes in the distance. Knocking the lamp off my buddy turned the caller on and we waited a minute or two. A quick run of the lamp on a lower power showed us that Charlie was there but resolutely turning a deaf ear to the call. Very frustrating, to say the least. Off went the lamp for a second time. Hopping the fence onto the grass apron that the farmer has kindly left for us to patrol in less inclement weather I set the .243 up on the bipod and assumed the prone position. On went the lamp and lo and behold Charlie had gone. "There it is" said the other chap that had tagged along with us. Where I asked to be told it was still in the same place, I was feeling a little puzzled until it dawned on me that the lamp holder was actually still on the bloody lay-by, making the lamp too high for me to see the reflection back. With this put to rights the lamp went on, an exhalation of breath, a gentle squeeze on the X-Bolt's trigger and from afar came a resounding thwack. The lights went out. The chap with us said it was a miss and he had seen the fox leg it. The lamp holder said it was a hit. The field is more like a lake at present so a walk across was not an option without traipsing around eight hundred yards around the field, climbing fences and cutting hedgerows. Today I had the opportunity to go exploring from a different direction. In exactly the same spot was Charlie, a definite hit. I popped onto Google earth and measured the shot at 235 yards, my longest fox to date and the perfect record of the X-Bolt rolls on. The fox was a large healthy dog so I am guessing that the vixen is around that spot too. Stroll on next Tuesday

[bob.243 10,001]

Great read FP.

[waidmann 105]

good write up bud and well done with charlie

[martin 332]

Well done mate,but,do you always turn the lamp off when you have spotted a fox and then move in on it?I ask this because it is my opinion that this will certainly(with a slight back light...horizon)give your position/outline away to the fox and result in more running than staying in place.If you leave the light on,but keep it pointed low on the ground(between you and the fox)the fox won't be able to see you at all resulting in far more dead reds..........good shooting mind.....Martin

[firepower 68]

Well done mate,but,do you always turn the lamp off when you have spotted a fox and then move in on it?I ask this because it is my opinion that this will certainly(with a slight back light...horizon)give your position/outline away to the fox and result in more running than staying in place.If you leave the light on,but keep it pointed low on the ground(between you and the fox)the fox won't be able to see you at all resulting in far more dead reds..........good shooting mind.....Martin

Point well made Martin, especially as there were street lights behind us, could well explain Charlies reticence with the call

 

I will give it a try on the next outing

ATB

Mick