Back At The Allotment

[chrismdd 787]

After spending the day trying to keep my lads entertained as well as try to resurrect an old outboard engine that hasn't run for 20+ years, I decided I needed a bit of time out to get on top of those allotment rabbits.

 

The wind was in a different direction from earlier in the week and I reeked of two stroke fumes even with a change of clothes so I needed to approach the rabbits carefully from downwind. This meant crossing a muddy cow field so I opted for the wellies rather than my usual walking boots.

 

After a quick zero in the garden and a change of batteries for the lamp I set off at 11pm. As I approached from downwind through the cow field I became more and more concerned about the depth of mud that I was struggling through. In the dark this was getting to a point that would of been comical had I not been carrying my pride and joy the S410. The mud was literally over the top of the wellies and I needed to use the shooting sticks to help rescue myself a number of times.

 

Eventually I reached firmer ground and started the final approach. Putting the lamp on I had my first couple of rabbits out grazing and slowly edged closer. Finally in range I steadied on the sticks and the first was in the bag. Reloading I scanned for more but the other had gone. So back to the fallen rabbit I kept the lamp on it as I went to retrieve it, Fifteen yards away up it gets and runs away! then I realised that this was the second rabbit that must of laid low after its companion hit the deck.

 

Carrying on round the perimeter of the allotments I soon spotted another and an easy shot put the second in the bag. I doubled back so that I could cover the adjacent field and out on the far side a few were out. Lamp off and out I went until I was approximately in range. Back on with the lamp and three were still there, the nearest was still feeding but was obscured by some tall grass so I didn't risk a deflection so went for the second furthest that was now sat up sensing danger which soon became number three in the bag. The nearest one was now up and heading towards the hedge, putting the lamp beam between it and the hedge just managed to stop it long enough to make it number four.

 

Decided to call it a night, two of the rabbits were pretty old warriors so they were dropped off for the foxes but the other two were younger tastier ones destined for the pot (might try that recipe on Masterchef that was on earlier):

 

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

Nice going there Chris and top shooting to

 

was out last night with my grandson but only got a few crows but we enjoy,d our self's .

 

Saw a few kits last night to but we just left them there is not many rabbits left on the old perm we have so letting them be is the best thing to do mind it will take a few years to build it back up lol.

 

Nice looking rifle to, its one rifle i just cant get on with dont know why as there one of the most accurate rifles out there .

 

atvbmac :thumbs:

[chrismdd 787]

Cheers Mac,

 

Luckily round here even if the rabbits are wiped out in certain areas due to us ferreting or myxi they soon come back within a few months. I think it's mainly because round here it is a lot of small fields (crops, livestock and orchards) to the rabbits soon re-colonise by travelling the hedgerows when seeking out new territories.

 

Also last night I didn't mention that a fox was out early on and was a bit miffed at me being there and proceeded to keep a good field or so distance but was continuing doing that spine chingling scream. Interestingly this did not put the rabbits off and if anything they seemed to stay more put out in the field.

 

I know what you mean about not getting on with certain rifles. Years ago I was using three different rifles on a regular basis but was always chopping and changing and never getting perfect with one. So now I just concentrate on the one pcp and have seen my success rate increase as I master it and its limitations. It's a bit like driving different cars or when or use a courtesy car it all feels a bit different to start off with.

 

My mate uses the HW100 like yours and is a great shot with it but I struggle if just 'having a go with it'. Also on my S410 I have a very cheap Hawke scope whilst he has a more expensive Mamba scope but I can never get on with that one.

 

I guess its all down to practise and familiarity.

 

Chris

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

I know where your coming from with the scopes iv had nearly all the top scopes but i do love the mamba mind

 

iv got the panorama 3,9,50 fitted to the hw100 at the moment and a niko sterling 3,9,50 fitted to the ultra you should of seen my grandson last night dropping them crows

 

i only got two lol

 

just go,s to show you dont need expensive gear to do the job

 

the panorama cost me £180 and the nikko £50 lol

 

atvbmac :thumbs:

[random 659]

Sounds a good bit of stalking to get to these rabbits,wet ankle deep mud peeves me most cus of the noise you make when wading through it,travels at night and things we stalk tend to hear well,it's a few off the cabbages though so keeps them happy and you in meat,all the talk of fancy expensive gear always makes me think back to my old lightning,came with a £30 scope that you got when you paid a bit extra for scope,bag,pellets and targets,before I learned any technical stuff and didn't even know what a calibre debate was! Either hit my mark or sent one over the top with that set up,filled many a bag with it and think the whole outfit cost me £250,oh the old times and what I'd give to live them again!!

[mattwhite 1,993]

Nice shooting Chris. Bloody brilliant rifles the s410's. I've had 3 of them and couldn't fault any of them!