Late Dusk - ranging

[McSparkie 0]

Still trying to Christen my new toy here and getting mighty frustrated in the process!

I was out on the hill where I have seen some bunnies previously.

There is an avenue that runs east to west. The wind was coming from the west - I was coming into it.

I had been digging myself through the bracken, brambles, barbed wire and gorse to get to where I'd seen the little darlings previously, off to one side of the avenue.

I saw one, but about 70 yards away.

So (in my new 'lucky' DPM jacket) I crept as carefully as possible up to the spot. I even managed to get into the clear avenue, sticking to the edge and crawled (bear in mind I'm in Wales and the weather has been less than summery) up to him. I was a bit confused at one point when he bolted, until I realized a buzzard right overhead was responsible. The buzzard buzzed off and matey made a re-appearance. I got right up to the last bit of cover, sighted up, knew he was under my zero point, but by now the light was almost gone.

Guess who forgot that in the dark things look further away than they are?

I took a shot and my prospective dinner shot off at 300mph!

I hung around to see if he was feeling brave again, but no-show.

I then walked to where he had been to check for blood (none), but was really surprised that he had been sitting at about half the distance I had thought he was!

I'll bear that in mind at 5.30am tomorrow

[gilly-93 31]

LOL You make sure you get him next time take your time and sqweezeee

[hughesey1552 0]

unlucky mate, ive got the sam feeling here, im struggling to christen my new toy aswell.

what gun you got matey?

Im hoping to get out on my permission tomorrow and ill stay out all night if i have to lol.

 

Ryan

[McSparkie 0]

unlucky mate, ive got the sam feeling here, im struggling to christen my new toy aswell.

what gun you got matey?

Im hoping to get out on my permission tomorrow and ill stay out all night if i have to lol.

 

Ryan

 

(sits back and waits for the abuse)

A Umarex 850 Air Magnum .22

[Coney 3]

Never mind mate there's always another day....keep at em!!

[davyt63 1,845]

good read buddy it will still be there netx time you go try getting there before sunrise

happy hunting

 

 

davy

[McSparkie 0]

Woohoo! No 1 in the freezer!

 

I got up before dawn again for the next round. I decided to use my new monocle toy instead of swinging the rifle up every couple of yards, to minimize my visibility.

The bloody thing is going to the kids as a new toy! The first I saw of my friend and his mate was when they decided I was too close and made for the bushes.

If I'd been using the scope I would have seen them well in time to creep up on them.

Grrrrrrr!

 

However, I decided that I should scout out another area where I have seen droppings.

 

I had a fag, then went into stealth mode (I knew the wind would be coming straight at me and I'm about to get my prescription to help me stop, so thought I might as well enjoy one while I could ), crept up the hill and had a scan round. After much sneaking and scanning and creeping, I spotted a pair of ears poking up, behind a small rise. They were a bit further than I felt comfy with, so more crouching and creeping. The next time I stuck my head up to see if he was still there and how far off he was, I spotted yet another pair, much closer and at a range I felt was spot on. Duck down, shuffle into slightly more comfortable position, gun up, safety off, straighten up a bit, cross hairs just to the rear and below the ear and squeeze.

 

Bunny leaps into the air, lands flat on his back, legs up, rigid.

 

Unfortunately his mate decided enough was enough.

 

So I have 1 skinned and gutted bunny in the freezer (the wife refuses to try any of the recipes I have downloaded until we have a few more [which isn't so bad, as it means I 'have' to get out again ]).

 

My aim was slightly off, in that I got him just to the rear of the base of his skull, but it was clean and quick (which I am extremely grateful for).

I was surprised at how profound his end was. If I'd smacked him with a sledge-hammer it would have been about the same.

 

As an aside: I was concerned about all the threads I've read recently that CO2 powered rifles are pants in the cold. They may well be in comparison to springers, but it killed matey good and quick, which is what I was after.

 

Christened yours yet Hughesey?

 

Ta to you others for the words too.

 

Will practice some more to try to get a bit more dead-eye-dick.

Edited August 21, 2008 by McSparkie