Pellet Pinger
Well-Known Member
Tell me about it, bloody hard work sometimes!!
Out last night.
- Thread starter finnbear270
- Start date
Nickb
Well-Known Member
Hardest part is carrying all the game back to the motor
Especially as I am always solo.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
12&13.
So I checked the camera Monday afternoon and a fox was visiting. So Tuesday I went for a few hours in my barn retreat but nothing showed. I wasn't expecting anything as the visit happened early morning around 07:00.
How wrong was I!
On checking the camera today the fox's, the pair that had been frequenting but had gone on vacation somewhere were not only back but were on site as I arrived yesterday around 19:00!
So today I made sure I was there before dark and settled in.
Sure enough at 19:00 the dog turns up, not to the bait, oh no, to the down wind side of the barn! He checked to see if I'm there! When he realized I was he was staring at me staring at him!! So off he trots around a pithole to emerge about 120yards away staring yet again at me. Under pressure know this blighter isn't going to ever give me a chance the little HMR fires and down he goes. Woo hoo got him.
I gave it half an hour more and bugger me the vixen come trotting in text book.
While I was there I watched teal, mallard and geese dropping into a flooding. I also watched snipe chasing each other around and listened to the pheasants shouting at the moon.
" Keep m down" the old chap would say and I intend to just that.
So I checked the camera Monday afternoon and a fox was visiting. So Tuesday I went for a few hours in my barn retreat but nothing showed. I wasn't expecting anything as the visit happened early morning around 07:00.
How wrong was I!
On checking the camera today the fox's, the pair that had been frequenting but had gone on vacation somewhere were not only back but were on site as I arrived yesterday around 19:00!
So today I made sure I was there before dark and settled in.
Sure enough at 19:00 the dog turns up, not to the bait, oh no, to the down wind side of the barn! He checked to see if I'm there! When he realized I was he was staring at me staring at him!! So off he trots around a pithole to emerge about 120yards away staring yet again at me. Under pressure know this blighter isn't going to ever give me a chance the little HMR fires and down he goes. Woo hoo got him.
I gave it half an hour more and bugger me the vixen come trotting in text book.
While I was there I watched teal, mallard and geese dropping into a flooding. I also watched snipe chasing each other around and listened to the pheasants shouting at the moon.
" Keep m down" the old chap would say and I intend to just that.
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
Spot on SD. I was out this afternoon placing a new bait pipe and a couple of cameras and saw another covey of English greys, now also starting to see snipe on a little marshy patch and also seeing quite a few wild bred pheasant, though strangely enough only after 1st Feb.
A check of a camera I put overlooking a bait pipe had clocked foxes at 1815-1830 and 2115. A bit of a rush to get back, lock up and get in position for the early fox. However I reckoned with a clear sky and a fair bit of moon 
it might delay its appearance.
I slid quietly into position and got set up. One up the spout and safety on. I enjoy these bright still nights on watch. My wait was short. I’d hardly settled in when the vixen appeared cautiously. Maybe I had disturbed it with my appearance
. Anyhow 
. An 8 minute wait when I checked my phone. Oh that it was so quick other nights. Another hour and nothing transpired.
it might delay its appearance.I slid quietly into position and got set up. One up the spout and safety on. I enjoy these bright still nights on watch. My wait was short. I’d hardly settled in when the vixen appeared cautiously. Maybe I had disturbed it with my appearance
. Anyhow . An 8 minute wait when I checked my phone. Oh that it was so quick other nights. Another hour and nothing transpired.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Every year, they know exactly when February the 1st has gone, cocky little bast.....Spot on SD. I was out this afternoon placing a new bait pipe and a couple of cameras and saw another covey of English greys, now also starting to see snipe on a little marshy patch and also seeing quite a few wild bred pheasant, though strangely enough only after 1st Feb.
Pellet Pinger
Well-Known Member
Back up to the farm for a wander, spotted one that was zoned out mousing. Watched him for a while then he did no more than spin round and drop down for a kip out of sight! Could just see a tiny heat signature with the thermal but nothing through the scope so after waiting to see if he was getting up i decided to make some ground up for a clear shot, fortunately i had the wind so got right up on him, another sorted before lambing.
I got an opportunity to pop out for an hour or so. Clocked a fox disappearing a couple of fields away as I arrived. Bright moon light and frosty underfoot so not ideal for a walk about. Spotted a fox as I walked back to the farm, he jumped a wall and got out of sight. I guessed on him retracing his steps so got into a good spot and lay prone waiting.....He jumps back over the wall and sits looking at me about 120m. The .204 dropped it on spot.
Big healthy looking dog fox.
Big healthy looking dog fox.
Pitched up at 1830 at the far end of the estate to my recent endeavours. I park underneath a tree on moonlit nights like this and wait. I wasn’t to be disappointed as almost immediately spotted a fox 2 fields away. Shortly joined by a second ! There was no chance of going after them as they would have clocked me smartly. Still, I have their address. They moseyed off up the hill and into the gorse. I watched them intermittently.
But I was not to be disappointed. Shortly afterwards another pair appeared chasing each other at high speed around the fields. After some time of this the vixen headed down in my direction. It was coming along a ditch and I got powered up. Booger ! The battery was flat or dead. A quick change took place but she had moved on. The dog appeared and stopped for what transpired to be a very terminal sniff at my bait pipe,. I heard the vixen calling from the wood and after a few minutes she returned. She stayed the far side of a sheep fence . I decided, why oh why, to take the shot and heard the nasty twang of metal being struck. She left in a hurry and nothing was going to stop her.
But I was not to be disappointed. Shortly afterwards another pair appeared chasing each other at high speed around the fields. After some time of this the vixen headed down in my direction. It was coming along a ditch and I got powered up. Booger ! The battery was flat or dead. A quick change took place but she had moved on. The dog appeared and stopped for what transpired to be a very terminal sniff at my bait pipe,
. I heard the vixen calling from the wood and after a few minutes she returned. She stayed the far side of a sheep fence . I decided, why oh why, to take the shot and heard the nasty twang of metal being struck. She left in a hurry and nothing was going to stop her.
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
No he's a vegan...but his boyfriend love's a bit of bunny!!
.So having spotted a couple of foxes last night I thought I’d give them a try. Shortly after 6 I set up shop on the tailgate of my Hilux. It has a high roof canopy so the rifle is at a reasonable height. The Viperflex sticks were deployed in case I had to go walk about.
Almost immediately a fox crossed a field from a plantation and headed off into cover. Shortly afterwards it returned across the field at speed. This was repeated twice and was puzzling.
Then another fox came up along the bottom of the plantation. 180 yds was as close as I could let it come without fear of it disappearing into dead ground and cover. It paused and 50grains was sent to join it.
The first fox called from the wood and shortly came charging along the trail of the now deceased fox. On reaching it it paused and f##k it I missed. It tore off as I effed and blinded myself.
However it slunk back 10 minutes later. It was over 200 yards away and a bit of a hooly was blowing. I waited, it slipped back into the wood and slowly came up towards the dead fox for a sniff. I could see it in the thermal but not in the NV.
It sloped off and shortly emerged and again tore off across the field. Gone I surmised, ah well. Then I spotted another fox on the hillside off to my right, too far, too windy. I watched and waited. It mooched off into gorse.
Then several hares ran up the hill . It’s partner maybe
. Over the horizon two people came into view. They came down a track in my direction and I put the rifle away. As they approached I heard them speaking French ! as they closed I was amazed they didn’t notice me. I called out in their native language, Attends s’il vous plait. A short conversation ensued as I told them I was after Reynard and they should not be in at night. Amiable enough and they parted with bonne chance. Anyhoo.
After 15 minutes I decided to call it quits, I could see the two foxes intermittently up on the hillside. It was cold, I was cold. So I went to retrieve the dead fox. This is what my Spaniels are waiting for ! I drove a little closer and two rockets disembarked! We were off and a quick glance around and there was that bloody fox coming back to the plantation ! I exhorted the dogs to get back in. To my complete surprise they complied. Up on the sticks and the fox must have sensed something. Obligingly it sat down and offered me a perfect bib shot. Loaded up and away,2 down.
Stopped to unlock a gate and had a Quick Look
up a rather battered game crop. A small hind feeding . No, another fox chewing on a sika skin I threw out for exactly this purpose. Rude not to I suppose. .
Eventually I got away.
Almost immediately a fox crossed a field from a plantation and headed off into cover. Shortly afterwards it returned across the field at speed. This was repeated twice and was puzzling.
Then another fox came up along the bottom of the plantation. 180 yds was as close as I could let it come without fear of it disappearing into dead ground and cover. It paused and 50grains was sent to join it.
The first fox called from the wood and shortly came charging along the trail of the now deceased fox. On reaching it it paused and f##k it I missed. It tore off as I effed and blinded myself.
However it slunk back 10 minutes later. It was over 200 yards away and a bit of a hooly was blowing. I waited, it slipped back into the wood and slowly came up towards the dead fox for a sniff. I could see it in the thermal but not in the NV.
It sloped off and shortly emerged and again tore off across the field. Gone I surmised, ah well. Then I spotted another fox on the hillside off to my right, too far, too windy. I watched and waited. It mooched off into gorse.
Then several hares ran up the hill . It’s partner maybe
. Over the horizon two people came into view. They came down a track in my direction and I put the rifle away. As they approached I heard them speaking French ! as they closed I was amazed they didn’t notice me. I called out in their native language, Attends s’il vous plait. A short conversation ensued as I told them I was after Reynard and they should not be in at night. Amiable enough and they parted with bonne chance. Anyhoo.After 15 minutes I decided to call it quits, I could see the two foxes intermittently up on the hillside. It was cold, I was cold. So I went to retrieve the dead fox. This is what my Spaniels are waiting for ! I drove a little closer and two rockets disembarked! We were off and a quick glance around and there was that bloody fox coming back to the plantation ! I exhorted the dogs to get back in. To my complete surprise they complied. Up on the sticks and the fox must have sensed something. Obligingly it sat down and offered me a perfect bib shot. Loaded up and away,2 down.
Stopped to unlock a gate and had a Quick Look
up a rather battered game crop. A small hind feeding . No, another fox chewing on a sika skin I threw out for exactly this purpose. Rude not to I suppose. .Eventually I got away.
Attachments
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Well done you smooth talking french manSo having spotted a couple of foxes last night I thought I’d give them a try. Shortly after 6 I set up shop on the tailgate of my Hilux. It has a high roof canopy so the rifle is at a reasonable height. The Viperflex sticks were deployed in case I had to go walk about.
Almost immediately a fox crossed a field from a plantation and headed off into cover. Shortly afterwards it returned across the field at speed. This was repeated twice and was puzzling.
Then another fox came up along the bottom of the plantation. 180 yds was as close as I could let it come without fear of it disappearing into dead ground and cover. It paused and 50grains was sent to join it.
The first fox called from the wood and shortly came charging along the trail of the now deceased fox. On reaching it it paused and f##k it I missed. It tore off as I effed and blinded myself.
However it slunk back 10 minutes later. It was over 200 yards away and a bit of a hooly was blowing. I waited, it slipped back into the wood and slowly came up towards the dead fox for a sniff. I could see it in the thermal but not in the NV.
It sloped off and shortly emerged and again tore off across the field. Gone I surmised, ah well. Then I spotted another fox on the hillside off to my right, too far, too windy. I watched and waited. It mooched off into gorse.
Then several hares ran up the hill . It’s partner maybe
After 15 minutes I decided to call it quits, I could see the two foxes intermittently up on the hillside. It was cold, I was cold. So I went to retrieve the dead fox. This is what my Spaniels are waiting for ! I drove a little closer and two rockets disembarked! We were off and a quick glance around and there was that bloody fox coming back to the plantation ! I exhorted the dogs to get back in. To my complete surprise they complied. Up on the sticks and the fox must have sensed something. Obligingly it sat down and offered me a perfect bib shot. Loaded up and away,2 down.
Stopped to unlock a gate and had a Quick Look
Eventually I got away.
My long gone spaniel liked to get her chops around a fox too.
It was a cold wind yesterday.
Hoping to zero new Vixen rifle this morning when light arrives, but will struggle to see a white target frame to bore sight as we have been visited by the white stuff again, will have to spray it yellow with site marker can. 
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Don't eat yellow snow!Hoping to zero new Vixen rifle this morning when light arrives, but will struggle to see a white target frame to bore sight as we have been visited by the white stuff again, will have to spray it yellow with site marker can.
I have bowed to the dark side Smelly, using nice new fleecy Christmas prezzy pyjama bottoms, under shooting keks
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Oooooh, fleecy PJ'sI have bowed to the dark side Smelly, using nice new fleecy Christmas prezzy pyjama bottoms, under shooting keks
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
Out for the first time in a month last night, wind from the East for a change so it gave me a chance to go to the neighbouring farm and try the wood from the other side. I set a bait pipe on the boundary a few days ago with my new camera, so far I’ve got 1 photo of Brock and dozens of photos of sheep, what I hadn’t thought about was that when the wind is an easterly, the sheep will head to that dip in the land for shelter, right under my camera.
Got there whilst still light and as I was walking down the field I spotted something brown racing away at the bottom corner, bugger.
Got the caller out and settled into my picnic chair under a low hanging hawthorn, tried rat distress, fox mating and vixen on heat, nothing for a couple of hours.
Tried rat distress again and whilst it was playing I was messing about with something or other, looked up with the thermal and there’s a fox about three feet from the caller having a sniff. Quickly into full panic mode even though it was sniffing around the scattered kibble, rifle up, NV on, IR on, acquire target, and it was off like it had just stepped over an electric fence that was a bit higher than anticipated.
It was like a rocket all the way to the fence to my left but stopped before slinking into the wood, it would have still been in range but the hawthorn branches obscured it.
Saw another a bit later but it showed no interest in the caller, suspect it was the same one again.
I have now changed the pill back to the 940nm as this has become a regular occurrence, even though I had the torch dimmed down and the beam wide, they can obviously see the 850 quite clearly.
Oh well, try again after my next trip away, which very handily coincides with the first batch of lambs being turfed out of the sheds.
Got there whilst still light and as I was walking down the field I spotted something brown racing away at the bottom corner, bugger.
Got the caller out and settled into my picnic chair under a low hanging hawthorn, tried rat distress, fox mating and vixen on heat, nothing for a couple of hours.
Tried rat distress again and whilst it was playing I was messing about with something or other, looked up with the thermal and there’s a fox about three feet from the caller having a sniff. Quickly into full panic mode even though it was sniffing around the scattered kibble, rifle up, NV on, IR on, acquire target, and it was off like it had just stepped over an electric fence that was a bit higher than anticipated.
It was like a rocket all the way to the fence to my left but stopped before slinking into the wood, it would have still been in range but the hawthorn branches obscured it.
Saw another a bit later but it showed no interest in the caller, suspect it was the same one again.
I have now changed the pill back to the 940nm as this has become a regular occurrence, even though I had the torch dimmed down and the beam wide, they can obviously see the 850 quite clearly.
Oh well, try again after my next trip away, which very handily coincides with the first batch of lambs being turfed out of the sheds.
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