Fog Bound

Saturday morning proved to be a fog out on the stalking front. After seeing 7 Roe out on the last lamping night I was eager to get out and try for one more buck before the season end. Unfortunately due to the pea soup the only Roe spotted were making their way back into the maize for the day. I think both were doe's anyway.

Also had no luck on the search for the other fox from Tuesday. Searched high and low for a body in the tram lines but to no avail. Although I did find a blood trail going into Beach Wood Shore. It was not a heavy trail at all so by all accounts not a good strike.

The photo shows a good head of birds milling around the Shore which was good to see.

Education Education Education

As Tony Blair once said, Education Education Education! The relevance being that last night was an education on a few fronts. Firstly, not to take a shot on a fox that is hurried thus missing said fox giving it a lesson on not to get caught in a the lamp beam. Secondly, there are a number of Reynard's on the farm that are already lamp shy which makes it difficult to even get a shot off let alone getting them in the scope. There must be at least 4 of the beasts that are well educated to first degree honours in the fine art of running at full pelt when a beam of light comes their way. Thirdly, when taking a shot on a moving target a little more lead is required as the pictures demonstrate. This dog fox was acquired in the Ring of Trees field when at first he was spotted by Stephen in a nice sitting position. As I got the scope on him, he started to about turn and depart for the nearest hedgerow offering a going away shot which I took by aiming at his head. The bullet hit the back side area thus stopping the target but not an outright kill. Stephen had to finish him off when we located the animal.

Towards the end of the session another two sets of eyes were lamped. After a few minutes to determine that the bright eyes belonged to Reynard's I took another shot. The bullet strike sounded spot on to me and Stephen. At present no body found to confirm another kill. One of the targets slinked off in to Beach Wood Shore not looking too happy. I will have a good look again on Saturday. If it did hit then there should be either a body to pick up or at least a decent blood trial as 55 grain darts do tend to make a wide exit wound.

A big thank you to Stephen for putting up with the effing and blinding as various targets moved off.

Withdrawal Mode

Absolutely nothing to report from the weekend, just mundane boring home stuff like gardening, hoovering, polishing....where's my pinny..........
Need to get out lamping soon. Hopefully the farm have harvested the maize over the last few days if not made a good start. If that is the case then a major field comes into play where we had a good number on last year.
Crossed fingers!

Indian Summer Shoot Day

Saturday as per the weather forecast was warm and sunny. In fact too warm to be walking across stubble fields trying to find some partridges. Not a day to be dressed in shooting attire.

The end bag was just 4 pigeon, two in the morning and Stephen adding another two later on in the afternoon.

At least the dogs got some practice in for the serious stuff come late October, they got a chance to hunt the ground with Charlie finding the only partridge of the day. Unfortunately he was a little too eager, flushing the birds a good 50 yards in front along a hedgerow. No one was near to take advantage so they made a clean getaway.

We also gave the ducks a bit of flying practice as well which gave a us a lesson on where to place a flagman come October as with last years attempts the ducks tend to lift off on the corner of the river and plop back in by the bridge. It was good to see a good head of wild ducks mixed in with this years batch.

I was glad to get home and change into shorts and T shirt....although Tim (new member of shoot) had brought with him a cracking black cocker, could be a potential suitor for Cody come her season.

Sod's Law

Not brilliant pictures I'm afraid, these are showing a decent buck chasing a doe this morning on the wrong side of the shoot boundary. The buck got to within 75 yards at one stage and although very shootable the trigger finger behaved. Crossed fingers he'll be on the right side next time.

This morning's stalk concluded a Sunday evening at the Alton wood where Martyn eyed 6 doe's (no bucks) followed by my stalk today.

The only bulls eye from the weekend was when a large fat woody managed to score a direct hit on me whilst smoking a cig, never seen so much s**t come out something reasonably small. I have been told though that I should have some good luck coming my way............