Back out on the bunnies last night!

[Stratts]

Went out with the rapid last night to a spot on the farm that's been hit by the bunnies munching the wheat. Mr Wheatabix won't be happy!!

But 1st I had to gain some energy with one of those special drinks (Not what you were thinking I bet!! )



This is the area they've been munching. You can see how high the wheat should be in the background & a little fella just before meeting his bunny maker!!



I got tucked into the longish grass using my homemade short stix which are perfick for the edges of the fields. Means I can sit up after stuffing meself with McD's instead of laying on a full tummy!!



The end result after about 4hrs, 3 for the game dealer and 5 for the bbq

[RonW]

Shooting/hunting animals when they are a pest or to have food on your plate is perfectly ok, but thinking killing is fun and obviously enjoying shooting animals makes me think there's something wrong with you.

But than again, that's just me.....

[Stratts]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion and I fully respect that mate, but yes I do enjoy shooting otherwise I would not do it! I do it to control the numbers AND put food on the table, along with selling the surplus to a game dealer which pays for my ammo.

If the mods deem my attempt at a light hearted honest account of my experience last night unreasonable then I or they can remove it,

Cheers,

Stratts

[keen-edge]

looks like you did a great job fella nice rapid to mate nice shooting

[Front Room Woodlander]

I must admit I had a permission that sat between my house and the pub. Gathering some meat for friends dinner table or my own with a visit to the pub involved seemed very civilized to me.

[tomongoose]

Good job Stratts, there is nothing wrong with enjoying what you do. I love shooting as well and there is nothing wrong with that. If people don't like it they shouldn't go in the fair game section

[mace242]

Shooting/hunting animals when they are a pest or to have food on your plate is perfectly ok, but thinking killing is fun and obviously enjoying shooting animals makes me think there's something wrong with you.

But than again, that's just me.....

I shoot and enjoy the skill involved. The ability to use and maintain a gun, the fieldcraft involved in knowing the game and how to stalk and kill it. The fact I know how to prepare and cook the game too. It is killing something and that is never the best thing in the world but I would rather I killed it cleanly and quickly without fuss than it died badly through poison, etc.

So on balance I do enjoy shooting but killing isn't fun. I expect that's how most people here that shoot feel.

[Bushwhacker]

Nice work.
I've got to scout out a garden near me tomorrow and, crazy as it sounds, I've been offered £50 to get rid of just one rabbit!
I'll enjoy killing that one!

[Stratts]

Nice work.
I've got to scout out a garden near me tomorrow and, crazy as it sounds, I've been offered £50 to get rid of just one rabbit!
I'll enjoy killing that one!

That's quality is it a were-rabbit though! We need to see pics and a detailed write up of that hunt just so you earn your money!!

[Bushwhacker]

That's quality is it a were-rabbit though! We need to see pics and a detailed write up of that hunt just so you earn your money!!

'Twould be bad of me to pick up a roadkill one, show him that, get my fiddy quid and wait for a phone call to say there's 'another' rabbit in the garden.
And then do that one for £40 as a special deal. *





*only joking, before anyone gets uppity!

[mrcharly]

Shooting/hunting animals when they are a pest or to have food on your plate is perfectly ok, but thinking killing is fun and obviously enjoying shooting animals makes me think there's something wrong with you.

But than again, that's just me.....

I'm a tree-hugging leftie and I didn't interpret the OP in the way that you did.

[Grendel]

Looks like a good hunt.
I'm still looking for my 1st permision to shoot for Bunnys/wood pigeon since nothing near me.

Personally i'm not a supporter of hunting any animals where they suffer such as fox hunting or hunting with dogs but if it's shooting your food with a quick clean kill and your food dosnt suffer I cant see the issue.

[Bushwhacker]

Looks like a good hunt.
I'm still looking for my 1st permision to shoot for Bunnys since nothing near me.

Personally i'm not a supporter of hunting any animals where they suffer such as fox hunting or hunting with dogs but if it's shooting your food with a quick clean kill and your food dosnt suffer I cant see the issue.

Ever seen a lurcher do it's job or a terrier out ratting?

[Grendel]

Cant say i have but i'm more refering to packs of dogs attacking the prey rather than a quick kill with a few bites from a well trained dog.



Stratts: What scope are you using?

[brickie]

Went out with the rapid last night to a spot on the farm that's been hit by the bunnies munching the wheat. Mr Wheatabix won't be happy!!

But 1st I had to gain some energy with one of those special drinks (Not what you were thinking I bet!! )



This is the area they've been munching. You can see how high the wheat should be in the background & a little fella just before meeting his bunny maker!!



I got tucked into the longish grass using my homemade short stix which are perfick for the edges of the fields. Means I can sit up after stuffing meself with McD's instead of laying on a full tummy!!



The end result after about 4hrs, 3 for the game dealer and 5 for the bbq

A good job mate bet the farmers happier now , and why shouldn't you enjoy what you do ,i know i do

[brickie]

Looks like a good hunt.
I'm still looking for my 1st permision to shoot for Bunnys/wood pigeon since nothing near me.

Personally i'm not a supporter of hunting any animals where they suffer such as fox hunting or hunting with dogs but if it's shooting your food with a quick clean kill and your food dosnt suffer I cant see the issue.

I would just like to ask if you have personally witnessed fox control with hounds ,which is now banned or your just going off hearsay , hunting with hounds or dogs is the most effective control in most cases due to that, if the hunted animal escapes it is unharmed and then hopefully passes on it stronger genes on to the next generation where as an ill or weaker animal will get caught and be dispatched , unlike a possible misplaced shot which would result in a slow death or a healthy animal being culled , not that i'm knocking shooting as i shoot myself i'm just saying that even top marksman miss sometimes , imo watching a good dog work and doing a job it has been bred for ,for hundreds of years is one of the best things in the world and i feel it brings me closer to nature ,although it is not for everyone

[Dougster]

I would just like to ask if you have personally witnessed fox control with hounds ,which is now banned or your just going off hearsay , hunting with hounds or dogs is the most effective control in most cases due to that, if the hunted animal escapes it is unharmed and then hopefully passes on it stronger genes on to the next generation where as an ill or weaker animal will get caught and be dispatched , unlike a possible misplaced shot which would result in a slow death or a healthy animal being culled , not that i'm knocking shooting as i shoot myself i'm just saying that even top marksman miss sometimes , imo watching a good dog work and doing a job it has been bred for ,for hundreds of years is one of the best things in the world and i feel it brings me closer to nature ,although it is not for everyone

That's why I nearly always take a dog stalking with me - if I fluff the shot (touch wood not yet) then he helps me finish it quick.

I enjoy the shooting, I enjoy the stalking, the sense of achievement and the eating it. Not overly fond of rabbits myself but they are good when cooked - it's the gutting that gets me - no problem with deer, just wabbits.

Enjoying the sport makes you want to do it better - and that's good for all involved. Looks like you have it cracked. Good shooting.

[Grendel]

I would just like to ask if you have personally witnessed fox control with hounds ,which is now banned or your just going off hearsay

I must admit only going from what i have heard (so probably somewhat jaded information). I dont have 1st hand knowledge since still looking to go on my first hunt but personally for me if you plan to make use of what you kill and the animal isnt deliberatly made to suffer and dispacted quickly i dont have a problem just some methods would not be my choice.

[spoony]

I would just like to ask if you have personally witnessed fox control with hounds ,which is now banned or your just going off hearsay , hunting with hounds or dogs is the most effective control in most cases due to that, if the hunted animal escapes it is unharmed and then hopefully passes on it stronger genes on to the next generation where as an ill or weaker animal will get caught and be dispatched , unlike a possible misplaced shot which would result in a slow death or a healthy animal being culled , not that i'm knocking shooting as i shoot myself i'm just saying that even top marksman miss sometimes , imo watching a good dog work and doing a job it has been bred for ,for hundreds of years is one of the best things in the world and i feel it brings me closer to nature ,although it is not for everyone

Fow hunting with hounds and horseman is not about fox control, its about sport. Its a bit different to useing working dogs like lurchers. Best way to control foxes is with someone that knows what hes doing with a rifle caller and lamp.

[Silverback 1]

Shooting/hunting animals when they are a pest or to have food on your plate is perfectly ok, but thinking killing is fun and obviously enjoying shooting animals makes me think there's something wrong with you.But than again, that's just me.....

Here we go again,another 'anti' that can't wait to click on a thread that he knows he won't enjoy reading

[JAG009]

Shooting/hunting animals when they are a pest or to have food on your plate is perfectly ok, but thinking killing is fun and obviously enjoying shooting animals makes me think there's something wrong with you.

But than again, that's just me.....

If you dont like looking at these types of threads... keep your nose out of fair game and keep your comments to yourself


Jason

[brickie]

Dougster i agree fully with your reply , and it's good to hear that someone else gets enjoyment from their sport as well .

Grendel thank you for being honest with your reply, all i can say in response is try and find someone in your area to take you out after rabbits or rats as there still legal to hunt , i guarantee after you see a dog work after a rabbit you will sell the air rifle and want a lurcher , either way good luck in your hunt for permission ,it's not that easy to get off farmers ,well not around here anyway

Spoony i agree that with some packs its more about sport than control , but there are packs where its about sport and control , usually foot packs or gun packs i.e lake district and hill country in Wales and Scotland and they were effective and you are right about rifle , caller and lamp , but the rifle men iv'e come across are only interested in numbers not the welfare of their quarry or the effect that shooting big numbers now will have on the future , i think that all methods of control i.e shooting ,hounds, lurchers or terriers , all have there place as along as the person behind them is sensible and respects their quarry, yis

[RonW]

Let's just say I misunderstood the initial post by Stratts, because I was under the impression that he actually enjoyed the KILLING. Since he altered his post, I can not point out to you why I did get that impression.

As stated I have no problems with hunting or shooting for pestcontrol or consumption, for I would one day very much like to learn it myself. I am only opposed to the killing for the fun and the sport of it.
So NO, I am not an ANTI-hunter, which you can clearly read in my comment, Silverback and JAG009, but judging by your typical comments, I assume you guys are "hunting sportsmen" too?

[JAG009]

Let's just say I misunderstood the initial post by Stratts, because I was under the impression that he actually enjoyed the KILLING. Since he altered his post, I can not point out to you why I did get that impression.

As stated I have no problems with hunting or shooting for pestcontrol or consumption, for I would one day very much like to learn it myself. I am only opposed to the killing for the fun and the sport of it.
So NO, I am not an ANTI-hunter, which you can clearly read in my comment, Silverback and JAG009, but judging by your typical comments, I assume you guys are "hunting sportsmen" too?

No am not a hunting sportsman... i dont even own a air gun but i have no problem with those that do ,,if i had the time i would hunt for all my own meat


Jason

[awarner]

There are different levels and interpretations using the word "enjoy" I certainly enjoy going after the quarry but there is always a purpose which quite often people do not understand. I would hope no one here kills because they can, there is a set quarry rabbits crows etc and not just anything that moves.
The wife for example can not understand pest control and with rabbits for an example thinks of them as pets which is far from what a wild rabbit is.

[Stratts]

Awarner, maybe show the Mrs the pic of the munched wheat and explain the damage they do? Then tell her the reason Wheatabix is so expensive is because the bunnies get there 1st if we don't control them, lol!!!

A friend had an assessor on his farm and last year they estimated losing about £44,000 of crops to pests (mainly pigeons) which would pay 2 farm hands basic salary. Another farmer I shoot for lost 10% of his peas to pigeons on 280 acres so refuses to grow them any more!!

[Grendel]

Blimy 22k basic salary for a farm hand i'm definitly in the wrong job.

[Bushwhacker]

Rabbits cost our economy upwards of £250 million per year (Yes, a quarter of a billion pounds!). Not only through damage to crops, but also infrastructure.
Not so cute now are they? How many schools or hospitals would that sort of money support?

Blimy 22k basic salary for a farm hand i'm definitly in the wrong job.

It's a pittance considering the hours they do.

[Grendel]

It's a pittance considering the hours they do.

Good point probably more than the 37.5 i do as an NHS slave.

[Bushwhacker]

Good point probably more than the 37.5 i do as an NHS slave.

I live on a farm, no way would I work on one.
100+ hours a week with hardly a day off? No thanks!