The day
was quite cold, but dry & sunny, I had a couple of tiny jobs to do in the
morning, a couple of invoices to deliver, and a few errands to run for the wife.
On the
way home I decided to grab my rifle, and take a quick
trip to a local farm.
I arrived
at 2:00pm and parked by the farm gate, and as I entered the field I saw 4 rabbits
sat watching me from about 45 yards away.
I walked
further into the field, and slipped the rifle from its case...
...the
rabbits disappeared in double-time.
I carried
on up the gully towards the main warren, and peered over the banking to the
grazing area.
I counted
8 rabbits feeding, but couldn't approach them because 2 cows were laid between
us. If I'd have approached, the cows would have got up and alerted the rabbits
of my presence. So I carried on up the gully to the warren in the crater.
There
were 12-15 rabbits on the banking, and I raised the rifle slowly and took aim at
one sat 25 yards away.
He rolled
down the banking, and lay at the bottom stone-dead.
All
except 1 rabbit dived for cover in the warren, but he lingered too long.
I pulled
the cocking bolt back, the magazine rotated and placed the next pellet into
position. I slid the bolt forward and the pellet was pushed into the breach.
I placed
the crosshair halfway between his ear & eye, and squeezed the trigger.
He
slumped where he was sat, and I went to retrieve the 2 rabbits.
I took a
stroll round the field, and spotted 2 large rabbits sat near a dry stone wall.
My mobile
rang, the "Blackadder" theme tune rang out loudly, and they dived into the wall.
As I
finished the call, I took 1 step forward, and saw a rabbit grazing.
She
hadn't been disturbed by my phone ringing, or me talking. So I raised my rifle,
and placed the crosshairs on her forehead.
She
slumped on the spot, and I went to collect her.
I had 3
rabbits in the bag within 5 minutes.
I went to
check the 1st warren, 1 rabbit was sat outside watching me, but disappeared into
a hole.
I checked
the middle warren, but the cows were near it, feeding from the cattle-feeder,
and no rabbits were out.
I had
another check of the crater warren, but all was quiet, so I went back to the
car, and headed home.