Thread: Ruger Walkabout

I hadn't had the Ruger out since early November and was feeling the need. Got permission for this morning, blustery, mercifully cool and overcast. Wasn't sure of what I would find and wasn't overly worried about finding nil as I was simply happy to be walking and looking with the Ruger in hand. I had prior knowledge of one spot where I had noted fresh Rabbit scratchings now and then. Had actually seen this bunny two or three times as it scattered from my approach. I stalked in on the zone slowly and attentively but wasn't seeing anything. The farmer had cut and baled alfalfa only yesterday and I came in from behind one bale to conceal myself more. Finally, close the the fence and the forestry behind I thought I glimpsed something. Binos up, and yes, a pair of ears in the grass. I think bunny knew I was out there but more than 100 yards away it wasn't panicking, yet. The bale enabled me to close to 97 yards and set up gently on the bipod. It was a perfectly steady shot. The 87 gn Vmax is always destructive and took off the offside shoulder completely. Bunny died before falling flat.



The next hour or so was unproductive, surprisingly, as I covered areas where usually Rabbits are seen. Last night the moon was bright so maybe they fed late and were out only briefly this morning. Didn't see any Hares either. Was almost back at the truck when I remembered a small warm pocket that catches morning sun where I have picked off the odd bunny or two. There's usually a warren there too but not permanently occupied. Worth a look anyway. My glance over it was almost too casual and I didn't see anything at first. I was about to turn away but thought I should give a quick once over with the binos. Whoa ! A young bunny at the base of an old tree stump. Only 75 yards from another steady rest on the bipod. Bunny had no clue I was there. The young doe was facing away. I held right on the neck / shoulder junction which is what the Vmax hit. There was only a thin strip of skin keeping the head attached to the body.



Then it was time to head back. Time was not my friend today but it leaves other spots to revisit, hopefully sometime in the near future.