Thread: Ruger Walkabout

Had a good morning to kick off November. The farmer asked me to spend a morning knocking out some Rabbits / Hares as he had seen a few more around recently. Requests of that nature gladden my heart and we agreed 30 October was good. That day I was up early, ready to go, when it started raining. So, an immediate postponement was called. After a forecast check the new date was 01 November. It was a better morning, dry but blustery which became something of an advantage.
My arrival was perfectly timed with just emough light for using the binos. I charged the magazine with the current load shooting Hornady V-Max 87gn bullets. Took the usually more than sufficient ten rounds.
Making a beeline for a small hill with permanent warrens I picked out two Rabbits while still more than 200 yds out. Sneaked in to a handy spot above a little gully and saw one of the Rabbits straight acrosss at 111 yds. The Ruger was solid on the Bipod as I squeezed off shot one - and missed ! Sh*t ! That Rabbit bolted down a hole. Mystified to how I missed I was cursing myself when Rabbit two appeared from over the far brow hopping towards me before stopping and sitting tight. I hadn't moved and immediately cranked in another round and lined up. I squeezed off the shot even more carefully and got that satisfying sound of impact. Phew, reputation saved, hopefully ! I remained there several minutes just in case another Rabbit should decide to appear, but all was quiet. So, back on my feet to check the next spot. Instead of retrieving Rabbit 1 I continued up over the next wee hill to check another small gully, which was lush with long grass. Seeing nothing immediately I sat to watch when another Rabbit jumped out, ran across to the other side then stopped still in sight. I had to back up the hill slightly onto a spot level enough to shoot from. This Rabbit was only 97 yds out and was a pretty straightforward kill. Again, I waited in place several minutes but nothing else showed so I walked around and retrieved both kills.

Rabbits 1 and 2


The next spot I checked is along the neighbours fenceline which seems perennially to hold Rabbits in both higher and lower numbers. I covered the first section without seeing anything and bellied up onto the lip of a rise which sits over a short but deep gully. I was just in time to see a Rabbit go through the fence onto the neighbours, where I don't have shooting permission, so I lay there watching as this bunny fossicked about under some gorse bushes. Patience was rewarded when bunny decided the grass was greener on my side and came back through the fence, into the legitimate target zone. The rifle was already set up and the 121 yds distance ranged and the shot was perfect. The 87 gn V-Max pretty much took the Rabbit apart.

Rabbit 3


While still laying there I was surprised to spy two Hares in the gully bottom on the neighbours side happily snacking away that obvoiusly hadn't reacted to my shot. They were moving steadily while feeding, heading my way and I wondered if I might be lucky enough to have them cross the boundary onto my side. Well, they got close but decided they had come close enough I guess. I had to carry on and they bolted away when I stood up. I retrieved bunny 3 and continued uphill to top out on the lip of the rise overlooking the next deep gully. I have only ever found Hares in here but today, right at the far end, was a solitary Rabbit feeding greedily. I had to slither along a bit to get clear of long grass and ended up in an ideal position above, and 112 yds from the Rabbit. Another great shot with the resounding sound of a hit. And another instant kill and messed up Rabbit. The Letzter Bissen is not my doing. This Rabbit died while plucking his last meal.



While I took meat from Rabbits 1 and 2 I debated what I could retreive from Rabbits 3 and 4, but decided it wasn't worthwhile. There was just too much impact destruction so they were discarded.

Discarded ...
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The morning warmed up nicely despite the buffetting breeze and at that point was surprised that it was still relatively early. I thought I would walk on to check some paddocks further back. I got up onto a farm track and near the top there is another deep gully falling away roughly westwards. I sneaked in behind tall flaxes to stay unseen as I peered into the gully where I spied a Magpie fossicking about. These super alert birds usually panic into immediate flight upon seeing any human but this one was oblivious. I knew it was easily in range but cheekily ranged it anyway at 97 yds before pulling off another perfect shot that anchored the Magpie on the spot. I always regard Magpies as a bonus target. There's plenty around here but they are seldom silly enough to present themselves nicely enough to be shot.





I finally reached the last paddock, a big one I hadn't hunted for a while as the farmer has used it for cropping for two or three years. But, it's back in grass now. I cast my gaze over the expanse a couple of times before spying something that suggested a possibility. Getting the binos up I found a brownish form displaying abrupt little movements and I wasn't immediately certain of what it was. I wondered if it was a cat but soon saw the ears of a Hare. I think it was feeding but obviously staying very low as it was not easy to see. I definitely ranged this one as it looked a good distance out and found it was 155 yds. Way across the landscape but directly behind the Hare was somebodys house and for safetys sake I needed to reposition for a safe shot. This achieved I lay down at 145 yds ranged, extended the bipod and examined the Hare with the binos. With his form so low it was damn hard to see detail but finally I could see his head to my right as he turned ever so slightly my way. I lined up and held very carefully for the shot and decided I would hold the crosshair just down slightly into the grass to be sure I didn't shoot over the top. I was sure I was holding forward on the shoulder as I controlled my breathing and ever so carefully sent the shot. I heard the sound of impact and the Hare lept wildly into the air two or three times then disappeared from sight. Nothing else stirred after waiting several minutes so I made my way over there and soon found the crumpled form of a dead Hare. I was pleased my shot managed to connect. That was the most difficult shot on a Hare that I can remember. My shot had taken him in the neck, which explained the fanatical break dancing but it meant I could recover almost the entire Hare. I have a friend who appreciates the meat.
The shot exiting the neck passed through the left ear as the Hare was keeping such a low profile. First time I've done something like that.





Well, that almost wrapped up my morning. I headed back to the truck and ensured I passed a spot where I have sometimes seen Hares hanging around. I cast my unaided gaze over the area and saw nothing. I should have used the binos. I was walking away when some instinct made me turn and look back. Of course, there was a Hare loping away and as I watched he went over a small rise out of sight. Unexpectedly it didn't reappear out the other side and thinking there was hope I hustled around to get a look into the dip. The Hare shoud have been there but I just couldn't see anything. I moved again and the Hare, sitting hard, unseen, against a fence post rocketd away. I contemplated a running shot but realised it would probably be wasted so just watched the escape unfold. Ahh... always lessons to be learned for next time.
It had been a great little outing. I'm looking forward to the next one.