Thread: What little pesties did you bowl over today?

Couple from the neighbors small block, plenty others around but challenging to get a safe shot with the J dub.

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Ran over this on Monday...




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Went out again on Thursday night and it was only when I got there I thought perhaps it won't be a good night considering the moon was half bright but I still went for a wonder and shot just over 70 bunnies and 3 opossums.

A couple of occasions i ran the 10 shot mag dry from one position and shot 26 rabbits out of one paddock alone.

So far in one week I've shot over 170 rabbits, 1 hare & 6-7 opossums and still loads more rabbits present.

We need the politicans to see this thread and realise the impact recreational shooters are having on Pest numbers....

Originally Posted by 223nut

We need the politicans to see this thread and realise the impact recreational shooters are having on Pest numbers....

They might just say we need more 1080!

Originally Posted by 223nut

We need the politicans to see this thread and realise the impact recreational shooters are having on Pest numbers....

If they were serious about environmental issues then they will be passing laws allowing a pest proof fence to be constructed around the hot spots and then using every safe method to extirpate rabbits and wallabies etc. Otherwise it just seems like a whole exercise of futility

Not 26 in one paddock material, but 6 out of a reasonably well shot up paddock will do. Favorable wind meant I could actually shoot this paddock. The rabbits in there taunted me every day I drove home. Sadly the cat outdid me, and got 7, albeit over quite a few more hours.

@quintin... does you cat look like this?

Behaves like that, but is the camo version.
And she prefers the slightly smaller rabbits as they fit through the cat door, so she can leave them on the rug under the dining room table.

12 goats for the quick after work shoot. Had a first, went to cut the back legs off one of the medium sized nannies and noticed a wound channel full of shit. The projectile went in the chest and out by the back leg/ass



Surprised it went through so far being a .223 62gr SP, but i guess it didn't hit bone.

Nice young hare for the .22LR this evening. Dogs' dinner. Had to crawl into a half decent spot to get the bugger, I'd bumped it in the long grass but it hadn't learned to keep running, too late to learn now...



Note how the bitch refuses to look at it. That way, you see, she can't upset her brother nor can she succumb to temptation because what she can't see isn't there...

While I was out last night glassing for rabbits I spotted a bird that I immediately recognised from Australia, a Masked Woodswallow. Very distinctive bird that we used to see a lot in inland New South Wales. I watched it for about 10 minutes and googled it while I sat there to confirm what I was looking at. At the time I didn't think too much of it because I had rabbits and hares on my mind, but on the walk home it occurred to me that the bird was a very long way from home.

Turns out that there's only ever been one confirmed sighting of that bird in New Zealand, in 1972. So to say it is a rare vagrant is probably an understatement. I'm going back there tonight with my son with a decent camera and lens to try and get a picture. He's probably buggered off but no harm in trying.

I suspect the poor bugger has made it all the way over here because he's been chased out by the wildfires. Seems like quite a coincidence.

Big PROUD moment for Dad tonight. Young lad says...

Hey Dad, you going after a hare tonight?
Yeah mate, bit windy for the rimfire tonight though.
OK. But I think I'm ready for the centrefire now.
Ya reckon? I reckon so too. Wanna give it a go?
Yup.

And cool as a you like he setup the .223 Super Varmint, walked out with a purposeful stride, found a hare, ranged it and worked out his drop on Strelok. He dialled, I checked, and the rest is... dead hare. First go with the full sized centrefire on an animal and he smoked it. 173m, quite a breeze, he held on the nose, bullet went straight through the shoulders. Good boy.

Cool thing is about the lad is despite the ADHD and general bonkersness that comes with being a 13yr old testosterone fuelled ball scratcher, he's in no rush. He's happy to learn, happy to take his time. Shoot paper, shoot some cans. Rimfires and small centrefires, always sensible, never a dumbass. He's had the chance to go with the big rifle before, but nope, not quite ready yet Dad. His decision tonight, no pressure. And no hare fever either.

Really chuffed for the lad. As you can tell.

Excellent stuff.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

While I was out last night glassing for rabbits I spotted a bird that I immediately recognised from Australia, a Masked Woodswallow. Very distinctive bird that we used to see a lot in inland New South Wales. I watched it for about 10 minutes and googled it while I sat there to confirm what I was looking at. At the time I didn't think too much of it because I had rabbits and hares on my mind, but on the walk home it occurred to me that the bird was a very long way from home.

Turns out that there's only ever been one confirmed sighting of that bird in New Zealand, in 1972. So to say it is a rare vagrant is probably an understatement. I'm going back there tonight with my son with a decent camera and lens to try and get a picture. He's probably buggered off but no harm in trying.

I suspect the poor bugger has made it all the way over here because he's been chased out by the wildfires. Seems like quite a coincidence.

Id love to see the pics if you manage to find him