Thread: What little pesties did you bowl over today?

A productive morning. There’s three more hung up in the pines as they are want to do when I shoot them near the top of the trees. It’s a bit frustrating actually because I quite enjoy the satisfying thump of the birds hitting the ground.

All but one bird shot this morning were last spring’s juveniles. Since I cleaned out the two mature birds from the pines it has created the normal hole in the territory map, and every morning there is a squabble over who gets to move in. Today the one group of juveniles did battle with a single bird on the ground which was quite entertaining to watch, even more so when I shot one of them, which caused pandemonium. They flew up into the nearest tree whereby two more flew straight back down to the ground... but not under their own steam...

By staying on top of these magpies, and trapping for rats & stoats, we have seen a consistent year-on-year improvement in the number of native birds nesting in our garden and surrounding paddocks. The next problem is these bloody Eastern Rosellas, which are definitely increasing in numbers too.

Both dog performing their duties, with a final check to make sure they really are dead.

Took the stirling with me the other morning.three head shots.

Ironing board and door stop does it once again. 2 dead magpies under the tree.

The HMR just....works...




Ended up with two more rabbits for the night. All head shot


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@Pommy, DOC or private land

Mrs Finnwolf shot her first rabbit - up until now she’s just being taking her rifle for a walk. (She’s very patient! AND still looking for a good magazine for her JW 10A Norinco 22.)

Had the kids out for some target practice with the HMR yesterday so took a walk and deleted three magpies. They look so good though the vortex, no pictures because everyone knows what a magpie looks like cut in half 😎

@Ernie - we were on DOC land. It's a spot where we've been many times with varying success. A bit of exploring beyond the normal spots and staying out until dark are the keys to success. @Pommy and I have been doing a lot more walking home in the dark in recent times!

This is the dog staring resolutely into the far distance. He will not, repeat not, look at the rabbits. He’ll sit there, staring waaaayyy over there, trembling ever so slightly. Waiting.... waiting some more.... hoping.... hoping a whole helluva lot actually.... that the boss will give him the word.

A study in concentration.

Yesterday evening went out to a friends farm ( @possum_shooter you know who ) and got six bunnies, two of the six were shot by my husband. His first shots on animals in his life, he isn't keen on hunting but he enjoyed shooting his first bunnies.
The strong 40kmph winds made it difficult to aim sometimes, missed a few bunnies here and there, or maybe im just finding excuses for my poor shots. Here is a picture of two of them. Still trying to decide what to make with the meat, will try to tan some of the fur.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

Yesterday evening went out to a friends farm ( @possum_shooter you know who ) and got six bunnies, two of the six were shot by my husband. His first shots on animals in his life, he isn't keen on hunting but he enjoyed shooting his first bunnies.
The strong 40kmph winds made it difficult to aim sometimes, missed a few bunnies here and there, or maybe im just finding excuses for my poor shots. Here is a picture of two of them. Still trying to decide what to make with the meat, will try to tan some of the fur.
Attachment 162210

Kfc popcorn rabbit.
Its a bit of faffing around but so worth it.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Kfc popcorn rabbit.
Its a bit of faffing around but so worth it.

I picked up some panko breadcrumbs today just for that. Got some skins in tanning solution too. Real pain to deflesh the hide, kept accidentally piercing holes.

Largest juvenile magpie invasion I’ve ever seen on my block this morning. I took out those two adults a couple of weeks ago and have been going hard ever since. Today has been mental and I’ve lost count, must be close to my PB of 22 birds in one sitting. I’m going to have to wait for a stiff westerly to blow them out of the top of the pine, as I can see a dozen or so birds stuck up in the branches. There really is no substitute to a squawking dying magpie to pull in his mates. As the hung up pile of casualties got bigger the juveniles were circling around the top of the pine going absolutely mental.

Dog did the honourable thing and despatched a couple that did the old death dive into the ground. He ran at the one so hard he completely forgot about the fence, and bounced of it like he’d taken on Os du Randt. It is possible for a Staffy to look embarrassed... He’s still licking his own blood off the end of his nose, daft dog.

Just after new years I was driving along the gravel road from a mates farm when a stoat ran out right in front of the 4x4 where i crossed my fingers hoping to hit it. Sure enough lady luck was on my side.



Maybe 1.5 - 2 hours later I was heading back out and the dead stoat had been carried off by something.

The other night I was out spotlighting rabbits when I saw this ferret chasing a rabbit so I quickly aimed and fired shooting him at 100 mtrs on the move which I thought was pretty good although I hit him a little far back and he needed finishing off when I got closer as he charged me.



Then the other night I was driving along the road when this big boy decides to run out across the road right in front of me.