Nothing is more frustrating than organising a fox hunt, only to miss your target when the opportunity to fire finally arises.

Some hunters are not lucky enough to get out as often as others, therefore it is imperative to test your gear before making that trip to the field. I have been burnt on a few occasions, most recently when I organised an early morning hunt to sort out some pesky foxes for a local farmer.

I arrived at 5:30am on a brisk winters morning and made my way as silently as possible to my first stand. I made myself comfortable and waited for the light to peak over the horizon.

Once there was enough light to see what I was doing I peeped on my Tenterfield and glassed the surrounding creek bed and tree line.

Not much was happening so I setup my trusty jetboil to boil up a warm tea to get some warmth back into my body.

To my surprise a fox begun barking around 100 yards to my right and I could just make him out amongst the trees. I quickly shouldered my tikka T3 and chambered a round. I centred the scope on his chest and squeezed the trigger, suddenly my worst fears hit when the very loud click snapped right next my ear.

I quickly cycled the action and centred again, click.

Thinking I had some bad ammo I grabbed a fresh box of factories from my pack and cycled again. By this time another fox appeared out of the creek 25 yards directly in front. I centred again, F@ck@ng click once more. In frustration I stood up only to see a third fox 60 yards to my left.

I have been hunting this place now for two years and never got close to calling in more than one fox at a time.

The hunt was over and the foxes bolted and I went home very frustrated. Turns out I got oil inside my bolt which gummed it up and prevented the firing pin hitting hard enough to ignite the primer.

Check your gear to prevent disappointment in the field