Productive Afternoon

Being a nice sunny arvo yesterday I decided it was a great idea to get out for a walk on a few rabbit patches and to a couple of my fox calling spots.

The rabbits were pretty thick on the ground and out of cover grazing in the nice afternoon sun. My Dad has noticed the rabbits have certainly increased in the last couple of months which is pretty unusual being such a dry year.

It was great to finally get the opportunity to test my new CZ HMR barrel on the 455 on some game.

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I then called in this vixen who was a little worse for wear. Looks like she has dropped some pups as had pretty full teats. I was really surprised to call her in to be honest as everything was against me. The wind was gusting every so often from behind me towards the creek I was calling, however it is the only real vantage spot with a decent view. I called for around 10 mins when she popped up on the other side of the creek and disappeared. I waited for another 5 mins hoping she would pop up on my side of the creek and sure enough she did and the 204 did it’s job.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIZkbihGWT/

Check your gear!

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.

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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

Warmth on a cold winters hunt

Chasing foxes by foot often requires early morning starts when the temperature is below zero. There are many items that are essential on a fox hunt and when it’s cold my Jetboil MiniMo is one of those items.

Nothing warms the soul and increases enthusiasm like a warm beverage on a freezing cold day. Just warming my hands around a toasty cup of tea or coffee can enthuse me to stay out in the elements that little bit longer and call in that pesky fox that is troubling the farmer.

The MiniMo does add a bit a weight to the day pack but for what it provides it is well worth making the space. Heating up something as simple as two minute noodles or a back country meal is priceless when it’s cold.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiqpReRDwgx/