All Categories

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23

13/5/2022

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23
The Tale Of The Road Side Fox

It all started off with a phone call from one of my oldest VIP clients, er is that the resolver he said, I chuckled and said yes hello Farmer what’s up? A blasted red devil is back and it’s murdering my prize Gleanies and Bantam's, I need you now, no yesterday or even last week, he calls me the resolver as I resolve any pest issue on this prestigious farm that he throws at me, over the last 20 years he has put some real pest problems my way, I have sorted them all in turn too, he even has me in his phone as Rob The Resolver in brackets Rob The Guns, this always makes me chuckle, alas I could not go when he called me, it took three knights before I could be there, I was just so snowed under with work, there was just simply not enough hours in the day or days in the week, that's why this article is entitled OFC 22 and 23, he also said er can you sort out those little grey cotton tailed blighters too, they are eating more grass than my cattle, of course I will deal with the fox and the rabbits when I get there I said.

Now this fellow is an old school farmer, he knows more about his farm or indeed wildlife than I will ever know, well by day anyway, at night that's my territory, I took along a young man as my wing man this night, I thought this would be a good one for him to have a go at the rabbits with the new Marten Thermal scope from Night Pearl, plus if I need some bait for a scent attractor for said fox, nothing works better than the paunch of some fresh shot rabbits in a bucket I find.

We got there in plenty of time lots of daylight still left on the clock before the cloak of darkness falls, my young friend had a wonderful time trying to stalk the rabbits on the lambing paddocks, I sent him off for a stalk with his new Air Arms Pro Sport, he came back smiling like a Cheshire cat after bagging his first rabbit with it, I was at the truck in the orchard getting all my kit ready for the night ahead, I always have a rifle at the ready, so as we sat in the truck for a sandwich and a mug of tea from my flask, I looked across and saw a rabbit pop out, not too far around 55 yards. Like a cat in stealth mode I dropped out of the truck, mounted the rifle over the car door, then dropped it with a clean head shot, my young friend laughed and said you made that look so easy, I laughed too, well after almost 5 decades in the field I should do really I said, as always we win some we lose some, tonight I was lucky.

The weather started to look horrible, all of a sudden it was blowing a hooley and lashing down in rain, I said lets stay in the truck and wait this one out, the quarry wont want to get wet either, so another mug of tea from my big flask was poured, the wind and rain came and went almost as quickly as it had come.

Time to get in position for this Chicken Thieving Charlie I said, I took up position on the middle ground as we call it, as its the field that separates the two farm houses, this was the field the fox had been seen in with the farms fowl in his chops, the trouble was not only was the moon high, but the security lights from way over lit this field up with ambient light too, I had to choose the shot position very carefully too, there was a farm track along one side and a road along the other, so our safe shot zones were very limited, I got my young fellow to put the bucket of rabbit paunch right where I knew was a 101% safe shot zone, thus my plan was to get the fox were I wanted him.

This plan worked perfectly until mother nature threw a curve ball, the wind changed direction just as the fox came onto the field of play, so not only did this fox wind us but saw us too in shadows of a tree in the ambient light, so said fox made a good ole sharp harp exit stage left to the main road, no safe shot here.

Right up sticks and move a bit quick I know where he is going, he is going to try to come in on the other side of the orchard as he was heading along the road in that direction, of we went to get in position, we had just got there and managed to tuck into the shadow of a hedge, my gen 3 Primos Trigger sticks were on the ground in second, rifle mounted with the Night Pearl Seer 35 on, I turned on the scope then the Scops Max III thermal spotter.

Entrance stage right in the gate to the field there was the fox, he came into the field and came round on the wind towards the orchard, not straight at it but the long way round, my Young Friend watched it on the spotter as I followed it cross hairs on waiting for the perfect shot, my young friend had never seen a fox shot before or heard the sound of the crack of the rifle either.

On the fox came all the way round winding all the way, he got to the point of no return just as he winded us, Bang Thump to a perfect engine room shot with a great back stop of a huge old muck heap, my young friend almost jumped out of his skin to the shot report then asked what the thump was, I laughed and said a perfectly administered lead injection to the engine room my boy, I think he is now hooked on rifle shooting.

Well that was the roadside fox, experience and field craft put this cheeky Charlie in the bag, with some help from the awesome equipment the brilliant Night Pearl Thermal Systems.

Out Foxing Charlie 23
The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter

We start out on an old clients place, he has some other shooters in trying their hand on the rats and indeed his fox problems, they have done OK as free boys and fair play to them, but nothing beats a professional who is paid to be there, families, work and social life does not get in the way, this is why I am paid to be on these jobs, I am there when my clients really need me, not when it suits me, something that's come to the forefront just recently, one farmer not paying me to look after his crops, the last two years he has lost his crop, now in the third year he has called me back in and paying me to protect the crop again, I don't begrudge anyone their sport and permissions just there is a massive difference when you pay for a service.

This old client of mine is no exception except when he started getting hit hard, small piglets being taken, fowl going, even his lambs, his first words were we have a fox nobody can get, can you come and sort it with that there thermal stuff of yours, I chuckled and said yes I will book you in for the following evening, I got on site in plenty of time like I always like to do, tracked the area and worked out a plan of action, my niggle my sixth sense was telling me there was more than one fox at play here, as the night falls we will see what were dealing with on the thermal.

I did shoot a few rabbits here with the New Hellios UK multi platform mounting lamps, these worked great on the 22 rimfire using Eley ammunition, the rabbits were part of another crop protection job here, I thought would make a good scent attractor if I needed them.

The night fell and the farmers son decided to join, I gave him the Night Pearl 13 spotter to scan on and I used my usual Scops Max III spotter, tonight I was trying an un tested by me thermal scope on the ole 223, obviously I had zeroed it on the range before taking it out on the field of battle, The Marten Thermal Scope from Night Pearl, a wonderful dedicated thermal scope with more gadgets than I know what to do with, the recording function is awesome as you will see in my videos that are attached to this article.

As we stood there on the hill looking down on the lambing meadows below we could see everything like daylight, this was when we saw not one fox but six foxes, even the farmers son said the other guys said there was only one fox about, I laughed and said yes they might of seen one, just not the other five, they were not cubs either all largish foxes, my thoughts here were they were town released foxes, far too easily called in as you will hear about shortly.

So let me set the scene, there I am with the farmers son, both with thermal spotters, rifle with a new Night Pearl Dedicated thermal scope mounted on my Gen3 Primos Trigger Sticks, I started squealing a distressed rabbit call on my hand, the foxes came bolting in from all angles, 300 yards right down to 25 yards where I had to shot OOOOOOIIIIIYYYYY, said fox sat looking straight at us, I squeezed of the shot and gave him a Tonshaw, that's a monks haircut if you don't know this, yes I missed at 25 yards, the farmers sone just laughed and said you missed, the video says it better than me, I was growling like an aggry bear, no time to dwell these foxes were still coming, again at 25 yards I missed another one, I did not record that one though, I put the gun away and said something is wrong here, I always carry a back up rifle etc and went back to the Seer 35 thermal front add on, that's sorted that as I put 3 foxes in the bag quick time at greater distances than 25 yards, I said tell your Dad I will be back tomorrow night, actually it turned out I was not the one that missed, it was the scope, it had re set itself back to factory settings and need a software update, plus the fact I probably didn't save the zero correctly, a low tech man in a high tech world I am afraid.

As I stated in my very first article in this series, I only deal with foxes that actually attack livestock or pets etc, if they are going about their natural business doing no harm I leave them well alone, they are such wonderful and beautiful animals and its good to have them about naturally on a farm etc, they clean up any carrion and do other good jobs too, this if its red its dead attitude really goes against my ethics as a Countryman who has conservation at his core the way I was taught as a Boy.

I went back to the farm the next night, this time a solo mission, I wanted no disturbances or no witnesses if I missed again, I was armed with my favourite combo tonight, the 223 with a Seer 35 add on thermal and the Scops max III spotter, mounted on the Primos Gen3 trigger sticks, I was in the same spot at the previous night, but tonight no calling, I was just going to sit and watch and be ready, an ole Brock the Badger snuffled passed me not interested in me, I watched him go about his business none the wiser I was there.

Then they they were a pair of foxes heading around the headland, straight for the piggery, some of the sows had given birth this day, all of a sudden they split, one to my left and one to my right going around the farm buildings, now they were on the wrong side of me for the wind, they would surely pic my scent up, I tried some calling on my hand one fox sitting 200 plus yards out next to some Ewes with large lambs, no safe shot, no where was the other one, I scanned around and it was coming in over my right shoulder, I shuffles round as quickly and quietly as I could.

This was a problem, it was on my wind side, I could not make a sound for it would have me pegged straight away, plus the shot was not 100% safe where it was near some farm machinery, it trotted further around the fence line, the other fox just sat there watching by the sheep, as it got to the far fence of the piggery the shot was on she was after the magpie in the Larsen trap, Safety off, a last double check on the back stop, Click, Bang, Thump to a perfectly administered lead injection to the engine room, the other fox took off running and I breathed easy.

I went to retrieve this fox, it was a vixen, I think the disappointment in my voice said it all in the video, I don't like dealing with foxes at this time of year with cubs about, but I have a job to do, its a fine balance between my ethics and morals I telle, the farmer next door told me he dealt with the cubs and earth so I breathed a little happier, I will say I never take pleasure or pride in a kill, I don't like killing at all, but its my job and I do what I do well, I suppose that's one reason I get called into some really prestigious venues for all pest control not just foxes.

The next job I will tell you about was back on the farm that started this article, again being so close the town and trading estate this farm borders right on the edge of man, the foxes fit in well in the urban environment, especially as we have stolen their land to build yet another ghastly concrete jungle on, I wont go on about this, I could write a book about ghastly man's greed and building on wonder farms etc.

I always work with my clients on their husbandry etc, this client has tried it all, the electric fences around the perimeter of the farm are really good, but still these foxes find ways around them to attack his prize fowl, both by day and by night, apart from keeping them locked up 24/7 there not much else he can do, one hen house was broken into and he lost every chicken in there, he even got it on his trail camera, a pair of foxes taking it in turns to chew their way in.

There I am in daylight trying to find how the foxes were getting in, I found a spot right on the boundary hedge, right next to the neighbors yard, I could see the foot prints in the ditch where they had been getting in, I could see the fowl enclosure at the far end of the field, this also gave me a great back stop as the field was rising up in front of the and the wind to my face.

As the night fell I parked my truck right in the corner of said field, well might as well have a comfy seat in the warmth of the truck whilst I waited for night to fall, just at dusk I leant on my spare wheel to set up the Night Pearl Seer 35 on my 223, it was too dark to see well, but you could see shapes, you know the sort of light, I was tucked in nice and tight as I focused the Seer 35 Thermal on a rabbit, this was when I heard a rustle to my right, I peered around the car not moving my feet, bowl me over sideways there was a big dog fox sniffing the front of my truck, I could see it in the dim light clear as a bell.

He walked a couple of yards took a pee, then headed off, I quietly as I could swung the gun around, and had him in the scope, I whistled as he stopped to look back at the bottom of the bank, thwack 18 yards, yes you read that right 18 yards free hand, he dropped to a perfectly placed engine room shot, I breathed easy, laughed to myself then took that long walk to retrieve said, not another fox or indeed rabbit showed himself this night, I am not sure what it was but the weather just did not feel right to be out, even the ole Roe Doe sat under the Oak Tree did not stand up, I retired early with a very happy client who said The Resolver Does It Again, we both laughed.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed writing them and remembering them, this may not be some of my best scribbles as I am so busy at the moment, even as I type my secretary is nagging me saying I am going to be late to set a rifle range up tonight for I am the lead Ro’s tonight, so until next time, stay safe and well one and all, For Tiz Proper Job Mucker

Out Foxing Charlie 22
The Tale Of The Road Side Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 23
The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

0 Comments

Traditional Ferreting

1/4/2022

0 Comments

Traditional Ferreting From Where it Began to the Present Day with The Ole Hedge Creeper

It all start way back in the December of 1974, the day it was a Wednesday, I know all this as the Christmas Decorations had just gone up, my Dads rabbiting club fondly called the Bunny Club by the Dockers of The Royal Portbury and Avonmouth Docs where my Dad and family and friends worked, I know it was 1974 as it was just before my third birthday as uncle Les gave me my very first purse net called the lucky net, to read that story in full and so many others you will have to buy my book over on my website www,theolehedgecreeper.co.uk that book is entitled From The Start, To The Heart.

Like I said it all started on that ice cold frozen frosty December morning, dressed in my Rupert the bear padded outfit, wellies, boots and gloves, sat on the ferret box watching an open hole with my lucky net laid over it, the first time I had ever heard those Viking war drums as the pugs (ferrets) did battle with the drummers (rabbits) deep under ground, the only way I can describe it, its like watching a good film you are so immersed into the film that nothing else matters, your so focused on the drums and watching for the rabbit to bolt, of course at nearly three years old and a first time ferreter I did not know this, I just felt in my very ancestral hunting blood that coursed through my young veins something magical was about to happen, I remember ole Gyp our working whippet sat next to me eyes wide open, ears tipping from side to side, almost like a kestrel about to stoop, I could hear muffled sound behind me, rabbit in the net, Les, Chris, Barry Bob, Dave get a net as the action was fast and furious as the rabbits hit the nets all over like corks out of champagne bottles.

I or the dog never moved we both felt deep inside this rabbit hole with my lucky net on was the one that held the golden prize, all of a sudden the drums were right beneath me, they literally beat up through the ferret box and right into my body, I too remember freezing ready to pounce like a Lion an a Gazelle, then silence, not so much a breath of air for what seemed like an eternity, then there it was a big buck rabbit sat looking out of my lucky net, Dad’s words rang in my head, if a rabbit shows at the net look away or it wont bolt and we will have a kill, I remember looking away but could not help looking out of the corner of my eye, Sam my big Hobb ferret caught up with it and it hit the net with such force in my mind in slow motion this rabbit was actually flying, the peg held firm and this rabbit, my very first rabbit came to earth pursed good and tight in my lucky net, here is the second lesson I remember being drummed into me, always grab the rabbit not the net, I am told by my family and friends who were there that day that I pounced like a tiger as did Gyp that rabbit was not getting away, even Sam our Hobb locked on too, Dad says it looked like a good ruck as I have always had safe hands, on the rugby field or on the hunting field, Rugby is another passion of mine and played my first match at 5 years old, but we will get to that another time or read it in my books.

That's where it all started for this rough ole country boy, the ancestral passion for all country sports, especially tradition ferreting with net, ferret and running dog, that first big buck rabbit released a fire in my soul that still burns as strong now as it did getting on for five decades ago now, blimey where has that time gone and the literally thousands of rabbits later, but what was always taught to me from boyhood and is my driving force to this very day is conservation, so when I teach this ancient art, I make sure those pupils learn the whole package from the history to the cooking and eating, with everything in-between, so I should of entitled this article Ferreting For Conservation, I will explain further along my ethos and some of the fine Young Countrymen I am at present teaching and installing this passion for Traditional Ferreting for my beloved Coney (Sunday Rabbit) here in the wonderful West Country and around the UK.

Now for the past five or six years I have not kept ferrets, the first time in over forty years that is too, personal living conditions, lack of rabbits due to the ghastly RHD disease, plus the fact I had nobody to go with me, so I gave my ferrets away to a friend who had the time to use them and not just keep them in a hutch, that was until just recently, a pair of nice young men had applied to join my rifle club where I am a committee member, now getting chatting to them they come from where I was born, straight away we hit it off and talked like old school friends, then they said we love to go ferreting but have minimal kit but we do have a working Hobb (male) and Gill (female) ferrets, my eyes widened like I was three years old again, we chatted some more and I explained I have more ferreting gear than you can point a stick at 300 hand knitted purse nets, long nets, stop nets, Mk1 knocker boxes and collars, even a brand new Mk3 set still in its packet, so I agreed I would show them the art properly, if any rabbit work came in, bowl me over the good lord must have been listening, not 24 hours later a rabbit clearance job came in, it had to be ferreted not shot, this was pre some major ground works in this area, so my job was to make sure the warrens were all empty, I think this meeting of Countrymen was in the book of fates.

I put the team together, two fine young novice Countrymen, Myself and one of my dearest old friends Nobby, Nobby and I had not ferreted together in 30 years, as he always worked away, young family commitments etc, but now on this Sunday Morning he was coming ferreting, we all met at my place as it was on the way to the ground we had to ferret, all the boys were very early I think they must have been excited, as was I, I just could not sleep for the excitement of going ferreting, I have always been the same the night before, Dad always said I must have an alarm clock in my head, I was always sat there fully dressed ferrets in the box, dogs at the ready before he had even had a cup of tea, nothing has changed I am still the same now, chomping at the bit, I would probably sleep in the field the night before just to make sure I was not late for ferreting.

We drove the hours drive to the farm and got to where the farmer had sent me a google map and photos for what he wanted done, we scouted the area and determined what were possibly live warrens and what were not used by the rabbits.

The first warren high up on a windy hillside, dug into the banking under two old Oak trees with a bramble bush surrounding part of it, purse nets laid and long nets surrounding it, the ferrets were put to ground, all of this was done in almost complete silence, I felt a wave of pride sweep over me as I watched these lads go to work, then that silence as nothing else matters but those Viking war drums, I heard heard so did Goose my Cocker Spaniel, then bang the first rabbit hit the net right at my feet, I was on that rabbit in a flash, in my hands my safe hands, before I had even got to my feet Nobby was right in behind me having a purse net straight back over the hole, again in almost complete silence, the young men could not believe how fast it all happened, Nobby and I were always a great team, the years have not changed that, the look of pride on my face is a good example of that, the first rabbit of the day was mine, the second came a few moments later as I was just netting up a bolt hole the boys missed and the ferret came out of, I heard Nobby dive and stand up with a rabbit clutched in his hands, I was straight in behind him have a net re laid in a flash, alas that was the only 2 rabbits out of this warren, so we picked up after letting the ferrets work and moved onto the next, as expected most of the warrens were empty as they had all been previously trapped, we did a few more and bolted some, lost some and caught some, that last warren was nice little 3 hole set at the bottom of a telegraph pole in a ditch, Goose marked it to say Mr Wabbit was at home so Nobby and I left these Two fine Young Countrymen to do it on their own, we climbed to the top of the hill to check the other warrens, these we decided to leave for the next trip here as it was getting very late in the day and experience tells me that's when you will kill in and be digging the ferret out in the dark, so with prudence we decided that was the end of ferreting for one day, I saw one of the lads dive on a rabbit in the net so happy days they caught the last rabbit of the day, the farmer asked could I move some pigeons off a rape field, so we changed from ferreting to shotgun shooting, this was the perfect icing on the cake to finish a wonderful days Country Sports off.

I got a call the following week from a client I have worked for actually I have worked for them for about 25 years, they own 3 farms all horse farms, 1 here in England and 2 in Wales, now I have the England Farm well under control for pest control etc, I have never been to the Welsh Farms before, although I know about them, the boss said can you come over and clear some rabbits from the riding arenas and horse paddocks were over run with the little grey blighters, of course I can, so it was agreed I would be over early Sunday Morning, I told the lads and they were excited to be out again, alas no Nobby this time he was working away and leaving that Sunday to be on site ready for the Monday morning.

Sunday morning came and both the lads were at my place early as normal, we decide we would take just one truck, as their truck is bigger than mine I was now being chauffeured on a days ferreting, we left The West Country early and about an hour later we were on the livery yard of the venue in Wales, no time for a mug of tea too excited, were were off like youngsters with a spring in our steps too, the boss had google mapped me some photos and had highlighted the areas he wanted me to concentrate on, or as in his text these areas are like Water Ship Down on speed, I have heard this so many times over the years, see a couple of rabbits or indeed pigeons on a crop and they are infested, only to find when you get there nothing, so I always take this with a pinch of salt, but our hopes were high as we had a wonderful new place to deal with, you know what its like the unknown of place fills your heart with new adventures, well lets just say this first area was a tad wet and boggy, unless these rabbits had diving gear and flippers this was not going to be very productive, none the less we checked out the area and even ferreted a few warrens, yes they had been used but not a single rabbit was at home, although we did watch rabbits at play basking in the sun higher up on area two, I said to the lads lets move to higher ground with all the rain over the last few days these rabbits have moved up the hillside.

I went on ahead to scout for warrens as the lads picked up all the nets etc, right away I found some promising warrens on the higher ground, nice clean holes, all the area nibbled short and plenty of fresh rabbit droppings, I bolted a rabbit in front of me from the hedgerow, well there is one at least at home in this warren then, the lads caught up and I told them net up this one I will look for other warrens along this higher hedge row, indeed I found a further two warrens in a deep bank with a double tiered hedge over them, I put my gear down by the first then went back and helped the lads finish netting up, ferret down and wait, I thought I heard a rumble? There I was like my ole whippet Gyp from my boyhood head going side to side straining to hear, out of the corner of my eye I caught a little purse net movement, first I thought it was the ferret? Then I saw it a big Welsh Rabbit looking at me sat just behind the net, my ole Dad’s words from way back on my first day in the field, LOOK AWAY BOY!!! I looked away but as always I just cant help but keep looking out of the corner of my eye. Then bang like a bullet from a gun it hit the net hard and fast, the peg held firm and the net pursed good and tight around it, I dived on that rabbit like a young pup again, right were off, the next warren held a couple of nice ones, quick bolters, one I had on a high bank hole with young Jim coming right in behind me having a fresh net on as quick as a flash, next Young Chad had one in the ditch bottom, again Jim was there taking the rabbit of Chad and letting him get a fresh net over the hole.

This next warren turned out to be a bit of a night mare, thankfully we didn't have a kill, it actually tuned out to be two separate warrens, one on the outside of the ditch the other higher on the adjoining bank, Chad and Jim took the inside whilst I covered the outer warren all on my own, I wish I had taken Goose my Cocker spaniel along too, but as I did not know what I was facing I decided to leave him at home, ferrets put to ground and we sat back, rabbits started to hit the nets like corks from bottle, it was very busy for a while, Chad went to stand up and got a large blackthorn right in his left buttock, I cant repeat the words but the howl would have been impressive for a wolf on the full moon, now this is where it all went wrong, I had not got inside the ditch so did not get a chance to survey the area, the lads did this part all on their own, I always remember my ole Dads words here, net every hole, you can lay 99 nets and that 100th hole is where the rabbits will bolt from, the first give away was when we heard squealing on the other side of the bramble bush, of course I tore in there like a bull in a China shop, only to find a ferret walking about chattering and a rabbit bolting past me, ROOKY MISTAKE, they not only missed one hole but more like ten holes, they didn't think the warren went that side of the hedge, WRONG!!! quick as possible they tried to net the holes, but too late rabbits were escaping or back netting as I drove them back towards the warren, I telle I was like a young whippet again, although my back and knees later that day reminded me I was not a young pup any more, Ooooooh Arrrrrrr I am not more like fat old crippled countryman comes to mind, I need cider to kill the pain, that warren was a lot of fun and a great learning curve for the cracking young men, they caught some rabbits, some rabbits got away and Chad learned not to stick his tail in the air under a Black Thorn Bush, I advised to pick up now before we get a kill and end up digging in the dark, something I learned long ago not to do if you can help it.

Actually as this was a boundary hedge the lady from the farm next door saw us and came over to find out what we were doing, young Jim reminds me of well me as his age, he is a strapping young man, bright eyes, muscular, dark wavy hair and a sparkling smile, so right away the boy put the charm on, I in my mature state appeared to find a lovely looking fine woman of mature years as myself, right away we hit it off and in no time at all I had this farm on the books too, this reminds me of the chapter Two Brothers Fighting in my first book and the lovely Elizabeth, ah you will have to get my books to hear those stories, so again another farm has been added to my vast client list, the best part they have rabbits to control and ferreting to be done, I telle muckers life dong get any better than this.

We headed back to the truck for afternoon tea and a very late lunch, I said to the boys you go have a stalk around with the air rifle and see if you can pick a few rabbits off etc, I will pop around to the farm next door to get the contracts signed etc, I did notice this farms main problems were around the arena areas, alas its used 7 days a week 12 hours a day for teaching etc, so I will have to work out how best to deal with this area, at the farm next door I met this fine Welsh lady and here groom another love young woman, contracts signed and maps given of the boundaries I headed off along the headlands to get a feel for the place, I could see the lads stalking around from my elevated position, so I went back to the truck to await their arrival, they never bagged anything but had found a few warrens to do, as Arny says in the film terminator I will be back.

Brand New MK1 ferret finer sets and collars are available through The Really Wild Adventures shop on the website link below, they come with The Ole Hedge Creepers Thumbs Up Seal of Approval too.
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

We headed back to Englandshire excitedly talking like school boys of the days sport, mistakes made and lessons learned, of course boys will be boys and they ribbed me about the lady from the farm, ahhhh a Country Gentleman never kisses and tells now does he, until next time I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles, stay safe one and all, I will catch up with you again in my next Adventure of The Ole Hedge Creepers Tales.

Traditional Ferreting

By The Ole Hedge Creepers

www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

Below in the slide show are some old pics as well as the latest ones with my old friend Nobby and I, the old school rabbiting crew of my forefathers, some of the new boys too.

0 Comments

The British Shooting Show 2022. Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

6/3/2022

0 Comments

The British Shooting Show 2022.
Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking
From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

We start of at the awesome British Shooting Show 2022 at the NEC arena in Birmingham, I was late leaving on the Thursday from The West Country due to work commitments etc, so when I arrived at the NEC the contractors should have had all the stand built, all Night Pearl and Myself should have had to do was put the demo stock out and tidy up the stand ready for the Friday Morning.

Oh wrong can one man be, I felt really sorry for the lads from Night Pearl, all their gear for setting up the stand was stuck in customs so the contractors could not set anything up, a quick trip to B&Q for some laminate flooring etc and we had the remnants of a stand, now to build the stand ourselves, I will say I was not of much use here as I had put my back out a few days before carrying sacks of grain on the estate, I will say Jakob and Vadim worked so hard and built the stand well, fair play to these boys they work hard, the stand looked awesome and I even got my ugly mug on the wall of fame, photos from a photo shoot we did last year, hmmmmm wall of fame or wall of shame I will let you decide on that one, actually I was on the posters too, funny enough I was autograph signing them to some of the muckers who asked, this made them worth absolutely nothing, but it was great fun and caused some jovial banter and laughter.

The show looked awesome I think, smaller yes, the parking charges yes were not so great, the ticket prices were high too, but you must remember how much it costs to put these shows on, its not cheap, the ticket prices reflect this cost, but for me what we lacked in quantity we made up for in quality I believe, you may not agree and of course that's your personal opinion, but mine was it was a good first show back and the best it could, so I say roll in BSS 2023.

The Night pearl Stand, we were rammed all weekend, I got to work with two fine young men Matt and Sam, great guys I telle, Sam a business student at UNI and Matt a deer manager and game dealer, so that was our merry team and what a show we had too, the awesome Night Pearl products literally sold themselves, to those people who wanted quality, we were not the cheapest on the show nor did we want to be, several of my chums came to see me saying we have bought from our competitors, fair play I said the price you paid you got some good units that work, now look at our equivalent, lets just say the look of amazement on these folks faces said it all, with words I cannot repeat in writing, but lets just say many folks now wish they had a Night Pearl and not something else, so if you want my advice, buy once, cry once, buy the scope or spotter, then buy the rifle with the change, something my Pappy taught me that long ago.

The show came and went in the blink of an eye, I met up with so many old friends and made lots of new ones, saw so many of my sponsors and filmed with several film crews and interviews with some magazines too, my video that's with this article explains the show best for me, where I am in reflection sat in my woods looking back.

Really Wild Adventures Sporting Agency.

A few days after returning from The British Shooting Show 2022, I had some clients out on an estate in Buckinghamshire Stalking Chinese Water Deer.

WOW what a days stalking that was, it did not start of as planned though, I had two guys coming from Hampshire and one awesome young Welsh Lady picking me up and taking me over to Buckinghamshire, I thought I had best go with her as I did not like the idea of a young woman travelling on her own to an unknown place with a bunch of guys, being a father of two daughters I suppose its the gentleman Daddy part of me kicking in, all the lads made her feel so welcome as I knew they wood, but none the less I was there to make sure she felt happy and comfortable.

My good friend and his under keeper got there late as did we, we hit bad traffic on a car park they call the M4, my chum did too but was held up dealing with pheasants etc, he got there just after us, safety briefing under our belt each client was given a guide to assists them around the estate.

The first Chinese Water Deer was grassed within 10 minuets of leaving the trucks, that's how thick on the ground these deer are there in that part of Buckinghamshire, it was a cracking shot from my old keepering chum too, nothing less than I would of expected from a man of his calibre and hunting all over the world as he has, his under-keeper was next to grass a beast, I spotted some lead out sunning themselves in the middle edge of a winter wheat field, Young C did very well and dropped the beast in fine style, it was heavier than he thought when he retrieved it, the next one my Keeper friend grassed was a fine shot way out in a sheep paddock, lead down prone position with a cracking back stop, witnessed by the entire team too, so no pressure, the long retrieve was was by far the part worth the mention, a retrieve worthy of a field trials champion hound I telle, alas my young woman did not connect with one on the morning stalk, although taking 2 shots she missed cleanly.

We moved to another part of the estate for the evening stalk, one guide took the keeping team one way round this wonderfully undulating countryside, G took my young lady around the other side, agreeing to meet up over on a hill side plantation they call the bowl, my back still very bad from falling on my estate carrying grain, I agreed to sit and be a back gun, really more of a fox shooter as the estate are getting fox problems with their ground nesting birds, I was not there to shoot a deer really, that was for my clients.

I sat back and watched both teams stalk around the hillsides before me, it was like watching my own mother natures TV from a good seat, I watched both the teams bump deer in front of them, both teams finally meeting at the high hillside bowl, all the lads willing my Young Lady Client to get her first Chinese Water Deer, both teams lead out flat on the very short grass, the head man on the estate knew the deer would come out to feed soon.

Indeed a deer appeared not long after they got in position, my dear friend the keeper helped guide my young lady into position of a shot, this was a real stalk, a belt buckle stalk as they belly crawled using the undulating ground as cover, this was a stalk a highland keeper would be proud of, he got her in position and whispered in your own time just behind the front let leg, a shiver ran down her spine she told me as he whispered those words in her ear, I was watching it all unfold with my binoculars on Mother Natures TV, my Young Lady composed herself and squeezed off the shot, I heard the roar of the rifle and the thump of the bullet strike right across the valley, the beast dropped immediately with a pin point accurate, ethical and humane strike on target, they took a breath then walked in to inspect the beast, my Young Lady Gralloched it and carried it back too smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Now I said I was not going to shoot, but sat there watching them climb down off the high hillside I kept scanning for foxes whilst watching the two stalking teams make their way back, almost at last knockings I spotted a huge gold medal come out to feed, a 400 yard stalk across open ground, I thought oh go on then why not have a go, so I stealthily stalked in stood bolt upright as there was no way I could get down on the ground with my back, I had one saving grace, there was one mature oak tree between me and this huge beast, so I used it Indian style and kept it between me and the deer, that 300 yard stalk really got my heart racing as I had to keep side stepping and checking where the beast was with almost ever step, I finally got to the tree and peered around it expecting the deer to have gone, but no it was still there one hundred and twenty yard out, I mounted my trusty 243 on to the Gen 3 Primos trigger sticks and well the rest is history really.

I had to call the under keeper to come help me retrieve it as it was so heavy, I managed to drag it back to the oak tree but no further as I had rifle, sticks and binoculars to carry, plus this huge gold medal Chinese Water Deer, by the time we had got it back and gralloched it, it was dark, the day over and every client including me smiling like Cheshire Cats, I was going to stay on and use the awesome Night Pearl Thermal Systems and help clear up some foxes, but both my Young Lady Client and I agreed we were too tired after a long days awesome stalking, plus we still had a two hour drive home to my place and a one hour drive back to her place from mine, she has now shot a Roe Buck, a Muntjack Doe and a Chinese Water Deer, now to get her onto the next three deer we have here in the UK, Sika, Red and Fallow, this we will do in time, hunting does not come easy to this Young Lady as she says she is from the town and nobody in her family hunts, but she wants to eat healthy, ethically sourced meat that she hunts herself, I have helped guide her right from day dot in her hunting quests and having here hunt with some great friends of mine too, I am really proud of this Young Woman for she got right in there and took the beast from field to freezer including the butchery side of it too all on her own merit.

I will me back out on this estate in a couple of weeks with more clients Chinese and Muntjac stalking, if you would like to book any Hunting, Shooting or Fishing Trips drop me a line via my corporate business website over at www.reallywildadventures.co.uk no matter where it is, here in the UK or on Foreign Shores we have it all covered, as our Mantra says Were Wild Beyond Your Imagination.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribbles as much as I have remembering and writing them, until next time stay safe and well one and all.

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

0 Comments

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats as Night Pearl Joins The Team

6/2/2022

0 Comments

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats
as Night Pearl Joins The Team

Blimey I just don't know where to start with this one, I suppose I should start off with the rabbit control then move onto the rat control as the title of this article suggests.

One of the ladies on the estate I manage has some very high class horses, some you may have seen in events like The Grand National etc, now for the last few years because of the ghastly RHD disease in Rabbits we have not had hardly a humble Bunny about the estate, this last year in small pockets we seem to be getting a few back, for me being a traditional rabbiting man much preferring using the ferrets, purse nets, long nets, and a running dog to control the humble Rabbit, shooting them with a rifle or indeed a shotgun is just too easy for someone with my marksmanship experience and field craft knowledge, that said I am quite partial to bolt shooting the rabbits over ferrets and taking them with a 4.10 shot gun, but again nothing beats catching them in the nets for me.

Eley Rabbit.

Now we start out on a bitter cold winter afternoon, not that healthy frozen cold no, but that wet cold that bites right into your bones, I was glad of my fieldsman fleece and digi cam jacket and boots from Jack Pyke I telle, that gear really works for me and fits me right, the rifle of choice is my beloved 22LR a calibre I have loved since boyhood, match that with the awesome Eley Subsonic Hunting Ammunition and you have a rabbit stopping combo second to none, I have been using Eley Ammunition for over 40 years, my Uncle Dave who taught me how to shoot rifle and indeed pistol would not use anything else, he was well is an accomplished Countryman and Marksman with Rifle, Pistol or Shot Gun, Farmer, ex Game keeper who has forgotten more than I will ever know about Country Sports or Nature, if you have read any of my best selling books or articles before you will know well of Uncle Dave.

Another cracking bit of equipment I was using this day was the amazing Night Pearl Scops Max III Thermal Spotter, this made the job so easy for spotting the rabbits that were coming out of the thick cover to feed on the lush green grasses of these horse paddocks, I knew where these rabbits were before the rabbits themselves knew where they were, before I had even got myself set up with The Gen 3 Primos Trigger high up on the hill in the gate way, I had 6 fresh shot rabbits in the bag just shooting from the gate itself, the whisper quite report of this Eley 22LR ammunition didn't even disturb the VIP horses that were literally within a few yards of me, they looked up at the first couple of shots, saw it was me, knew who I was as I am often asked to feed them, found me boring and carried on about their business, the ethical humane strike of these awesome rounds on target really makes a difference, other leading brands are good too but these Eley Subsonic Rounds really have the edge for precision, accuracy with a deadly humane strike on target.

Like I say I had 6 fresh shot rabbits in the bag before I had even properly set up, much to my Cocker Spaniel Goose's joy, for he was sent to retrieve all of them, such great practice for this cracking young little dog, that settled him down no end for he knew we were there to do business and he my right hand man, well dog in this case, he retrieved each one on its own merit to hand beautifully, I was rather proud of him right there.

Each shot I took he was literally up on his claws awaiting the order to fetch, he had sight marked each rabbit before I had even told him too, even the disappointing look on his face when I occasionally missed, it was almost like him saying if you miss again, I will do the shooting and the retrieving Boss, such a funny intelligent little character is this little dog with the heart of a lion.

Over the course of the next week I went there three times, each hunt very different, but each time Goose and I had a good bag of rabbits, saw some amazing sights like the pair of carrion crows who have set up home in the Ash Tree chasing off the pair of Buzzards who like the Yew Tree, both sets of birds defending their area fiercely, that really was wonderful to watch, a sparrowhawk hunting the hedge tops taking the odd song bird etc, as the dusk fell the Tawney Owls calling to each other and one landing above me in the tree, a Roe Doe and followers tip toeing along the hedge line behind me none the wiser goose and I were there.

The final night I started dealing with the rabbits and got a nice bag of rabbits, all of which were paunched out, skinned and butchered and given to some local OAPs that had asked me for some rabbit meat, their pensions don't go far and fresh rabbit goes a long way with these wonderful people, of course I kept some back for myself and Goose as we fancied my famous KFR that's Kentucky Fried Rabbit to you muckers, I was also given by said OAPs some wonderful preserves, pickled eggs and onions, oh and a wonderful hand made Coffee and Walnut Cake, as we say a fair exchange is no robbery, the old country barter system is alive and well here I telle, for like all of us we like to give for what receive.

I also took along the ole fox stopper the 223 on this final hunt, the horse lady also keeps rare breed fowl and she was getting hit by a fox, so after paunching out the rabbits in a bucket I placed said bucket out near the hen houses, from my elevated position this gave me the perfect back stop, as night fell the world came alive to sounds of owls and a vixen calling, I mounted the Night Pearl Seer 35 onto the front of my scope thus turning it into a Thermal Scope, sat and waited and spotted with The Night Pearl Scops Max III Thermal Spotter, like a moth to a flame this vixen wind scented the bucket of rabbit guts and came running, I wish I could write a wonderful story of how this fox gave me the slip and I tracked her and brought her to justice, alas I cannot, she literally came straight to the bucket, I put the cross hairs on and she fell to the shot, it was that easy and text book and I bet I was not there for more than half an hour, sometimes this new equipment makes it too easy, I still love to lamp the old school way and will be doing some traditional lamping etc with the NEW Helios UK lamps very soon, but where this Night Pearl Thermal comes into its own are those really tricky switched on foxes or finding things in cover etc, so as with everything, all the gadgets have their place, but nothing and I mean nothing beats time learned field craft and mastering your art.

Air Arms Rats.

Again we start out on one of those bitterly cold, wet style cold afternoons, like I said the ones that get right in to your bones and freezes you to your very core, the photos and videos that are accompanying this article will tell you of the clothing and equipment I am wearing or using, but as a point of note, the rifle of choice this time is the mighty Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter, mounted upon my Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks, with the Night Pearl Seer 35 Thermal front add on scope and the Night Pearl Scops Max III thermal spotter, the ammunition of choice was as always the awesome pin point accurate Air Arms Field Diablo pellets in 5.52, those Scaly Tailed Ratticuss never knew what hit them.

I was called in Professionally to very large grain mill, it was right next to a main road, at the back there was a huge embankment of top soil etc, this was from the footings they had dug out from the building of the new grain mill, nice soft soil perfect for burrowing into, as always nettles and the likes had taken over this embankment too, a perfect environment for a rat infestation as drainage ditches ran along the sides of this client property too, I was called in to asses this infestation as I am the main pest controller on two of their other sites, plus begin a management plan on this site too, I could ssee as soon as I got there in the afternoon rats running for cover, Goose my cocker spaniel loves catching rats and indeed had nailed 2 medium size rats before we had gotten around to the main embankment, using the Night Pearl thermal Spotter I could see into the undergrowth, the embankment lit up like a Christmas tree with the body heat of all the rats, blimey this was going to be a big job this one.

Later that afternoon with the help of another mucker we started getting into these rats, it was still daylight but heading to dusk, by golly this thermal equipment mounted on this awesome Air Arms Air Rifle made short work of these Scaly Tailed Ratticuss infestation, rat after rat fell as we continued into the night, by the time we had to stop due to being exhausted we had used an entire tin of pellets and almost emptied my reserve divers tank of air, Goose enjoyed helping us retrieved all the rats too, we went back the next afternoon for another clear up and a couple of hours shooting, the farm manager is going to get the farm staff to strim off the entire embankment at my request, to make the shooting easier and the retrieval easier, I will say that was some fine rat shooting there, putting some top of the range equipment to the test, proving this gear is worth every penny spent on it and comes with The Ole Hedge Creepers Thumbs Up Seal of Approval, if you want any of this gear mentioned go over to The Out Post Shop on The Really Wild Adventures website link www.reallywildadventures.co.uk you wont be disappointed I telle.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my humble scribbles as much as I have remembering them and writing about the, well until next time may I take this opportunity to wish you to stay safe and well, with Straight Barrels and Dry Powder.

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats
Night Pearl Joins The Team

By The Ole Hedge Creepers
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

*photos for illustration purposes only*

0 Comments

Out Foxing Charlie 21

7/1/2022

0 Comments

Out Foxing Charlie 21
Out Foxed By Charlie.

Now as many know I write a famous series called Out Foxing Charlie (that's why you are reading this episode) all about my Professional Fox Control Work, I only usually include the bits that go right, but this story and Fox is worthy of note.

THE GHOST FOX

I was called in to a Sporting Estate I do some work for, the head keeper there is a wonderful old school keeper who has forgotten more than I will ever know about foxes and how to deal with them, he called me in as he said you have them Night Pearl Thermal gadgets things don't you? I said yes why, he said I am old school and only need a lamp, but this fox is something else.

Scratching his head saying I have been out foxed, he said this fox has outwitted me every step of the way, it's a ghost Fox I tell you, I laughed and said let's see what we can do to stop him eating the pheasants and grey Partridges.

Pic above out on the estate dealing with some rabbits using Eley ammunition.

Hunt One.

I got there in daylight and worked out his game trails etc, indeed he was coming from the neighbouring estate, after talking with that keeper who said the same, its a ghost Fox, again I started chuckling and remembering a fox on my uncles farm from my boyhood, in fact that's where The Out Foxing Charlie Series started with a chapter in my first book.

Night fell, a thick Cloudy night but with a full moon, not ideal I know, after parking my truck on the hillside by a farm gate adjacent to 2 of the main woods, I stealthily stalked off to the other side of the estate, I mounted the rifle and Night Pearl Seer 50 on to my Primos trigger sticks and waited, spotting with the Night Pearl Scops Max III all was set.

Entrance stage left right on cue there was The Ghost Fox, no safe shot due to live stock and backstop etc, so I watched him quartering the field, he stopped for a pee on a telegraph pole, still no shot on, he made a direct line for the first roost wood, I gave a rodent squeal, he stopped, all pretty standard stuff so far or so I thought, he looked right at me then showed me his brush disappearing round the outside of the bottom of the wood.

Quick as a flash I was after him taking the high ground to head him off, as I got to the top end of the first roost wood I scanned with the Spotter, there he was the bugger, sat next to my truck, he took a pee against my wheel and disappeared under the gate right into the main wood never to be seen again.

Challenge accepted Ghost Fox I will bring you to account, for all those game birds birds you have munched and for peeing on my truck wheel.

*Photo for Illustration purposes only*

Hunt Two and Three.

After the other night when this Ghost Fox out smarted me then took a pee against my wheel, I swore I was going to bring him to justice.

This week I have been out after him 3 times, 1 night he out foxed me, 1 night I didn't see him so I chose not to write about that night, last night we had a close spiritual encounter.

Knowing full well I was positioned right on his regular track, the night was dark, the sky full of clouds, the wind just perfect taking my scent away, the trap was set, this livestock killing Charlie will be brought to account tonight.

There I am laid in wait, the ole 243 Fox stopper mounted on the Primos Trigger Sticks with the Night Pearl Seer 50 thermal on the my scope, the Night Pearl Scops Max III as a Spotter, this fox was mine tonight, I was completely confident of it.

How wrong can one man be, there I am stood Eagle eyed watching for this Ghost Fox, the entire valley and indeed woodlands perfectly in my view, all of a sudden I feel some movement by my feet and a sniffing sound, looking down said Fox is looking back up at me, neither one of us saw each other until we literally bumped into each other.

Laughter I bet he is telling this story to the other foxes today, we both jumped in opposite directions, I was that close I could of put salt on his nose, let alone on his tale, safe to say we jumped in 2 different directions, the fox never to be seen again this night, a worthy Fox this one and worthy of note, actually I will feel quite sad when I bring this one to justice.

Hunt Four.

As you will see in the video, it was a ghastly night to be out on this night, the wind is not a problem its the ghastly rain I cant stand, a night filled with encounters, rabbits playing almost at my feet as I stood there in complete silence in the dark, voles squeaking around me, I even had a tawny owl land on a fence post not 10 feet away, deer grazed in the field behind me, a brace of hares bimble about completely unaware I was watching them on the Night Pearl Thermal Systems, the horses now know me and find I am boring so don't bother with me, I stayed there till 2am, but not as much as a sniff of this ghost fox, I am booked to go back later this week as he is still munching the game birds each night.

Hunt Five.

A Worthy Adversary

Ghost Fox finally fell in a momentous battle of wits, this fox had out foxed me, 2 keepers and several other shooting and country folk, taking guinea fowl, grey Partridges, pheasants, chicken and a couple of lambs literally right from under these folks noses.

This fox truly was switched on by the time I got called in, first he out foxed me, took a pee on my car wheel showed me a clean brush like an up yours Jack, then we had a close spiritual encounter where we literally bumped into each other, so close I could of scruffed him, I don't know who was more shocked Basil or myself on that one. Several times I had him in the cross hairs of the Night Pearl Seer system over the previous hunts, but always no safe shot and he knew it I am sure.

Finally it was age old school time learnt field craft that brought him to justice, as a wise old owl I sat and watched his movements for several nights, no gun just observe and learn my enemies movements, even the most erratic of approaches has a system a regularity, you just have to sit and observe and learn.

I love watching wildlife and only deal with foxes that attack live stock etc.

The down fall for this fox was a telegraph pole, 3 nights I saw him here scent marking his territory, the first time was the night he out foxed me, all the horses had been moved to another field, I positioned myself on the other side of the valley this night, the wind taking my scent away on this freezing cold night.

Right on schedule Basil came on to the field of play, I watched him quartering the field, then he disappeared through a hedge, oh bigger I have it wrong again, I held position as he came back to mark his territory on the telegraph pole.

In the pitch black of night, in complete silence, watching him on the Night Pear Buru Max II Thermal Spotter, I then switched to the rifle on the Primos Trigger Sticks, my 243 fox stopper with a Norma 58gr V Max round, this is my favourite foxing ammo and calibre, its now or never as he looked straight at me, I don't normally do head shots but it's all he gave me, pin point accuracy right between the eyes, he dropped stone dead immediately and ethically.

I breathed a sigh of relief, a slight smile then a thought of sadness as my worthy foe had fallen, that was some fox I telle, worthy of mention not only in my Out Foxing Charlie Series but also in a new book I am writing, the respect of an opponent in battle has deep meaning, I respect this fox, I buried him with honours him next to his telegraph pole right where he fell.

The Game Keepers wanted to see him too and take their hats off to him and pay their respects to the ghost fox that had out foxed them all, they helped me Bury him too, A Worthy Fox HE.

Only true Countrymen will understand this respect for the fox, this fox, a truly magnificent animal who will live in my thoughts forever, I don't hate the fox or an animal, its my job to protect livestock with conservation at my core and to find the balance in nature.

So every time I go to this estate, I will tip my cap to Basil and his headstone of the telegraph pole, I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Out Foxing Charlie 21
Out Foxed By Charlie

By The Ole Hedge Creeper

*Photos and Videos are for Illustration purposes only*

0 Comments

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event & Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20

6/12/2021

0 Comments

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event & Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20 The Tale Of The Kangaroo Fox

Blimey where do I start with this one, it sure has been a hectic time of late, I swear I have met myself coming back a few times, I think I will stick a sweeping brush up my backside and a feather duster in each ear, this way I can do my much needed house work as I frantically fly around, there just is not enough hours in the day, or days in the week at the moment.

Not only do I head up two very successful kids charities, I also run two very high performing businesses, the Country Sports Shop, two range nights a week and all my Freemasonry and so much more, as well as try to keep up The Ole Hedge Creepers media brand and keeper my own shoot too, so as you can imagine time is very short, but I do wear many hats when asked what do I do.

I suppose I should start off with the international thermal evening, my company Really Wild Adventures (www.reallywildadventures.co.uk) headed up recently with the brilliant Night Pearl International (www.nightpearl.eu), I am also a Night Pearl International Hunting Team member on top of my role as The Eley International Out Doors Ambassador, add that with all the other caps I wear I am a pretty busy boy.

This thermal evening started out as a trade only event, but it quickly became evident that the wider Country Sports public were very interested in the products from this brilliant company, one reason they are a world leader when it comes to night vision and thermal imaging products, this is a company of real hunters, so when I say they know what we need in the field, they really know as they test it all themselves out in mother nature doing the job its meant for, I like their mantra Hunting With Passion, along with this and the recent filming I have done with them, a passion is what they have, but not just for Hunting, but also for Conservation and passing on this knowledge to the next generation, they asked me could I think up a one line sentence that would finish off each of our videos, articles or humble scribbles, they wanted an English equivalent that had Trophy, Hunting and Passion in it, Hmmmmmm thinking cap on whilst posing for hunting photos, that's why I look so serious, plus the fact I was watching three Roe Deer watching us, so I came up with this little one liner, The Trophy Of Hunting, Is A Passion For Conservation, how about that then, pick the bones out of that Chris Packham, Caaaaaaabooom get in there with a mighty fine right hook from The Ole Hedge Creeper all about what I truly believe in, Country Sports and Conservation was instilled in me from boyhood and this beats to my very core, you just cant have one without the other, as the International Eley Ambassador too this is something Eley and I really agree on.

The evening itself went brilliantly with the trade and general Country Sports Public, this was a very busy even for a bitterly cold late November Night, of course Night Pearl International lead the way, the venue was the simply stunning Long Ashton and District Rifle Club just South of Bristol, Night Pearl were set up next to the 100m outdoor ranges, all the Seer 35s and 50s as well as dedicated thermal scopes were mounted on Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporters, shooting thermal targets in the complete darkness, an entire range of thermal spotters were there too lead by the new Scops Max III a truly amazing bit of kit, of course this stand was a huge hit with everyone especially my Young Sports Ambassadors, even more of a hit when they spotted a rabbit and a rat on the manicured lawns of the shooting club, go on Rob shoot them they excitedly said, I said OK but you have to skin them and I will cook them for you to eat them, what including the rat they said, I said yes, of course they were like it OK leave them alone we don't fancy eating rat, all the parents laughed as they knew I didn't mean it for the rat, but for the rabbit I did, I teach my Young Sports Ambassadors the correct way of the Countryman.

We had lots of other stalls there too, ADG Custom Knives, Dean who makes my Ole Hedge Creeper knife (look for him on face book), each knife and sheath are hand made from scratch through his entire range, he was rushed off his feet answering questions and taking orders, we also had The Somerset Freemasons (www.somersetfreemasons.org) there talking about Freemasonry, this was a huge hit and had a lot of interest, there was also The Somerset Branch of The Masonic Fishing Charity (www.mtsfc.org.uk), each time I looked across both these stand were very busy, The Masonic Boys did a brilliant job and represented Somerset Freemasonry and Freemasonry in general as well as the MTSFC extremely well, a huge well done from me there boys. We had Scorpion Arms there with some unique firearms pieces, both custom and regular but interesting examples none the less, what Richard has forgotten about fire arms and gun smithing than you and I will ever know, we Had Penny’s Paraphernalia there too, all hand made Country merchandise, look for them on face book and see for yourself, Pass It On Young Sports were there too, my team did a cracking job raising our profile to the international Country Sports world (www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org.uk), last but not least we had my book stand there and if I say so myself it looked stunning, all my books are available from the Really Wild Adventures website: www.reallwildadventures.co.uk or The Ole Hedge Creepers Website: www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk and remember all the proceeds from my books goes directly to The Pass It On Young Sports Organisation.

The next night I was back out on an emergency stock attack job, the fox was attacking a rare breed, free range fowl unit, what my client thought was one fox actually turned out to be five foxes, this was going to ba hard one to sort, like I always say, I only deal with foxes that attack livestock etc, I don't shoot them just because its a fox, unlike so many within the shooting sports sector, as soon as I got there I saw a fox on the Scops Max III thermal unit from Night Pearl, I sprang into action immediately, my opo who was with me didn't know what was happening, I just disappeared into the darkness saying not a word in complete silence, well it was not really complete darkness, there was the ambient light from the trading estate and a foul moon to contend with, it was actually like daylight out there, I became a Ninja stalking the shadows, I set up under an old oak tree, the wind to my face taking my scent away, rifle at the ready on my Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks, the Seer 35 mounted on the rifle at the ready, I had headed this fox off and in she came to me, I never called or made a sound, I just tracked here with the spotter, now it was time to switch to the gun, cross hairs on watching her on the Seer 35, I wish I could say I got a great recording, but as I have always said, I am a low tech Man in a high tech world, I could not get the unit to record, as always we are the weakest link in the gear, but none the less at 55 yards I squeezed off the shot and that distinct thump of a humane strike to the engine room was heard, I retrieved this big Vixen and took her back to my Opo at the truck, they said blimey that was quick, one moment your there the next your vanished, a few moments later that shot made me jump out of my skin, we both laughed,

I had a mug of tea from the flask and a sandwich, this was when I saw the next set of foxes a pair mooching around the orchard, of I went again as silent as the grave and as stealthy as Tiger, I could not shoot either one where they were, no safe back stop and too near the horses, I did not want to spook them even by chance, so I waited and watched, what I can only guess as the Vixen stayed by the horses, but this big dog fox was heading straight for the free range hens area, he was switched on he new something was not right, I stayed in the dark shadows of a hawthorn bush, not moving or making a sound, its no good calling these foxes as every Tom, Dick and Harry have had a pop at them, so I sat watching them with the patience of Jobe, just watching in silence on the night pearl spotter, I had rabbits and voles hopping all around me, eventually he was happy the coast was clear and in he trotted on full attack mode, 50 yards and still coming cross hairs on target, I made a short rodent squeak he stopped dead in his track broad side on, well the rest was history a text book humane shot to the engine room.

That Vixen trotted off showing me a clean brush, I retrieved my fox he was huge, not the biggest I have ever shot but he was up there, he was as fat as butter, not surprised how many prize hens he had munched, I took him back to the truck, my Opo was there still on watch with the Scops Max II, they reported no sign of a fox coming in from this side of the farm, but had enjoyed watching Bats, Rabbits and Voles, the local Barn owl took a vole too right in front of them too, so magical night all round, two out of three foxes so far, not bad considering the weather and the ambient light as well as a full moon, I had another mug of tea, this was when my spider senses kicked in.

I am often asked do I have a sixth sense or am I telepathic or something, they say I always seem to sense wildlife or the quarry, I laughed and said no such luck mate, I am just in tune with mother nature, I actually heard a Magpie chatter, this often means a Chicken thieving Charlie is about, or a cat or bird of prey or something, I have learned over the years to listen to other wildlife, for it speaks if you listen with the right ears on, something I learnt from boyhood watching the old masters hunt and pass on the craft down too me, a bit like a wildfowlers sight, we will get to that in a bit, my sixth sense was right again, I caught a flash of a pair of foxes heading to the small orchard, like before I was gone in a flash stealth mode extreme switched on, I got to the orchard and the guinea fowl were making a right din, one fox was on the farmers lawn just looking up at the guinea fowl, no safe shot there, the birds were safe enough high up in the tree, now where did that other bugger go? I stealthily tracked around to the scrap field, we call it this as there is a lot of vintage scrap farm machinery in that field, ahhhhh there he was a big Dog Fox, now I am not sure why, perhaps he had a full belly on some of the hens he took the night before, but he walked out into the middle of the meadow at the bottom of the big bank, just like a dog he walked round in a circle, flattened the grass down and lay down to sleep, I stalked straight out to him, 85 yards on the range finder in the broad open I stood, I thought I cant get any closer as the wind was bringing my scent around to him, he raised his head had a sniff and lay down once again.

I mounted the gun on the primos trigger sticks, took careful aim and shouted to him, nothing not even an eyebrow raised, with the guinea fowl still kicking off behind me I thought he cant hear me, so I shouted even louder, still nothing, so I gave a really loud whistle, nothing again, was this fox deaf or something, so I took the shot where he lay, thwack I bowled him clean over, then a strange thing happened he got up and hopped off like a Kangaroo on his back legs ten yards to the ditch, I was after him fast as lightning for a follow up shot, I was there at the ditch in seconds, expecting to have to put him down with a follow up shot, but no he was stone dead, the ditch was too deep to retrieve him that night, so the farmers Collie retrieved him the very next morning, watch my videos that accompany this article they explain it better than mere words.

A few days later we had my wonderful Nan’s memorial service at the local Masonic temple, this is the temple where I do most of my Freemasonry, my Nan passed away at a ripe old age last year, but because of this ghastly Covid 19 we could not get the family together until now, I wore my Masonic suit as my Nan loved me in that suit, she said it always reminded her of her Father my Great grandfather going off to lodge meetings, a lot of the family were intrigued what Freemasonry was and is, I did my best to explain everything and answer their questions, I offered them a guided tour around the Masonic Temple up stairs, the entire family and friends were overwhelmed at the sight and ore of it all as I explained charity is at the core of every Freemason, the younger Cousins, Nieces and Nephews wanted to know all about the Temple, the banners, warrants, lodge furniture etc, so I sat them down in key places around the temple, I told them a biblical story a little bit of truth and a little bit of made up to make the story palatable for young minds, at which point I asked my Father who was the Roman Centurion at the door to turn the lights off, I then said to the younger members of the family who believes in God? Of course each of them said yes, a single light came on in the ceiling, all the kids gasped WOW, I explained God is always with us, he will see and hear everything we say or do, so with the help of the bible as our guide God has given each of us especially us Freemasons the tools to be a good person and a worth to our fellow man, charity is at our core so we must help those less fortunate than ourselves, the children all smiled and said tell us another story Uncle Rob, I told them a short story my own pappy told me as a small boy all bout good and evil and how God shows us the way of the light from the East without getting too heavy that was for the children, we all went back down stairs and of course there was a 101 question especially from some of the lady folk of my family, cousins I did not really know, one thing became really apparent my family have a strong faith in the Lord, plus man of us are teachers or coaches in one form or another, I left that day with a full heart after giving my Nan a proper send off with all her family there, for Family was everything to my Nan, she was the matriarch lioness of the family and god help anyone who crossed her over her cubs.

My awesome, amazing and wonderful Nan and Pap's on their wedding day, god rest their beautiful souls.

I have managed to get out wildfowling with my brother, he invited me out on one of the fishing lakes he has permission to shoot over, there were a lot of duck and they were becoming a problem, so Goose (my Cocker Spaniel) and I headed up to Gloucestershire, armed with my over and under 20b and a couple of boxes of Game Bore Steel cartridges I drop up to my brothers place, as it turns out he was using almost the same gun in 20b too, he was using Hull steel cartridges, ahhh the apple never falls far from the tree, we have both been 20b fans since we were kids, but that story is for another time, we got to the fishing lakes and loaded up straight away as my brother said there is often a few ducks in the drainage ditch as we walk down, almost as he finished saying that Goose flushed three mallard, two drakes and a duck, I mounted fast and swung through Bang, Bang a cracking left and right of the drakes, I don't like shooting the females even to this day if I can help it, that's next years breeding stock my boy echoing from the mists of time through my ears from my old Dad, something I have never forgotten that no matter what species I hunt for the table, my brother said blimey that was fast if I had blinked I would of missed that, we both giggled.

We settled in by the main lake, there was a grassy flooded meadow to our rear, some Teal and Wigeon have been dropping in at dusk we might get a chance my brother said, the night started to fall and the mallard started to drop in, my brother saluted often with a by golly they move quick as the duck flew on unscathed, I did chuckle, we shot a few that night, none so memorable as those first two though as Goose flushed and retrieved both in fine style, another memorable one was about half an hour before we left, I heard it drop in to the splash, Goose saw it and he was on point, it rose like a classic springing Teal, one quick snap shot and plop down it came, I sent Goose on but thought I better go help this young dog with my torch, this was when disaster struck, this splash that was only ankle deep went to waist height pretty damn fast I tell you, ky knew Jack Pyke welly boots were full of water and I will say it was damn cold round my man hood too as I tried to run on water, we retrieved the hen Teal much to the laughter of my dear Brother, I walked, no I squelched back the long way round to my shooting seat, I was reliably in formed by my brother that I had only crossed the only deep bit on the entire splash as he laughed some more, now the joviality did not stop there or my bad luck, I had left my unloaded shot gun on my bag there it was where I left it, as I sat back on my chair preparing to pick the gun back up, still cold and wet I might add, another funny thing happened, I fell off said chair backwards in slow motion, it was like the scene from the film Twin Town when Fatty falls off the ladder, I AM GOING if say it in a Welsh Accent it makes it funnier, much to my brothers amusement, who is now coughing, laughing and going blue with hysterical enjoyment at his own brothers miss fortune, well who needs enemies when you have family like this, only kidding I would do the same if it were him, actually he is probably getting his own back from past events, only in Country Sports does this stuff happen, that's how memories are made and my cup runeth over with memories from my time in the field, in the woods or on the sea with my awesome family, I squelched home all the way to Somerset with some fine wild meat from mother natures living larder, some brilliant memories of a wonderful time spent with my Brother and my young dog Goose, the next day I prepared my duck with Tilly and Goose watching on, my Ole hedge Creeper Knife from ADG Custom Knives made short work of them I telle you, I think I feel my famous Migratory Alabama Duck Burgers coming on, both dogs licked their lips and said yes too.

I got called back to the farm where those earlier foxes were attacking, remember I shot three out of five, I got there in plenty of time still in good daylight, the client asked me if I could thin out a few rabbits as he had so many and they were eating more grass than his cattle, so for a couple of hours I tried for some rabbits, I bagged two lovely ones with my 22LR using Eley Subsonic Ammunition, alas the grass was just too long to see the rest or get a clean safe shot on them, I did think as my belly rumbled oh yes a nice rabbit stew is on the cards for these two, I paunched them out and put the paunch on a small tray I found in the farm yard, my plan was to put it out about 60 yards away and use it as a scent attractor, no fox worth its salt can resist this I thought, I was right, as the night fell and I finished my mug of soup from my flask and cheese and onion sandwich I heard a ghostly sound, the sound of a Vixen calling, every time I hear this a cold shiver goes up my spine, I always think of the ghost stories my Pappy (Grandfather) used to tell me as a boy and the banshee coming to get me in my bed, I quickly chopped my grub back and finished my mug of soup.

I was in position on the sticks as fast as lightning, rifle pointing at my stink tray, Night Pearl Seer 35 on the scope an at the ready in standby, there I was scanning the free range hens meadow that lay before, all the chickens had gone to bed now, I could hear the click of the electric fence, the cold breeze at my face stinging my ears and nose, making my eyes water, the Night Pearl Scops Max III resetting itself as all thermals do every few seconds, I could smell the water from the pond, a sort of clean fresh smell, then there she was right in the corner of the paddock, a Vixen nose in the air coming round on the wind down the sloping embankment, hang on a moment there's another coming in behind her, then another??? I scanned about keeping my eye on this three that are staying right out there with no safe shot, then there were two more to my left coming in along the railway embankment, that's five foxes all at once no wonder he keeps losing hens, because of the location of this farm very near a trading estate and a town close by, cross this with town released foxes, I think this is why he has so many, I have actually shot around twenty foxes here in the last few months, I will have to check my record book but I am sure I am right its twenty, knowing I am probably going to only get one chance with these foxes I must choose my target carefully, as it was a small vixen chose herself, straight in after the rabbit paunch, safety off and well the rest is history, she fell to a humane shot to the engine room, ethically taken and for the right reason, I have installed some live cage traps there now running 24/7 and these too have been of great effect.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my latest humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed writing them, so until my next attempt at putting some legible words together, stay safe and well one and all and Covid Free, may I take this opportunity to with you all a very Merry Christmas and an even Happier, Healthier and Prosperous New Year.

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20
The Tale Of The Kangaroo Fox

By The Ole Hedge Creepers
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

*pics for illustration purposes only, some are stock photos*

0 Comments

Out Foxing Charlie 19

7/11/2021

2 Comments

Out Foxing Charlie 19
The Tale Of The Scaly Tailed Ratticuss

Blimey I just don't know where to start with this article, I am that busy I have blinked and here we are a month later from my last humble scribbles, as always I am almost late for my deadline for the magazines etc, you know its so busy I have actually met myself coming back at times.

Before I go further into this article, I have a couple of parish notices as we say in Freemasonry, first off we have an awesome international event that I and my company Really Wild Adventures is heading up, we are putting on a brilliant Thermal Night at The Long Ashton & District Rifle Club, in association with The Night Pearl Thermal Company, they are flying in from the Czech Republic to help put this event on, its suppose to be a trade event so all shops etc are invited, but we have opened it up to the general public too, there is a Face Book Events Page especially for the event, you can find it by liking my Really Wild Adventures Page then click on the event itself, full details are on the flyer below too, if you have any problems drop us a line, we are making this like a micro shooting show, there will be trade stands on site as well as a fully functioning cafe and club room, Shooting using the Night Pearl Thermal Systems outside and indoor a have a go air rifle and air pistol range too, bring the whole family as kids are most welcome, my Really Wild Adventures Marksmanship Team will be running the ranges in association with the Pass It On Young Sports Organisation.

The second of the parish notices are that The Ole Hedge Creeper and Really Wild Adventures have teamed up with the Country Cover, Country Sports Insurance Company, this insurance package covers all your Country Sports, Shooting Sports and Fishing, we also have an exclusive money off voucher, so use the code on it when purchasing it through their website, all details are below on the photo of the voucher, again if you have any problems drop us line.

THE ROOKY MISTAKE.

Well yes I am human and yes I make mistakes, but never with firearms safety I might add, a very old VIP client of mine called me to say can I be on site asap, basically now this minute or even better yesterday, what was the problem I asked, I cant write what he actually said, but those gosh darn Charlie Foxes are killing his prize Guinea Fowl and other rare breed fowl, as you can imagine he was not too pleased, we both still think these are town released ones as they have scars on them etc, but I will leave that right there, he also said I have rabbits eating more grass than his cattle so can I deal with those too.

I was in such a rush as my morning rounds were so hectic, I was also out till the early hours dealing with a rat job with the awesome Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter and the brilliant Night Pearl Seer 35 and Scops Max II Thermal Spotter, I really wanted a a night off, but when a client calls you must go, so later that day I grabbed my rifles, the 223, the .22lr and the Air Arms S510, put the Night Pearl Seer 35 and Spotter out ready to go, I made m usual flask and sandwiches, then I was off for over an hours drive down the motorway to get to my clients farm.

This was when disaster struck, the rooky mistake was I had not taken the scope bracket for the Night Pearl Seer 35 that would fit my scope on the 223, what a complete dime bar, I was OK with the Air Arms and the 22lr as they had the same size scopes on, but the 223 was 10mm bigger, I wont tell you the words I called myself, but I did cuss and curse a lot, now I had a predicament, how was I going to deal with these chicken Thieving Charlie's when the night falls??? good ole me as always I never leave home without a good hunting lamp, my green pill Night Master Venom and scope bracket are in my truck, phew that was a lucky one, so the foxes would have to be taken old school this night, this was going to be very difficult indeed as it was so light there with the security lights from the adjacent trading estate, plus the fact it was a full moon, but never mind head up chest out and get on boy, you have the tools, the skills and the field craft knowledge.

Now the rabbits were not much of a problem, my Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter using air Arms Field Diablo pellets took care of the closer ones out to 50 yards, the ones that were a lot further away on the big embankment was my 22lr territory using the Eley Subsonic Ammunition. Both guns and ammo performed flawlessly by day and by night using the Night Pearl Seer 35, the only weak link in the chain was me, but I did alright as always, by the time I had to move onto the foxes I had amassed quite a respectable bag of fresh shot rabbits, my game dealer will be very pleased as will my client I thought at that moment.

I did have a little excitement with a fox I called stumpy tail, she out smarted me in the orchard a couple of weeks previously after trying to attack the gleanies, I heard them kicking off so I stalked round the other side of the farm buildings, travelling light 2 bullets, a rifle and my Primos Hunting Sticks, I could see the gleanies all kicking off from up the tree and on the high wall, I mounted the gun on the stick and scanned the area, ahhhh there she was at the foot of the tree sat looking up, a perfect back stop of the high bank behind her, the rest is history really, I took the safety off and put the cross hairs of the scope on the engine room of the fox and squeezed the shot off, that distinct thump of a perfect shot to the engine room was heard, my client heard it and he came round saying well done you, he took some pics and a video for me too, actually watch the Rooky Mistake video that is with this article it will explain this day perfectly, I moved into the night shift after the rabbits, there were four more foxes, but try as I may I just could not get them to stand for a shot with the lamp, it was just simply to bright a night and they could see me no matter where I hid, so I called it a night tired, cold and hungry as I headed back to my truck for a mug of soup and a sandwich, as the terminator says I WILL BE BACK, but next time with the correct equipment.

I had a very nostalgic days rough shooting on an old friends farm, the reason it was nostalgic was that my ole Dad the Ole hedge creeper Senior was with me, Dad does not get out so much now, His age, life, his health and other things get in the way, so it was wonderful to have him and Tess his springer spaniel out with me, Tess you will remember being his dog I trained over the last three years, when I lost my beloved Labrador Brook some three years ago this very day as I type, we had a wonderful day working my Cocker Spaniel Goose and his mum Tilly with Tess, we could of shot a big bag of mixed game, but as always we were enjoying working our dogs that we just did not raise the gun to salute the game being flushed before us, we took a token brace each for the table but let the rest go, Dad and I had such a wonderful day and I cherish each shoot we go on more now than I did as a boy, the dogs most certainly enjoyed themselves the slept all night and the next day too.

There are so many hunts I could take you on in this article for this last month, but I think I will let the photos and videos tell the rest of the story save one, I was called down to a very high profile farm, farm shop and well sort of private collection rare breed and exotic zoo, again this is a very old client of mine who is as much a Countryman as me minus the guns as he does not shoot, literally over night he had rat infestation move in, the farm next door had harvested all his potato crop and maize crop, thus pushing all the rats there of all over to my clients rare breed Duck, Geese and Hens area as well as other places around the farm and shop etc, again that frantic call when can you come I need you now, I always laugh at that one, its like closing the gate after the horse has bolted, I just could not fit him in for a few days I was fully booked and unable to jiggle the work I had booked in already, a cancellation due to a flood helped and they re booked me for the following week, so I got to the rat job a bit quicker than anticipated, but to the joyous response of my client who smiled with a thank god your here, we now have a fox and rabbit problem too, I did laugh and say its a bloody good job I brought all the kit then, it takes an hour and a half drive to get to this client so I always go fully equipped to deal with any scenario.

I got out the Night Pearl Thermal Systems, his eyes lit up, ohhhhh new toys what are these, I explained its all thermal equipment now, so I fitted the Night Pearl Seer 50 to the Air Arms S510 ultimate Sporter and hung it on my gen 3 Primos Trigger Stick ready for the rats and rabbits, I then mounted the Night Pearl Seer 35 on the 223 ready for the when I knew the Chicken Thieving Charlie's will be attacking, this I mounted on my gen 2 Primos trigger sticks, the other pest tech that was with me was using a NiteSite Wolf mounted on their Air Arms S210 using my old Night Pearl 13 thermal to find the rats before shooting them, this was when I pulled out the Scops Max II and The Scops Max III thermal spotters, my client was as wide eyed as a kid at Christmas, I showed him how to use it as he wanted to stay out with us this night, the night feel and the rats came out to play.

My client was overwhelmed with this new thermal equipment, he was calling out rat targets faster than I could shoot them, although I had several magazines running I just could not keep up with re loading them and re airing the gun from the divers bottle, he was shocked to how many rats he actually had, the other pest tech that was with me had the same problem, they kept running out of ammo and air to quickly, as the evening went on the action slowed a little but not by much, by the time we had killed the batteries on the Thermal scopes and spotters we had actually ran out of pellets too, I only had 1 pellet left in the tin, that was some fast action I tell you, I hear folks saying to me thermal for rats that's a bit much is it not? I say nonsense why have a dog and bark yourself, my Oppo carried on with their NiteSite as I moved onto the foxes.

There was still a little battery left in the Scops Max III thermal spotter and a fresh battery on the Seer 35 Thermal Scope, the rabbits did notplay ball this night so I left them be, but the foxes did, all I will say is The Ole Hedge Creeper Filled the bag and got the job done it was a bitterly cold night I was glad of my Jack Pyke gear to keep me warm and concealed, The Night Pearl Thermal Systems and The Air Arms Rifle Combos never missed a beat, again watch the videos with this article they will tell the stories far better and than my humble scribbles, my client is on there telling of the wonderful attributes of the awesome Night Pearl Thermal Systems.

We have had some wonderful range nights this month too, in association with The Really Wild Adventures Marksmanship Team, The Long Ashton & Districts Rifle Club on the Pass It On Young Sports, Air Arms Supporters Range, you can find out more about this over at www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org.uk, I have especially enjoyed coaching the younger young sports this month teaching them some martial arts meditation techniques I call Calm Pond, again the video will show you better than I can write it.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my articles and watching my videos as much as I have enjoyed writing them and making the videos, until next time may I wish all good health and stay safe one and all.

Out Foxing Charlie 19 & The Tale of The Scaly Tailed Ratticuss

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

2 Comments

A Season New

13/10/2021

0 Comments

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Well I really don't know where to start with this article, one moment its Spring, then Summer and were in full swing protecting the crops/live stock etc from the hungry foxes, pigeons and rabbits etc, keepering my own shoot is a full time job on its own, then its September and the start of the wildfowling and partridge season, now we hit October my birds are to wood and shoot dates booked, all this on top of running Pass It On Young Sports, The Somersetshire branch of The Masonic Fishing Charity, Really Wild Pest Control and Really Wild Adventures, add into this two shooting clubs, range nights and trying to fit in my Freemasonry that's now in full swing, as you can imagine I have not had chance to put pen to paper as it were.

So here goes, lets start off with my Professional Poison Free Pest Control Rounds, this part of my company is what has really kept me afloat the last 2 years, ghastly Covid closed most of life down, but being a Professional Pest Controller and one of the essential workers I kept going thank god, actually its gotten so busy now I have a team of pest techs contracting to me to help take up the slack, the truth is I really don't like inner city work I am a Countryman, so most of my town and inner city work I contract out, leaving me more time to deal with the Agricultural/Countryside and Habitat management, where my heart really is in this job, although we cover everything we try not to use chemicals or poison unless we have too, I especially like this in my Countryside Management and Agricultural work, this ethos has really paid off with now 40.000 acres on the books and a vast and varied client list under my wing.

As to be expected my live stock protection has quadrupled with rats coming in my their droves into farm building, poultry centers, pig stations and even pet poultry in gardens and small holding etc, Trapping and sustained shooting really works well, especially armed with the NEW Night Pearl Thermal Spotter and Seer 35 front add on scope systems, if you watch the videos at the bottom of this article you will really get a feel for what I am saying here, Night Vision has its place but now Thermal that's the way forward.

A couple of my Young Sports Ambassador's proved this just the other night when they joined me at a hunt stables etc, the chap with the night vision gave up as he could not see the pile of rats that my Young Sports dealt with on the thermal, I hear folk say thermal for rats? that’s a bit over the top, I say poppy cock why have a dog and bark yourself, my clients pay me to get results so why make it hard on myself, Night Pearl Thermal that's the way forward where the metal meets the meat.

The trapping lines really are working well, for they work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when I am not there, although they are checked regularly keeping us within the law, mole work has gone mad and I have had to send for more mole traps from Katch It Traps, fox work has increased as they are now pairing up, live stock is really starting to take battering now from these hungry foxes, as always I try to get my clients to use best practice in animal husbandry, locking them away well, the use of electric fences etc, this only minimises the attacks as a hungry fox will always find a way, a weak spot in your live stock defense, one of my clients calls me the resolver, for if there's a problem I always resolve in the minimum time with as little fuss as possible.

Forestry work has been in full swing on the estate, so much to do with so little time, the squirrel control is in full swing, they have decimated the ground nesting birds, Grey partridge breeding programme, whilst damaging our ancient woodland beyond repair, many lovely old trees have had to be felled for safety reasons etc.

I have managed to get out wildfowling a few times as a guest at a keepering college friend of mines personal shoot, so this was nice, he invited me down to push some pigeons off some standing crop, we then shot his flight pond for an hour, my Brother joined me too as a guest, that was really nostalgic as we have not shot much together since boyhood, ole Goose my English Cocker Spaniel has really done well, ducks now being one of those things he seems to have a passion for, a big mallard drake is a hefty thing for that little dog, but with the heart of lion he is retrieving from water well, I am very pleased with this dog that never leaves my side, he sat here now, head on my lap as I type, on the squirrels just recently he did very well, we had quite a hall of tree rats from the traps but also shooting them, my under keeper bagged several with his 4,10 shotgun, Goose retrieved them all in style, the under keeper remarked if I want to sell that dog he has first refusal, I laughed and said he is going nowhere there not enough money in the world to buy my boy.

I will say these Decibullz Custom Ear plugs are the shizzle, worth every penny for £30, even my clients on a corporate clay shoot the other day liked them so much they have bought some, we have also launched a deal with The Country Cover Club for all your Country Sports and Shooting Sports Insurance, both products are available through my company over at www.reallywildadventures.co.uk pop over and take a look for yourself.

I will say my VIP clients from London had the most amazing days shooting and fly fishing, I don't normally take clients out personally these days, I struggle for the time, that's why I pay my coaches etc to run my corporate days, if you want me you have to pay a premium, their PA insisted they wanted The Ole Hedge Creeper himself to host the day, so I pulled out the red carpet, it truly was a fantastic day spent with very high profile, professional men from London, I actually really enjoyed hosting this event, we finished off the clay shoot with a competition then a simulated driven game shoot using 110 year old English Hammer Shot Guns, this really was the pinnacle of a Classic English sporting shoot, these fellows loved the history of it all as I explained the history of the guns etc, although it rained all day they left smiling.

Masonically I have risen in the ranks as it were, new roles in Craft, The Holy Royal Arch and in The Knights Templar orders, I am very proud, honoured and humbled to have been invited and joined the illustrious ranks of The Provincial Prior’s Body Guard, I was awarded my Body Guard Certificate by the Provincial Prior for Somerset in front of all my peers of Somerset KT, a truly proud moment in my life its right up there with becoming a father, I love Freemasonry, I have met so many wonderful professional all over the world, I truly cannot urge and Man or Indeed Woman to consider becoming a Freemason, equally I cannot urge any MM highly enough to complete your journey into ancient Freemasonry and complete your circle and join The Holy Royal Arch, then and only then can you join the wonderful ranks of The Masonic Knights Templar a truly wonderful order.

I also had a wonderful time at The South Yorkshire Game and Shooting Show in Doncaster, it really is a lovely show, I was there for Pass It On Young Sports as usual, running my Really Wild Adventures corporate stand and taking bookings etc, out in the main show ring doing my hilarious wildfowling, pigeon and crow shooting demo where the kids become the stars of the show, whilst running the Night Pearl Exhibition Stand too, you could say my team and I were rather busy at this show, a huge thanks and well done must go out to my team you helped pull a fantastic show off, equally a massive well done to Richard and his South Yorkshire Shooting Show team, you did a brilliant job and pulled a magnificent show out of the hat, count us all in for 2022 muckers.

Literally as I am typing I am preparing to head out on my nights work, we have a large feral pigeon infestation to deal with, then start a new contract on a rat infestation in a ladies very large garden. The Katch It traps multi catch live traps are in place and are doing well, but tonight we move in with the Air Arms air Rifles, with the Night Pear Seer 35 and 50 mounted on them shooting off the Primos trigger sticks, I know the new Scops Max III thermal spotter is going to get a good outing tonight, well I better get on or I will be late, I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed writing them, until next time stay safe and well one and all.

Oh one last thought, we have a Night Pearl Thermal demo evening in Bristol coming up on Friday the 26th of November 2021, your all welcome to come, its open to the public and the trade, its a free event so why not bring the family as we will have lots going on and other trade stand too.

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

0 Comments

Out Foxing Charlie 18

7/9/2021

1 Comment

Out Foxing Charlie 18
Night Pearl A Shot In The Dark
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Blimey here we are in out Foxing Charlie 18, who would of thought that I knew so much about tracking, hunting, or the life cycle of the humble fox or hunting them for that matter, I suppose its been a journey of discovery and adventure that started well over four decades ago now.

When I started out it was an old motor bike battery and the headlamp off of that said motorbike, the battery being carried in an old army rucksack, the battery acid leaking and rotting my uncles coat and indeed the army rucksack.

Oh how times have changed, we have gone from those early days to lamps of all descriptions, I still have some of the early ones hanging in the cupboard for nostalgic reasons, they still work too, my son Ryan was a lamp buster, his quickest time to break a lamp straight out of the box is 45 seconds, I still love to lamp old school style too this very day, I will tell you of this further along the line in this article.

From lamps we moved into the space age with Night Vision of all sorts, from home made to professionally made kits of all descriptions, the best there has ever been in my humble opinion and I have tried it all, that's the awesome NiteSite System, right from the start the NS50 revolutionised my night hunting, both professionally and not, the NS200 wow what a bit of kit that was, then came the Viper, the Wolf and the Eagle by golly I was like a kid at Christmas, add into this the NiteSite Spotter and the mini Sentinel Pro spotter, could we do any better, NiteSite weren't done there as they brought out The Dark Op’s Viper, wolf & Eagle night vision systems, but all the gadgetry in the world only gave you an edge, as I have always maintained, good field craft and knowing how to lamp correctly is the only way to maintain good standards, be consistent and get the quarry you seek, for the gadgets don’t bring home the bacon, good hunting knowledge does, the rest of the time you rely on luck, alas what with the outbreak of Covid and many other factors my beloved NiteSite Company closed its doors in good order, I still say it now to this day NiteSite is simply the best night vision there has ever been in my humble opinion, you may not agree that's your prerogative.

Now I have been lucky enough to have hunted, fished, shot and indeed cook and eat game all over this wonderful planet of ours, both by day and by night, I suppose this is one reason I was asked to be the international Eley Ammunition Out Doors Ambassador, a couple of years back at The Game Fair 2019 I purchased out of my own pocket a Night Pearl Thermal 13 Spotter from the then NiteSite team, this worked so well with my NiteSite Hunting, for I spotted my quarry on Thermal and shot it on night vision, a system I truly think I have really mastered especially with the Dark Op’s system, I have shot all over the UK with it after being called in to deal with Charlie Foxes attacking live stock, often where other shooters have failed and I have been paid to come sort the problem out, this has ruffled a few feathers here and there as folk think I am after poaching their lands, this is not the case, I come in deal with the job, get paid and leave again, I cant abide people poaching other peoples permissions, I have had it done to me just recently by ghastly people who should know better, when I am called in I always say have you someone else shooting here, if so tell them to call me and we can work together, I leave knowing that person will be taught to my standards and they know I have no intention what so ever to poach their land from under them, this system has gained me many friends along the way, poaching someones permission its not the done thing at all or the way of the true Countryman.

So here we are in the Autumn of 2021 and wow what an 18 months this really has been for so many of us, but as always our British defiance to not give in, never back down has stood us in good stead, yes along the way we have lost family, friends, Brexit and indeed awesome companies like NiteSite and more, in many ways I say this has brought us together and made us stronger and more resilient, Hitler never beat us, nor will this dreadful Covid, just like the former its an irritating little annoyance we will beat with our Great British Tenacity of Defiance now pass the Mug of Tea Mucker.

Internationally I hit the hunting seen yet again, this time with an old friend and that’s the brilliant Night Pearl Team International, after many months of negotiations and finalising contracts, I have accepted their awesome offer to join the Night Pearl International Hunting Team, they liked what I had done with NiteSite brand and indeed seeing me use the Night Pearl 13 spotter that I purchased with my own hard earned money, a Russian hunting journalist friend of mine Alex was testing out their system for the Russian hunting magazines, he introduced me to the wonderful Night Pearl head honcho’s and well here we are now heading them up here in the UK, also the entire Night Pearl Thermal Systems can be purchased through my shop over at the Really Wild Adventures website (www.reallywildadventures@gmail.com) I am helping sell this awesome product here in the UK as I believe in the product and the companies ethics, Night Pearl is a company of actual Hunters, they understand what we need out in the field, so as we say its made by Hunters for Hunters with A Passion For Hunting, this is one reason I am on board, they share the same ethics for Hunting with Conservation at their core the same as me, plus they see the importance of educating the next generation too, I will get on with this article and share with you some of my experiences of hunting with The Night Pearl Thermal Systems, from rats to predators and more we have got you covered.

The first night out using the amazing Night Pearl Seer 35 front add on system, plus the Scops Max II thermal spotter, this really was a nostalgic one this night, my boyhood hunting mentor, my Uncle Dave came with me on a fox control job, an ageing man who has forgotten more about hunting than I will ever know, he is the old master who first taught me about the correct way to lamp, track, field craft, and shoot a rifle, he cannot walk far now but hey I have a perfectly good 4x4 so no walking needed Uncle, I knew where the fox was coming into the field of play and knew where he was going, a huge open hillside undulating meadow, the wind swirled from all directions giving our position away, so we could not get in close and personal as I had been taught as a boy, Uncle Always said two things, you must get so close you can put salt on their tail or see the whites of their eyes.

Alas from this huge meadow we had no cover at all apart from the night herself and the undulating land, I gave Uncle the Scops Max 50 II to use and be my spotter, this was a complete role switch from my boyhood days, as I was always his lamp man as a boy and Uncle was always the shooter with his Remington 22,250, right from switching the unit on my Uncle was blown away with what he could see, all I kept hearing was this is amazing, oh WOW, as he watched barn owls and Tawny Owls go about their business, he watched them take the voles and mice etc, he watched bats take insects, a badger trot right past us 25 yards away none the wiser we were there in the dark of the night, he watched rabbits and hares, a hedge hog snuffle past in the hedgerow behind us. I thought he was going to faint with joy when a young spiker roe buck walked within ten yards of him, he had a graze on some grass right there withing touching distance of my Uncle, then trot off down to a doe, Uncle Dave just could not get over it all, this all happened in complete silence on a night as black as ash cloth.

Entrance stage left Charlie fox, I spotted it on my own Night Pearl 13 Thermal spotter at the Same time as Uncle did on the Scops Max 50 II, I crept as Silent as a mouse around the truck to where my 223 rifle was mounted on the Primos Gen 3 Trigger Sticks, the Night Pearl 35 seer system all set up on the gun, oh blast I forgot to read the instructions and had actually turned the unit off instead of in the stand by mode, this only took a second or two to power up, but it felt like a life time when your ready to dance with a Charlie Fox. Especially as I had been after this live stock killing Charlie for some weeks now, I eventually got on target, I used the in built rage finder as I knew he was way out there, it said 200 yards, now there is a lot to learn about this gear, like I always say I am a low tech man in a high tech world, so I really should of read the instructions, yeh right when does a man really read instructions, I can see the ladies rolling their eyes right now, there we are 200 yards and the fox is not stopping, he is on a mission to kill some hens, by the time I had started the Night Pearl System up he had already crossed the huge valley ground and was about to disappear over the bottom of the hill across the valley, I whistled at him and he stopped then moved again but stopped for a pee, too late I was already on him, safety off, I squeezed the shot off and the distinct thump of a perfect shot to the engine room was heard.

I swear the sound and cheer of elation my uncle let out they heard this in the next county, he got out the truck and hugged me and shook my hand saying that was a topping shot my boy, at that moment I don't know who was more proud my old mentor or myself, for this was the very first time My Uncle, My Mentor had ever seen me shoot rifle off my own merit in all these years, I had tears in my eyes and still do as I write this and remember this night, I range found it with my own range finder to check the distance it was 203 yards exactly, I will say the long walk down the hill was one thing, but back up carrying a fox back up that hill was something else, lets just say my heart rate needed a mug of tea from the flask to calm myself down, one thing to remember your max zoom is about 6x but will then start to pix-elate, 3 to 4 is better but remember you are zooming in on the screen of the Seer 35, not the thermal zooming in, I am told the newer models may have a zoom function, what I really like is I don't have to change scopes it turns your day scope into a thermal scope. It literally pops off one scope onto the next, but you must remember to have the right size collars for each scope front, you also don't have to re zero it uses your own scopes cross hairs and zero, watch my videos that are with this article they will help explain things, we left not long after both feeling a real pride and joy from teacher to student thanks to the awesome Night Pearl Thermal System.

The next couple of jobs the Night Pearl Systems joined me on were professional rat control contracts, the first one my brother joined me, he loves rat shooting and is always keen to help me on those contracts, I cant think why can you? My brother used my Air Arms Ultimate Sporter he loves that air rifle as do I, but being the kind big brother I am I let him use that gun with my old NiteSite Wolf mounted on it and using my Night Pearl 13 Thermal Spotter he made short work of the rats in this huge grain storage and milling centre, I on the other hand was using the Night Pearl Seer 35 front add on, mounted on the awesome Air Arms S510 TDR in .22 my favourite calibre, I was also using the Night Pearl Max Pro 50 II plus thermal spotter, by golly those rats never had a clue what was hitting them, bear in mind this was in complete darkness you could not see a hand in front of your face, one moment there are 2 rats then one looks round for the other as if to say what's wrong Burt are you tired, next the other drops too, that Air Arms moderator on that S510 TDR is so whisper quiet, sometimes I have to question myself did I actually pull the trigger, the usual sign is yes as the rat falls over dead with a perfect head shot, if you watch the video that accompanies this article you will see I was there less than 5 minuets and had a reasonable bag, Goose my Cocker Spaniel is a dab hand at retrieving the rats etc for me, actually he likes to catch a few himself, since he got bitten by the first rat he caught he pays them no quarter, one bite, a crunch a shake and the rat is dead, I must say using the Night Pearl Thermal System really makes my night pest control work an easy job, I hear folks say thermal for rats? That's a bit over kill is it not, I say no not at all, why have a dog and bark yourself, I am trying to show you that the investment in this top quality equipment is worth every penny spent, its so versatile you can use it for big beast or small beast, save up that little extra and get something of quality that can cover all your night work and indeed day work, I often use the spotter when dealing with squirrels, you can tell a live squirrel drey from a dead one just by the heat source, so I say this save up a little longer and buy the best you can, or as my Pappy (Grandfather) always said, buy the scope and with the change buy the rifle, for if you cant see it, you cant shoot it, so buy once, cry once, why have a dry biscuit when you can have the finest steak I say, that night we finished on a huge pile of rats, so much so the owner helped us clear up with a wheel barrow, I am not much for taking photos of bag size, but that's one photo I will keep for my personal records, my brother had a most wonderful time his smile was like a Cheshire cat at the end of that night shift.

The next Night Pearl Hunt was with one of my Young Sports Ambassadors, he has got himself a summer job on an old friend of mines farm, he loves it and I am very proud of him, my old chum asked could I pop down as there were a few rats about and could I work my magic, of course I said yes and my Young Sport Ambassador would be joining me too, Farmer laughed and said well he may as well stay on after work then, I got there just after tea time and had a walk round with the Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporters, one each for me and Young H, I like to familiarise myself during daylight hours to the job in hand, this help invaluably for when the night falls, not only tracking and getting a feel for the vermin's activity but also the safe and no safe shot zones, Young H got straight on with dealing with the feral pigeons and by the time it was Night Pearl Time he had quite a bag of ferals on the ground from around the various barns.

Right time to get on and deal with these rats, I had already shot a few during daylight around the feeders and mill etc, so we were already off and running as it were, but as night fell so the rats came out to play, Young H could not believe it as rat after rat fell to his shots with my Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter and the Night Pearl Seer thermal add on, I let him do the lion share of the shooting, I had the odd go but for me it was watching my Young Sports Ambassador for Country Sports in action, he earned that top title and keeps on earning it every day, like I said I am very proud of him and all the other Young Sports that earn the title of Pass It On Young Sports Ambassador, for they have worked hard to rise above the others to earn this coveted title on my young sports programme, back with Young H he was making short work of those scaly tailed Ratticuss, by the time we had finished we had quite a pile of feral pigeons and rats in the wheel barrow, my old farmer friend and Young Hs Boss was very happy with our efforts, he said see H that's why I call him the resolver, no matter what the job is he works his magic and the job is done, I did laugh and say this job was all Young H hard work, I just supervised, I do have to go back very soon, I just have to find the time to fit it all in as I am so busy at the moment, not just with Pest Control.

The next Night Pearl Hunt was a problem fox job, this chicken thieving Charlie fox was hitting one of my oldest pest control clients free range fox, as with everyone they try and sort the job themselves first, but normally end up having to call me to deal with the job regardless, I got there in daylight as always, like I said before I like to see the job in daylight, track the quarry and see safe shot zones etc, this is when good old time learnt field craft comes in, I have said it before and I will say it again, all the gadgets in the world just give you the edge, its no good relying on luck, it makes all the difference where the metal meets the meat, I had worked out there were two foxes attacking, the first I was sure it was a vixen or could be a small dog fox, the second was most definitely a large dog fox, just the paw prints in the soft soil told me this, I suppose it comes down to experience and sometimes a sixth sense I think, a gut feeling, them that knows will know what I mean, I was also lucky enough to pick some field mushrooms in the big paddock, I had these the next morning for breakfast with bacon and eggs, now the problem this night the moon was full and like daylight here, this accompanied with the ambient light from the farms security lights really made for it to be a difficult shooting position.

I managed to find a nice spot in the shadow of a lorry trailer that looked out onto the hill ground rising before me, the night fell and I set up in position, I was not there ten minuets and I had the first fox in the bag, I would like to say it was a momentous shot at great distance in a high wind, it was a bit more like oh bugger there the fox forty yards away waling right to left broad side heading straight for the roosting flock, I was quite simply not ready, I was just playing with the Scops Max II thermal spotter and its settings, I had not really set the seer system up to my favourite settings at this point, I had literally just put it on said yes that's OK for a moment and was sorting the spotter out, but none the less there was the fox, I mounted the gun, put the cross hairs on the engine room and squeezed off the shot, crack thump, fox down with a humane shot to the engine room, my cameraman for the evening could not believe it, neither could I, but sometimes luck does play a part, for the next couple of hours nothing showed apart from rabbits etc, I opted for a drive around the farm and a shine about with my lamp, all quite there too, I headed back and my cameraman and I started the video re cap of the lucky or well unlucky fox, at this point I heard a fox bark to my left, I spotted him on the spotter, range found him with the Seer and basically dropped him on the spot, he must have been watching us film, I was right it was a smaller vixen and a large dog fox, my client was very happy with my efforts and he has reported no more attacks on his flock since, I will say that was a funny ole night, mere words, photos and the video really does not do it justice, but again it was time learnt field craft, and technology that brought home the bacon, well yes and a bit of luck too, but it was the tracking and field craft that put me in the right spot, the rest as we say is all gravy.

The final hunt was not with any Night Vision or Thermal or indeed the awesome Night Pearl System but the good ole lamp, like I said at the start it has always been my opinion to be any good with night vision or indeed thermal, you must master the old art of the lamp man, this hunt this night proves I have still got this old skill, my wing man this night was an inexperienced person, we were out dealing with mole jobs, rat jobs, feral pigeon jobs etc, I had the ole 223 with me as I might have had to go deal with a daytime fox job, this did not happen, but I had a phone call from the lady who owns the estate where I keeper, could I pop around and make sure all the gates were shut, the contractors had finished all the grass cutting, bailing etc, the last time they left all the gates wide open and we ended up with fly tippers dumping rubbish, of course my lady I will do that no problem at all I said.

Actually it was a perfect opportunity for me to have a look round for some of the problem foxes that had been taking my Grey Partridges, we don't shoot these they are a conservation project I am running with Pass It On Young Sports, blast no night vision or thermal with me, oh well old school it is then, Lamp, Gun, Trigger Sticks and time learnt field Craft, I went around shutting all the gates, having a shine with the lamp before I shut each one, I got to the quarry ground as we call it, right in front of me no lamp required I saw a fox dash off across the grass land right into one of my woodland drives, gun on the shoulder sticks and lamp in hand I went after him, I circled around so the wind was in my face, my scent and indeed sound if any being taken away in the opposite direction of where I knew the fox would be, I stationed myself right in the valley knowing I had a good back stop behind the fox, I gave a few hand squeals and scanned with the red filter, there he was coming out of the bottom of the wood on the old game trail, he sat to my squeal looking right at my beam, I used the bottom of the beam to illuminate him, left hand above my head with the lamp, gun mounted on the Primos Gen 3 trigger sticks, I exhaled and squeezed off the shot, I don't normally do head shots but this one just presented itself just right, that clear distinct thwack of a perfect strike as the fox dropped stone dead to the shot, I composed myself and made the gun safe, then Goose (My English Cocker Spaniel) and myself headed over to retrieve this fox that had been giving me the run around in the long grass for months, tonight his luck ran out, a solo mission on foot old school style, safe to say I still have the skills when I need them, so like I say learn the Lamp Man’s craft and field craft first then you will get the full benefits of the Night Vision or indeed Thermal, I walked back to my Opo who was at the truck, excitedly he said I heard a shot did you get it? I laughed and held up this big dog fox and said you could say that, again I think the video shows my joy better than mere words or photos.

Well until my next humble scribbles, I hope you have enjoyed this article, as I type I am preparing to head North to the South Yorkshire Shooting Show in Doncaster, if you would like to see the Night Pearl Systems in action come say hello, don't forget all the Night Pearl Systems are available through Really Wild Adventures on the links below, but remember these words, Field Craft, Mastering The Lamp and Knowing Your Quarry will make you a more successful Hunter and or Countryman.

Out Foxing Charlie 18
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

1 Comment

Night Pearl International The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team

6/8/2021

0 Comments

Night Pearl International
The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team

Many months ago my very good friend and top Russian Hunter and Journalist Alex and I spoke all about the Night Pearl thermal System, we discussed in great detail our experience with this awesome product, I had purchased my own Night Pearl Thermal Spotter some three years previously when I was with that amazing British Company NiteSite, alas its with great sadness to me they had to close their doors, I still love their products and the people behind the company too, Alex had been testing the Night Pearl systems for several months and reported to me how great they were, this was no surprise like I say I parted with my hard earned cash to buy one of their units personally for myself and my professional hunting etc, now this is something I don't do easily, for those that know me will tell you I am tighter than a ducks backside and that's water tight, I don't part with my hard earned unless I am 101% positive what I am buying suits my needs and does what it says on the tin, this ethos I carry on in my humble scribbles and reviews etc, for if it does not do what it says on the tin I wont say it will, you don't have enough pieces of silver in your bank to buy my soul, I was brought up your word is your bond, your firm hand shake and looking in your eyes seals that contract, so when I say something works for me it does, my word is gold and that you can take to the bank.

Alex and I discussed further not only the thermal spotter system, but what really caught my eye was the front add on thermal scope, the Seer 35 Elite system to be precise, Alex assured me this was a quality product and exactly what I was looking for to replace my awesome NiteSite Dark Ops set up, as many of you know I am not only a passionate hunter and conservationist, I also do this professionally, I need no demand a good quality set up, for me the price matters not it has to do what it says on the tin, I tried several other leading brands of thermal and night vision, but quite simply they did not work for me, this was when the light went off with Alex, I had a look at this Night Pearl system, immediately it just worked for me, so Alex kindly put me in touch with the right people at Night Pear International, with several months of talks and well getting to know each other, I was just about to put my hand in my pocket and buy a Seer front add on Thermal scope, this was when the wonderful people at Night Pearl asked would I consider joining their international team, WOW what an honour, apparently I have impressed them on my professional/ethical approach to hunting and conservation, as it turns out the folks from Night Pearl are exactly the same as me with the same ethics etc, I did make it clear from the start I don't blow smoke up backsides, my word is my bond and I shoot straight, if a product don't do what it says on the tin they will hear about it, I was relieved to hear this was what they wanted, true honest reviews of their products by real hunters, no glory boys being told what to write with 20 pieces of silver, as it turns out almost all the staff at Night Pear from the top to the bottom are all hunters, so I can officially say these products are made by Hunters for Hunter with ethical Hunting and Conservation at its core, the fact the quality of these products really are up there with the world leaders in my book says it all.

I arranged to meet Jacob on The Night Pear stand at The Game Fair Ragley 2021, we signed the contracts and so this Night Pearl Adventure has really started, although I did have a 3 year head start with the unit I purchased myself, I have told Night Pearl I will buy a Seer unit for myself as I am that impressed with it, I must send out a massive thank you to my dear friend Alex for the introduction, Alex can you send me an English version of your articles for the Russian Hunting magazines, the photos are awesome I just cant read the words without a translator.

The game Fair Ragley 2021 was awesome, I only managed to get off my stand and show wring once to go and see Night Pearl, the show itself looked amazing and the atmosphere was simply buzzing as my Young Sports would say, I have to say my stand and show ring really did look spectacular, a massive shout out to my team of volunteers here they did a truly magnificent job helping run it all, the stand was rammed packed full all weekend as was my show ring, one particular show took an unexpected hijacking, we finished the hilarious show as normal parents and other show goers calling for more, this is not unusual, as the saying goes don't work with kids or animals, the kids didn't want to leave the show ring, they wanted more, so we sat down Ole Hedge Creeper Style and did an ad lib story time round the fire, just like we do on the young sports camp outs, only this time we were sat in the middle of the show wring around my decoy display, I passed the microphone round the circle of kids saying tell us a story, I could see the parents cringing what their little darlings were going to come out with, all was going well with the usual funny stuff kids come out with, that was until we got to a five year old girl, I believe her name was Crystal, blonde hair, big blue eyes, a lovely little dress and a denim jacket, actually she reminded me of my daughter Shannon (26) at that age, so I handed her the microphone expecting tales of her toys and her big brother not being very nice, you know the usual stuff, OH NO HOW WRONG CAN I BE, first of all she said her name, pointed over and said that's my Mummy and big brother and sister, both were trying to hide behind their mother, Mummy waved and gave a glaring look, then Crystal came out with it, just like a right hook from Mike Tyson, she proudly announced that her Mother is a Doctor and she has a double jointed backside? Of course the whole place erupted in laughter, her Mother glared even more with steam coming out of her ears telling Crystal to shut up doing the cut sign, so I stupidly asked what makes you think your mum has a double jointed backside? She proudly said in a loud clear voice over the microphone that her mummy breaks wind a lot, actually she used the F word, as her mummy was a Doctor she explained her mummy told here this was why, Crystal also announced her mummy blows off so loud and it stinks, I think mummy fainted at this point.

Now Crystal was not done here, she then proudly announced loud and clear, do you know what my Mummy and Daddy do when her and her brother ans sister are in bed? She also said I know as I snook down and saw them on the sofa doing it? Doing what I asked? People were in fits of laughter and her mother still trying to tell her to shut up, she then loudly said my Mummy is trying to get fat? It tuns out when the kids are in bed Mummy and Daddy eat all the good chocolate and snacks and soft drinks, phew that was a close one, oh but no Crystal was not finished there, why Mummy was trying to get fat was that she sneaks down when Daddy is not there and scoffs al the good chocolate, Snacks and soft drinks all to herself, tears were rolling in fits of laughter all around my show ring, then Crystal out of the blue came out with you know slugs are snails who don't have a house, out of the mouth of babes, that innocence just fills my heart with joy, I did say I think your not in Mummy’s good books right now, she said no its OK she promised to buy me an ice cream, I thanked all the kids and sent them out of the ring, that has to be one of the funniest show ring demos I have ever done, I am tears of laughter just writing this and remembering it.

Back top Night Pearl, contracts signed we did a small photo shoot to welcome me on board as a member of The International Night Pearl Team, I must say their stand and products looked amazing, the sort of professional show stand I would expect to see at the prestigious British shooting Show at The NEC Birmingham or at the IWA in Germany or even The Shot Show in Las Vegas USA, the stand really was magnificent and the products well displayed, this just goes to show this brilliant companies ethos to professionalism and quality that really show in their products, especially where the metal meets the meat.

I will say before I go any further the weak link in this chain is me not the equipment, my first time using the Seer 35 Front Add On Scope, the first thing I learnt here was the importance of having the right coupling to fit your normal scope, measure your scope and order the right size coupling to fit it, if you have more than one scope that's a different size then you might need more than one coupling, take a look at my video that's with this article it visually shows you better than I can write it, but changing scope to scope takes just seconds with this clip on system, the clarity is quite simply the best to date I have seen, the fact you don't have to re zero any rifle etc is a massive bonus too, the fact I don't like to waste expensive ammunition either really made this a product I am will to spend my own money on.

The first hunt this was a learning curve in setting up a thermal scope system, read the instructions I hear you say, no I am a man I don't read instructions I just go at it man style, I can see the ladies tutting here and shaking their heads saying typical man, yup I sure am I am a rough ole country boy that's for sure, I got there in the end and got it all sorted, I was waiting for a Charlie Fox to come along, I had been called in by the estate manager, there was a fox playing havoc with the ground nesting birds on this nature reserve, especially the English Grey Partridge population, I watched Hares, Rabbits, Deer, Badgers, Voles, Tawny and Barn Owls go about their business none the wiser I was there in the complete darkness, this new Scops 50 Max II made everything clear as day, I could even see the vegetation, then the weather came in it started to rain so this stopped play.

The very next night I was back at the conservation site again all set up and ready to go, the weather was perfects, a slight breeze with a little cloud about, it was not too hot or cold just right, I had a sporting rifle evening at the shooting club, so came straight from there after awarding the winners trophies out, Uncle Dave who many of you know as I have written about in my books and magazine articles before was there too, I told him I was heading out and he offered to come spot for me, this was a truly magical family moment for me, Uncle Dave was the man who started me off on my rifle shooting career along side my Pappy (Grandfather) my father was always a shot gun man, but in recent years has got into precision air rifle and rifle shooting, Uncle Dave was from childhood my mentor, in adult life he not actually seen me shoot, so this was the first time for both of us, now I could show this old master his student had mastered his teachings.

We got out in position, I let Uncle Dave spot with the Scop Max 50 II he was amazed as he was always a tradition lamping man, but this New Thermal System just blew him away, he was just like a cave man that had just discovered fire or the well or something, this made it even more special for me especially showing my old mentor a new dimension bringing the darkness to light, again all the wild animals and birds of the night never knew we were there, a young roe buck walked right up to Uncle Dave not 10 yards away happily grazing none the wise we were there, of course we had the wind in our favour and a good back drop of the woodland behind us, he trotted off round the hillside to go see some roe doe, entrance stage left Charlie Fox, we both spotted him with the Night Pearl Thermal Spotters, I was using the one I bought 3 years previously as I wanted Uncle Dave to get a brilliant experience, I bumbled around trying to turn on the Seer Scope, like I say I am the weak link not the gear, I had actually turned off the power source, by the time I had figured out my mistake and growling like a grumpy bear, the fox was almost across the valley, I range found it with the in built range finder and it said 200 Yards, no time for any further adjustments I had to take the shot, I gave a loud rodent squeak, the fox stopped looking left to right with a good broad side shot, I squeezed off the shot, click bang thump, the fox was dead as soon as I let that lead injection go, a good clean ethical heart and lung shot to the engine room, this was made even more special as my old mentor let out a yes you got him my boy, that was a topping shot if ever I saw one, I don't know who was more proud at that moment, my ole mentor Uncle Dave, or me who was a boy again holding the lamp for Uncle Dave to Shoot dreaming I would be as good as my mentor one day, all this was made possible by the brilliant Night Pearl Company, just for that alone I cant thank them enough, I range found the fox with my own range finder just to see how accurate the gear was, yup bang on the money 203 yards.

So there you have it folks I am now part of Night Pearl Team International as well as The Eley Ammunition International Out Doors Ambassador, I am that impressed with this gear, like I said I am going to buy my own scope with my own money, that's not something you will hear me say every day, I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles, take a look at the videos that are with this article, one for the Night Pearl thermal System and one for The Game fair Ragley 2021, if you would like to see this Night Pearl Gear in Action drop me a line or come see me display it at The South Yorkshire Shooting Show 2021 at Doncaster Race Course in the end of September.

Please keep all the letters, emails, smoke signals and carrier pigeons coming into The Countryman’s Diary Magazine, I do try to get back to you all personally but some do slip through the purse net like a bolting December Rabbit on a cold frost morning, so until my next humble scribble please stay safe and well one and all.

Night Pearl International
The Ole Hedge Creeper
Joins The Night Pearl International Team

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.nightpearl.com
countrymans-diary.co.uk

0 Comments

<<Previous

To my Haters & Stalkers, I am a Lion not a Sheeple, my advice is to not poke the Sleeping Lion, for if you awake me from my slumber you will hear me ROAR, then you will find yourself staying at Her Majesty's pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

About the Archive

As you will all know I am a busy boy and I am asked post articles and review on behalf of lots people in lots of different places.

The images and photos are for illustration purposes only, they may not be of the actual day/article or location in question or even at the same venue, for client/venue sensitivity,data protection and often location or contract legalities, we may use a stock photo at our discretion, The main place to find most of my articles is of course the
Countrymans Diary Magazine.

This Archive is a central location of all those pearls of wisdom I have let loose on the World, whilst its not bang up to date the knowledge contained in here is worth its weight in gold.

Feel free to share this information its all free and it my pleasure to Pass It On.

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23
The Tale Of The Road Side Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 23
The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter

Traditional Ferreting

Traditional Ferreting From Where it Began to the Present Day with The Ole Hedge Creeper

The British Shooting Show 2022. Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

The British Shooting Show 2022.
Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking
From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

Really Wild Adventures Sporting Agency.

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats as Night Pearl Joins The Team

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats
as Night Pearl Joins The Team

Out Foxing Charlie 21

Out Foxing Charlie 21
Out Foxed By Charlie.

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event & Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event & Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20 The Tale Of The Kangaroo Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 19

Out Foxing Charlie 19
The Tale Of The Scaly Tailed Ratticuss

A Season New

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

Out Foxing Charlie 18

Out Foxing Charlie 18
Night Pearl A Shot In The Dark
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Night Pearl International The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team

Night Pearl International
The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23 ​ The Tale Of The Road Side Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 23​ The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter

Traditional Ferreting From Where it Began to the Present Day with The Ole Hedge Creeper ​

The British Shooting Show 2022.Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking​ From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

​Really Wild Adventures Sporting Agency.

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats ​as Night Pearl Joins The Team

Out Foxing Charlie 21​ Out Foxed By Charlie.

Night Pearl UK Exhibition Event & Out Foxing Charlie Episode 20 The Tale Of The Kangaroo Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 19 ​ The Tale Of The Scaly Tailed Ratticuss

A Season New ​By The Ole Hedge Creeper

A Season NewBy The Ole Hedge Creeper​ www.theolehedgecreeper.co.ukwww.reallywildadventures.co.uk

Out Foxing Charlie 18 Night Pearl A Shot In The Dark ​ By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Night Pearl International The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23
The Tale Of The Road Side Fox

Out Foxing Charlie 23
The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter

Traditional Ferreting From Where it Began to the Present Day with The Ole Hedge Creeper

The British Shooting Show 2022.
Plus Chinese Water Deer Stalking
From The Midlands to Buckinghamshire

Really Wild Adventures Sporting Agency.

Eley Rabbits & Air Arms Rats
as Night Pearl Joins The Team

Out Foxing Charlie 21
Out Foxed By Charlie.

Out Foxing Charlie 19
The Tale Of The Scaly Tailed Ratticuss

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

A Season New
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

Out Foxing Charlie 18
Night Pearl A Shot In The Dark
By The Ole Hedge Creeper

Night Pearl International
The Ole Hedge Creeper Joins The Night Pearl International Team