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

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*