October Dreams
Wait For it lads, or as Sherriff Beufort T Justice said in Smokey and The Bandit, Hold up with that car wash Gentlemen.
Wildfowling On The Moon
It's that time of year when everything is in season again, Wildfowl, Game and all natures bounty to be foraged, it's a particularly good year for mushrooms.
Sat there watching the moon come up over my decoys, the sound of wildfowl on the wing and they slipped air paddles down toy calling right into my spread.
So many fond memories of evening flights like this.
Ahhhh I am fully alive again after a summers slumber.
It's that time of year when everything is in season again, Wildfowl, Game and all natures bounty to be foraged, it's a particularly good year for mushrooms.
Sat there watching the moon come up over my decoys, the sound of wildfowl on the wing and they slipped air paddles down toy calling right into my spread.
So many fond memories of evening flights like this.
Ahhhh I am fully alive again after a summers slumber.
The Magic Of an Evening Flight.
I don't know why both morning and evening flights are good with great memories of both.
But evening flight for me holds such magic, the setting sun, the wind at your back, the sound of wildfowl on the wing, their whistling wings as they pass over, turn to my call dropping in in wings set paddles down right into my decoys.
The sound of the ghost riders in the distance (wild geese) getting closer and responding to my calling, as you strain your eyes scanning the horizon for their wing tips.
Yes evening flight is definitely my magical time spent in mother nature's living larder with my Ole dog by my side
I don't know why both morning and evening flights are good with great memories of both.
But evening flight for me holds such magic, the setting sun, the wind at your back, the sound of wildfowl on the wing, their whistling wings as they pass over, turn to my call dropping in in wings set paddles down right into my decoys.
The sound of the ghost riders in the distance (wild geese) getting closer and responding to my calling, as you strain your eyes scanning the horizon for their wing tips.
Yes evening flight is definitely my magical time spent in mother nature's living larder with my Ole dog by my side
Air Arms S200
Such an underrated air rifle but in the right hands it can be deadly effective in the field as well as on the range.
Right there is some good eating.
Such an underrated air rifle but in the right hands it can be deadly effective in the field as well as on the range.
Right there is some good eating.
An Early Morning emergency Call from a farmer friend who keeps some pet hens.
Not a bad hour with the Ole 223 pre breakfast.
I certainly didn't expect that start to a day that's for sure.
Come quick there's a fox trying to get into my hen house enclosure.
So I grabbed the first rifle out of the cabinet this day it was the 223 s turn to saddle up and ride out.
I was there in 20 mins by the time the clock turned 30 mins I had it in the bag and said put the kettle on farmer.
Back home in time for breakfast too.
Now that's how its done boys.
Not a bad hour with the Ole 223 pre breakfast.
I certainly didn't expect that start to a day that's for sure.
Come quick there's a fox trying to get into my hen house enclosure.
So I grabbed the first rifle out of the cabinet this day it was the 223 s turn to saddle up and ride out.
I was there in 20 mins by the time the clock turned 30 mins I had it in the bag and said put the kettle on farmer.
Back home in time for breakfast too.
Now that's how its done boys.
My Ole Air Arms S410.
Another cracking day proving an air rifle and good field craft fills the bag.
Out of my entire collection of Air Arms Air Rifles, the S410 is my favourite above the S510 but only just
Another cracking day proving an air rifle and good field craft fills the bag.
Out of my entire collection of Air Arms Air Rifles, the S410 is my favourite above the S510 but only just
Today's Food Heaven.
Ahhhh winters on the way so we kick off autumn in fine style.
Winter food is my favourite style of cooking, just look at this oxtail stew cooked in the slow cooker, with root vegetables and proper Herby dough boys (dumplings) served with a home baked sour dough crust bread and fresh local proper salted butter.
Nom nom nom, now That's Eating Like A Country King.
All the meat came from Perry and Son Butchers, the veg from a farmers garden, the butter and bread mix from the farm Shop.
Get it in you son horse it down Nom Nom Nom stick a fork in me I am done, pass me another cider.
Ahhhh winters on the way so we kick off autumn in fine style.
Winter food is my favourite style of cooking, just look at this oxtail stew cooked in the slow cooker, with root vegetables and proper Herby dough boys (dumplings) served with a home baked sour dough crust bread and fresh local proper salted butter.
Nom nom nom, now That's Eating Like A Country King.
All the meat came from Perry and Son Butchers, the veg from a farmers garden, the butter and bread mix from the farm Shop.
Get it in you son horse it down Nom Nom Nom stick a fork in me I am done, pass me another cider.
There's No Squirrels Here
A local land owner called me out saying I am told we don't have squirrels, but what's damaging the trees like this (ring barking) I did chuckle.
A couple of hours over a feeder produced these and I will go back again.
A local land owner called me out saying I am told we don't have squirrels, but what's damaging the trees like this (ring barking) I did chuckle.
A couple of hours over a feeder produced these and I will go back again.
An Emergency Call
I was just about to decide what to have for my tea, the wind was blowing a hooley and the rain driving sideways.
A very old friend and local land owner called, can you come quickly I have a pair of foxes attacking my hen houses in the orchard right now.
I grabbed the Ole 223 and the 243, I always carry a back up of everything just in case, I have been caught out with equipment failures before.
I got there pulled the thermal spotter out and saw said foxes, added the thermal clip on to the 223 and well shot the first fox from the seat if the truck.
This was when disaster struck, the thermal clip on scope lost all clarity, nothing else for it go old school with my night master clip on lamp and the 243 the scope on that gun works better with the lamp.
Spotting with the thermal spotter fox no 2 came in and again off the bonnet of the truck I took the 2nd fox.
What can I say equipment let's you down but old school and field craft always wins the day.
A quick cup of tea and I went home with an Indian takeaway not bad for 2 hours out not moving from my Ole truck I say eh.
I was just about to decide what to have for my tea, the wind was blowing a hooley and the rain driving sideways.
A very old friend and local land owner called, can you come quickly I have a pair of foxes attacking my hen houses in the orchard right now.
I grabbed the Ole 223 and the 243, I always carry a back up of everything just in case, I have been caught out with equipment failures before.
I got there pulled the thermal spotter out and saw said foxes, added the thermal clip on to the 223 and well shot the first fox from the seat if the truck.
This was when disaster struck, the thermal clip on scope lost all clarity, nothing else for it go old school with my night master clip on lamp and the 243 the scope on that gun works better with the lamp.
Spotting with the thermal spotter fox no 2 came in and again off the bonnet of the truck I took the 2nd fox.
What can I say equipment let's you down but old school and field craft always wins the day.
A quick cup of tea and I went home with an Indian takeaway not bad for 2 hours out not moving from my Ole truck I say eh.
The Solo Mission
An old farmer friend was losing live stock to a daytime fox, he asked me to pop along and see if I could stop this red devil.
Alas nothing showed but sat in the comfort of my truck rifle at the ready with my binoculars scanning the paddocks, I had a lovely time watching nature.
Wild mallard dropping into the ditch pond, geese flying over head, rabbits frollocking and feeding in the late afternoon sun.
A green woodpecker singing from a telegraph pole, also known as the rain bird in many cultures, for if she sings it will rain within 24 hours, she did not lie.
The farm cat stalking the young rabbits, a dash a flash and a squeal as he trotted off to the barn with his dinner.
All this and so much more just sat watching quietly from the comfort of my truck.
I am glad Charlie did not show as I did not want to disturb nature this day, I will go back soon.
Just another day and adventure in the life of a Countryman.
An old farmer friend was losing live stock to a daytime fox, he asked me to pop along and see if I could stop this red devil.
Alas nothing showed but sat in the comfort of my truck rifle at the ready with my binoculars scanning the paddocks, I had a lovely time watching nature.
Wild mallard dropping into the ditch pond, geese flying over head, rabbits frollocking and feeding in the late afternoon sun.
A green woodpecker singing from a telegraph pole, also known as the rain bird in many cultures, for if she sings it will rain within 24 hours, she did not lie.
The farm cat stalking the young rabbits, a dash a flash and a squeal as he trotted off to the barn with his dinner.
All this and so much more just sat watching quietly from the comfort of my truck.
I am glad Charlie did not show as I did not want to disturb nature this day, I will go back soon.
Just another day and adventure in the life of a Countryman.
The Importance of Checking Zero.
Before heading out on live quarry I always check zero, or if I miss one shot it's tools down until I then re check a zero on a paper target.
I was taught the quarry deserve the very best humane shot no matter if it's a rat or bigger quarry.
Especially between batches of ammo or using a different brand of ammo etc.
This day was no different, I checked zero it was slightly off, not enough to miss but enough for me to find tune.
The night fell and I went to deal with this red devil that was taking the livestock.
A single shot rang out in the dark of night and all fell silent again, leaving mother earth in peace once more.
Also if you miss a fox you educate them making the job so much harder the next time.
Before heading out on live quarry I always check zero, or if I miss one shot it's tools down until I then re check a zero on a paper target.
I was taught the quarry deserve the very best humane shot no matter if it's a rat or bigger quarry.
Especially between batches of ammo or using a different brand of ammo etc.
This day was no different, I checked zero it was slightly off, not enough to miss but enough for me to find tune.
The night fell and I went to deal with this red devil that was taking the livestock.
A single shot rang out in the dark of night and all fell silent again, leaving mother earth in peace once more.
Also if you miss a fox you educate them making the job so much harder the next time.
I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles of The Ole Hedge Creeper and Goose The Cocker Spaniel at my side.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
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