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The Seasons End

29/1/2023

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

In the blink of an eye there it is gone, by this I mean the game and wildfowling season here in Britain, OK there are some remnants of it still going, like wildfowling on the fore shore until the 20th of February, but for almost all of us it all finishes on the 1st of February each year, so with this short humble scribbles I will reflect on the season past for me here in Somersetshire as well as my travels all around Britain catching up with family and friends hunting, Shooting or Fishing, I do have one shoot left in me this season on the 31st of January I am heading to Hampshire as the personal guest of my dear friend Rob the 4th generation game keeper and my other dear chum the estate owner David, I will report on that one in my next humble scribbles so please look out for that article.

Season 2022-2023 blimey where should I start ??? I suppose right back in the spring of 2022, coming out of the previous season post COVID and Brexit was a bit of a tricky one and uncertain times, many shoots didn't survive, the lucky ones who had forward thinking had to pull their belt straps in and work differently to survive, this I think we did well and have come out of this season bigger, better, stronger with good businesses heads streamlining what we do, so I for one think we have a bright future ahead of us, but time and circumstance will tell I suppose.

As the spring became summer and I went back to breeding my own birds with a couple of students under my wing wanting to learn this art I found a new lease of life for rearing, something I had retired myself on some 5 years or so ago, again time and circumstance made me return out of retirement, well what's the point in having all these qualifications and a lifetimes experience if I don't use them, plus the fact I had some fine young people to coach and inspire, I must say we had a wonderful first season breeding our own birds, we have now invested in some new incubators etc and will be streamlining some of the lessons we have learned this last season, I have enlisted the help of another old friend who breeds a lot of ornamental fowl etc too so this should make for an interesting spring and summer of 2023.

This year my birds flew so well you would swear they had jet packs and Nasa written up their backs, I will get to that a little later in this article, of course game shooting is not all we do, we cover all forms of shooting sport and country sports.

Crop protection was fun this year and I am still eating the pigeons from my game freezers from the summer and autumn harvest, wildfowling this season has been a little hit and miss, with the hot weather and drought like conditions of late summer all of my 7 ponds were bone dry, we didn't have water in them until December, so flight pond shooting this season has not really started, the Somerset Levels in this area are the same, its not until the late November and early December that we had any splashes to really write about, then we had too much water so found it hard to concentrate the wildfowl etc, although we have had a few wonderful flights.

Ferreting I love traditional ferreting, but again a lack of rabbits, hot weather to start with and now we finally get some good frosty weather to knock the brambles and vegetation back everything is flooded, you just cant make it up can you, so I suppose as the saying goes, you gotta learn to dance in the rain, Big Yin (Billy Connelly the comedian/actor/singer/ musician) says there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so go buy your self some oil skins and some wellington boots and enjoy the weather, one reason I have Jack Pyke as a sponsor as I love their gear and it really helps me to stay out there when others call it a day early.

This happened just recently, I took my under keeper and his sone wildfowling with another good mucker of mine, my exact words wrap up, have gloves, a warm hat, extra socks etc, nope they didn't listen when I told them this is a wild place and much colder with the wind chill, they only lasted a couple of hours and left just when the wildfowl started to flight in on this wonderful full moon, what a flight my ole mucker and I had, Teal and Wigeon all over the place flighting around, the spectacle of them in flight really made my heart smile and made me think of past seasons and my ole Girl Hollie and her Granddaughter Brook and some of the finest retrieves, my Goose was at my side watching all this as a sword of mallard dropped right into me, I mounted swung through and dropped two duck with one shot, on Command Goose my cocker spaniel who had marked them down went straight out and had them retrieved back to heal in no time, what a wonderful little dog who has the mighty heart of The Wolf In My Living Room, he loves his Jack Pyke dog coat too, he knows were going wildfowling as soon as I take it off the hook, he just switches on into I am a serious hunting dog mode, I love that little dog he is my right hand man we go everywhere together, even as I type he is sat on my feet keeping them warm.

Goose and I spent Christmas and New year on a Welsh Mountain staying in a wonderful Railway Carriage, within ten minuets of being there the farmer had asked oh you do pest control? Could you do some for me whilst you are here, talk about a busman's holiday, of course I agreed and a good job I took and armoury with me was it not, I was supposed to meeting some Welsh chums and go hunting and ferreting, alas this did not happen their wives put their feet down saying its the Christmas break, you have to so spend time with your in laws, damn poor show if you ask me, not really I dont mean that, you should spend it with family, but that farmer was a life saver for me as I would of gotten bored, as it was I dealt with a host of vermin especially rabbits and squirrels, the farmer has asked me to go back to deal with his mole problem as well as other other pest problems, hmmmmm I think another busman's holiday is on the cards pretty soon.

So here we are at Seasons End, I have just got back from my final shoot of the season my estate, I decided we should finish the season as a walked up rough shoot so we could all shoot and work our dogs, make it a real social shooting day, finish this off with a roost shoot on the pigeons, I must say this was a wonderful last day of the season, my birds flushed and flew strong, a glut of woodcock all over the estate, I have not seen that many in years, there were as many as pheasants coming out, they all went on un saluted, I wont shoot them unless I am going to eat them and my game freezer is full, this day I decided to use my 1891 Peterson's and Son’s of Peterborough 16 Bore Hammer Gun for some nostalgic shooting, we also went around doing some squirrel drey poking, that little gun made short work of the tree rats, you know she is still as sweet on the eye and in the arms as she was back in my great grand fathers day, or as I say back in modern times.

Well we finished the season on a big high, all looking forward to preparing for next season, I still have one fabulous days shooting left for this season, the icing on the cake for me, the one I mentioned earlier in this article and I cant wait, I will be suited and booted in my finest estate tweeds, a wonderful days game shooting lays ahead of me, with full corporate hospitality, catching up with old friends and making new ones, spending time in the company of some of the finest sporting folk in the land, what a way to see this season out, a season that's a triumph to the passion and tenacity to The British Game Shoot and all who sail under her banner.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and my latest humble scribbles, scroll back and read some of the past ones or keep your eye out for future articles etc, everything is written from the heart in my own words as I see it, the only thing left to say is Arrrrrr Its Proper Job Mucker.

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

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

# Please Note Photos and video's are for illustration purposes only, they may not be on the day, time or year in question#

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Christmas In The Mountains

5/1/2023

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The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

This story starts off on Christmas Eve of 2022, well actually it starts off many months earlier, I hit 2022 with my feet on the ground running, everything from my business life, personal life and my media life just exploded, it seemed I was more popular now than ever, my Pass It On Young sports nationally was flying, I had just taken on a New Scottish Director and he has made a brilliant job of getting the Scotland branch off the ground, my Masonic fishing Branch is just well sailing away we could not have had a better year if we had tried, I am very proud of all my teams and volunteers, mere words, photos or videos just do not do these Countryside Hero's the justice they deserve, Masonically WOW what a year for me too, promotions, joining new orders or side degrees and meeting and spending time with some of the finest Brothers a man could wish or be honoured to know.

I suppose I should start this story off on the 23rd of December 2023, my Dad, my Uncle Dave and I are all born in December, its been a family tradition that we celebrate together on the 23rd of every December as far back as I can remember, this year my brother Shaun joined us, its been a while since all four of us Collins Boys have been all together all at the same time, usually one or two of us are missing, we went to Dads house for some food, then we went around to the pub for our usual joviality, I did not stay too late as I had to get back for Goose my Cocker Spaniel.

The next day I loaded the truck and headed for Wales and my Railway carriage in the Welsh mountains in the national park, I had booked this many months before, you see if I don't go away when I want a break, I will just end up working, I got there in less than an hour from my front door to my Carriage that was just like a log cabin, I unloaded my gear set the cabin how I wanted it and went out for a walk with Goose to stretch our legs.

Almost immediately I bumped into the farmer next door who was feeding his horses, we struck up a conversation about his mole problem, from this conversation he asked could I help deal with some vermin problems whilst I was there, mainly rabbits and grey squirrels, I would have to come back for the moles as I didn't have any mole gear with me, I did have a 22 rimfire, an fac Air Arms Air Rifle and a 20b Shotgun with me, I was supposed to meeting a couple of Welsh boys over there to go out with them, alas it was my Welsh chums wives who said no they cant come out to play, the farmers offer for me to shoot his farm worked out very well indeed, for the first three days I did nothing apart from take Goose for a Walk and just chill out in front of the fire, sleep, drink fine wines and port, eating and watching the odd DVD on my player and going to bed early, my Pappy always said Early to bed, Early to rise, makes a Young Man, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, he was right, I was also exhausted and needed re charging after such a long hard year.

My first walk up my mountain, this was the one I was staying on so I called it m mountain, was like the discover of fire for the first time, I was blown away by its raw natural beauty and the views were so spectacular, mere words, photos or videos just do not do this Welsh Landscape the justice it deserves, I fell in love with Wales all over again with every breath of crisp fresh Welsh Mountain Air, even Goose was on fire he was right at home here amongst the bracken bolting rabbits and flushing woodcock etc, my heart literally sang as I felt my entire body and soul just breath easy and relax, that first mountain hike/hunt was just like walking on air, every step, ever breath cleansing my very soul, each with a new adventure for Gosse and I laying before us, my Pappy (Grandfather) always said its all in the story, the climb to the top of the mountain that gives you the greatest view, he was so right as I strode to the top and stood and looked, every step up, every breath taken told the story of Goose and I adventure on our way up there, I suppose its the same in life, all the struggles, all the heart ache, the love lost and found, the hardships of life its all part of my story, some never make it up to the top of their mountains, I have been so lucky in life, I have climbed to the very top of my mountain, lost everything rolled right to the bog at the bottom of my mountain, with hard work and dedication I am rebuilding my path to the top of my mountain, it took this Christmas break to re focus me as I was exhausted and losing faith, but that climb to the top of that mountain and a chat with God re energised me, for I see the path I need to take clearly in front of me, my Young Sports are the very core of why I do what I do, I wont let them down

Goose and I climbed down the mountain taking every step, breath and view in, etching every detail in my memory, I got to the bottom and bumped into the farmer, he was going up to his local mountain pub to meet all his farming friends for their Christmas drink, would I like to come he asked? Dogs are welcome too, Goose and I jumped into his old series Landrover and chugged up the mountain in it, he told me the history of the mountain and his family farm going back many generations, I was like a kid on Christmas morning listening him too him, it suddenly sprang to mind he reminded me of my Pappy (Grandfather) not so much in how he looked but his body language and the passionate way he told a story, I hung on his every word, actually over the next 11 days he told me so many stories, truly wonderful I telle, we got to the pub and I was made to feel so welcome, the hospitality was second to none, I always say no matter where you go in the world true Country People are Country People the world over, I know this from first hand experience I have so many stories that span my travels around the globe hunting, shooting, fishing, cooking, eating and indeed drinking, every where I went the entire time I was there in that part of Wales I was greeted with open arms with the most wonderful smiles, everyone greeting me with good morning, good afternoon, good evening etc, I really felt quite at home and might consider buying a cottage there and moving base, for my beloved North Somerset is turning ghastly, builders have moved in and turning the whole area into a concrete jungle, as I said in a recent magazine interview my life here has is like the Don Williams song Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy, I will attach this song to this articles at the bottom, listen to the words that is exactly how my life is here now.

The next few days Goose and I Hiked up and down so many mountains, hills, valley bottoms, you name it we walked it, hunting all the way of course, Goose flushed and retrieved I always had my catapult with me, I met so many farmers it looks like I will be going back doing a lot of mole control over there.

I went into Abergavenny what a wonderful little town, a great indoor market with lots of local produce, right up my street, a Cantonese lady there making fresh street food, I was particularly taken with her dumplings and spring rolls, a lovely bakery in there I got old school fresh baked crusty cobs (rolls) in there just like my Nan used to get, they went beautifully with my cold meats and pickles that night, actually I made pickled eggs and onions ready for Christmas, I was so happy how they came out, these were my Mum’s, nan’s and Aunty Rita’s recipe, they never showed me this recipe I just worked off my memory of watching them make these, blow me over I got it right first time around, I was transported back to a boxing day from my boyhood with the very first bite of that first pickled onion, Abergavenny what a wonderful town, lovely side streets, interesting local family shops as well as a few big names there, a couple of cracking family butchers, Bakers, Cafes, everyone again so friendly, I really am thinking of up sticks and moving to Wales, I found the masonic Lodge too so all good there, ou know as I am writing this and remembering it all I am persuading myself even more to move there.

The first night I went out lamping there were so many rabbits on that mountain I had to open a gate to let some out so I could go in and hunt some, I have not seen that many rabbits in a long time, the farmer said could I get a few for his oldest friend, a real countryman who loves ferreting, he and his brother live on rabbit but the years are marching on for Wilf and his brother who struggle getting out so much now days, of course that was no problem, it got to a point where I had to stop shooting I just could not carry any more rabbits down the mountain on my own, Eley Ammunition and the awesome Night Pearl Seer and Scops Max III made the job just too easy, although the shooting was very testing in the high mountain winds, the challenge for me made it so much more interesting and I loved it.

I hung the pile of rabbits up in the farmers barn saying tell Wilf to come get them, I saw the farmer later that day when I had gotten back from Trago Mills, in his lovely Welsh accent he said blimey how many rabbits did you shoot, Wilf’s freezer might not fit them all, I laughed and said not as many as I could of shot, I would not be able to carry them all, we both laugh and he said shoot some more were over run with them, I was also asked to deal with a squirrel problem, there were a lot of them too.

For a few days and nights it rained hard and blew a hooley, so I could not get out hunting much, Goose and I went off in the truck discovering new places, each time an adventure, at the top of our mountain there was a man made pond, actually it was more like a lake, they called it The Keepers Pond, blow me sideways it was cold and windy enough walking around it, there were some daft buggers swimming in it, even Goose didn't fancy swimming in it, the dog looked at me, I looked at the dog, we both shook our heads thinking daft buggers, we carried on our walk chasing rabbits that was much more our style.

The time on our Welsh Mountain passed so quickly, we had our friends there with us, the farm horses followed us up and down the mountain, my little mate the Robin Red Breast who loved a few crumbs as I sat there on my decking drinking port with Goose by my side, Christmas Dinner was a Welsh Cawl (Cowl Stew) cooked in the slow cooker with my famous herby dumplings, those that have my cook books with know this recipe, Goose and I Hunted, Ate and Drank like Welsh Mountain kings.

Every day Goose and I had a walk with the 20b up the mountain, we accounted for several squirrels with that little gun, we lamped old school with a new twist with the New Helios Artemis head lamp, that is a brilliant bit of kit I telle, take a look at my video at the bottom of this article.

The final day came when we had to pack up and leave as I had to get back and set up a sporting rifle range night, I can honestly say I was so sad to leave our hosts and that wonderful place, so much so I am looking at dates to when I can go back even if it’s just for a couple of days, I really can say I have left a piece of my heart in those Welsh Mountains.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Christmas Adventures in those magnificent Welsh Mountains, the place, the people so amazing they have left an imprint on my heart forever, watch this space as I am sure there will be more humble scribbles to come for I Will Be Going Back.

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

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

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A Travelling Countryman

3/12/2022

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A Travelling Countryman
To Africa, Back to Somersetshire via Hampshire.

I am a Freemason and proud to be too, we often refer to ourselves as Travelling Men forever looking Eastwards, this I can really relate too as I travel a lot with work and pleasure, I am a member of a couple craft masonic lodge and also several side orders etc, I love Freemasonry, to be a Freemason first charity must be at your core, you must want to do good for your fellow Man/Woman especially those in real need, you must also want to become the very best version of yourself that you can be, our ceremonies are serious and teach us a moral guidance, we have a lot of fun at the festive board or after meeting as its known, a good sense of humour and the joy of being in good company, as I always say Freemasonry is for every Man or indeed Woman, but not any Man or Woman, not everyone makes the grade for you have to be of good report to become a Freemason.

Just recently my fellow brothers of Wraxall lodge 9011 who meet in the Nailsea temple here in Somersetshire went to visit The Vale Of Brislington Lodge that meet in The Keynsham Temple, Bro MK and Bro NB are members of both lodges and invited myself, Bro MW and Bro AG over as their guests, we all jumped at the chance as its an awesome night at the VOB, the ceremony was first class, the festive board truly inspirational, our little Band of Brothers refer to ourselves as The Wraxall Pirates of table number three, were a group of MM that are supporting each other in what we call progression in the lodge and outside too with learning our lines etc, we also have a jolly time together at the festive board, jovial and supportive of ourselves, the lodge and freemasonry in general, I cannot urge all Men or indeed Women to become a Freemason if you aspire to be the best version of yourself with charity at your core, if you would like to know more about joining Freemasonry here in Somerset drop us a line via www.somersetfreemasons.org or for wider a field contact our United Grand Lodge Of England who will also be able to help you on this website www.ugle.org.uk if you get stuck drop me a line.

I also do a lot for charity work outside of Freemasonry as many of you know as the head honcho and pointy hat wearer of the awesome Youth Organisation Pass It On Young Sports www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org.uk we have just launched our NEW regional director for Scotland Ken Mckillop and he has events planned for next year already to go along with Wales and Northern Ireland, of course England will be leading the way as always with our weekly rifle ranges and famous Family Taster Days.

I also head up The Masonic Fishing Charity here in Somerset for the main overall national charity, take a look on www.somersetfreemasons.org for our awesome reports, we held an event recently and the school wrote us a wonderful report and photos, we also held a wonderful Somerset Branch Committee meeting and afterwards a social fishing afternoon for our volunteers, it was cold and wet but we had a great time, read that report on The Somerset Freemasons website too just look for the MTSFC Fishing page, if you would like to know more about this brilliant charity, or to volunteer, donate etc go on to our main website www.mtsfc.org.uk where you will find all you need.

As the title suggests I really am a Travelling Countryman, although I have not physically been back to Africa for a number of years, I will relate to you a story of a fantastic days shooting just recently where Africa did play a small part.

I am still a working Game Keeper on top of all my other hats I wear, I get all my birds from my very dear friend and fourth generation Game Keeper Rob Elton over at Perdix Valley Game Farm Website: perdixvalley.co.uk
Email: enquiries@perdixvalley.co.uk Tel: 01256-831341 these birds are first class and great flyers as well as good eating, they fly strong and hard and are no easy target either, I cannot recommend Rob and his team highly enough for great quality strong birds.

One evening a few weeks ago the phone rang? it was Rob hello my ole mucker bellowed down the phone in his broad Hampshire tones, what are do doing on this date he asked? I will consult my diary I said back, how would you like to be my guest gun on a formal days shooting with full hospitality and you staying over at the big house, I answered of course straight away, you don't get a chance like that every day, that was an invitation not to be missed, I did have clients booked in but I moved them right away, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, I did try not to sound too eager, I was like a kid on Christmas morning or the cat that got the cream, the shooting was of course a great honour to be asked, for me it was going to see so many of my old friends many of whom beat on the shoot, like good ole Nik, Bruce and young Jamie and of course Rob too, I also get on very well with the estate owner David, a wonderful man who has great stories and experience. I can sit for hours just listening to his adventures around the world, the fact I was going to be staying at the big house was just awesome, he has the most amazing African style hunting lodge with all his mounts in, I will get to that a bit later.

The day of the shoot came, the night before I was on duty at my masonic lodge so did not get to bed as early as I would of liked, but none the less I was too excited and could not sleep, the alarm went off at 5am but I was awake just staring at the alarm clock, I was up and dressed in my best shooting clobber, bags packed, 20b shotgun in its sleeve and an ample, well probably too many cartridges for my 20b shotgun in the cartridge bags, I know Rob’s shoot well and know there will be a lot of birds coming over, I headed up to my own estate and fed and watered all my birds in record time, leaving only a few jobs for my under keeper.

I was on the road to Hampshire in record time and seemed to get there much quicker than normal, there was simply no traffic to speak of, so I sailed up and got to the big house in no time, I knocked on the door and David greeted me like an old friend, breakfast was just being cooked and there was fresh tea in the pot, real tea none of that tea bag nonsense, old friends sat around the farmhouse table it was like I had come home, I met a lovely fellow called John who now works and lives on the estate, a fascinating man who loves wood working he showed me round his work shop and gave me a fishing rod for the kids too.

Rob and the rest of the guns and beaters turned up, after sausage baguettes and coffee all round we loaded up and headed out on the shoot and the first drive, I must say I felt very at home here with old friends and making new ones, we drew pegs and by golly I chose the farthest one away, actually it gave a good view of the beating line and the other guns too, as the beating line came in nice and steady like a well oiled machine, birds started to flush beautifully climbing to a good height over my fellow guns, these birds really flew remarkably well, actually all day they did, really nice sporting birds, all this drive going to my right over the other guns, a nice covey of French Red Leg Partridges (Frenchmen) flushed my way, I managed a snap shot over my right shoulder and missed clean underneath, my fellow guns got in some great sport and the bag started to fill with English Grey partridges (Englishmen) and sky scraper pheasants, it was a real pleasure to watch the birds flush and my fellow guns shoot.

Drive Two I was in a hot seat here, Rob saying you should of brought a 12b that little ladies gun the 20b is not man enough for my birds, I laughed and said watch this not only will I shoot well I will do it in style too, indeed I was in the hot seat as I pretty much head shot everything that came over me, even taking birds behind as ordered that my neighbours had missed clean, much to the cheers of my fellow guns.

Drive Three was a bank drive or something as it was flushed along a wood bank over a winter wheat field, I was told this is one of those drives that is either packed full of birds or nothing depending on the wind this day, again I was right out as the last gun, a woodcock and a cock pheasant flushed both coming right over me, the woodcock flew right into the sun and I could not see to salute it, the cock pheasant came right towards the gun next to me, climbing higher and higher, I swear it had NASA written on its flight jacket, it curled high on the wind right over me, I took it with my first barrel, stone dead in the air, David the shoot owner was right behind me giving me stick on the woodcock but cheering on the cock pheasant, that is one bird that will remain in my memory forever.

Drive Four I was in the hot seat again there were that many birds going over me I barely had time to load, this drive sticks in my memory as being a very busy drive indeed, I cannot remember each bird apart from I pulled down some stonkers.

Drive Five was much like the previous barely having time to reload whilst pheasants and partridge fell all around us, two cock birds really come to mind in this drive, especially when my neighbouring gun shot one of mine on the way down as it was already dead in the air and tried to claim it, I did chuckle.

Drive Six the final drive my fellow guns getting in another drive of fine shooting, my peg was behind a line of tall Silver Birch Trees, this meant every bird was going to be a truly high, fast, testing shot especially for this little 20b, actually it turned out to be the perfect gun for the job, light and fast handling with a might punch on target, I should have had a right and left on wood cock, alas I got the first but missed the second clean, but I did have several right and lefts of pheasants and partridges, I must say blowing my own trumpet I shot remarkably well, my fellow guns congratulated me so too.

Shoot day over we headed back to the big house and the African trophy room where the chef had laid the most wonderful tables, a large King Arthur style one in the middle and some smaller banquette ones either side, I sat at one end in a throne style chair and David the other end, four courses later the fine port in crystal decanters came out with the cheese board, I felt like a king, David and I saluting each other with glasses of port, wonderful food, fantastic company, I remarked its like being at my Masonic lodge, the day finished with everyone going home.

The day ended at nearly midnight with David, Rob, Jamie, Bruce and myself all sat around the end of the table swapping stories, recipes and memories, whilst enjoying fine cigars and wonderful Brandy, now that my friends is what I call a shoot day.

I awoke in my sleeping bag on the big leather sofa in the African Hunting Lodge, I must admit that's the first time I have ever woken with my arm around a Hyena, with a Cape Buffalo looking down at me and plethora of other exotic game around me, I thought for a moment I was back in my dream that I was having of my time in Africa, I got up, pulled myself together, had breakfast and several mugs of real teal and went out to help Rob feed his ducks, we got back and I loaded my truck with all my gear and boot load of fresh shot game that is being used for a game to eat Christmas party I am putting on for the shooting club, my Young Sports are coming too as they are leading the carol service.

Its pretty cold here at my place as I am typing this, I have a huge hole in my roof, my office ceiling is coming down and I have to have all the windows open to dry it all out, so no heating either, who said my life is glamorous, I think the picture tells you otherwise.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed writing them and reading them, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy, Healthy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

A Travelling Countryman
To Africa, Back to Somersetshire via Hampshire.

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

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The Grey Invader

1/11/2022

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The Grey Invader
My Professional Squirrel Control
Also A National Grey Squirrel Control Group

I have been dealing with the grey squirrel for well over 45 years since I was a young boy, you know love or hate these grey invaders, these tree rats never fail to amaze me, they are intelligent, remarkable, resourceful and come on lets be honest quite cute and amusing, but beneath this appearance lies a wolf in sheep's clothing, they are in fact vicious, adapt efficient killers of our native song birds, killing the young and adult birds alike, stealing their eggs and also a conservation night mare for our ground nesting birds too, let alone the unrepairable damage they do our ancient forestry and broad leaf trees, they are also a direct reason our native Red Squirrel are almost extinct, as the Grey Squirrel carries a pox that is deadly to our native Red Squirrel.

I am often called out on pest control jobs in houses in the middle of towns, cities and villages etc, they are also a night mare in the domestic and business scene too, Wife oh look Burt we have a Grey Squirrel on our bird feeder, awwww they are so cute Burt, one becomes four or more then not so cute, yes until they get into your attic etc and start chewing wiring etc, then a roof fire starts or your entire electrics are fused, then the wife says we have rats in the attic with hob nail boots on, you get what I mean.

I have been dealing with one such place for the last three years, they area plagued with squirrel problems, I have lost count the reproofing jobs I have done at this place, the problem here its a 600 year old cottage, when I grew up as a boy this was a village, its now a ghastly town build around itself, so an original cottage with its own small orchard, surrounding this are housing estates with lots of English Oak Trees and other trees, every house feeding the birds and indeed rats, the perfect hotel for squirrels, I seem to be trapping every grey squirrel in the area, the guttering on this job is replaced every year as the squirrels keep eating it and finding new ways in to the attic of the said cottage, shooting is not an option at this venue, location and safe shot zones are almost zero, even baiting them to a safe shot area is almost impossible, cross that with the local save our grey squirrel brigade always watching.

Humane Katch It Trapping covertly is the ways forward, some people use poisons, I don't like this its an eco nightmare and has a know on effect to other things, but I wont go there now as it will take too long to discuss, I might do this in another article, I must say these humane squirrel cage traps are brilliant, especially if you catch a non target species you can just let them out, we have a lot of hedge hogs here, I am always catching them, they are a prickly customer to let back out again I telle, the video that is accompanying this article will show my trapping better than my words, Katch It Traps does an awesome Trapping Comb, this makes the humane dispatch of the lawful quarry you are dealing with very easy, squirrels in this case but rats too in the humane rat traps, I tend to use an appropriate powered air pistol now days, again this makes it all quite discrete and little fuss.

I was called back in for my usual come quick the grey squirrels are back, I put three traps in and within 24 hours I had four in my traps, again watch the video, I am happy to report no more have been seen and two weeks later my traps are still empty, so next week I will go reproof the cottage once again and my job here for another year is done I hope, I must say these tree rats were very tasty in my Southern Fried Pop Corn Squirrel the other night.

I have a great many traps out on the local country estate where I am employed as their pest controller as well as the game keeper for their family shoot, as you can imagine this large estate with ancient woodland and broad leaf trees are a full time job keeping on top of the squirrels, but I do pretty well, especially taking my young sports there drey poking, sat in a hide with an air rifle, or myself using a 20b my favourite calibre shot gun next to the mighty little 410.

just recently I was out filling my pheasant hoppers, one of my big cock pheasant has got to big for his boots, I have him on the trail cameras attaching deer, rabbits, squirrels, including myself and Goose my cocker spaniel, he has decided that hopper is his property so nothing is allowed near it, I had the single 20b with me as I had decided it was time for this red devil to be brought into the oven, as I approached the feeder loaded up with buckets of grain out he came spurs flying, he picked on Goose big mistake, three times I drove him off, on his fourth attack my boy true to his training did not touch him, the dog looked at me, I looked at the dog with the same look, I gave him the order get him, that pheasants look on his face when my Goose changed pace was priceless, he brought him to hand still very much alive, Goose 1-0 Pheasant, I necked him and Goose and I enjoyed him for our tea in a recipe I call bashed pheasant, quite an apt recipe I think, he was enjoyed with a nice glass of port too, for me not the dog of course, now there was a squirrel that had been giving me the slip for quite a while now, I have him on camera destroying one of my hoppers, another reason I had the 20b with me, Gosse flushed him from under the said hopper and up a tree, lets just say a single shot brought him to hand, he was also enjoyed as pan fried squirrel portions after soaking in butter milk in the fridge for 24 hours.

As I am UK & Ireland Grey Squirrel Group South West Regional Director (The Grey Area) were getting more structured, look out for the new app and website coming out soon, an old game keeper friend from Somerset invited me out for a days squirrel drey poking, I love this and took along my 1891 Peterson and Son’s of Peterborough 16 Bore hammer gun, my old friend loves to do things in a certain gentleman's style, so I put a tie on and my new tweed gillet and Jack Pyke Baker Boy Hat, actually I really did feel the part, I did not expect a big bag today as my old mucker is a great keeper and keeps things well in balance, but for myself and the rest of the guns it was a social day and we got to work our dogs too, as it turns out the woodland we were clearing was new woodland purchased by his estate from a farm next door, we had a lot of fun especially when one squirrel ran down the drey poking poles, I swear old George tried to blow the squirrel back up, puff puff puff, you get the picture, we all laughed so much at this, the squirrel did not get far as my Goose as fast as lightning had his card marked, one bite and a shake and he dropped it in my hand, that little dog has always been the same he shows rats or tree rats no quarter, but is as soft as velvet with everything else, all the boys mostly keeps all saying that's a good dog that, I did feel rather proud as did my boy.

I wont boast the bag size but we did well on our squirrel poking and vermin drives, even putting a big dog fox in the bag that had been raiding my friends pens, a truly wonderful day spent with old friends and making new ones working our dogs, from a sporting Countryman's point is just don't get better than that now does it.

Look out for us at all the country shows or game fairs, and click to join the face book group, lets get this grey invader on the back foot, pictured here we are at The Northern Shooting Show, I am teaching the boys the new come back squirrel call.

I finished off this month with having to buy in a lot more humane traps, my good reputation goes before me, as the work just keeps flooding in, both in the cities and towns and in the agricultural world, I now have seven guys working for me on the pest control company, if I get this next huge contract I will be looking for number eight, I have a great team here, I seldom do the city/town work now as my heart lays within the agricultural sector, although I do get dragged back in as with the cottage job, some of my clients just refuse to have anyone but me on their jobs, they always say the same thing, knowing your on our job we have peace of mind, it is nice to be thought so highly of, but often my good reputation, its like a dog with a bucket tied to its tail, it makes a lot of noise but it’s damned inconvenient especially when I am so busy, I am honored to feel so highly thought of by my clients, also my lads they say I am a good boss to work for, I have always had this ethos a fair days pay for a fair days work, I do look after my lads and they go above and beyond for me, like a wasp/bee job that's just come in on a multi sports ground contract, a Sunday Afternoon and Marco has gone out for me much to his wife's annoyance, I will make it up to him this week, I will pay for him and his good lady to have a nice meal in a local pub.

Olympia Air Rifle Pellets, we have just got these in the shop, I have issued all my pest techs with them, WOW deadly accurate, with a humane strike on target, take a look at the video that is with this article, all available on our Really Wild Adventures website on this link www.reallywildadventures.co.uk , try a tin you will be so surprised as I was, like with everything in my shop, I wont stock it unless it comes up to my high standard, I still love my Air Arms Pellets but WOW these are as good on the range or in the field, mark my words for the price and performance you wont go wrong with these Air Rifle and Air Pistol Pellets.

I hope you enjoy this article as much as I have enjoyed writing it and remembering some awesome days, work you call this work, no I call it enjoying and loving what I do, even the lads who work for me say this ain't work Boss this is being paid to professionally enjoy what we do, I must admit this was what my Pappy (Grandfather) taught me as a boy, he always said find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life, he was so right, how many of you can say you look forward to going to work everyday like I and my lads do, until the next time and my further adventures, may I wish you all a safe and happy time to you and all your families, make sure you keep on top of all your Grey Squirrel Control.

The Grey Invader
My Professional Squirrel Control
Also A National Grey Squirrel Control Group

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

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The Triple Crown

1/10/2022

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The Triple Crown
Three Shows
Three Counties
One Month

I have entitled this article just right I think, September 2022, three shows, starting off with The Frampton Country Show in Gloucestershire, then The Weston Park Country Show in the Midlands, finishing off with the jewel in the crown, The Yorkshire Game and Shooting Show at Doncaster Race Course, Yorkshire, there was a fourth show too, alas I could not personally be there as The Welsh Game Fair clashed with my Frampton Show, so my chums and fellow Red Squirrel rangers from The UK & Ireland Grey Squirrel Group, The Grey Area covered that one for me and put a stand on, I am told it was a great show and all the boys did a fantastic job in my absence.

Frampton Country Show

We started this Sunday off at 4am, after a very long day on the Saturday, I am still a full time Game Keeper on top of all my other jobs, I had some of my birds arriving so had a long day ahead of me with my under keeper before even thinking of getting sorted for the show the next day, 4am Sunday morning found loading the trailer and truck with the Really Wild Adventures Shop stand and Pass It On Young Sports main ring show gear, my team and I left in plenty of time to get to the show and set up, I really love this show, its a fabulous celebration of the British Countryside, Agriculture and Country Sports there is so much going on at this show for real country people and beyond, far too much to list, google Frampton Country Fair and see for yourself, this show really is one for the diary for the whole family.

I got to the show, as smooth as silk we entered the show and were shown to our show stand area, prime position right next to the Countryman’s Show ring, now this is where it all went a bit wrong, there was an Irish Asian fellow in my spot, fully setting up his clothing stand, I enquired as to why he was in my spot but he just played dumb, leaving me no choice I had to speak to the organisers asking where we should set up now, as you can imagine the organisers were not too happy, apparently this fellow is well known for poaching stands if he does not like the one he has, I was happy to go wherever as I will make good of everything, but the organizers made him pack up and go back to where he should have been, this made setting up a little late, but all was cool as for me it matters not, my team and I were just happy to be there.

A short time later a lady I know who runs the area we are in and the show ring, came over asking can I do her a big favour? could I pull a rabbit out of the hat once again? Why I asked? can I do not one, but two more show ring appearances in a different format? Well of course I can do anything for a pretty lady I said as we both chuckled, as it was the Ferret Man had not turned up so could I fill his spaces, ahhhhhh a good ole hilarious game calling demo always brings a laugh, especially when there is audience participation, we actually drew a huge crowd both times with that one, as the laughter and cheering grew so did the crowd, I looked around to see folks sitting on shoulder to get a better look, this made the show run on and we actually went over our time both times, this was such a huge hit the show organizers have already booked me for several demos with my full kit next time.

The show itself was awesome so many families and Real Country Folk, I am hoping one day they will run it over two days instead of one, local food and produce too I came home with some fabulous goodies, the short drive home was a happy one after a wonderful day, where we well and truly pulled the rabbit out of the hat once again.

Weston Park Country Fair

Now lets start off on the right foot here, all weekend I kept hearing people moan, what has happened to The Midland Game Fair this has gone right down hill, or this is not The Midland Game Fair? NO it is NOT The Midland Game Fair, this is The Weston Park Country Show, NOT Weston Park Country Show formerly known as The Midland Game, this is a Completely NEW show held at the venue that was the former home of the no more Midland Game Fair.

Right now that we have put that straight lets tell you of this my first Weston Park Country Fair appearance, in fact I nearly turned around and went home, but I am not one to quit. what should of been less than a two hour journey from my front door to the stand took almost six hours, need I say more than Birmingham, Accidents, Sat Nav’s going nuts, toll roads and well Birmingham in general, I blood hate driving anywhere near Birmingham, I finally got to the stand just in time before security locked the gate on the Friday Night, I just about had time to unload the van, set the tables up and make the van home for the weekend, by this time it should of all been done, sat down after a mighty camp fire meal enjoying a well deserved G&T but no I was still working like a dog, by the time I finally stopped it was time for bed, with the stand and my show ring to set up still to do early doors the next morning.

The Saturday I awoke at 5am still growling like an angry Bear, Ghastly BBBIIIIIRRRRRMMMIIINGGGHAM GRRRRRR, I dug deep and got on with the job in hand and got the show stand built and show ring before breakfast, by the time Mag’s my Secretary and John or Bear as we call him was set for breakfast I had already done a days work, they both said blimey you have been busy, I think the look on my face said I was a grumpy Bear before my first mug of tea as I half mumbled/growled Ghastly Birmingham, I had breakfast and my second mug of tea and a chill out came over me, ahhhhh that’s better lets get this show on the road, I was still not in the mood to suffer fools gladly, the first fool came in the shape of a traveller family, now I have some really wonderful traveller friends, but as always there are those in every walk of life that give folk a bad name, I would not let his child handle one of my very sharp hunting knives, this then turned into him saying he will stab my granny, quick as a flash I said good luck on that we buried her two years ago, before he could say another word he took one look at Bear and decided retreat was the better part of valour here, the rest of the day I saw so many of my traveller friends I had made over the years, nice people, most of their kids ended up in my show and helping, some I have known since they were kids themselves now with families of their own, blimey do I feel old, the first day came and went and I sat down after cooking my team a fine meal and finally getting my G&T, I headed off to bed and slept like a baby,

The Sunday I awoke as fresh as spring lamb, a real spark in my step, its amazing what good food, drink and great company can do to a Countryman’s mood, as with the day before I called my lungs out on every call I had and more, my show ring demos were packed out with so many folk at one point I could not even see my stand, the kids as always became the stars of the show, over both days I gave so many game calling and field craft lessons and advice, a shining light came in the for of a six year old Country Boy called Henry, he came onto the stand and bought a duck call and goose call, right away the boy picked up calling wildfowl as easy as breathing, seldom do I find anyone who can get it so quickly, this boy was on it like a tick on a Coon Hound as my Duck Commander buddies would say, I think I will dedicate him his own you tube video as he came to see me the following week in Yorkshire but I will get to that in the next part, he reminded me of my own son Ryan at that age, Ryan was the same he picked up wildfowl calling so easily when we were state side in Bass Pro but that’s for another story another time, Young Henry what a star, I am hoping to go wildfowling with him and his dad and we call them whistling wings in together as we watch them slip air paddles down whiffling all the way in.

I took an hour off to go see some chums around the show, I think the show looked wonderful, well set out with plenty for everyone to see and do, I caught up with my ole friend Pat Carey (The Warrener) and his good lady Sue, had a good yarn then went back to my stand to do my last show ring demo and some more calling lessons etc, as quick as the NEW show came it finished, I can only say as I found and I say bravo team Weston Park 2022 you pulled off a blinder, please book me in for next year.

Yorkshire Game & Shooting Show

The Friday started early again for me as I had to load the van all by myself again, my ole mucker Chippy was coming mid morning and I had so much to, I would normally drive the long drive to Yorkshire on the Thursday, but alas I was due to be at my Masonic Knights Templar Precentory and did not want to miss that, Chippy arrived in good time as always, we headed North in good time, but due to traffic around GRRRRR the midlands we added three hours onto our journey, but anticipating this I left extra earlier than I normally would, we got to the hotel booked in, headed over to the Doncaster Race Course and set up our stand in quick time, Night Pearl were next to us too as I would be helping them too this weekend as well as game calling and field craft lessons, book signing, main ring demos, oh and having a sweeping brush up my backside doing clearing up at the same time.

I caught up with so many friends, this is my favourite show to finish the season off with, I really love it in Yorkshire, the people and the place are wonderful, Brendan and the boys from The Grey Area squirrel group were near us too, I had a table booked at Whitby’s Fish and Chip Restaurant just over the road from the show, this is the best Fish and Chips in the world right here, you can say its elsewhere until you try it here, then you will see there is no beating it, the fact they do an awesome curry sauce and serve a fantastic pint of Guinness is by the wayside.

Show day Saturday started off manic and stayed like that, I was like a rabbit in the headlights, being called in all directions, book signing I sold out of all my books and had back orders now to fill as soon as I could get a new print run, game calling and field craft lessons, I lost my voice by the end of the day, the lads thought they went deaf.

Young Sport Henry came from Weston Park, I am going to dedicate a video to the boy, his dad had him out wildfowling in between the two show, I am told he played a tune so sweet the ducks and geese could not resists him, his dad bagged up and he swears its all down to young Henry Englandshires New Whistler, Henry joined me in my main show ring demo, it was like calling with my own son again, as that sweet music of the wild places filled the air, whistling wings of duck and the sound of the great ghost riders echoed around the show ground, every wildfowler, duck shooter and young sport drew like Geese into our decoy pattern, wing set, paddles down whiffling to our calling, what a show demo that was as I had a lead goose lead his skein of young sports right into my decoy pattern in the main ring, I got the lot with one shot, you don't see that every day, much to the laughter and cheers of the folk that now surrounded the show ring, my Chiwowa gun dog had to retrieve them, this was so entertaining and never fails to bring a laugh.

I met up with so many old friend and made so many new friends here in Yorkshire, the show was awesome the perfect jewel in the end of the show season that started in way back in February at The BSS at the NEC grrrrr Birmingham, the show finished and we packed up and said our goodbyes for another year with a smiling face and full heart also getting our annual team photo in front, (well behind this time) of the horse, some of the team had already left by by then time we thought of taking the pic.

Now Chippy and I were not done yet, I bought the Box Set of Ronnie Barker and David Jason's hit show Open All Hours a few months back, upon reading the blurb on the back cover it turns out it was filmed totally on location in Doncaster Yorkshire, in fact 1.9 miles from where we were stood, this was just too close not to go and find it, find it we did, a short video and few pics later we were on our way, obviously we had to have our photo taken outside of Nurse Gladys Emanuel's bedroom window and house too, I could just hear the echo GGGGGGrandville Fetch Your Cloth.

And that dear Muckers is the end to another show season. The Triple Crown, phew I am Knackered, see you next year folks.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it, see you all next year or catch up with you on social media, I really cant wait to catch up with Young Henry and his Dad and see how they are doing.

The Triple Crown of Shows

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

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Out Foxing Charlie 25

6/9/2022

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Out Foxing Charlie 25
The Tale Of The Horse Fox
On the August Bank Holiday and More

It all started with a text message whilst I was at The Game Fair Ragley 2022 from one of the fellows I taught basic pest control to, the text read can I give this lady a call, she has a major fox problem and had been wiped out of her hens and ducks three times, the frantic lady called me whilst I was in the show ring doing a calling demonstration, this worked quite well as I was talking and demonstrating predator calling at the time, the crowd cheered after that quite a lot, after the show demo I was inundated with questions and folk wanting advice, the stand was packed with show goers, this also helped me with book sales and signing as we sold out out of every book, my hand was hanging off from book signing so much.

I got back from the show and called the lady to arrange a site visit and to see what I could do as well as agree my fee etc, alas one thing and another got in the way, so it took a week or three to be able to get to this lady, mostly the adverse weather, mostly the heat but then rain then heat again.

Bank Holiday Friday

I got there on the first afternoon and surveyed the area, I like to see everything in daylight so I know what's safe to shoot etc, build up a picture of what's going on here, track the area and work out attack routs etc, plus give advice on animal husbandry, the first thing I saw was the electric fencing was in poor repair and not switched on, also it was easy for any fox to walk along a post and rail fence and jump straight into the pens, the lady informed me her dogs kept getting zapped on the electric fence so she does not use them now,. I did explain the dogs will soon learn to stay away from them, but she would not listen, I did say well you may as well leave the pen gates open, this way the fowl have an escape route instead of being stuck in a pen for the foxes to attack, an old saying my dad often says, you cant educate pork and you cant put brains in to a billiard ball.

The first night as the light I heard the calling of the night animals and birds coming alive, the old Barn Owl screeching its call, then a lonesome vixen in the distance, that sound still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end with goose pimples, I started scanning with Night Pearl Thermal Spotter the Scops Max III, I love this unit its my favourite go to spotter, it literally turns night into day.

Entrance stage left the first Charlie fox right where I had tracked them earlier that afternoon, then another right behind it, by the look of them they looked like litter mates and were very large cubs, they stayed in the no shot zones due to live stock, a road and other unsafe shot areas, I watched them in complete silence in the darkness, I love foxes truly remarkable animals, I never take any pleasure in the killing of anything, but I do love the hunt and the field craft involved.

These two young foxes played near the road all evening, then another fox appeared a much larger fox I would say was a large dog fox, again he did not present a shot as he stayed with the horses, he looked like he was digging worms or something out of the horse manure, then another two foxes appeared over by the cattle drove, again no safe shot due to distance, lack of a good back stop and cattle in the vicinity, so again all I could do was watch, I did not squeal them as every man and his dog have had a go at these foxes, so if I had tried to call them they would have been off, experience tells me this.

All of a sudden another fox appeared at forty yards heading straight to a cattle drinker, right were on that's the perfect area, a great back stop and no live stock, I had him in my cross hairs on my Gen three Primos Trigger Sticks, the Night Pear Seer 50 turning my day scope into a Thermal Scope, this was when disaster struck, the owners husband came out walking their dogs, a massive head torch blazing away, I thought a police helicopter was landing it was that bright, well that's that then the foxes would be gone.

The husband comes over lighting me up, with a loud voice saying have you got any yet, I explained no I was about to when you came out, he shined his head torch over saying there's one there, two there, one there and two over there where they always are, I was like blimey they are still there, all I can think of is they are used to him the dogs and the headlights, turns out he told me they are town released foxes used to people, a local fox group keep letting them go here and folks feed them, I shook my head thinking why the hell am I here, especially with the bad husbandry.

Persuaded him to turn the light off and look through the thermal, he was amazed with it, the foxes are still there he said, I took a breath and composed myself whilst having three dogs running around my feet, got the fox by the drinker in the cross hairs, slipped the safety off and squeezed off the shot at sixty yards, this was when disaster struck, I missed? The shot went right over him striking the bank behind him, just one reason to always have a good back stop, I recycled the bolt and stayed on him as he ran along the embankment, I squealed a hare distress and he stopped for that one last look, big mistake I was on him, one hundred and fifty yard I missed over him again, that's it down tools something is wrong, it cant be me twice, I explained I am downing tools until I sort out what's wrong, I will arrange to come back, but in the meantime I expect the list of repairs etc to be done and the electric fence reinstated, he agreed and would book me to come again when all I had asked for was done.

Bank Holiday Saturday

I was called back to a client I had picked up the month previously, you can read how that started in Out Foxing Charlie 24, I had to go back and collect all my mink traps as we had sorted that particular problem, there were two clients here about half a mile apart, the first one I had installed my best fox trap, its a huge heavy steel unit, the Antis had stolen it once, tried to smash it but its too heavy so they didn't get far with it, the local vicar found it and gave me a call saying he had my trap in the church yard, this trap takes four of us to pick it up, I installed it at this clients knowing it will work for me 24/7, left instructions how to set it etc, all we caught in six weeks was the farm dogs and cats? I went down to see what was wrong, the daft blighters left the trigger lock on so it would not shut, no wonder they had trail cam footage all around the humane cage trap of the fox but never catching, I did giggle at that one, I hung around into the night but alas nothing showed so at 1am so I called it a night and went home to my bed, I am booked to go back there again soon, fingers crossed a fox is in the humane cage trap too.

Bank Holiday Sunday

I was called back into a VIP clients place that I signed on my books coming up for two years ago now, this is a huge Agricultural Education Centre almost in Devon on the Dorset/Devon Border, I was called in because they had been descended upon by a huge flock of mixed Corvid's, feral pigeons etc, this happened almost over night, it started with the odd couple, by the time they call called me in the flocks were a couple of hundred strong, they also had a small rabbit problem in some of their display paddocks, eating all the grass and digging deep holes, a broken ankle on one of the students or indeed the live stock was imminent, the farm manager kept filling the holes but they dug them out as quick as he filled them, this was going to be a busy time on this bank holiday Sunday, the first rifle of choice was the Air Arms S510T (Tactical) as I have said before this rifle is deadly accurate with a humane punch on target, but she does bark a fair bit with that moderator on, for me this is a great advantage as I scare away as much as I shoot, exactly what's needed for a job like this, I did bag up well on the mixed Corvid's and feral pigeons, that were literally covering the whole place in bird poo causing a major public health issue to both the humans and the live stock, the bark of the air rifle kept the birds flying as their mates fell, they soon got the idea this was not a good place to be and by late afternoon almost every bird had vacated the area, it quietened down so much I had time to practice some of my Masonic Ritual (HRA) for I have been promoted within the Lodge and Chapter and have new roles to practice.

The night fell and I went into rabbit mode, the rifle of choice here was the ole 22LR my favourite calibre of all my rifles, loaded with the whisper quiet Eley Subsonic Hunting Ammunition, this ammo is whisper quiet, pin point accurate with a deadly humane strike on target, what more could a Countryman ask for in their ammunition, especially as I am The Eley Out Doors International Ambassador, the scope of choice it the NEW Night Pearl Marten dedicated thermal scope, wow what a bit of kit, its got more gadgets in it than Inspector Gadgets Coat far too many to list, pop over to The Out Post Shop at Really Wild Adventures www.reallywildadventures.co.uk the full spec is on there, pairing this up with my Night Pearl Thermal Spotter Scops Max III made for the perfect rabbit clearance tools for the job.

Alas because it had been so hot for so long the ground was as hard as concrete, the one thing that lets the 22LR ammunition down is that Irish Bloke, Ricochet (Rick O Shay) sorry my little joke, no offence to any Rick with that name, there's no getting away with it those awesome little rounds love to bounce, so I had to be so careful with every shot taken, 101% on it for safety as always, I could of shot a whole bag full of rabbits but managed six nice fresh rabbits, the farm manager a shooting man himself agreed with me the ground is too hard to do a proper job, the air rifle was no good as the rabbits were right out there, so another night it was then.

I didn't call it a night there I went onto another new client on my way back nr Frome Somersetshire with chickens and a rat problem, as soon as I pulled in I could see she had a real rat problem, a couple of hours there with the Air Arms S510t (Tactical) and the Night Pearl Seer 35 front add on scope and the Scops Max III had these rats in toe, I shot a bucket load, the client is so happy she said she will book me again, she has only seen one rat since my visit and that was in her garden not nr the chickens, but that's not a surprise as bother neighbours have chickens so where there are pigs or fowl you will get rats, I await the call to go back with winter approaching and the scaly tailed Ratticuss looking for their usual hotels.

Bank Holiday Monday

I am called back to the other fox job from Bank Holiday Friday night, they had been hit again, this did not surprise me one little bit, this was good in one way they got on to top of their animal husbandry, I headed to my private range to test the rifle and the equipment thoroughly something was wrong and the only thing I knew was bang on the money was me, I put the target out at 100 yards as normal, set up and tried the Norma 55grn Ammo, I was thinking could it be the ammo, the day sight or the moderator? No everything was spot on, in fact it was almost bullet on bullet, exactly what I expect from my equipment, now I know most are happy with golf ball grouping, but not me, the target shooter in me wont allow it, plus I want 101% confidence in my equipment for when I pull that trigger, I have to know I am dispatching each target quickly, humanly and neutralise each target efficiently, its always been my ethos, one reason I get paid the top money for the job I do and don't do it for free.

Next I put the thermal sticker on the target plate out on the 100 Yard target in the deep valley, I took a rest had a mug of tea and a sandwich, got the heart rate and breathing right again, added on the Seer 50 front add on scope to the now cooled down rifle, this often makes a huge difference to the shots a hot or cold rifle or indeed ammo, I loaded the rifle magazine, recycled the bolt, slipped the safety off exhaled and took the shot, MISS? What? Right lets take another shot, MISS? Something was going wrong here, I took the scope off in case I had banged the scope or if anything had happened since the earlier test, three shots bang on the money, I added the Seer 50 to the front of the scope, three more shots none on target? My spotter said everything went high about six inches and shot like a shot gun, I got in touch with Night Pearl and said I think I broke the unit, as it turns out it has to go back as it need re calibrating or something, see I knew it was not me or my rifle or bullets, with technology these things happen, I seen it on all brands gear in my time, the one thing Night Pearl are great at is their after care and customer service.

That night I headed to the job but this time I had the Night Pearl Seer Elite mounted on the 223, I had the clients 15 year old son join me too helping spot, I used my usual Scops Max III spotter and let the boy use The Scops Max II thermal spotter another great unit, I wish I could write a momentous tale of great shot and foxes falling, but alas this stuff often makes it too easy, as dark fell those large cubs appears, stayed by the road then disappeared down the cattle drove never to be seen again, no other foxes were seen apart from a small vixen that walked past me at twenty yards, trotted out to the cattle drinker as before and I shot here with a perfect head shot in the long grass, a head shot not my normal shot but its all I had, the client was happy, the son retrieved the fox for me, I got paid and left, you know there has been no more attacks since they got the fence on and good animal husbandry, hmmm dont figure.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribbles of a hard working rough ole Country Boy as much as I have enjoyed remembering them and writing about them, if you want to see me in action come see me at The South Yorkshire Game and Shooting Show, or possibly book me for a game calling demo or to teach proper field craft right across all Country Sports to you or your club or just some of your hunting Muckers.

Out Foxing Charlie 25
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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The Game Fair 2022The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

8/8/2022

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The Game Fair 2022
The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

The Game Fair

First we head off to The Game fair Ragley 2022, I and my entire team were so excited to be here this year, we also had joining us on our stand as our guests the UK & Ireland Squirrels Group, The Grey Area.

I headed up a day earlier than everyone else as I wanted to unload the van, build the van as my camper van for the weekend and set the marquee up and show ring before the rest of the team descended on me and chaos broke out.

I must admit our stand and show ring really looked amazing this year, I would go so far as to say one of the best on the entire show.

The first day of the show (Friday) started off really slowly, I thought to myself blimey there are next to no show goers in the morning, this lulled us into a false sense of security, by the afternoon our stand was rammed, I could hardly get out to get to the show ring to do my demos, this first day my best demo of the day was my game calling demo, people flocked like moths to a flame to listen and learn how to call a multitude of game calls and more, also to talk to me and ask my advice about field craft and of course my funny stories too, this was when a bright spark went off in my head, why not start a series of game calling and field craft/water craft work shops and lessons, obviously this wont be free, but will be invaluable to making your time in the fields etc successful even if you never fire a shot, drop me a line via the calling page on my website.

Day 2 started of quiet too, but again by mid morning we were packed out like sheep in a pen it was so busy, again my pigeon shooting/crow shooting/wildfowling decoying demos along with the game calls drew a huge audience at each demo, one particular one in the late afternoon was really packed out with onlookers 4 to 5 people thick all the way round the show ring, the more I called the more kids joined me in my show ring, Charlie Jacoby of The field Sports Channel calls me The Pied Piper of Country Sports, this makes me chuckle, I started off with 6 kids but finished off with a great many more, a funny thing happened here, there's a first time for everything though, the kids flying around the ring as my pigeons, crows, ducks, and geese were told to drop to the shot as if I had shot them with the blanks black powder from the hammer gun as the flash, bang and all the feathers flew out the gun firing straight up in the air of course, I blew the duck call and they all dropped stone dead, much to the laughter of the audience, so up they got flew around some more and I told the story of the fore shore, shot fired, now the other kids who are my gun dogs have to retrieve them, several of the kids did not want to be retrieved which caused more hysterical laughter and cheering, never work with kids or animals especially at a game fair, watch the video that is at the bottom of this article but have a box of tissues with you and no drink in hand or you might spill it from hysterical laughter.

Day 3, again started off quiet but yet again by mid morning it was busy, my demos were so busy all day, the kids would not leave the show ring they wanted more, one kid saying this is the best part of the game fair, so we did an impromptu story time with The Ole Hedge Creeper outside of the stand, this was a huge hit, with each story, giggles and laughter drew more kids and their families, the last show of the day I dragged Brendan in the show ring to do a talk on The Grey Area Squirrel Group and what their mission is, they are trying to eradicate the grey squirrel a non native invader, at the same time protecting our Native Red Squirrels, he did a great job too, I was quickly running out of energy as I was book signing all weekend, so much so we sold out of all of my books, the day finished and we all headed home after packing up the stand and show ring, tired but happy after a fantastic weekend spent with friends at a wonderful show and meeting so many old friends and making new ones.

Squirrel Control

As many know I am a Game Keeper/Deer Manager and full time Pest Controller these are just some of the hats I wear, now the estate I look after is surrounded by National Trust woodlands etc, they say they carry out squirrel control etc, by the state of their trees and lack of song birds and ground nesting birds etc, I would presume who they have doing their squirrel control is not doing such a great job, for my Estate is plagued with those dastardly Grey Squirrel invaders, it seems every time I shoot or trap one 10 come to its funeral, I police my woodlands well, but I know I cause a vacuum pulling in the squirrels from outside the estate as soon as I clear my ones, thus my thoughts ere the NT pest controllers are not doing a very good job at all, I have an abundant array of song birds and ground nesting birds here because I keep a tight control on the Grey Squirrels.

Recently seeing an upturn in squirrel activity on one of my wild bird feeders, Goose my Cocker Spaniel and I decided to sit behind a tree watching this feeder armed with the awes Air Arms S510T (Tactical) mounted on my Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks, we sat quietly 25 yards away, the squirrels came one after the other, I didn't get a shot on one of them as it kept moving, so I had him with the shot gun the next day whilst filling the feeders, touch wood I have not seen any more squirrels there, or on the trail camera since, its only a matter of time before they return though we all know that, I will say this S510T is a tac driver, pin point accurate with a deadly strike on target, again look at the you tube video that is with this article to see this gun in action.

Rabbit Control

A very dear friend and land owner is back here in the UK from New Zealand (NZ), I call him my Somersetshire Kiwi, we grew up together here, went to school together etc, he decided a few years ago to move his family to NZ and buy a farm there and set up a farm shop and butchery shop, very successful it is too, his farm here that he still owns but rents out, it needed some work doing so he flew back to oversee said works etc, the people who rent the farm are a little bunny huggery to say the least, as soon as my old friend arrived his exact words were what are all these rabbits doing here, that's far too many for this area, I am going to call the resolver in, that's me in case you didn't know, he started calling me this over 30 years ago and now several farmers call me this, they say its because all they have to do is call me in and the pest problems or deer control is resolved quickly and quietly, no fuss everything just gets resolved and they have their balance back, its jolly nice to thought so highly of I must say.

Back to my friends place from NZ, I rocked up and its like we had only been chatting yesterday, not 6 months ago when he was last in the UK, look at all these rabbits in my horse paddocks, they are destroying the place and eating everything, sort them out for me will you, the last time he was over he saw me shooting rats at another friends farm using the Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter, mounted on my Primos Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks, with the wonderful Night Pearl Seer 50 Plus scope and the Night Pearl Thermal Spotter the Scops Max III, he loved that gear and said I hope you brought that thermal stuff you had up Fred’s that night, I laughed and said yes I have the spotter but I have something brand NEW on my ole 22lr, I have a new dedicated scope from Night Pearl, its Called the Marten, I could get all technical here but no go over to www.reallywildadventures.co.uk its all written there for your full perusal in The Out Post Shop, what I will say is this scope just makes it all too easy, just as good high quality as the spotters I might add, straight away my old friend was amazed whilst spotting through The Night Pear scops MaxIII thermal spotter, there is one there and two there, blimey there's a glut of them there start shooting, I laughed and said calm down lets stalk in a bit, I got into a nice central position, all the undulating hilly ground around me gave a wonderful back stop for almost every shot angel, I loaded up my Eley Subsonic hunting ammunition into my old 22lr, switched on the Marten scope and whilst my friend spotted with The Scops Max III thermal spotter I shot using the ole 22lr and the NEW Marten dedicated thermal scope from Night Pearl.

For a couple of hours we had a lot of fun and jovial banter between two old friends, I shot 7 rabbits for 9 shots, only retrieved 6 as one was right down a bank in a ditch, I said lets get that in daylight for safety reasons, which we did first thing the next morning, now I did miss twice, I shot over the head of two of the rabbits, the reason for this is it can look further away than it is on thermal, when actually its much closer, but I rectified that sharpish and put those rabbits in the bag, I will do better next time as I will know the ground better, I only stayed a short while really as this night was just a recce night, I will be back, this Night Pearl Thermal stuff is fantastic, if you want any scopes or spotters or more, pop over to my shop The Out Post Shop on www,reallywildadventures.co.uk there you will find my personal discount code and save yourself some money, again watch the videos attached they will show you this gear in action.

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

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

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Out Foxing Charlie 24 +

8/7/2022

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Out Foxing Charlie 24 +
The Tale Of Foxes Hollow

What a funny ole time I am having with these Chicken Thieving Charlie’s, I cant believe we are now on Out Foxing 24, well actually if you watch the videos that are accompanying this article its 24. 1 .2 and .3 as further calls came in on fox attacks as I started writing this article.

The Full Moon Foxes

The first call out came from a very new client of mine who's children now come to my Young Sports Rifle Range for Marksmanship Coaching, we met on my pest control stand at The North Somerset Agricultural Show back in May of 2022.

I was originally called in to deal with rat infestations on their small farm as they breed an assortment of fowl, sheep, pigs and cattle, this client and indeed the kids love to watch me work, often helping me spot the rats etc with the awesome Night Pearl Thermal Spotters as I shoot them with the Air Arms/Night Pearl Seer thermal scope combo.

One night the kids favourite hens got killed, the whole lot killed in the pen and not one bird taken, my client was not happy and said can I deal with these foxes, like me he left them alone to live a natural life, but when these fixes attacked his live stock they had to go, the kids were heartbroken and the youngest boy stamped his feet telling me to get these nasty foxes, I explained to the lad they were trying to find their dinner, but none the less the boy said they ate tufty so get them, I always say as I was taught as a boy, where you have livestock you have dead stock, none the less the foxes had attacked the live stock so it was my job to go and deal with them,

My client and I sat out at dusk waiting for these chicken thieving Charlie foxes, the night went on and nothing, then as usual my sixth sense kicked in and I went for a little walk, there were two foxes in the yard literally next to my truck, no safe shot due to back stop, live stock etc, I watched them disappear under the barn area and into the back field.

My Client and I out skirted them and came back round on the wind using the farm track and trees for cover as it was a full moon night, now where had these foxes gone as we both scanned frantically with the Night Pearl Scops Max III thermal spotters, I already had my 223 mounted on top of my Primos Trigger Sticks ready for action with the Night Pearl Seer 50 Thermal Scope switched on.

But no fox to be seen in this 19 acre field? I know they are here I saw them come into the field, then all of a sudden this big dog fox came out of nowhere heading straight for us, I knew these blighters were using the farm track and why not its the point of least resistance like a game trail.

I took off my safety, breathed then exhaled as the fox stopped for a pee approximately 60 yards out, I squeezed off the shot, crack and thump as the fox fell stone dead with a perfect shot to the engine room, I don't like head shots, not because I cant do them I just prefer and engine room shot, the head moves the engine room don't unless the whole fox moves, I am the same with deer stalking too, my client was very happy as the video aptly shows when he retrieved said fox.

You know this fox had a mouth full of field voles if you scroll in you will see them, now where did this other fox go? We stalked around leaving this fox in the gateway to pick up on our way back, we saw deer, rabbits, hares, bats and even a tawny owl but no second fox, we made our way back to the farm yard for a much needed drink, this was when my sixth sense kicked off again, I feel like Spider Man with my spider Sense, something was calling me to the back horse paddock near the river, I went into stealth mode with my client shadowing my every step, I stayed in the leigh side of the thick hedgerow in the dark shadows as the full moon made it like daylight out here, I managed to get to the gate without the very friendly horses spotting me leaving my client stood still 30 yards behind me, I scanned this back paddock with the Night Pearl thermal spotter, ahhhhh there he was the second fox sat against the hedgerow at the bottom of the river bank, I mounted the rifle on to the trigger stick, slipped off the safety and squeezed off the shot, I would like to be flamboyant here and say what a momentous shot it was, but it was just a good text book shot, I called it a night here at nearly 2am, all the other fields were not gut and the grass too long to see, I said book me again when the grass is cut and we will deal with the others I know are there, I bid farewell and as I pulled out of the yard bowl me over there was another fox sat in the middle of the farm track, I laughed and said jovially he will live to fight another day.

The Sleeping Fox

The next Job I was called in to was a funny one, another new client, a friend of an old client of mine, I was highly recommended to this new client, they were real old school farmers, as it turns out we have many mutual friends, this old boy knew more about agriculture and dealing with pests than most, as he said this is one tricky fox, it had even attacked his farm cats to which he had many, his entire young stock of meat hens had been wiped out, I said are you sure its a fox, oh yes he was adamant it was a fox, I tracked the area and saw where said fox had possibly got in, it was a 6 feet high pen that looked more like a prison, completely wired in to the ground and all round, the gate shut tight against a foot plate, said pen electrified, the roof properly meshed over, this was where the suspected fox got in and indeed out after killing all the young hens? I was sure this was not a fox and my knowledge and experience said it was a mink, there was an over hanging branch from a willow tree next to the river ditch, I just knew this was the way in and out, but this farmer was insistent it was a fox.

I agreed to stay on into the night, I scanned around at dusk and indeed there were all the cats, wandering about trying to catch voles and the likes, one cat sat on the post and rail fence 25 yards away jumped down into the long grass and curled up and went to sleep, or so I thought looking through the Night Pearl Scops Max III thermal spotter, 11.30pm still light enough to see with my eye as it was the longest day of Summer, I continued to scan around with the rifle at the ready on my Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks with the Night Pearl Seer 35 Elite mounted on her, I scanned across to the cat asleep in the long grass not 20 yards away from me, this was when the cat stood up had a stretch and sat there looking at me, this was when a light bulb went off for both of us, it was like someone reading me the book Little Red Riding Hood, my my what big ears you have, all the better to hear you with, my my what big teeth you have, all the better to kill hens with, my oh my what a big Brush (tail) you have, all the bigger to show you a clean Brush disappearing through the hedge with.

That fox lay asleep there the whole time watching me, I could of shot it a 100 times over, but again I though it was a cat, so unless I have 101% a definite quarry identification and a 101% safe shot, the shot does not get taken, I roared with laughter, he was there all along, this is what I love about what I do, every day is a school day, I will be back Charlie we will dance again, next time I will make sure the area is clear of cats and foxes first.

I returned a days nights later, I parked up in a good shooting postposition, I wanted to use my truck as cover, plus this gave me a great elevated position shooting down on the paddocks from the hill top, I took Goose y Cocker Spaniel out and we walked the whole area, I was armed with my shotgun just in case ole Charlie bolted from the grass again, I was not having him do it to me twice, Gosse and I were happy the whole area was clean of said cats and foxes, we headed back to the truck, I set up the rifle on the Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks with The Night Pear Seer 35 Elite, as dusk fell and the night came on it never really got truly dark, I heard the magpies kicking off to my right, I knew Charlie was about ole Pica Pica (Magpie) told me so, I made myself ready, I was just about to scan with the Scops Max III thermal spotter from Night Pearl when I saw the fox perfectly in the dim light not 40 yards from me, I mounted the rifle very slowly for he would of seen me if I had not, I could not call him or make a sound, this fox was switched on as he had been shot at before by the farmer etc, I watched and waited knowing he would stand still at some point, he stopped right near the pen where the hens had been massacred, again this all happened in a matter of 30 seconds it felt like a life time, I slipped the safety off, took a breath, ex haled and squeezed the shot off, crack and a dull thump told me that was a text book, ethical, humane shot to the engine room, I breathed easy, this was one fox that will live in my memory forever, the client was very happy and paid his invoice straight away the next morning.

I still was not happy it was a fox killing the ones in this pen, I know this dog fox had taken some of the free range older hens, but not these in the pen, Farmer had repaired the roof two days later bought some more young hens and was happy, two days later he got hit the very same way again, this time I got there fast and said don't touch anything, upon inspection I found black hairs on the whole in the chicken wire the culprit had gotten in on, a mink I was right, so I have now set up trail cameras over the area, left everything as it was less the dead hens and baited live trap mink traps inside the pen, I will write about this in another article about mink trapping, but for now the story continues.

Motorway Foxes and Rabbits

I was called to a very old clients place, this client over the years has become a very dear friend too, I have called it Motorway Foxes and Rabbits as it takes me a long drive down the M5 to almost Devon to visit this client, I was called in firstly to deal with a fox or foxes that were hitting his rare breed fowl, he had tried everything to keep the foxes out, electric fences, high meshed fences with a mesh roof, scare crows you name it, but still he was getting hit, secondly the rabbits, his exact words these rabbits are eating more grass than my sheep and cattle.

I got there in the late afternoon to try two fold to deal with both job being linked, by this I mean I can deal with the rabbits in the afternoon into dusk using my 22 rimfire rifle using the deadly accurate Eley Subsonic Ammunition, thus Paunch (Gut) the rabbits I have humanely dispatched out in an area I want to deal with the fox or foxes, putting out the Paunch (Guts) in a shallow bucket or tray means I can easily dispose of them in the muck heap, plus the fact that aroma will carry on the wind to the foxes like the Bistow Gravy advert, put into you tube Bistow Gravy advert and you will know what I mean for those to young to remember the TV advert from our childhood.

I drove my truck out on the worst hit headland after having a patrol round and picking off the odd rabbit, I determined most of the farm was a no go area due to live stock and no safe shot angles or the grass was to long and needed to be harvested, I concentrated my attention to the 20 acre field as this was where a major rabbit damage area was, I also knew this was where the foxes were attacking from, as I sat there in the truck with the ole 22 rimfire rifle loaded with the Eley 22LR Subsonic Ammunition drinking a mug of tea from my flask, I was surrounded by rabbits, I am a Countryman first and a Professional Pest Control Technician second, I was torn between my Ethics of a Countryman and my Profession here, you see all these rabbits were squeakers very young rabbits, not even big enough to be what I call a fryer big enough for the pot, So I told myself leave these young rabbits as decoys and wait for the bigger ones to come out on the field of play, this worked great indeed and I managed a few nice shots before dusk fell and I had to change to fox control, of course I could of just stayed shooting rabbits with my awesome Night Pearl Marten dedicated thermal scope and Eley Ammunition on my other rifle, but no I had to get on with dealing with these foxes.

I moved position to the other end of this huge field near the pens that were being attacked, I did this for a few reason, first it put me in between the foxes and the pens, second I need the truck to hide me as again it was a full moon, third the wind was at my front taking my scent away and the aroma of the Paunch towards the foxes.

The plan was set, the field of play was set, I only Paunched out 2 rabbits as I needed some with the paunch still in for a game prep lesson the following day at catering college where I teach chefs how to deal with the game from fir and feather straight from the field, no cellophane in sight, the night came on and I heard a vixen calling in the distance, the 223 was mounted as usual on my Gen 3 Primos Trigger Sticks, this time I had the Night Pearl Seer 50 mounted on the rifle in case I need that slightly longer shot, I would as normal be spotting with the Night Pearl Scops Max III thermal spotter my favourite spotter in the range, I placed out the paunch in a tray 60 Yards out up wind, this worked like a dream.

The first fox did exactly as I thought, came in stage left in between me and the paunch, went to turn towards me and the pens, stopped like a pointer one front leg in the air and trotted out to the paunch, again I would like to say this was a momentous shot, but alas it was pretty text book, cross hairs on, safety off, bang and the fox is down stone dead, quickly, humanly and ethically.

The next Fox came on from my right as they do here sometimes, there is a gate up the hedge and they come under it, like I said before its the point of least resistance just like any game trail everything uses it, as he came along the bottom of the ditch bank I gave him a vole squeak to stop him, he did perfectly as I took the shot, then something happened that had never happened before, a cracking heart and lung shot, if it were not for the thermal I would never have seen it, the bullet opened him up like I had unzipped him with my hunting knife, dropping his heart. Lungs and entrails on the floor, he ran on 10 yards and sort of fell in to the deep ditch, what in gods name just happened, I pride myself on clean, ethical, one shot humane kills, I went straight over with my Helios UK Aether lamp, I could clearly see him stone dead in the bottom of the ditch so I breathed easy as it never got far, I would of hated to have to have tracked a wounded animal for a second shot, occasionally it happens on deer but never a fox for me, due to the dangers of trying to get him out I decided to come back the next day.

A short wile later the vixen appear under the same gate and headed straight to where the dog fox was in the ditch at the bottom of the big bank, she sat almost on command and a text book shot on her too as she rolled down the bank into the ditch not 3 feet from the dog fox.

I spoke to my client and he said don't worry about coming back he will get them out in the morning, this he did and said my shot on the dog fox was right on the money, but after inspection he could see the bullet had bounced off the ribs and shoulder blade and gone down unzipping him, he also said the crows were enjoying the heart, lungs and entrails when he got there, I will say that's a first for me, but as I said ever day is a school day, again my client was very happy and said The Resolver gets the job done once again.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my humble scribbles as I have remembering all the adventures I get up to in my working life using some great equipment and apparel

Out Foxing Charlie 24+

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

I forgot to say if anyone would like some Country Sports insurance and more, go over the The Country Cover Club, use this voucher code and you get some money off.

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The Air Arms S510 Tactical

31/5/2022

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The Air Arms S510 Tactical
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

Well I really don't know where to start on this one, I am not normally a tactical fan, I much prefer wood over synthetic too, I suppose I am a traditional sort of guy, Air arms however never fails to amaze, just like with The Galahad, I am really not a Bull Pup fan, but Air Arms changed my mind on that with The Galahad, its still the only Bull Pup I like to this day, the same with this tactical version of the awesome Air Arms S510T, what more can I write about the S510 range, the model of the gun has been written about, filmed, won Airgun of the year more than any I know, so there is not much more to write about the actual guts of the gun itself as it were.

The tactical version for me has one massive bonus point, the adjustable stock, as a professional pest controller I am required to shoot in many different scenarios, especially from my truck etc, this stock makes this brilliant model in the Air Arms S510 series a winner for me, look at the video that is accompanying this article for this will show you first hand what I mean, I suppose the best way to show you why I love this rifle is to take you along with me on some of the vast and various pest control contracts I do or indeed on the range, for this brilliant rifle in the S510 series fits in anywhere, weather in the field or on the range with The Ole Hedge Creeper behind the butt, now that makes it a winning combination.

First we start off on the range, obviously adding a hawk scope to it, then a new Helios's UK Pallas multi mountable hunting lamp, this was a cracking addition for hunting old school style lamping with a modern twist, the pressure thumb switch on the Pallas lamp was great, again look on the video that's with this article you will see it in action, I and my cameraman had a lot of fun shooting targets with the green filter and zeroing the rifle, the green filter is my favourite filter too.

From here using the Helios Pallas and The Air Arms Tactical, we moved onto a various amount of different Agricultural Jobs, rats, feral pigeons etc, even a commercial job clearing a warehouse of feral pigeons, this was done with the greatest of ease, I really enjoyed doing this the old school way with a modern twist, by golly we have come a long way since the days of the heavy head lamb and motor bike battery in the ruck sack on my back leaking battery acid and rotting my cloths etc, such fond memories but I would not want to go back there now.

I then did some rat work on a new contract, first of all in the early evening shooting off the spare wheel of my truck, this new client was losing a great deal of Chicken, Duck and Turkey eggs, he also lost some young goslings and a great deal of chicks, rats were always going to be a problem here, as the location was right next to a river and active ditches, the S510T really made this easy work as the pile of very dead rats mounted, the evening came on and we switched to thermal, a Night Pearl Seer 35 Thermal front add on for the scope and the Night Pearl Scops Max III spotter, my client joined me, I started off spotting and the client shooting, then we swapped around and I added to the pile of rats greatly, my client was so impressed with this rifle he now wants to invest in one for himself.

The next job was squirrel control on one of the prestigious sporting estates that I look after, the grey squirrel is a massive conservation issue, not only do they destroy our ancient broad leaf woodland, they kill all the ground nesting birds and song birds too, adult birds or young or indeed eggs in the nest, they also carry a deadly squirrel pox to our native red squirrels, it was a bitterly cold day, I was shooting off of my Gen 3 Primos trigger sticks, again the video that's with this article will show you best how we did, the cameraman and I had a lot of fun this day brining these grey conservation night mares to account.

The next job was a rabbit control job, actually I had to deal with the foxes attacking too, but you can read about that in the articles Out Foxing Charlie 22 and 23, this was during the late afternoon this rabbit job, the client called me in saying these rabbits are eating more grass than my live stock, it was my job to bring this balance back in line, I must say I don't shoot prone very often, my old back just wont take it any more, this was one of those rare days I did shoot prone, it was a lovely warm sunny afternoon, my cameraman sat back in the truck watching me, it was so lovely there I am laid out on my Jack Pyke Digi Cam Jacket, The Air Arms S510T mounted on the Jack Pyke sand bags, I was so comfy I actually dozed off, but my sixth sense always kicked in when a rabbit hopped out, there are two rabbits in the photos, but by the time I had finished there were several more, this rifle took each one as smooth as silk, with an ethical, deadly accurate strike on target.

The next job was a crop protection job, peas and barley were drilled as the spring drilling's, the client called me in after the crop had been hit hard, Corvid's were pulling the seed out to get to the leather jackets (bugs) and the pigeons were gobbling said exposed seed up behind the Corvid's, I did say to this client you always do this, call me in after your getting hit, you know its like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted, a shotgun could not be used here due to the near by location of a pub, some shops, a bus stop and a main road, the Air Arms S510T was the perfect choice to help protect these valuable and vulnerable crops, I will say that moderator does not cut the sound report down that much and she does bark, on this job that was a massive advantage for keeping the birds off the crop, 6 weeks I was on crop protection of this crop, Myself and The Air Arms S510T did our job well and the crop is now growing, gawd help us coming up to harvest time when this crop ripens, I think were going to be pretty busy again.

There are so many pest control jobs I have taken this rifle on, far too many to write about, I think I will tell you of just one more in this article and catch up on the others in a later article or part 2.

The last Professional Pest Control Job I will tell you about is on a huge NEW contract on an Agricultural Education Centre, they do everything here from horticulture, live stock and more, their open areas, barns, clamps and seed beds etc were getting hit big time, there was so many mixed Corvid's, Wood-pigeons, Feral Pigeons, Rats, Rabbits and a multitude of other vermin that need bringing under control, a much larger pest control company that will remain nameless charged this facility a ghastly amount to sort this problem out, alas they did not, never send a boy to do a man's job, straight away when I went to evaluate this site and draw up a management plan I could see they had quite a problem.

I have been there several times now both by day and by night, we have gotten on top of the public health risk and the place is looking a different place all together with everything cleaned and kept clean and disinfected.

I sat in one of the straw barns one one occasion just myself and The Air Arms S510T, using the straw bales as a rest or I used my Primos Gen 3 Trigger Sticks, these wood pigeon just kept coming and coming, the Farm Manager went off to make me a coffee as I got there, by the time he got back I had 6 Wood Pigeon retrieved with a further 3 to get, he laughed and said no wonder you came so highly recommended, I have not been gone 5 minuets, I also laughed and said its not always this easy I telle, the rifle never missed a beat, I then went on and sat in the trucks trying to keep the hoards off of the feed clamps, as these are in constant use and hard to cover up all day, these are a magnet for the Corvid's and Feral/Wood Pigeons and more, sat shooting from my truck that made the perfect comfortable shooting hide I made short work of any pest that tried to settle in, actually the bark of this air rifle really helped again here, one shot and everything kept away, perfect for what I wanted, but if you want a quieter bark I would suggest a different moderator than the one that came with this fac model, my client was very happy with my efforts and they have now signed a 2 year contract, a lot this is thanks to the Air Arms S510T, for she is as sweet on the eyes as she is in the hand, she looks the part on a professional job too, hmmm shall I buy this one too and keep it in my collection of S510s we will see, so watch this space.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my humble scribbles, stay safe and well one and all, add and S510T to your collection you wont be disappoint.

The Air Arms S510 Tactical
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

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

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Out Foxing Charlie 22 & 23

13/5/2022

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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

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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.

The Seasons End

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

Christmas In The Mountains

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

A Travelling Countryman

A Travelling Countryman
To Africa, Back to Somersetshire via Hampshire.

The Grey Invader

The Grey Invader
My Professional Squirrel Control
Also A National Grey Squirrel Control Group

The Triple Crown

The Triple Crown
Three Shows
Three Counties
One Month

Out Foxing Charlie 25

Out Foxing Charlie 25
The Tale Of The Horse Fox
On the August Bank Holiday and More

The Game Fair 2022The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

The Game Fair 2022
The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

Out Foxing Charlie 24 +

Out Foxing Charlie 24 +
The Tale Of Foxes Hollow

The Air Arms S510 Tactical

The Air Arms S510 Tactical
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

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

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

The Seasons End​ Reflections Of A Countryman

The Ole Hedge Creepers ​ Christmas In The Mountains

A Travelling Countryman ​ To Africa, Back to Somersetshire via Hampshire.

The Grey Invader My Professional Squirrel Control ​ Also A National Grey Squirrel Control Group

The Triple Crown Three ShowsThree Counties One Month

Out Foxing Charlie 25 The Tale Of The Horse Fox ​ On the August Bank Holiday and More

The Game Fair 2022The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

Out Foxing Charlie 24 + ​ The Tale Of Foxes Hollow

The Air Arms S510 Tactical ​ With The Ole Hedge Creeper

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

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

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

A Travelling Countryman
To Africa, Back to Somersetshire via Hampshire.

The Grey Invader
My Professional Squirrel Control
Also A National Grey Squirrel Control Group

The Triple Crown
Three Shows
Three Counties
One Month

Out Foxing Charlie 25
The Tale Of The Horse Fox
On the August Bank Holiday and More

The Game Fair 2022
The Tale Of The Squirrel and Rabbits

Out Foxing Charlie 24 +
The Tale Of Foxes Hollow

The Air Arms S510 Tactical
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

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

Out Foxing Charlie 23
The Piglet Thief and The Close Encounter