Still receiving the Russian artic blast and not having cleaned the smoothrifle for a week but merely greasing the bore I set off for more rabbit hunting.
It wasnt easy. Four hours non stop hunting the few sheltered spots I could find? I struggled to find any.
Two eluded me after bumping them up and two fell.
The first emerged from its hole as I stalked the timber.
The second emerged from a hedge as night fall started. I saw it from 200yds plus and carefully made my way around him to get the wind right.
I found a gap in the hedge and crawled up to the gap. It was awkward him being to my right.
I was contemplating a left handed shot when he hopped further out helping me out. The heavy payload of shot gave a good healthy recoil and flattened the 27yard ( or so) rabbit.
This rabbit was covered in scars. The bucks have given him a real going over. It's tough in the rabbit world. They are quite savage to each other.
I love being in the field. I found pheasants, snipe and woodcock. Oh and a large hawk swooped at a magpie that crashed itself into thick cover to evade.