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General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => Hunting Gate => : July 29, 2007, 10:42:31 AM

: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: July 29, 2007, 10:42:31 AM
Hi Been here a while but never posted.
People know me from the NZ forum.
Anyways I thought I'd tell you about one of my hunting forays.
It was a favourite shoot of mine about 5mins drive out of town. After arriving at around 5pm I set off on my usual route, things were'nt looking good though, an hour in and not a rabbit seen!
As I rounded the edge of some Manuka trees I spotted a bunny about 15yrds  away amongst some long grass. He saw me and I saw him. As I cracked open the heafty barrel lock on my .22 Webley Tomahawk muscled back the barrel to full cock and slipped in a 16gr Jsb Exact he took off! Fourtunately for me, but not so fourtunate for him, he stopped about 20 yards from me. I centred the Mildot crosshairs of the 6x Leapers on the back of his head and let the JSB fly at 750fps (20fpe). Crack! Thwack! Smackdown! He never even kicked.
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/skooteroo/Image072.jpg) (http://photobucket.com)
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/skooteroo/Image070.jpg) (http://photobucket.com)

I carried on an saw nothing for a further half hour. Then approaching a spot favoured by bunnies, I spotted a big boy nibbling away. He was about 20yrds away and never saw me. I loaded lined him up and let one fly. Smack! Nothing happend! I thought I had missed him, then a second later he rolled over, gave one kick and froze! I was starting to get dark and I noticed a set of pink eyes in the beam of my torch. I crept up to within about 25yrds, crouched and sent a Jsb at him.  Whack! Right between the eyes!
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/skooteroo/Image073.jpg) (http://photobucket.com)

This was a memorable hunt.
I love my Webley. It is such a fantastic gun and will shoot at 20fpe all day with accuracy that stuns me.

Andrew
: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: shadow July 29, 2007, 11:07:06 AM
Great shootin Andrew and it's good to see you post a hunt and that one sure look's like a fat fella. Look forward to more hunting stories and pic's from you, great pic's and that sure is a sweetheart of a shooter you have there. MMMM rabbit, Ed
: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: dw33 July 29, 2007, 11:20:53 AM
Nice shooting and a good write up.  How will you cook them?
: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: July 29, 2007, 01:42:03 PM
Thanks guys.
Those guys were destined for the smoker. Came out alright but were a little on the dry and tough side.
Cold smoking them and then slow cooking would probably be better.
I crumbed and fried the last lot, that was nice, like fried chicken:)

Regards
Andrew
: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: Big_Bill July 29, 2007, 01:42:38 PM


Hello Andrew,



Good Shootin and fine account of your hunt !



That is a fine rifle that you have there, it sure acquired the attention of those rabbits !



It's great to read of hunts in other countries. Do you have any animals over there that you need to watch out for while walking around at night !!? Just curious :-)



AND A BIG WELCOME TO THE G.T.A. !!! A GREAT PLACE TO BE !!!

: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: longislandhunter July 29, 2007, 01:47:06 PM
Enjoyed your story and pics very much Andrew,,,, great shootin.  The rifle is a beauty also.  Sounds like you got a good bunny huntin spot  :)

I look forward to your future hunting posts.  

Jeff
: RE: Rabbits rabbits rabbits!
: July 29, 2007, 04:48:09 PM
Thanks Bill.

Ahh no there are'nt really any big preditory animals in NZ, probably the only dangerous animals would be Pigs and Really PO'd Deer or a Rutting Stag. Where I hunt there are only Sheep, Cattle, and a few wild Horses. Magpies and Hawks could go you if they were deperate but I never heard of that happening.

I'm more likely to be hurt falling down a bank or something at night or being on the bad side of one of the locals;) haha

Regards
Andrew