So, after a looong break from doing the nightly rounds for pest animals I decided to go out in the cold (45 deg) and wind to see what might be about. It may have just happened at the time that #2 daughter was in a sleep deprived tantrum when I left but I'll never admit to that.
Anywhoo, I grabbed my trusty 1322 and 3 Predators and headed out the back door. In moments I was quietly stalking the bushes of Bruceland. When nothing reared its head I ventured into the bountiful lands of Kerwinia. Nothing. All was quiet with the exception of my lumbering self on the freshly dropped leaves. As a last resort I decided to head to the other side of Bruceland and touch on the borders of Garthton.
As I approached the southern edge of castle Bruce I spotted two upright ears in the grass near a great pine that had several times before yielded bounty. With baited breath I touched the red dot on and found myself a shooting spot upon the steps of castle Bruce's back deck. I raised the gun, breathed slowly, sighted in the rabbit and fired. The rabbit ran into the pine with all haste and I realized I had shot over its head due to lack of proper distance. Not believing it to be over just yet I quietly pumped the 1322 up again to 25 and loaded another Predator. With my utmost stealth I ventured around the castle and up to the great pines (2 of em) but saw no quarry. Then, it a moment of sheer hunter gut feeling I slowly crouched down and looked under the first great pine. There sitting motionless was the hare. With a sly grin I brought my body all the way down to the ground expecting the flower destroyer to bolt at any second. I raised the gun again and took aim at his chest as he was facing me. I fired, it struck with an audible "Thump!" and he rolled on his side doing his best impression of Curly from the Three Stooges. While I lay there prone and amazed, he suddenly got up and bolted toward Garthton. Undaunted and filled with the smell of the hunt I quickly reloaded and began my stalk walk again. I hadn't far to go. He only made it 8' around the outside of the tree and he was sitting in the grass trying to breath. Pity overcame me as I realized he was done yet he did not. I almost regretfully (Almost...) put the red dot on his head and squeezed the trigger. He fell silent and motionless. It was over. The queen of Bruceland need not fear her flowers will be gnawed upon again by this foul beastie.
