First Bunny for the FX Gladiator

[GIJ]

I shot on a new property yesterday evening. A bunny problem on 5 acres on the edge of town so a job for an air rifle. Luckily I have just recently added a FX Gladiator to my gun safe so I was happy to oblige.

I arrived on dusk hoping to take a few in the last light then pop the torch on the scope for some night action. Bunnies were running in all directions and as it was my first time on this property I had no idea were I could find cover and get a good lean for the longer shots. The property is a corner block and all the bunnies were in the open, visible from the road so I also had to keep myself hidden from passersby so not to spook Miss Get-a-clue-greeny who no doubt would call the cops.

By the time I worked out a plan I had scuttled about 10 rabbits and all was now quiet so I settled under a tree next to the marron pond and waited for the 32 degree weather to make them thirsty. Not long and Number One came over the bank and down to drink. I took up a rest on the tree trunk then aimed then shuffled then aimed then shuffled then finally got my position right then Number One started heading away so I rushed a shot that went just past his left nostril and he dissapeared. But fear not, the shot caused Number One Take Two, until then unnoticed, to sit up in the grass. With a quick pump of the fore end I chambered another JSB 16g and zap. The headshot at 30m caused a flurry of spasms that ended when Number One Take Two rolled into the pond. I waited a few minutes then retrieved Number One Take Two from the claws of the approaching marron.

The owner was waiting around the side of the shed to see how I went and was happy with the result. He then insisted on me picking some oranges for myself before dark then having a beer and discussing his recent trip to the UK, which put an end to any more shooting that night. But I am very impressed with the rabbit numbers and the owner gets a permit for shooting the ducks on the pond (didn't quite understand the reason) so there will be plenty of odd jobs for the FX on this property. I made the 15 minute drive home with 3 bags of oranges and grapefruit happy with the fact that bunny was now ticked off the Gladiators to-do list.

[GIJ]

I revisited my new rabbit property after work today and was surprised to see that the owner had got his nibbler out and chopped a hole in the side of his wood shed so I could sit inside and overlook the paddock and wood pile. He even wired some garden hose around the hole so that I could rest the rifle and not scratch or cut myself and left a liitle bar stool inside for me to sit on. Luxury.

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I had a quick look around the paddock and dam and sent 2 rabbits running for cover but it seemed a bit early so agreed to follow the owner up to the orange trees and pick myself a few bags. On the way I spotted 1 rabbit near the veggie patch. I stalked up below the cover of the cabbages then lent on a star picket and tried for a head shot through 2 wire fences but the shot kicked up the dirt behind the bunnies head and it shot for cover. I like to think I nicked a strand of wire that I couldn't see through the scope but I think it my have been operator error. I picked my oranges and headed back to my sniper shed. This time I gratefully declined the offer of a cold brew and got down to business.
So I took up my position at the wood sheds new window and it wasn't long before 3 little kittens started moving amongst the lupin about 40 meters away. I was struggling to get a clear head shot because they were staying low and a bit of lupin stalk or leave would probably deflect a small 16gn pellet but just as a shot presented itself an adult came out to play. This was quickly dispatched with a front on shot between the eyes at about 35m. It pulled its head back on impact, gave a little shudder then rolled over and lay still. The crack of the shot cause another adult to move into view. Unfortunately it remained behind a wire mesh at the base of a shrub, put there to keep the rabbits from ring barking the plant. It stayed in its protected position for about 10 minutes as the kittens again came out and hopped around just to torment me. My thoughts were I'd rather wait to get the adult bunnies first so that they don't learn then get the not so clever kittens once the adults have been taken care of. Patience payed off a finally the adult moved into view. It was at full stretch nibbling over the top of the protective wire when a JSB struck it in the temple at around 25 meters. One of the back legs gave a few pumps before the rabbit lay still. Now with the adults taken care of it was time for the kittens. The first available shot was a kitten stretching up to nibble the top of a plant. I wanted to see what a chest shot would do so cracked it from front on square in the chest. It gave a few unco-ordinated kicks and came to rest 1m from where it was hit. A few minutes later another kitten appeared and was dispatched with a shot to the side of the head. The results of this shot was spectacular. The rear legs kicked frantically and three times sent the bunny well over 1m into the air. I thought that I must had hit it a bit low in the neck but once it settled back to earth a close inspection showed the pellet straight through the brain.
At this stage the owner came out to see the damage and offer me a coffe so I thought I'd head inside for a bit and let the paddock return to calm again.

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The first kill of the day at around 35m. Those bug eyes are usually the result of the 17hmr not an air rifle.

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After a caffeinne hit I headed out again. 2 kittens scampered through the flower beds near the back door but got to cover before I could get the cross hairs on them. The owner was standing behind me when I saw a kitten at the door to my sniper shed. I took an off hand shot at 5m and clean missed, a wee bit embarassing. But I redeamed myself with another 3/4 size and 2 more kittens before packing up and heading home.
All in all a perfect way to spend a Monday afternoon after work. I'll be back, next week Wednesday.
(Sorry about the quality of the last shot, the light was beginning to fade.)

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[andrewk]

nice work, good read too

[Predator]

nice shed lol

[Vermingone]

Top story and good to see ya got a property owner that will help ya out a little too

[fritz]

What do you guys do with your bunnies? Being summer year 'round down under, isn't there a major problem with parasites and diseases?

I doubt hides could be worth much since there are so many of the buggers, and from parasites the meat would be ineddible.

[dangaff]

Nice job

If the cops do arrive at the doorstep, and you have a license and everything is sweet, is there any reason they can make you stop?
Would they only care otherwise if it was loud?

[GIJ]

The cops shouldn't be an issue. There is no built up areas rule over here. The requirements are: licence, owners permission, safe (open to interpretation) and not to cause fear.
If someone has a whinge it will probably be the last one that the cops will ask about. As long as I try to stay out of sight it shouldn't be an issue. I let the local coppers know when I am shooting, as do the roo shooters when they are operating close to town.
If the cops aren't getting calls from the public, they have no issue with people shooting. Problem is, there are more and more city people moving to blocks in the outer suburbs that don't realise that shooting is part of country life. I try to play it safe and not draw any attention.

As far as using the bunnies, these are nice and clear of desease so normally I skin them for the dog. Haven't done a lot of cooking with them yet.

[dangaff]

The cops shouldn't be an issue. There is no built up areas rule over here. The requirements are: licence, owners permission, safe (open to interpretation) and not to cause fear.
If someone has a whinge it will probably be the last one that the cops will ask about. As long as I try to stay out of sight it shouldn't be an issue. I let the local coppers know when I am shooting, as do the roo shooters when they are operating close to town.
If the cops aren't getting calls from the public, they have no issue with people shooting. Problem is, there are more and more city people moving to blocks in the outer suburbs that don't realise that shooting is part of country life. I try to play it safe and not draw any attention.

As far as using the bunnies, these are nice and clear of desease so normally I skin them for the dog. Haven't done a lot of cooking with them yet.

Alright thankyou, so if everything is legit, then nothing is wrong.
Do you have to get a piece of paper signed by the property owner, or just if the police come, get them to come say yeah no problem?

Thanks

[GIJ]

The cops would say get written permision from the owner because its the most fool proof method but the Act says "expressed permission from the occupier of the land."
I tend to had a chat with my owners to make sure they'll be reliable then I just count on them to speak up when the cops ask questions.
I think about these things just in case but I've never been questioned by the cops. Not a likely senario.

[dangaff]

Yeah fair enough,
If everything is by the books, then nothing is wrong then hey

Thanks

Dan