Went to the new hunting spot this morning. Wow do I ever need an airshotgun and to make them legal! Lot's of ducks!
Saw three rabbits and took two shots today. The first one saw me as I was setting up to glass his area because just as I viewed through the glass I caught him running into the bush. Wary little dude.
I overshot two rabbits on the last hunt missing them clean. I seriously mis-judged the holdover necessary with the 180 grain BBC Pistol Bullets (none necessary). I overshot AGAIN on todays first rabbit. It was a longer shot than I wanted to take but he was facing me and there was no available cover. Walked up to where he was and saw that he was feeding on a bird in the middle of the path. I think he came back and got it when I left.
Soon afterwards I was glassing the road ahead and saw the third rabbit. He was in range but I decided to see how close I could get to this one. I got to about 18-20 paces from him using some cover. He seemed very calm and in the same position.
I had bought a Polecat stick two days prior specifically for this type of hunting (stalk and shoot). If I feel I have an advantage taking an off-hand shot right upon seeing a rabbit, and don't want to move much setting up for a shot, or if I want a steeper angle to use the ground as additional backstop I have my Polecat in walking-stick form at the ready to simply rest my rifle upon.
If I have some cover and don't want to stand up once I get around it for the shot I can quickly and quietly adjust it for the kneeling position with two quick twists which is what I did this time. Had I come from behind the cover standing he would have had a much better chance of spotting me so I'm glad I thought to make the Polecat adjustment and remain low.
"This one is not going to be shot-over" I said to myself. I took my time resting the cross-hairs just about the shoulder (he was angled towards me) focused, and pulled the Leroy-tuned trigger just like dad taught me.
BLAM!!!-ThomP!!
No if, ands, or buts about it. I hit that rabbit and hit it HARD!
Walked up to where he was hit and sure enough there he lay. The entrance is about 2 inches further up on the other side; this photo shows the exit. A little lower than I would like; we'll see how the meat dressed-out before deciding if the rabbit is for me or the dogs.
One more thing. In the future I will sooner forget my rifle than my Polecat. It is like hauling around a bench to shoot from.
