well it was a cracker of a day, we didnt get a deer but saw 4 hinds that eluded us but that was ok chalk it up to experience.
the old single barrel sawn off baikal took care of a few bunnies I was getting 2 from 3 shots and as for the .223 I was getting 4 from 5 out to 200 yrds and having an absolute ball doing it. the young fella snotted a few with his .410 and we all had a great day with great company. the heart got a good workout too so the health benefits must be good too.
we finished up with 50 odd bunnies and a ferret that my buddies border terrier dug out and demolished. no mean feat as it was full grown and bigger than her.

Damn...I'm jealous mate...what a great day. I'm trying to organise a weekend away as soon as possible. If I don't get away soon I'm gonna go stir crazy.

Cheers, Vince

WOO HOO...fingers crossed, and everything else I can cross as well, I will be heading out on the June long weekend (only a few weeks away) for a date with wee Brer Rabbit and his mate Thumper. Hopefully they will be there, along with many many more of their brethren.

To say I'm looking forward to a few nights in the bush, sitting around a campfire, quaffing a few ales and ports...and maybe a tot of rum or three...is an understatement, even if it is in the coldest part of the State and winter time.

Must write out a checklist for things to take.

1. BOLTS...MUST remember to take the bolts for my rifles...and the AMMUNITION!!

good on ya mate
wish I could swing it to come too, you could try a page out of Santas book....it works for me.... you know the one????
making a list.... checking it twice!!!!!

Elvis wrote:

good on ya mate wish I could swing it to come too, you could try a page out of Santas book....it works for me.... you know the one???? making a list.... checking it twice!!!!!

Yeah...I should mate...but I copped so much flak from every man and his dog the time I did forget my bolts, there is no chance I will forget them again. In fact, I've put things in place to ensure I don't forget them.

Vince wrote:

WOO HOO...fingers crossed, and everything else I can cross as well, I will be heading out on the June long weekend (only a few weeks away) for a date with wee Brer Rabbit and his mate Thumper. Hopefully they will be there, along with many many more of their brethren. To say I'm looking forward to a few nights in the bush, sitting around a campfire, quaffing a few ales and ports...and maybe a tot of rum or three...is an understatement, even if it is in the coldest part of the State and winter time. Must write out a checklist for things to take. 1. BOLTS...MUST remember to take the bolts for my rifles...and the AMMUNITION!!

Hey Vince, sounds like a very fun time and hunt for sure. Hope to see some pics from your adventure. Campfire and rum sounds good anytime.

Okaaay...heading out tomorrow for four days of mateship, relaxing, recoil therapy, a nice fire to stave off shivering too much, and a general good time. Will be chasing bunnies and anything else feral that is silly enough to come into range.

Fingers crossed the weather will be "agreeable"...read not to much, if any, rain...and the bunnies are happy (silly) enough to show themselves.

I am taking three rifles...single shot Ballard .22 rimfire, Krico .22 rimfire, Weatherby .243...and my Fausti Stephano 12g O/U shottie (including my .410 Gauge Mates). The Ballard thrives on Remington Subsonics and is the rifle I will use for "sniping" rabbit warrens, whilst I will use the Krico .22 for general walk around bunny stalking. I am hoping to call in a fox or two which is where I will make use of the .243 using 55gn Nosler BT and 85gn Remington SP. Will also have a try at some long range bunny tapping using the 55gn boolits. I have a range of 12g handloads (#6 shot, #4 shot, BB, '00' SG and 1oz slugs), so the shottie will be ready for most eventualities...rabbit, fox, feral cat, feral dog or pig. No deer this time...for some reason they haven't spread out to this region...but I have a deer hunt in the planning stages.

Most important thing is both my mate and I enjoy a relaxing weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

give em heaps mate,and make sure to sit and enjoy those ales in the evening, look forward to hear how the .410 goes on the bunnies for you.

Sounds great Vince! We'll be waiting for a full report of your successes!

No problems with the beers mate...I love sitting around the fire with a beer, port or rum, just chatting with my shooting buddy.

The .410 will be a bit of a new experience for me. I have shot the odd clay with it, but never used one for hunting. I know that I will have to be right on the ball as far as range and shot placement goes, but I will use the .410 in the bottom barrel and back it up with a 12g in the top barrel...that way I won't leave any wounded bunnies out there. All the shottie ammo I will be using are my own handloads using PSB1 powder in the 12g and Alliant 410 powder in the .410 loads, both good powders that deliver good patterns.

No worries Punkin...intend to take my camera so I can get a few pics mate.

Well...so much for that weekend. Arrived at our camp site on Friday mid afternoon, set everything up and prepared for a weekend of hunting. Well the idea was there, and the plan was in place...shame no-one told the rabbits...or maybe they did. We went to our usual spots where there are usually hundreds of rabbits to be found...not a one. In fact ,in three days we did not see a single rabbit.

Next, the weather turned bad on use...not to worry, rain is only water, and skin is waterproof...it is, isn't it?. We kept the firewood as dry as we could, enjoyed a couple of quiet beers and rums, but the rain beat us and we went to bed...that is when my buddy found out his tent is no longer waterproof. He slept in the truck.

So, this morning we jumped on the HF radio for an updated weather report and they were predicting rain progressing to thunder storms, so we decided discretion is the better part of valour and packed up our camp and headed home. Oh well, the couple of nights we spent out there were relaxing, if nothing else.

man with those tussocks in the foreground it looks just like over here!!!!
at least you got out for some fresh air.
next time....

Yep...that particular paddock is overrun with tussocks mate...a real pain in the "lower rear portion of one's anatomy" when trying to site a tent.

As you say mate...next time.

Vince, why no rabbits? Did you invite Stovey over? Nope, the rabbits would have been safe. Maybe gelandangan beat you to it.