Moor End

The day was quite cold, but dry & sunny, I had a couple of tiny jobs to do in the morning, a couple of invoices to deliver, and a few errands to run for the wife.

On the way home I decided to grab my rifle, and take a quick trip to a local farm.

I arrived at 2:00pm and parked by the farm gate, and as I entered the field I saw 4 rabbits sat watching me from about 45 yards away.

I walked further into the field, and slipped the rifle from its case...

...the rabbits disappeared in double-time.

I carried on up the gully towards the main warren, and peered over the banking to the grazing area.

I counted 8 rabbits feeding, but couldn't approach them because 2 cows were laid between us. If I'd have approached, the cows would have got up and alerted the rabbits of my presence. So I carried on up the gully to the warren in the crater.

There were 12-15 rabbits on the banking, and I raised the rifle slowly and took aim at one sat 25 yards away.

He rolled down the banking, and lay at the bottom stone-dead.

All except 1 rabbit dived for cover in the warren, but he lingered too long.

I pulled the cocking bolt back, the magazine rotated and placed the next pellet into position. I slid the bolt forward and the pellet was pushed into the breach.

I placed the crosshair halfway between his ear & eye, and squeezed the trigger.

He slumped where he was sat, and I went to retrieve the 2 rabbits.

I took a stroll round the field, and spotted 2 large rabbits sat near a dry stone wall.

My mobile rang, the "Blackadder" theme tune rang out loudly, and they dived into the wall.

As I finished the call, I took 1 step forward, and saw a rabbit grazing.

She hadn't been disturbed by my phone ringing, or me talking. So I raised my rifle, and placed the crosshairs on her forehead.

She slumped on the spot, and I went to collect her.

I had 3 rabbits in the bag within 5 minutes.

I went to check the 1st warren, 1 rabbit was sat outside watching me, but disappeared into a hole.

I checked the middle warren, but the cows were near it, feeding from the cattle-feeder, and no rabbits were out.

I had another check of the crater warren, but all was quiet, so I went back to the car, and headed home.

I'll be returning again very soon.