I managed to grab a couple of hours out with the rifle, so took a trip to a couple of my local farm permissions.

I arrived at the 1^st, and had been on the land less than 5 minutes, I crept into my usual position, sat down with rifle at the ready, and as I looked round the crater, I wondered where all the rabbits were...

...then I spotted the reason

A young dog fox cub was hunting the banking, and had his head down a rabbit hole.

I slowly raised the rifle, and clicked my tongue.

He turned his head to see what the noise was

A single shot between the eye and ear brought him rolling down the bank.

I went and collected him, then took a mooch around the rest of the field. I spotted 6 rabbits, but they all dived for cover before I could get within range, so I went to collect my fox.

A young rabbit was sat out, I crept into position, using the available cover from the tiny Thistles and Nettles, and gently squeezed the trigger

He flopped about on the banking, and ended up on the crater floor, a couple more kicks as he died, and he ended up just inside a rabbit hole.

I reached in, pulled him out and set off to visit another permission 1/2 mile away.

As I arrived at the farm, I spotted the next-door neighbour in his garden, so I pulled over for a quick chat.

Last week he'd asked me for a full grown rabbit for the pot, and had said

"Next time you're down"

He was very pleased to see the dead fox in the back of my motor, and commented that he'd lost 5 chickens since I was last there (1 week ago).

The rabbit I had was a bit small, so I said I'd call back when I'd been round the farm.

I headed to the bury under the large Nettle patch, and spotted a fair sized doe sat on the banking about 6 yards from the bury.

I took aim, and placed my shot

She slumped on the spot, and a kick of her hind legs made her roll down the bank towards me.

2 other rabbits were at the foot of the banking, and they bolted for home due to the commotion.

So I headed up the hillside towards the large rock pile.

There was no sign of any rabbits out, so I headed back down the hill, and was going to call it a day, when I spotted a young rabbit hunched under a Fern frond approx 30 yards away.

I sat on the steep hillside, and took my aim.

He was a late addition to my bag, and although being small, was still a pest, and a worthy shot.

I went back to my motor, and called in at the next-door neighbour's farm.

I skinned and dressed the large rabbit in the back of my motor while we chatted, gave it him, then set off home.

At home, I photographed my catch (minus the adult doe) then phoned a local taxidermist that I've supplied a few items to.

Within 4 hours of shooting the fox, he was at the taxidermist's with a detailed description of how I wanted him posed.

I can't wait to get him back!