The other day I observed a few pheasants coming to a particular oak tree to scratch under. A few days later on a blind hunch I went and sat up there before sun up. It was cool but nothing like you fellers are suffering.
I sat in the damp leaf cover just in some holies.
I loaded the faux trade gun with about 60 gn of fine black powder and tipped about 500gn of #5 shot down the barrel.
It was a sublime time. I was not expecting anything but enjoyed listening to the woods come alive in bird song. The ravens were patroling, squirrels were moving in the canopy and I was in a warm spot sheltered spot from the wind.
Jess was on high alert eagerly watching the squirrels hoping to get her chops around one, the real reason she lives!
I also heard a few pheasants come off roost and my long shot hopes of seeing one come to this tree lifted. As it got lighter I could see how the leaf mold had been tillered the day before, that's encouraging I thought.
Maybe any minute a squirrel may turn up but should I wait.....then, out of nowhere three cock birds turn up. The run in one behind the other and started scratching for acorn. Just 20yards away I slowly lined the gun, freezing when ever one starred my way. By the time I get lined up and the cock set one appears to have made out Jess. Sensing something is wrong the others start to walk away. There was no time to lose so I tripped the lock and my bird was down.
After collecting the bird I reloaded and settled down.
My mission was completed but now we needed Jess's squirrel so we waited. After 20minutes it all settled down again and a squirrel dutifully arrived. Shot two and Jess was released to find her squirrel. Once found she went on her victory run around with it whilst I made for home. Gun resting on my shoulder and bird in hand.
I sat in the damp leaf cover just in some holies.
I loaded the faux trade gun with about 60 gn of fine black powder and tipped about 500gn of #5 shot down the barrel.
It was a sublime time. I was not expecting anything but enjoyed listening to the woods come alive in bird song. The ravens were patroling, squirrels were moving in the canopy and I was in a warm spot sheltered spot from the wind.
Jess was on high alert eagerly watching the squirrels hoping to get her chops around one, the real reason she lives!
I also heard a few pheasants come off roost and my long shot hopes of seeing one come to this tree lifted. As it got lighter I could see how the leaf mold had been tillered the day before, that's encouraging I thought.
Maybe any minute a squirrel may turn up but should I wait.....then, out of nowhere three cock birds turn up. The run in one behind the other and started scratching for acorn. Just 20yards away I slowly lined the gun, freezing when ever one starred my way. By the time I get lined up and the cock set one appears to have made out Jess. Sensing something is wrong the others start to walk away. There was no time to lose so I tripped the lock and my bird was down.
After collecting the bird I reloaded and settled down.
My mission was completed but now we needed Jess's squirrel so we waited. After 20minutes it all settled down again and a squirrel dutifully arrived. Shot two and Jess was released to find her squirrel. Once found she went on her victory run around with it whilst I made for home. Gun resting on my shoulder and bird in hand.
