Mixing business with pleasure...

in #myhuntingfishing6 years ago (edited)

I was contacted today by the owner of the cattle farm on which I have a culling permit asking that I come up and take care of some feral pests that have been over-running his property and consuming precious feed better served by going to the cattle. It's been quite some time since I have been here considering I was in Europe for 6 weeks and wasn't able to come here prior to leaving and have had work commitments for the last few weeks since returning from vacation.

When I arrived at the property I was firstly struck by how green and lush it was. There's a couple of creeks running through the property and a few underground springs meaning it gets quite sodden underfoot and I was sinking in the up to about ankle deep in places as I hiked around. I was also astonished to see the number of feral pests, kangaroos mainly but also a few foxes, that seemed to be everywhere. I thought it might also be likely I would see a couple of deer however I never did. It was obvious though that there is an issue hence the farmers call. I'd normally be there a couple of times a month and so the break meant an extraordinary build up of pests.

It was quite cold and my boots were quickly soaked through with water as I had to hike through some tall grass and the sodden fields to get to a vantage point suitable to start work. The image shows the temperature registering on my weather device (Kestrel Drop D3 Ballistics) which links directly to my ballistics calculator (StrelokPro) which ultimately gives me a field firing solution for each shot I take depending on the input I give it such as distance, altitude, wind speed and direction, muzzle velocity of the bullet and various other factors including temperature. I actually use a measurement called Density Altitude which combines altitude, humidity and temperature into one value making things a lot quicker. The Drop D3 gives me that figure.

I got set up and started glassing the area, taking distance measurements on my laser rangefinder the, Elite 1 Mile ConX by Bushnell doing my best to ignore the cold and slight breeze that had sprung up. There was some occasional rain, light only, but otherwise I was reasonably comfortable. A couple of donuts and a flask of coffee would have been great but one can't have everything in life right?

I understand that this sort of work is not for everyone and that many people couldn't imagine doing it. Having said that, culling feral animals is a necessary job conducted on most farms around the world that run stock. I don't take pleasure in the job, it is just a job after all, and one that must be done. If I was not doing it someone else would and at least the farmer knows that I dispatch the animals quickly and humanely, as per the legal requirement.

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I enjoy the time I spend out on that farm in the Adelaide Hills. It's peaceful, very beautiful and I find it relaxing. I do my job when targets present themselves and that keeps the farmer happy. The culling is business, the rest is pleasure. For me the solitude, peace and quiet, fresh air and time to think is the big drawcard. Yes, I shoot things which hones my skills for competition shooting and am controlling feral animals for the farmer as well but the silence (when I'm not shooting) is the pay off. Oh, that and the sunsets. All images taken tonight.

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The indoor range I shoot at is much more comfortable, but I bet you feel much safer out there than I do in a range next to some of these guys! lol Great post as always.

Haha, yes, I never feel comfortable at indoor ranges. both my clubs are out doors. They have covered ranges of course also but I never shoot on them. For me it's being enclosed within walls that makes me feel uncomfortable. Nowhere to seek cover or concealment in the advent of an incident. Besides, sharing my range with some idiot bucks-night crew who paid to shoot some guns is not my idea of fun. :)

You're a gentleman my friend. The work has to get done and that scenery is beautiful. That time to hear oneself breathe is very important mate, enjoy

Yep, I agree. The time I have out there is just for me.

Wow thats really cold! Here it is 30C and I am waiting for the autumn to start :( To work in the farm can be difficult for many people, but a real enjoyment for others. There is not choice for you and you have to get the job done :)

Agreed. This is not my main job, I am a manager for a big company in my day job. This just something I do on the side. There is no pay involved.

But you love and enjoy doing it and thats all what matters :)

But, Galen, why there aren’t any photos of the kangaroos 🤨😀 I really want to see them :)

Seriously? Well, firstly my phone can't zoom enough to make them out from the distances I shoot. (300-500 meters) and secondly once they are shot...Well, I can't imagine you'd want to see them. It is a requirement they are shot in the head and so they don't look as happy post-shooting as they do pre-shooting. I actually don't like shooting them but have no real choice. Either I do it or lose access to the property which I am not willing to do.

Do you find they all scatter after one goes down, or does the distant thump not bother them?
I'm assuming you're firing supersonic, so the crack of the round breaking the sound barrier would freak them out, maybe?
Can you junk plink them one after another, or do you need to wait for them to settle down, then reacquire for each shot?

Hmm, to be honest it's a little of all of that Matt. Yes, muzzle velocity is about 3200 feet per second so the bullet breaks the sound barrier by a long way. Once it leaves the muzzle though the bullet will hit it's target well before the sound gets there. I have had animals look around and stay put and also bolt at the sudden dropping of a buddy nearby. Kangaroo's are unpredictable like that.

I rarely shoot with them on the run as I need to head-shoot everything and at the ranges I shoot at that's not easy if they are on the hop. If I was to miss and clip the animal it may escape before I can finish it which is inhumane. So, assuming there's three targets I will take the furthest one first then if/when the other's bolt either follow up really quickly or wait until they settle, if they settle. I may be 300-400 metres away so it's easy to plan the shots generally.

There's no real science to it. I cull on foot, not from a vehicle so I'm not out there popping 20 or 30 a night. I may get between 1 to 5. Most was 10 but that was unusual. I generally shoot prone unless I'm moving and see a fox. If I do I rack and shoot from any position as there's no head-shot law on foxes and a hit from my 6mm rifle ends it no matter where I hit it.

Hope that helps.

I imagine getting rid of them is a complicating factor too. Particularly on foot. Does the farmer come round for the bodies? That's a lot of meat.

I drag them to the bushes sometimes and they stay there. A week later they're picked clean. Sometimes I leave them where they fall if they're out the way. I don't take the meat.

Very nice place and very peaceful. You need to take care about the cattle because they are very precious 😊

Yeah, if I shot one the farmer would be very angry. He prefers them to go market for slaughter and then to the supermarket as steaks.

That temperature looks painful XD what's glassing the area, looking around with the scope?

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Glassing is typically using an optical device such as scope, binoculars or magnifying rangefinder seeking targets. I tend not to do it with the scope as I find it easier with binoculars. If however I am shooting at multiple targets then the scope is the way to go as I need to be behind the gun of course. So yes, you are right.

It was cold. My feet (boots) were soaked through and I was getting drizzled on. It wasn't a whole lot of fun tonight to be honest.

You got a 44.70% upvote from @ocdb courtesy of @galenkp!

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