Caleb was back in action after a short break (pardon the pun) for medical reasons. We went to his mate's block in Opotiki. We were there three times last season and got a lot of birds. Me, Jarno and Caleb showed up just after sunset to have a listen. There were plenty of birds calling near and far. Clearly this was one of those blocks that birds from surrounding areas just come back to when there is vacant space. It is always fun this time of year trying to point out exactly where the callers are roosting. The big pine lit up like a Christmas tree in the thermal. We made a plan and that included leaving the Christmas tree until later so the birds would be more settled.
We stalked in on the first big peacock but got distracted by a hare. I missed at 65 yards. Caleb called the shot high so I adjusted low and got a head shot. I must admit a few weeks ago my Pard was off. I hastily sighted in at 15 m but did not adjust my longer settings. So I really had no idea where it was shooting at longer distances. The first peacock fell dead with one shot at about 25 m. Then I aimed a little low at another hare at 55 yards and got another head shot.
The next peacock was at 35 yards with some branches obscuring the shot. After three misses, I aimed a little low and centre just to hit the target. I did and it flew, but not far. We finished it on the run. I reckon we probably hit branches on the first few shots but just did not hear the richochet. After that, we had a few shots at fence posts. Sure enough at 35 to 55 m, it was shooting about an inch high and a touch right. At at 15 m, I shot my bullet hole. With a thermal scope, you see the bullet hole as a hot spot when you shoot a fence post or similar. Then shoot the bullet hole to see where the gun is shooting. That is how you sight this thermal scope in by by taking a picture and moving the bore shot to the new bullet hole. I did not have time to do that so carried on with the adjustment in mind. Shoot a little low and a touch left at longer distances.
Drizzle had been settling in at this point.
So we made it to the Christmas tree. I pinged off the first few big boys then the boys took turns on the rest. 25 fell but recovery was not perfect. You should have seen the shit hole below the tree.
We carried the loot back to the truck and the boys went and got the other big peacock we located before dark. It only took a few minutes and they arrived back with another big peacock just as I finished packing the rest of the birds and hares. We headed home after a productive and fun night.
The next day Caleb butchered everything and I managed to process all the feathers and even get the carcasses to the pigs before dark. That has to be a record. Funny what you can do when you put your mind to it.
