The money shot

It's been several years since I began culling operations for the cattle farmer I currently shoot for. I'm registered with the government to shoot kangaroos which is strictly regulated here in Australia, and I'm the only shooter permitted to do so on the property. I also cull deer, foxes, rabbits and hares although I'll be honest and say the last two on that list are not worth the cost of ammunition. I shoot at the farm each week usually, sometimes twice if time permits, yet never meet the annual quota of kangaroos he is permitted to eradicate. Having said that, I still tend to go through a reasonable amount of ammunition in the process of my culling operations, all of which needs to be replenished.

Counting cost

I make my own ammunition, you'd know this if you follow my posts; it takes time and costs money. I need to ensure my ammunition is of a high standard, it's *precision-made, and as a long range shooter precision equipment and ammunition is a requirement.

The cost of the ammunition I make is difficult to determine as the brass (cartridge case) is reused multiple times however the .243 rounds I use for culling are about $2(AUD)/round. Keeping in mind these are precision-loaded and prepared ammunition with a load designed specifically for the rifle that fires them, that's pretty cheap. As a comparison standard factory-made 87gr Vmax ammunition costs about $48(AUD)/20. Match-grade ammunition, the better quality factory-made rounds, could be double that for a box of 20, but my ammunition is still of a better quality than that again...so, $2/round isn't too bad.

Here's the thing, the culling operation I perform isn't paid work. The farmer doesn't pay me a cent, not for my time or ammunition.

I do it because it gives me exclusive access to a beautiful property any time I like and on which I can shoot. If you know anything about shooting here in Australia, you'll know how difficult it is to gain property like this; gaining the trust of farmers is incredibly difficult, so it's a privilege to be given unrestricted access like I have.

I've shot upon the cattle farm, a rather large expanse of land, for several years and used a lot of ammunition with no recompense other than having access and permit to shoot which I've been happy with...that is, until last week.

Money shot

I've never asked for, or expected, anything from the property owner; it's not my way.

It's a privilege to have access to the property, to be trusted as I am, and that's enough. He didn't think so yesterday though. I took a call and he told me he wanted to send me some money. I said no of course, but he insisted. I gave him my bank account and overnight a few hundred dollars came through which I thought was a nice gesture. It doesn't pay for all of the ammunition I've used over the years, but it's helpful and will go a long way towards components for the ammunition I'll use over the next several months to a year.

I called and thanked him and he brushed it off, in turn thanking me for what I do for him; it keeps his costs down and makes his farm more productive. It was a nice call and the two of us ended it feeling pretty happy.

There are times when I go to the property and simply hike and I take a book and and sit there and read also; mostly I'm shooting but not always.

It's a beautiful place to be, complete with a creek, rolling hills and massive gum trees. When I go there, I know I'll be alone and that brings me a nice feeling; the peace and quiet is almost cathartic. I feel greatly privileged to have access and I treat it well and with responsibility, as this opportunity deserves. After years of going there the farmer felt inclined to thank me with a little money but I didn't need it, the property is payment enough.