It's been dry, a typical South Australian summer. The cattle farm I cull on has been crispy as the winter and autumn grasses have dried, moisture sucked out by hot sunny days, dry northerly winds and the lack of rain.
It's not good conditions in which to shoot considering how prone we are to wildfires in this part of the country and so I've not been culling for a couple weeks; The issue is the muzzle blast of the shot sparking a fire you see.
The recent and much-needed rain we had in the last few days gave me the opportunity to head into the hills for some culling activities though - The farmer was complaining about the kangaroos roaming around at will and was keen to get me up there banging away on my long gun. I was happy to oblige.
I took my 6.5mm Creedmoor for a change and whilst it's far too much for the job at hand I felt the need to make some long range shots and it's the best option I have to do so. It's amazingly accurate and amazingly heavy but is a pleasure to shoot...So, what the hell, I'll deal with the sore shoulder from carrying it up and down the hills later, just for the sheer pleasure of shooting it now.
I arrived, parked up my 4x4 and began getting my gear together, my backpack with the usual loadout: Binoculars, rangefinder, ammunition, knife, water, trail mix, emergency blanket, gaiters, first aid kit, headlamp, Kestrel Drop 3, night vision, rifle-mounted illumination set up, wet weather gear, matches, paracord and so on...You know, just the basics.
I was almost ready to start the hike up into the hills when...Old mate kangaroo bounded over and stopped just ahead of me.
OK, so I'm there to cull these things; I'm a registered shooter on the culling permit and so...I racked the gun, raised, aimed and...One down. It was a headshot from a standing position at only 120 metres which left the animal instantly dead. Certainly not much of a challenge for the rifle or shooter.
I shrugged on the backpack and headed up into the hills to one of my snipers hides in a small stand of trees overlooking a creek below and a sizable hill on the other side. It provided me an almost 270° area of operation and was one of my favourite shooting locations.
Some time later I arrived and began to set up; Essentially shedding the bag, deploying the bipod and setting the rifle, taking environmental readings which input via Bluetooth from the kestrel Drop 3 to my ballistics calculator and scoping the area. I know the ranges so there was no need to range it although I would if a target presented itself. Culling for roos requires head shots so range to the target is important.
I'd just started scoping and literally the first thing I looked at was a kangaroo. It was big, but only at about 150 metres. Dang it, I wanted long shots tonight! That's why I'd brought the 6.5 creed.
I scoped around to see if he had some mates but he was alone. And so...Two down. I didn't bother ranging it as that range it was a simple mater of placing the cross hairs where I wanted the bullet. It went down and was finished before it hit the ground, before it started to fall, to be honest. Death is instant.
At that range flight time was 0.18 seconds and the bullet was travelling at 2689 feet/second and imparted 2152 foot-pounds of energy into the animal's head resulting in instantaneous death.
I sat back wondering if I'd get a long shot in at all and took a look around me. There was heavy cloud with rain looming but the sky was clear off to the west which meant the sun bathed the fields in it's rich golden light. A rainbow appeared of course, not surprising considering the moisture in the air. It was nice, the air heavy with the small of rain and the damp earthy smell of the wet ground...A kookaburra gave out a familiar cry and I felt that life was good. It was amazing what some nice heavy rain can do to a country parched and dry.
I went back to scoping and saw nothing for some time but about an hour later...
I ranged this one...905 meters. A long shot considering I needed to head shoot the animal. I wondered if I should risk it; I don't like maiming animals and so I had to think it out.
The wind was next to nothing, just 1mph from 7 o-clock, just over my left shoulder. The slope angle was +8.0° so I'd be shooting slightly up the hill ahead of me. Energy imparted would be 807 foot-pound, flight time would be 1.39 seconds to impact and bullet speed at impact would be 1599 feet/second. It was a risky shot considering at 1.39 seconds flight time the animal would have ample time to move away from the bullet.
The wind was no factor and I knew I could rely on my skills but if that roo moved...Well, the best thing would be that my bullet missed. The worst, that I clipped it which I didn't want to do. Sure, I could send another and end it, but I like to be efficient.
I sent it though...And...Three down.
I'll be honest, I shot slightly lower than I wanted but the result was the same. Painless death.
I saw nothing else and the sun slipped below the hills leaving me in darkness. I broke out my night vision but ended up packing up a couple hours after dark and heading back to my 4x4.
I got my long range shot although would have liked a few more. Still, the job got done and the sound of my shooting will keep some of the kangaroos over the other side of the fence for a week or so. I'll be back Monday, weather permitting, and will see if they heeded the warning.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209
