Doing OVERWATCH on the Lambing Paddocks

With winter fast approaching, We're back out in the lambing paddocks on Overwatch duties.
Lambing was well under way so my good mate Ian and I had decided to set up in an elevated overwatch position above a large mob of ewes.
It wasn't long before we had foxes coming in one after the other looking for an easy meal or an opportunity to snatch a newborn defenceless lamb.
After a couple of hours and 6 foxes already on the deck, things went a little bit quiet so we headed off for a scout around the rest of the property to see whats about.
10 foxes later we returned to the lambing area which yielded another 3 more red coats down before the sun started rising over the horizon. Time to get some well deserved sleep before doing the neighbours place on night 2.
Late afternoon bacon and eggs for breakfast prepared by master chef Ian (LOL) and it was time to pack the gear in the ute and make the 30 minute trip out to the neighbouring property.
On arrival we had a quick chat to the property owner who advised they were due to start lambing in a few weeks.
Reducing the fox numbers prior to lambing has a huge impact on survival rates and certainly makes it easier to keep on top of them once the lambs start hitting the ground.
We managed to shoot 14 more foxes bringing our total to 33 over the 2 nights.
2 very grateful farmers and countless lambs saved in the process.
Huge thank you again to my mate Ian for all his help.
Cooking meals, opening gates, collecting foxes and eating all my lollies.
You're a legend mate.
For those interested, here is a list of the gear I ran on this contract shoot.
HikMicro Panther PQ50L V2.0 thermal rifle scope
HikMicro Habrok 640 thermal binoculars
Sako 85 Stainless Hunter chambered in .223
Southern Cross Small Arms Q2 Moderator
Bexin ST424C Carbon fibre tripod with Sirui K30X ball head to arca swiss mount
Z-Vision RW6 Red / White Light bar
T2 fox whistle
If your'e interested in purchasing any gear or just after some expert advice, contact the Team at "Hunt The Night" via the link below.
www.huntthenight.com.au/
Thanks again for watching and I look forward to seeing you back here soon.
RJM

[@HMASTroll]

Last thing you want to hear in a paddock in the middle of the night is “G’day”.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Only if you've got a bushy red tail mate. 😉

[@brimstone260]

Just run off in a zig zag and dont stop!

[@sniper10666]

Hey buddy can you please tell me your name? Just in case I hear g’day. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@larrydickman8749]

I've used G'Day a few times while bagging coyotes in the states and it cracks me up every time I drop one!

[@mylespovey]

Yeah, yer bowels would deffo evacuate 🤣

[@victorbitter583]

I've been waking up at night in a sweat after having dreams of walking through a paddock and then suddenly hearing, "G'Day"!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Just make sure you answer back mate. 🤣

[@victorbitter583]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia "Don't shoot! Don't Shoot!"

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

😉

[@Legaleze]

I live in Gippsland on a milk farming property. I’m sure you know that what you do in keeping fox numbers down is greatly appreciated, but something that is rarely thought about is the actual damage that they can do to livestock. They will literally eat the soft hooves of a calf as it is being born, that is coming out of the mother. They will kill all the chickens in a coop and not eat one. Hard as I might I cannot keep their numbers down. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you do. I would dearly love to come along with you one night!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yes. I've seen all that and more mate, not to mention also spreading diseases like neospora . Terrible bloody things. Really appreciate the kind words David. Thankyou 👊

[@Terry-S-7]

Love these videos, you sir, have an unerring eye for disposing these predators. Some of the shots are tremendous. Great work.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champion 👊

[@darylstorer3369]

Every time I hear G'day now I duck, thanks Rod. Job well done cobber.🤠

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Daryl 👊

[@victorbitter583]

Nice work Rod. Some cracking shots and more lamb chops for us. cheers.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@glenhodges7110]

Thoroughly enjoyable video Rod. Those foxes are a real menace on new lambs. Glad you were able to do control them. Your .223 - Panther combo works a treat. Great stuff!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thankyou Glen 👊

[@gonegliding2966]

Great shooting as always Rod. Love your work!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated mate. Thankyou 👊

[@utubetrutharrowmichael-and9105]

as someone who came off the land this never gets old completely satisfying to see your work I tell you what that Fox looks like it's crossed with a dog almost can't believe the size of it ❤👁👃👁

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yeah. He was a cracker of a fox. Glad you enjoy the videos mate 👍

[@utubetrutharrowmichael-and9105]

Out Burrandowan ( refer to the picnic races ) Bloke we seen a f****** Wildcat that was close on the same size as that f*****

[@stevenlord782]

Wack em & fookin stack em....Great work, feels me with utter joy watching those b-stard creatures hitting the deck 💪👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate 8

[@davidhandyman7571]

Good to see you making a big impact on the fox numbers. That many tells me they are almost at plague proportions. I always thought getting three or four a night was a great result, but man . . . Blessings from the Central West NSW.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks David. Generally higher numbers on these bigger properties especially around lambing time. Nothing wrong with getting 3 or 4 mate. 👌

[@Wadaryu1000]

Great job and good shooting. Thanks for always running through the gear you are using- its much appreciated.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure mate. Hope it helps 👌

[@SMarkar14]

Thanks for brightening up my day by turning live foxes into good ones again.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure mate 👍

[@andrewsteele7663]

Good evening, Rod, just love your work, Cheers

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Many thanks Andrew 👊

[@garytree7729]

Bloody gobsmacked how many of them you have over there. When you think of the damage just one of them will do in a lambing park that's some saving in one night's shooting. Another great video mate.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Hard to believe that a handful of foxes introduced in 1855 for recreational hunting has turned into what it is now. 🤷‍♂️

[@garytree7729]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia I had a wee Google about it and 'we' introduced them into your country for sport...!!! Unbelievable when you look back at that with hindsight. Even over here you wonder where they all keep coming from. They're amazing survivors.

[@philvidinis9085]

Legendary stuff mate. Thanks for getting me into the habit! 😅 Been using thermal with a 17 HMR for my job out on ADL airport. 61 foxes so far on the airfield this year!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

That's awesome mate. Love the 17HMR 👌

[@egifisho1]

I come here for the thumps and you never let me down. Thanks Rod!!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

🤣🤣 cheers mate 👊

[@ALONE-20]

yeesss one shot🤣🤣🤣

[@calibreman]

Another action packed video Rod, well done. Geoff, UK.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thankyou Geoff. Plenty about at the moment mate

[@JHruby]

How do they have any lambs left with the number of foxes in that area? Lousy with them. Love it when the fur flies. G'day! Boom. Never gets old.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Makes you wonder ay. Always an ongoing battle mate

[@TheBnbonthebeach]

Another great video

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champion 👊

[@user-wg3tu9sj8f]

Outstanding work….and a pleasant Saturday nights viewing!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@wernervanderwalt8541]

Just love how some of them just flop over with legs sticking up in the air.😂 Great shooting!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Instant lights out. Just the way I like it. 👌

[@thetraindriver01]

Fantastic shooting, great vid, thank you 😊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure

[@simeon2851]

Doing the Lord's work while being polite about it by first wishing the perpetrators a G'Day.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Absolutely 🤣👌

[@swishswish386]

Brilliant work mate and your accuracy is superb 👍👍👍👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate 👊

[@TattooedWelder]

Awesome work, I'm watching happily because I missed a fox last night, gutted.. oh well. Good work!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

It happens to all if us. Just gotta get back out there mate 👌

[@Moonbahmemories]

The money back in the 80s for fox skins makes this shooting think of what could havs been

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Absolutely mate. How things have changed 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@craigparker4108]

Was great times, used to pay for fuel,food & ammo.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Good mate of mine bought his first car with the money he made selling fox pelts

[@sinisterpink9907]

Getting a "Gday" from a nice aussie bloke, followed by a swift killshot isnt a bad way to go 😂

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Thanks 😉

[@ambiguousworld]

The trifecta at 8:00 great shooting mate. Always love your work.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate 👊

[@audieladd2476]

Overwatch? Yes Mr Chris Kyle 🤣As the Europeans would say, "I think you Venka."

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. I had to go and google that one 😅

[@pdrphil8159]

Austrailia seems to be the perfect environment for invasives... I live in Texas & we certainly have our issues with invasives . Pigs top the list ... Its estimated Texas alone has over 1 million ferral pigs . And most of those are in the eastern half of the state.. But, ranchers in west Texas have their issues too.. Its guys like you that trim the numbers of invasives, but I think they're always going to be a threat to crops & livestock.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Totally agree mate. We'll never get rid of them. It's just a matter of doing what we can to manage the numbers.

[@brettellis1837]

Unreal love ya work got to love that THUD LOL 😂..

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

It never gets old mate 😉

[@brettellis1837]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia yep dead stock would move set traps as well back in the day as well.

[@pgarande23]

G'day will never get old 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Gets em every time. Well, almost 🤣

[@darrenbaldock2370]

Another great video . Always a pleasure to watch you keeping these pests somewhat under control

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Darren 👌

[@Big_Daz]

G’day!! Rod and Ian taking you lot to the train station. Awesome stuff lads!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Haha. Every good trip ends with a visit to the train station 🤣

[@Rufusthered186]

Excellent work. Love the channel btw

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Much appreciated mate. Thankyou 👊

[@sticustom]

I remember everyone lobbing into the local gun shop on a Monday morning to sell their Fox furs to the fur buyers. After a while you had troubles finding foxes but the furs where put to good use. Now because some inner city latte sipping flips had a sook a great resource has gone to waste. Now their trying to ban leather. How about we ban those that complain?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Disappointing to say the least mate. 🤷‍♂️

[@RTC057]

Impressed everytime I see your shooting. Thanks for taking the time to make the videos.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

My pleasure mate 👍

[@macattackperth5631]

Great stuff Rod, keep up the good work of removing these destructive pests from our environment (along with their mates the feral cats) 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate, will do! 👊

[@waynetomkins5584]

no doubt about it Rod,,, awesome,, love your work.!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you Wayne 👊

[@darrensmith4661]

Well done Lads ! Great footage. Keep them coming.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate 👍

[@HMASTroll]

Beautiful work. 🎯🦊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidbenham3517]

Great work!👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Ty

[@davidbooth60]

Brilliant Love your professionalism 👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Really appreciate that mate. Thanks

[@bevmc5061]

That was very satisfying to watch.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@TMFShooting]

Another Great Video 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate

[@foxwhistling717]

nice work rodney , some nice accurate shooting there love it 😎

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks for that mate 👊

[@richardwatkin1234]

Nice work mate 🔥🔥

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Perfect!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@stevematalone2512]

Feral bastards of things the foxs my old boss shot 6 in a row drop one wait a bit whistle and another would show up to this carcass. Great work love your work

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Yeah. They're like that sometimes Steve. Thanks for watching mate

[@martincross3009]

You gotta love the onset of winter, was my favourite time of the year for fur shooting.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

I do mate. Colder weather means longer nights and more shooting time 👊

[@Forexfox99]

Love the bit at the end. You guys are running a catch and release program lol.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Testing out the flying fox theory 😉

[@aldavies1906]

Cracking video rod 👌 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy 👊

[@MrZiffos]

Excellent

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you!

[@fgb3126]

G-Day, the voice of Doom.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

You bet 😉😅

[@markeverard1930]

Hi, Rod. Haven’t been able to watch your videos for a while as I’ve been so busy but it’s great to see you enjoying getting out and about. If you’re ever in Japan please give me a shout. All the best!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the offer 👊

[@southernrrman]

Cracking good shooting. A skill I'm just not good at. Nice to watch how it's done.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks dude 👊

[@marcallan1204]

On the money 👌 great work 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate

[@popnmeg]

Nice work on the red skins from here in the UK 🇬🇧 keep the vids coming mate 🦊💥👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Will do mate. Thankyou 👊

[@MrBHuntingDownUnder]

Great shooting as always, love your work 🍻

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you mate 👊

[@mickpapa72]

Great vid 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks for the visit 👊

[@carlubambi5541]

Well done sir !

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@jayjudd6518]

Congratulations good show.😮😅😊😊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate

[@troyturner8221]

I live in Canada and we feed those things.Sometimes we have to be careful one and a million get rabies but most of them are awesome just like a dog

[@aussiemate60]

Great shooting Rodney. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Your welcome buddy 👊

[@michael-fb7ps]

Nice mate way to clean them up great shooting as always many lambs thank you and I’m sure the farmers are more than happy with your efforts cheers mate keep it up

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks Michael 👊

[@davesmall5392]

Also I notice Billy Jean By Michael Jackson moves by foxes if they drop a few sausages after loud noise.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

🤷‍♂️

[@johnallen8618]

Excellent shooting Rodney, especially the triple, I've tried the Gday, to stop a fox, but the bugger just legged it fast 🤓🦊

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Hahaha. Must be in the delivery 😉

[@torrespearls381]

Good job. Cheers.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks for the visit

[@AussieBenchrestShooting]

Great video and good to get rid of the pests

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champion 👊

[@killerkane1957]

I think I can almost match you shot for shot. I’m old, but I’m dedicated. I’ll supply my own gear and will work for free! Your work is impressive and necessary! Shoot big! Miss small. Love your channel.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. Old and dedicated. I can relate 😉

[@davidforstpointner5860]

Awesome couple of nights work. Is your Sako a 1:11 or 1:8 twist? Do you use 55g pills or heavier? Thanks for the great footage.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks David. Sako is a 1:12 mate and yes I'm running 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings 👌

[@darrenashley126]

In Adelaide, every morning I'd have my coffee at the drop off of our property (10 Acres). We had 2 Red Fox that would come and watch the sunrise and then leave. They never worried the horses nor did they go after the ducks or our goat but I sat with a .22 just in case. They would sit about 20-30mts in front of me facing away yet they knew I was there until one day they stopped coming.

[@simonscott1121]

They're beautiful animals, shame some english knobhead introduced them to Oz.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

They're certainly a peculiar animal mate

[@HustleHunting]

Top work mate, awesome shooting

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks buddy

[@theoldfisherman6626]

Great work getting rid of these abominations, I'm into my 60's now but grew up on a farm in the western district of Victoria where the foxes were out of control in the 70' & 80's. My mate and myself were burning the candle at both ends as 15, 16 year olds shooting foxes at night and going to school next morning. Different times, in those days before the do gooders banned fox fur we were getting between $20-$30 for a good grey pelt and $40 for a red. We made great money and made the farmers happy until the do gooders banned fox fur. I managed to buy a top custom made Sako 220 swift and my mate a custom mate Sako 223. We also bought all the reloading gear neccessary. Of course we only used spotlights and whistles in those days. Have your gear then would have made us rich and gamers very profitable.

[@theoldfisherman6626]

*farmers

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

It's such a shame things are si different now mate. Certainly not like the good old days 😪

[@theoldfisherman6626]

The fox is an evil creature, unlike most predators that kill for food, a fox will kill for pleasure, so in times of abundance during lambing season they kill new born lambs and only take the the heart and tail for some reason. We had seen 30 - 40 lambs lost in a single night, just heart breaking for a farmer that truly cares for his animals. So for any do gooders out there, get out in the rain and cold in June and July with a sheep farmer and witness the fox carnage first hand,

[@chrisminifie219]

Good work

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@adamperre4852]

Good stuff keep on knocking them we got plenty here in SA at the moment there everywhere

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Hope you're getting stuck into em mate 👊

[@adamperre4852]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia oh yea mate when we get a chance we do especially with no rain around we get more chances to get out

[@sonofscotland67]

Nice shooting mate👍🏻

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks dude 👊

[@Alankunesh]

I've been watching for a while I love the content you're obviously a professional looks like you're a hell of a shot where are all the foxes coming from

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Buggered if I know mate. As long as they keep coming I'll keep smacking em. 👌

[@craigparker4108]

With all the rain these last couple of years the whole food chain goes into breeding overdrive.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Very true mate

[@johnballantyne6853]

I get large Foxes in my area, some have weighed over 10 kgs, we get plenty small ones too 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Geez. Over 10kgs. That's a big fox

[@johnplunkett6633]

nice work

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@timtharp835]

Nice video. Nice shooting.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thankyou

[@user-pf1ex7pg2q]

Great video - What ammo (or at least projectile) are you using?? Seems very effective on the light skinned animals!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. Running 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings

[@MinhNguyen-nl1gm]

Hello người bạn lâu rồi mới gặp lại. Chúc bạn vui vẻ may mắn và thành công 🇦🇺👍.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

You too mate

[@jackharrison2785]

doing a great job keep on shooting

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate 👊

[@jasoncatetoni6962]

Nice

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks

[@fgb3126]

I appreciated your rundown on the equipment you used for this session. Nice rifle. But you forgot something. Your ammunition. What were you shooting? By the way RJ, positively LETHAL tonight my friend.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks champion. Running Adi world class factory ammo with the 55gr Sierra Blitz Kings mate

[@ezrabrook3993]

G'day mate, thinking about a trip to the Down Under 😁 well I reckon

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

You'll love it here mate 👍

[@hanslain9729]

Not a firearm guy... curious why the scope is so far back on the stock? Great video as always!

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thanks mate. The scope needs to be in that position to get the correct eye relief .

[@EstonMwaura]

G'day 😂😂

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Works a treat 😉

[@joke4301]

4:41 surely u would of heard how they kill and only drink what blood they can sometimes. See it all the time

[@ezrabrook3993]

Dang 🦊

[@8marcrara11]

Top Stuff! Goodonya RJM⚡️👍🇦🇺

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Cheers mate 👊

[@timothyryan4523]

As I told you before you are an outstanding marksman, just think your videos are great. Also you should have shown the dead lamb so the do the bleeding heart who loves the feral pest what they do.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Believe me I wanted to. KZbin would have chucked a hissy 🤦‍♂️

[@jimfashik]

On our property We have a 100 Sheep We have put 2 llamas😢 And 2 donkeys They do protect the sheep 🐑 But we still go there and hunt the foxes😅😅😅😅

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

In my experience, guardian animals are pretty hit and miss. Some do a great job while others are absolutely useless. They're an expensive deterrent when they they don't work.

[@paulfairbrass4424]

I that landowner is over the moon with that haul, especially that fat one. Was he at your KFC on the quite Rodney.😂

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

🤣 must have been!

[@boarhunter8685]

Great shots, Rod !! Do you take off the foxes and do something with the fur, especially in the winter hair ?

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

No I don't mate. Unfortunately there's no market for the pelts here anymore 😕

[@rodmcleod3072]

Did that dead sheep have a heat signature ??? Not dead long or a different type of imaging scope ??

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Had been dead for a couple of days according to the property owner mate.

[@misterlewgee8874]

Well edited Beautiful to watch Good shooting.

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Thank you Sir 👊

[@misterlewgee8874]

@@RJMHuntingAustralia id have liked to have seen your 300 yard zero check...things can get squirrelly out there

[@RJMHuntingAustralia]

Maybe next time mate. Ran short on time to video it all.