Yellow eyes when lamping ...

[101_nut]

Anybody tell me what has predominantly yellow eyes in a torch beam at night?
Eyes obviously faced foward, fairly large, very bright, staring at me from about 30feet and seemed unpeturbed as I moved a bit closer until it calmly turned and slunk away, no scurrying, running or sound. Must have been black or very dark as I could pick up no outline with the maglite ...

My first impression would be a cat as it would probably be about the right size but we don't have cats around here ... apart from violent legendary ones and a few 'stories' of pumas ... Otherwise all we have of any size would be a water deer, one hell of a rat, a decidedly brave ba**ard bunny or a fox. Couldn't find any footprints in the dark last night so that was a non-starter.

So only real clue is yellow eyes in torchlight ...

AndyG

[freelanderPX54]

fox or badger would be my reckoning.

[mackinnon]

I have seen some unusual eyes when lamping up here but thought only cats had yellow reflection

[101_nut]

I have seen some unusual eyes when lamping up here but thought only cats had yellow reflection

That was what I thought ... but we have no domestic moggies around here ...

AndyG

[Nick T]

Not fox. The only time I have seen similar was at Wick when I was stalking. Driving back to the digs we saw what you describe in the head lights....What a sight, a wild cat! made my week!!!:)

[educationalist]

While I do not agree with Lamping, as I see it more of a slaughter than a sport, but each to his own.
Your query as to which creatures eyes reflect yellow in lamping opens up to several scenarios .
Firstly you do not say what type of bulb your source of light shines from. As LED light shining on the reflecting layer of cells behind a retina will give a yellow light on most creatures.
Where as incandescent light usually reflects red. Infra red light as used in night spotters will reflect back white from an eye
The only animal whose eyes shine yellow in both LED and Incandescent forms of light is a Cat both domestic or wild. Due to the unique arangement of cells found in a feline's retina and eye construction.

Secondly could you ascertain at what height the eyes were from the ground as anything less than fifteen inches would indicate either a domestic or feral cat. It could have also been an ocelot though rare in the UK.
If the eyes were more than fifteen inches and closer to 24 inches from the ground you may have lamped a Leopard or Panther not altogether impossible given the recent sighting over the last decade.

In truth though eye-shine alone no mater what colour is not sufficient for species identification

[Dave-H]

It would have been a cat. You may not see it/them during the day so probably a feral.


And educationalist... lamping is not a sport, it's an effective means of vermin control.

[sniff my diff]

I think Hippos eyes show as yellow in the dark and lamp light...:D:D Well ya never know;)

[Nick T]

Just to exhubriate, the "cat" we saw was sitting and it's eyes approx 2' off the ground. We had chance to get the lamp out of the back of my 110/bang around.... What a sight, looked just like a Lynx,it just sat and watched us.:):)

[educationalist]

It would have been a cat. You may not see it/them during the day so probably a feral.


And educationalist... lamping is not a sport, it's an effective means of vermin control.
I stand corrected; it is still slaughter though. Perhaps justified if the vermin (sic) encroaches on a person’s livelihood. Though we both know that a certain type of camouflaged buffoon, complete with silenced .22 rifles and who crawl about in the undergrowth in a Ramboesk fashion ,who do think it sport lamping and killing anything that moves. The type who thinks they are a crack shot but who usually do not get a quick kill with the first shot and then leave the poor creature to escape and die in agony. But to each his own.

[Nick T]

I lamp/shoot fox. 8000 hens-over 800+ killed/lost too fox last year. That is a lot of eggs lost over 12 months. Not only does a fox kill for killings sake, it can suffocate birds, lots of birds!

Between myself and my shooting partner we shot 48 fox last year over approx 300 acre.

This year we envisage to double that amount due to the ban.

[educationalist]

I lamp/shoot fox. 8000 hens-over 800+ killed/lost too fox last year. That is a lot of eggs lost over 12 months. Not only does a fox kill for killings sake, it can suffocate birds, lots of birds!

Between myself and my shooting partner we shot 48 fox last year over approx 300 acre.

This year we envisage to double that amount due to the ban.
I did not realise that Bolton had a Fox hunting fraternity, I thought it was Hares that were hunted in the Lancashire concubines. I knew of the Holcombe Harriers which were East Lancashire only hunt fraternity. Although I do note that David Crausby MP (Bolton North East); abstained from voting against the fox hunting ban, so the man must have been under pressure from some in your area not to vote for it.

[Nick T]

Educationalist, it breaks my heart when I see road kill. The long suffering/internal injuries.....Strange to say that when I shoot an animal I have no remorse. I WONT take the shot if I have any doubts. I treat all dead quarry with the respect it deserves.

I used to live by the motto "if you can't eat it, don't shoot it" but now Charlie is costing money so .....bad news, he gets a .223 in the bonce!!

Land Rover's, great piece of kit!!!

[Dave-H]

Though we both know that a certain type of camouflaged buffoon, complete with silenced .22 rifles and who crawl about in the undergrowth in a Ramboesk fashion ,who do think it sport lamping and killing anything that moves. The type who thinks they are a crack shot but who usually do not get a quick kill with the first shot and then leave the poor creature to escape and die in agony. But to each his own.

Alas morons like that do exist. :(
I only lamp purely as vermin control [mainly fox, sometimes rabbit] and pride myself in my ability to kill quick and clean.
On the rare occasion this isn't the case, my four legged companion ensures no wounded animal is lost to suffer.

[Nick T]

I did not realise that Bolton had a Fox hunting fraternity, I thought it was Hares that were hunted in the Lancashire concubines. I knew of the Holcombe Harriers which were East Lancashire only hunt fraternity. Although I do note that David Crausby MP (Bolton North East); abstained from voting against the fox hunting ban, so the man must have been under pressure from some in your area not to vote for it.


Mmmmm my little cocksparrow, maybe you should read and digest before commenting on a subject that you obviously have limited knowledge.

I can post pics if that is ok with the Mods?

[educationalist]

Alas morons like that do exist. :(
I only lamp purely as vermin control [mainly fox, sometimes rabbit] and pride myself in my ability to kill quick and clean.
On the rare occasion this isn't the case, my four legged companion ensures no wounded animal is lost to suffer.
That is good to here.............Not all rifle owners can say that. The worst I have come across were several Canada Geese in Mersey Valley shot for no apparent reason other than mindless cruelty and left suffering

[Nick T]

Alas morons like that do exist. :(
I only lamp purely as vermin control [mainly fox, sometimes rabbit] and pride myself in my ability to kill quick and clean.
On the rare occasion this isn't the case, my four legged companion ensures no wounded animal is lost to suffer.

Oreet Dave, I was trying to be a tad more understanding:p:eek::D:D

[Rich_P]

On the rare occasion this isn't the case, my four legged companion ensures no wounded animal is lost to suffer.

Does that include several regular attendees at the Treasure Hunts? :eek: :o

[Dave-H]

Does that include several regular attendees at the Treasure Hunts? :eek: :o
LOL - yep... for some reason he don't like you! :rolleyes:

[Dave-H]

Oreet Dave, I was trying to be a tad more understanding:p:eek::D:D

Hi Nick... just noticed your signature... very similar to mine!

.223 eh? what's your rig?

[Great Bear]

A few years ago whilst out lamping we picked up a pair of eyes about 200yrds away by the edge of a bit of rough. They were approx 2 feet from the ground and what ever it was moved reasonably quickly but what puzzled me most was they were red. The only thing i know of with red eyes is a rabbit and obviously this was way too big. Afterspeaking to someone from the area they reckon it was a wallaby as some had escaped from a local zoo many years ago and were thought to be living happily in the wilds of devon. As for your yellow eyes my money would be on a deer or badger as both can be quite nonchalont.

[educationalist]

Mmmmm my little cocksparrow, maybe you should read and digest before commenting on a subject that you obviously have limited knowledge.

I can post pics if that is ok with the Mods?
Cock Sparrow! The cheek. I take it you are a Londoner and not actually a Lancashire Lad then
And just so you understand, my post was asking for information, within the slant of surprise, framing a question, by asking that is how one gains knowledge. And by your negativism is something that you are so obviously without. My advice is stick to counting eggs and do not attempt to run with someone who would find it all too easy to trip you up.

[freelanderPX54]

Cock Sparrow! The cheek. I take it you are a Londoner and not actually a Lancashire Lad then
And just so you understand, my post was asking for information, within the slant of surprise, framing a question, by asking that is how one gains knowledge. And by your negativism is something that you are so obviously without. My advice is stick to counting eggs and do not attempt to run with someone who would find it all too easy to trip you up.

Coo and I thought I could be a pious ar5e, you my friend are a gold medalist

[sniff my diff]

Think the saying is ..."take a deep breath,count to ten,and calm down"..
Mind u it makes good reading as i know nowt about lamping and shooting but it really interests me to read both sides of the fence.Only shooting i done was targets and old beer cans ,thats when beer cans were made of stronger stuff..Would like to go out with someone to see what its all about if anyone in my area?:D

[Nick T]

Educationilist, my little ray of sunshine, why for thy be so abrubt?:rolleyes:

[educationalist]

Coo and I thought I could be a pious ar5e, you my friend are a gold medalist
Thank you but I must really thank other posters who make it all so possible.;)

Educationilist, my little ray of sunshine, why for thy be so abrubt?:rolleyes:
It's Friday, 'little ray of sunshine' I quite like, reminds me of the things my Nan used to say to me as a young boy, just after I experimented on then electrocuted her cat :eek:

May you and yours have a good one, weekend that is.

[101_nut]

Afterspeaking to someone from the area they reckon it was a wallaby as some had escaped from a local zoo many years ago and were thought to be living happily in the wilds of devon.

One thing I can tell is it wasn't a wobbly ... :D
Thanks for the comments people. I only 'lamp' occasionally with a halogen lamp when the back garden gets too many bunnies and rats. I've basically got fields on three sides so I get several bits of wildlife trawlling through but in consideration it probably was a cat but what sort we don't know. I don't know exactly how it was positioned so height above the ground is too vague to be useful. There have been sketchy reports of 'a large cat' in the immediate area and the council wildlife officer confirmed his belief that there were 'wild cats' about so I may have been witness to one of those.

AndyG

[Nick T]

My advice is stick to counting eggs and do not attempt to run with someone who would find it all too easy to trip you up.

Oh dear my learned freind, you really are "meking a fool o' thi sen"
Why?

If you are so intent on tripping me up then I will quite willingly post you my telephone number in order for you to put me to rights.

KNOB (I'm not up to date with computer jargon/abv's but I am sure this will be appropriate)

[Dave_243]

Anybody tell me what has predominantly yellow eyes in a torch beam at night?
Eyes obviously faced foward, fairly large, very bright, staring at me from about 30feet and seemed unpeturbed as I moved a bit closer until it calmly turned and slunk away, no scurrying, running or sound. Must have been black or very dark as I could pick up no outline with the maglite ...

My first impression would be a cat as it would probably be about the right size but we don't have cats around here ... apart from violent legendary ones and a few 'stories' of pumas ...


Just asked my Dad (he's a pest controller and has shot for about 40 yrs). From what you described he reckons it's some kind of cat or possibly a deer but, as I'm sure you know, that should've ran off as soon as you moved.

Could've been a feral cat but there genuinely are bigger cats about (pumas etc). Not trying to get you too exited but it's a possibility

[educationalist]

My advice is stick to counting eggs and do not attempt to run with someone who would find it all too easy to trip you up.
Oh dear my learned freind, you really are "meking a fool o' thi sen"
Why?)
'Eighup’ Lad! Whad's this aw' abeawt It wer nobbut awreet it wer summat an nowt'

If you are so intent on tripping me up then I will quite willingly post you my telephone number in order for you to put me to rights.
Neaw seckle deawn, an don't thee threeup me eawt does thaa know who tha talkin to.

KNOB (I'm not up to date with computer jargon/abv's but I am sure this will be appropriate)
Oh Dear, is that how all Boltonians phrase thier responses, the ones I have met, They allis seem good-tempered like, an ready wi a joke’

And finally 'Be good, an if tha' can't be good be careful and if tha' can't be careful buy a pram'

[ukshooter]

It was most probably a fox, their eyes can appear from bright white, red,orange. domestic cats will usually be similar but usually green.