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Peacefull Hour


Maddaftspaniel
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Yesterday when I was feeding the partridges on our little hill shoot I noticed that a flock of about 500 pinkfeet had built up on the reservoir to the south of the farm and were feeding on any one of three grass fields that were separated from the waters edge by a broad bank of rushes.

 

I went down into the farmyard and along the shore and chased them off. As I walked back to the farm they started flighting right into the middle of the third field so I went over and chased them off again and looked for a spot where I would be able to hide the next morning. The three fields are separated by tumble down stone walls offering little cover and I reckoned that where they were crossing the rushes at the waters edge they were too high to over a good chance of killing them. I needed to intercept them as they dropped down to land on the grass but there was nowhere obvious to hide. The only possible option was a large patch of rushes in the middle of the second field. The rushes were about knee high and there was a patch of thistles which added some height. The ground was dry and I therefore decided to lie down on my back with a cammo net covering me and try to intercept them as they flew over at first light the next day. I do not have any decoys so I would just have to hope I was in the right place for a shot

 

I went home and prepared my kit for the next morning laying out my waterproofs gun and ammunition (Eley 42g BBs) to be ready for an early exit without disturbing the rest of the household. I spent a restless night (I have Parkinsons and have a great deal of trouble sleeping just now) finally getting to sleep around 3.30 am. I woke up at 6 feeling grotty and resolved to stay in bed and forget about the geese but I couldn't get back to sleep (every cloud has a silver lining) so I got up dressed hurriedly and collected my kit and dogs and loaded the truck. Honey the house lab howled her frustration at being left in the kitchen........so much for a quiet exit.............but I was on my way.

 

I drove the hill road too fast but I was concerned that I had left it too late as it was rapidly getting light and the three gates on the track up the hill were an obstacle I could have done without. I parked my truck in the lee of the ruined castle which was as close as I could get to my ambush position and headed down the slope at a wheezy trot which was as fast as I could manage leaving the dogs in the truck. (I thought it best as there was so little cover)

 

Much to my dismay a group of about 40 geese got up from the back of the dyke in the first field and wheeled away honking in alarm over the reservoir. I was worried that they would alarm the others who were still out on the loch but apart from some concerned honking they stayed put.

 

I found my spot in the rushes by the patch of thistles and lay down covering myself with the cammo net I had brought. I was surprisingly comfortable and toyed with the thought of trying to catch up on some of my lost sleep but I was too excited by the goose conversation that was going on out on the loch. It was very peaceful as it got fully light and I lay and listened to the geese talking and the partridges chuckling up above me on the hillside.

 

From where I lay I had a very limited field of vision directly above me and towards the loch were I hoped the geese would come from. I was comforted by the fact that a carrion crow glided above me for several minutes with no sign of alarm but had to resist the temptation to try to shoot it (not easy)

 

I lay watching the sky and listening to the geese becoming restless, it sounded like some of them were moving but from my position I could not see them so carefully raised myself up on one elbow and peered through the curtain of rushes. There they were a posse of about 30 alighting on the grass about 100 yards to my left. Damn they had not come anywhere within shot and further groups were setting off from the water to join them.

 

I lay back down and waited then raising myself up again I became breathless with excitement as I saw the vast majority of the flock lift off the loch and heading in my direction.

 

I lay there the gun across my chest frightened to move lest I alarm them but watching with growing dismay as they wheeled away to my right out of range, but wait there was a group of 5 stragglers coming just to my right, just within range.

 

I waited to the last moment and heaved the gun to my shoulder awkwardly as I lay on my back and BOOF! BOOF! let off two shots at the first bird in the group but to no avail.

 

Suddenly there was panic among the main flock as they rose and wheeled away from their breakfast heading in all directions not knowing where the danger lay.

I struggled to reload as I forced myself up onto my knees amidst the thistles being careful to keep my head down like an ISIS terrorist at prayer. Keeping my face to the floor I squinted up as a gaggle came milling overhead at about 35 yds up. In one smooth movement I raised the gun pulled out in front and squeezed the trigger and it folded falling with a satisfying thump about 10 yards behind me. The other birds wheeled away in alarm and I picked one out and fired watching as it stuttered, flapped and then glided down into the rushes about 100 yards away. I reloaded but the geese were now well out of range heading back over the loch.

 

I stood up with a broad smile on my face and made my way back to the truck where the dogs were waiting impatiently to be released. I walked them back to the fence putting the spaniel on the lead and telling the lab to "Get on" I stopped him as he reached the dyke and sent him left into the rushes where I knew the first goose lay dead. By his action I could tell he was onto it but he did not emerge where I expected instead he was out of sight for a period before appearing at the other end of the rushes (where the winged one had landed) with one very dead pinkfoot. I whistled him up and he brought it to hand proud as punch before sending him back to the original fall only for him to emerge empty mouthed looking puzzled. I let the spaniel off the lead and walked down the brae to the rushes where I had seen the first goose lying dead. Tessa the spaniel hunted the fall excitedly but failed to find anything whilst Biscuit the lab stayed at heel looking smug. I was sure the goose was dead and I was sure I was in the right place.

 

Puzzled I told Biscuit to "Get on" and he shot off like an arrow to the other end of the rushes and emerged with one very irate goose bringing it to hand with a self satisfied smirk. I was relieved and couldn't scold him though he had obviously picked the first goose dead from the right spot and then carrying it hunted on whilst out of sight to find the second one before returning to me. He had known where the missing goose was all along.

 

I trudged back to the truck and sat and watched in comfort as the geese slowly began to flight back to the grass. I will have another go tomorrow but I doubt I will enjoy it as much. That is one for the memory bank for when I am unable to do this any more.

2014-10-01111242_zps20b1a3e6.jpg

 

 

The photo is taken in the garden when I got back cos I was in such a hurry I fortgot my phone

 

 

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2014-10-02110235_zpsc543e896.jpg

 

2014-10-02105917_zpsf0276b75.jpg

 

Went back this morning but the geese flew off the other side of the loch and disappeared over the horizon.

 

The first photo shows the strip of rushes way out in the grass field where I set my ambush

 

The second photo also shows it with a cover crop of turnips in the foreground

 

Cheers for the comments

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This is Ballo Reservoir. Harperleas is off to the right of the pictures it is nearly dry just now.

 

There are still some grouse. Sako751sg was crawling about on his knees and blawing oot his **** with a team of guns the same day I shot the geese.

 

Ive edited your post Andy.Your first one was giving me way too much credit.

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