Mentalmac Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Well, where to start, A while back in the last fowling season I met with Marshman off here so I could hear some of his fascinating stories from the old wild fowling days, and to learn more about the art of wild fowling from a man of much experience and knowledge. I was also lucky enough to be taken onto his marshes to have a go, albeit his stories of old would have been way more than enough! (Marshman is a living encyclopaedia of wild fowling and has some great stories as I am sure some others on here do too - I can only hope to be as knowledgeable one day!) - and on the way we stopped for a spot of pigeon roost shooting and we managed a very respectable bag in a quick time - being not very experienced with pigeons I was amazed (they came in so fast I couldn't load quick enough). However, we were talking about pigeon shooting and I don't see that very many my way and my permission I shoot on isn't all that good for pigeon. Being newly joined to a local Wildfowling club however I will now get access to much more pigeon land and will of course be knocking on more doors. I got all the gear including magnet, nets etc…. but didn't really know much on setting up effectively at the time and John was very kind in offering me back to see how it's done from his experience and knowledge. I was very happy and excited whilst heading to Norfolk (a lovely place to find yourself for a day) and was fortunate enough to spend some time with Bobby, John's new pup who is now 4 months and coming on lovely, showing me what lays in store for me when i pick up my pup in a few weeks. Well, anyhow, after some reccying in the morning and taking the pup out, we were ready set for an afternoon on a nearby stubble field. This field in particular was next to some rape fields which are yet to be cut and as we drove on in there was a love of movement and plenty of pigeons leaving the rape fields as we came up the track. As we hit the stubbles, plenty leaving off the field nearby where we were to set up. We set up with the wind on our backs against a nice hedge with enough room for Goerge, John's lab to lay up in the shade and put up our two chairs. I haven't ever shot from sitting before so this was to be a new experience for me. I watched and noted carefully about some of John's secrets to making life a bit easier with the decoys and home made cradles etc… and we set up the magnet out in front and a bouncer to the side along with a compliment of full body decoys, fresh pigeons on the magnet and bouncer. The pattern looked great and it was back to the hide to wait for the first one to come in. This was Johns go, and the funny thing was John said "We'll have a couple by 2pm" as we had set up by 1:45… and yup, first couple in the bag before 2pm. From then on it was a lovely steady stream of birds coming in until we finished up at 6:45 with us both having shot through 50 carts each. My ratio was no where near as good as 'Jedi John' who's reactions were very good (40 shot for 50 carts) and saw me witness plenty of left and rights. I unfortunately wasn't on top form at all. I missed a couple after my first one down and it made me worry about missing the next and then doing so. I soon got my brain working back ok again and it was business as usual. You can tell I don't often rattle out 50 pigeon carts however, with my old 12g by the end I felt I'd done a few rounds with Tyson! and after mopping up the dead and packing the car I was knackered! John looking as fresh as a daisy and could have done the same thing again the next day with no ill effect, me needing a lay in haha. (half John's age, and double as unfit). It was a lovely afternoons sport, some pigeons came in lovely to the pattern and were shot well, and others made for some good angles as they jinked off and were shot in all manner of places around us with some good shots from both of us - and some great work by George finding them when they fell in the standing crop behind us. We took some shots sitting down just pushing net down with the barrels with the bird not seeing us at all, and others jumping up and taking them as they turned and fled, again, a great afternoons sport. We ended up with 70 in the bag, and a rook and a couple unaccounted for, and one happy chap from Essex who has learnt a great deal and left feeling enthused and excited to go and make it happen on my own. Note to say, John may technically be of a certain vintage - yet would wouldn't believe it! It is often a job keeping up whilst walking, shooting, picking up and carrying alongside the mighty Marshman - a pleasure to have shared a hide with you and thanks again for letting me knock down some pigeons with you! Our pattern by the time we'd finished, plenty of dead in and amongst. Marshman sneaking his gun over the net to take a pigeon coming in nicely. Nice neat rows… and the spoils of a good afternoon out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubear Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Great write up and some fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing! Looks like a great day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Looks like a good day out mate. Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Lovely I enjoyed that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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