Plan of attack for new permission

[ElvisThePelvis]

Hi All

 

I have secured a new permission today, I am just looking for ideas as to how to approach the new venue.

 

My initial plan was to take a stroll around with gun and binoculars with a view to finding the damaged crops and hopefully some flight lines and then to return later in the day with decoying equipment.

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Well done on the new perm.

 

reconnaissance is always the best way to start.

[deny essex]

As above , or walk around with the gun and some light gear to suss the lay out and set up in a likely spot and observe, you might get a few shots in.

[kenholland]

keep an eye out for local dog walkers they seem to walk all over the place by me, safe shooting for the future mate well done.

[Cranfield]

If you haven't got a map of the whole "permission" area get one and mark the footpaths, etc.

Then its reconnaissance, with or without a gun.

[ElvisThePelvis]

Hi guys, thanks, some good advice. I have a map of the permission, it's quite fragmented but the main bit I am going to scout around tomorrow does have a foot path so I will have to suss that out first, I would rather take the sxs to walk around, birds will turn up if I don't and I don't really fancy going for a ramble.. I took a drive around the whole area tonight and discovered that one of the rape fields backs onto a small travellers compound, I think that I will leave that bit to the pigeons, don't fancy leaving the car near there.

[Roy King]

take your time don't rush in too it. take all the time you can to watch and study, you will then suss out the flight lines, favourite sitty trees etc. But above all enjoy it.

[bakerboy]

Reconnaissance is the way to go.

The more time spent on looking around and understanding what is going on and where will reap dividends later.

Get an ordinance survey map, identify your boundary's and potential problem areas.

Good luck and well done.

[dougall]

i would ask the farmer/landowner their thoughts....crop areas/footpath safety etc.....atb

[ElvisThePelvis]

Thanks for the advice, managed a couple of hours walk around this morning and three birds for 5 shots was a nice bonus. Lots of planning to do, the footpaths, roads and adjacent houses all flank the areas of worst damage but at least the are pigeons there, seemingly unlike a couple of my other permissions.. I managed to get the appropriate ma and a suitable bottle of claret to help with planning.

[Longchalk]

I always go onto Google earth and use the 'Print Screen' function on the PC to grab an aerial image of the perm, and then paste it into a word document.

 

Using the measuring tool in Google Earth I then work out the 'safe-fire' distances from various likely hide locations. (I like 300 yrds between me and any houses, roads etc). I draw these onto the plan using the 'insert shapes' arrows tools in word and print the whole thing out. I carry a small,waterproof A4 plastic wallet with me with all my perm plans in it, so that:

 

a) I'm never stood there thinking, "Is that footpath safe?", or "How far away is it?"

b) If challenged, I can prove I've done some 'due diligence' and that I'm acting responsibly.

 

You'd be amazed how poor some peoples' judgment of distance is! I was once 'acused' of dropping spent shot over a burger van that was parked in a layby that was all of 600 yards away. (Ignoring the fact that I was not even shooting in that direction!) A little documentation can be a helpful thing.

 

As can knowing Journee's formula, which gives a maximum range for No 6 shot, when fired at approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal, of around 242 yards. I allow a bit more for a following wind and a little insurance, so I'm comfortable with a 300 yard buffer. Which also used to be the minimum safe distance the CPA recommended for clay ranges, I believe, but no doubt I will get corrected!

Edited March 16, 2016 by Longchalk