mrpip

went out this morning, got setup just before it got light on a small rape field with 10 shells & rotar, had no time to do a recce this week due to work, but there were a good number in the area last week & they had started feeding on the rape. Heard the first gas gun in the distance at 08.15 then at 08.30 a flight started that lasted for 20 minutes constant bunches all heading off well up not interested in this field. Had a few decoy up to 10.30 sat it out till 12sih finished up picking 11 for 14 shots, well pleased had 2 L&Rs & all the birds decoyed perfect, nice morning to be out

Cheers for the replys, been in same area today on local farmers shoot, still loads of pigeons about, mixed bag 18 head which included 3 pigeon, but not touching the rape around here yet still on the remaining maize stubbles

Went out this morning to shoot a field of maize stubble, been pigeons on all week, got there for 8ish not a pigeon to be seen, set up anyway under a row of polars with the wind at my back. Stuck the rotar out with 20 mixed decoys sat till 10ish never saw 20 pigeon all morning not 1 would decoy. Went to another field next to farm found a good size flock feeding, walked them off & got set up next to a small oak wood the wind had picked up strong, plenty of birds flighting. Used rotar & 10 shells, shot first 1 at 11 oclock decoyed perfect, had to pack up at half one ish due to other commitments finished up with 26 picked, not a bad bag made up for the morning. Had some really testing shots with the wind & a good few misses, cople of pics

nice day mate, nothing showing on any of the rape on the farms I shoot, had a good walk round no damage, there still on maize stubble

Had a good day today completed yesterdays field of maize & another field which was started 3 week ago (see previous post) same 3 guns as yesterday. Had a personal best a 13 rabbit flush, the combine stopped about 10 ft from the end of the last row on the end of one block, rabbits everywere like a turkey shoot. Not sporting but doing the job, we finished up with 85 decent rabbits & one very happy farmer. Thats it all finished now 500 acres cut, freezers full of dog meat, can concentrate on the pigeon. Couple of pics from today.

Hi, allways gut up in the field, way I skin them, chop off all 4 legs, part the skin off the belly flap one side, cut the outer fur, pull fur off towards head & tail together threading over legs, remove head & tail, cut between back legs to remove tubes etc job done, just done 11 in about 25 mins. Pic of end product ready for jointing, good bits for human consumption rest for dog meat, Tried to explain it hope it helps

Quick write up & a couple of pics, been out today 60 acre maize field to combine. This is a U shape field surrounded by public woodland, slow going for the combine due to shape and undulating field plus distance from farm for the trailer. 3 guns so I stayed at one end all day. Picked 18 rabbits, highlight of the day had 2 for one shot twice, first time I've done that twice in a day both when the combine was at the other end of the field. Best flush got 5 out of 6 the other ran back under the combine, packed up at half five pitch black, shot the last one with the tractor lights on the end of the row (floodlight rabbiting). Back out again tomorrow to finish the last couple of bits. Total bag for 3 guns 44 picked.

its eyes don't look that good to, not got a lot going for it in the beauty stakes

Cheers Archie, shes the first Lab I've had, when I was in my 20's many years ago (seems like yesterday) I had a terrier pup from the hunt kennels a cross between a smoothhaired fox terrier bitch & a lakeland dog. Turned out a cracker proper moochers dog, filled the game bag regular without even lifting the gun up, catch anything fight anything **** anything,(the dog not me) long gone now but still talked about probably because he sired numerous litters around the village all unplanned

Had a walk on Saturday morning, very warm' dog working rabbits up, in the orchards & blackberry rows. Plenty sat tight above ground. Shot 3, emptied the game bag out & poured a coffee before gutting up. Could'nt resist taking this pic Just to add no dogs were harmed in taking this picture only rabbits

11 st wet through, no the pics deceiving, when out in the open I set the hide like a bell wider at the bottom. Dog gets were she can, usually in the snap bag if I don't watch her.

Its been hard work this year trying to decoy on the maize stubble, had a look at a 60 acre block this week been a good number of woodies on it, the only thing its got a public footpath on 3 sides & a unauthorised path down the other. Went this morning 8ish nothing at all on the field, set up roughly in the middle against a powerline pole, safe shooting distance all round, rotar & 10 shells out. Plauged all day by ferals (don't shoot em when there doing no harm, to expensive) & dog walkers lost count at 40. The worst 2 stood on the unoffical path behind me & had 5 spaniels running all over for a good half hour. Had the odd woodie dropping in when the footpaths went quiet, kept thinking they've been here been here all week & its the only field in the area, but they did'nt come in any number, finished up with 12 picked.

nice bag, good to see there starting on the rape

cheers, been shooting this area for years, know the flight lines from the roosts, done the recon, had brilliant days in previous years on maize. This year its in early & theres alot more of it, weathers all over the place, combining last week shooting bolting rabbits in shirt sleeves. Went to a field Tuesday 500 plus feeding early morning, went back Wednesday set up for first light shot 2 never saw more than a dozen over field all morning, had a look around found 2 flocks just flighting would not settle, walk em off the field they just move to another area. Different area same story Thursday, it will get better when the weather turns, shot 16 last Sunday flighting to a block of trees late afternoon only 2 had full crops.

cheers doc right complament with the quality & content of yours

make a nice nut roast

its all got away well down this way, but it will knock back when the weather gets colder

After two unsuccessful attempts at decoying this week on maize stubble, loads of pigeon in the area, also about 400 acres of maize stubble scattered over a 5 mile area & with a wet morning forecast decided to go at first light to one of the woods. The flocks are massive been over 1000 +, but will not commit to one field, or the decoys for that matter, worst than shooting over winter rape. My thoughts to warm to much choice not hungry enough, doesn’t take em long to fill up on high protein maize should pick up when some gets ploughed in & we get a few frosts. Had some shooting picked up 15 using 32 gram steel 4s & 5s mixed wanted some for the hawk man. Few pics of the morning the one jumping the rabbit netting was staged didn’t turn out bad in my opinion,(but I’m biased)

Had some good days after the snow last year on sheep kale undersown with turnip, similar to winter greens. Probably a bit sweeter than frozen rape.

cheers mate but he's a she

Had a call from one of my permissions to let me know they had locked an access gate due to hare coursers & to call in for a key, went Sunday met the owner he told me there had been a few pigeon on this years wheat between 2 woods. Went down for a look about 10 woodies on the floor & a couple more left the tree line, the wheat is a couple of inch high with bits of rape sprouting from last years crop, decided to set up anyway, more a case of good relations than expecting a bag. Got set up at 12.30 under some willows 12 shells & rotor out. Few pigeons started to show coming over the wood & being drawn to the rotor, not decoying but drifting over for a look, had some good shots nice high birds. Had a good flight building up about 2.30 heading over high & off into the distance, a few started to show more interest in the pattern, finished at 4.30 with 32 woodies 1 crow & a magpie picked up . Unexpected bag lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

no better way to end the day, brace apiece, well done

couple of pics from today, another fox young dog fox, ended up with 5 rabbits, day off tomorrow havin a walk round for a phesant. Cheers for the replies hope you enjoyed the photos

This may interest anyone local, euroguns are holding a night vision night next Thursday 27th November 7pm till 9pm,

Have been shooting the last 5 days while the maize is being cut, 1 gun at each end of the field, we have had 2 good days on the rabbits on land were the land is let to a shoot, picked up 75 good rabbits. The last 3 days have been in an area were there are not many rabbits about, but still managed 16, in total 7 foxes shot, best was 3 dog fox from same field & what looked like a vixen bolted out the side, shot a vixen next day in a block about quarter of a mile away. Shot another vixen today saw 1 slip out as soon as the headers were cut. Saturday that hot shooting in shirt sleeves, today freezing wind, long days but this is not forgotten by the farmer. Back out again tomorrow though not a area for large amounts of rabbits. More pics to follow couple more pics