gary29428

The heat and lack of wind has been a problem for us in the past also, we were out on Sat and had to bale out at 1pm after 80 birds downed. We are setting up at 3pm today and will shot into the evening, birds seem to be feeding later in the evening. We have an excellent spot here in Galway on the west coast of Ireland which has **** all pidgeons due to the lack of crops. However we have an area of 100acres of barley and oats and it's basically the only crop for about 60 square miles so every pidgeon in the county is there everyday. We do most of our shooting down south or on the east coast but came across this area last week, got the permission and things are looking good for a few decent bags.

Thanks for all the advise lads, heading out this afternoon on a field of stubbles. There were about 500 birds in it yesterday evening so might make the 100. Will let ye know how things go....

Just wondering if many of you guys use a magnet and flapper at the same time. If so were abouts in the spread do you put the flapper in relation to the magent. We were out on Saturday and had about 80 in a few hours but only had consistant shooting when we took the flapper in and only had the magnet and a few deeks out, we had the flapper inside the magnet. Flapper was on the wholetime by the way, wondering if you guys use timers and so on.

Nice shooting reddeer and nicely told, I too have a 27" bipod and love it. You can really get rock solid in a nice sitting position, dame annoying when you get a bump in your way.......you ain't kidding.

Been shooting foxes up here for about 4 years John and this is only the second one I have seen. He was in a bad state in general, very thin and dull looking, the vast majority of foxes up here have been in excellent condition. I think I was putting him out of his misery, definetly the worst tail I have in my collection this year.

I was asked to give another local farmer a hand with a few foxes on his land, he said he had seen 4 during the week and while he had not lost any lambs he was on the look out none stop. I went over on Sat night and seen one straight away, came to a rodent distress call running, clicked the fingers at about 80yrds and dropped her. Had a walk around but seen nothing else. I went back last night and after walking two fields I heard 2 foxes calling to each other not too far away. I spotted one tree fields over and she just sat at 120yrds so took her without needing to call. It was the vixen so I lay down and turned on the vixen call, I played the call on and off for about 45mins and eventually the dog appeared in the bottom of the field. He wouldn't budge but just sat about 200yrds out so again took him and dropped him were he was, Didn't see the farmer yet but I'm sure he will be v.happy and may sleep a bit better, will keep an eye on his land for the next few weeks. Two very healthy vixens but the dog had a lot of hair missing from his back, looked in a bit of a state to be honest.... Vixen from Saturday night Dog (top) and vixen from last night Dog foxes back...

I shoot a lot of woodcock every season but am not mad about the taste. What I do is take out the breasts and slice then thinly, I then cook a nice piece of steak and when it's done take it of the pan and throw on the woodcock and fry it in the steak juices. Only leave it on the pan for about 20secs and then pour the picecs over the steak with a bit of garlic butter. Not fancy but tastey..........

******* chucked it down last night Frank, getting very frustrated. Forcast is good for Friday night so we are gunning for that. I may have a number of a guy taking pelts, if i have I'll e-mail it onto you John.

I got one of those fox whistles last year and have practiced a lot with it, I am not confident enough with it yet to try it on a fox. Sometimes when I position it and blow all that comes out of it is a flurry of spit, not great at attracting charlie, will stick at it as a few lads on here speak very highly of it. I have a baby girl (3months this Friday) and some of her bits and bobs have some lovely squeakers in them, I robbed one from one of her bibs last night (not proud) and was going to try it, will give it a spin tonight, gives a nice high pitched squeak. Just don't tell mammy..........

Raining most the evening up here so like yourself didn't get out, will try again tonight. As you said some foxes will be pairing up, would you use dog fox and vixen calls more this time of year or do you stick to what works 90% of the time.

Going tonight myself Frank weather permitting, looks a bit dull at the mo but I live in hope. We'll compare notes tomorrow, I'll hardly run into you unless you travel about 100miles north and me a hundred miles south. Best of luck tonight.

It's an excellent website but lads the outlets themselves are unreal. I've been over to the US several times with work and there is a store about an hour from the plant I was working in, it's hard to take it all in on the first vist. I was there last July and am going again next month. I spent the guts of $700 the last time, the stuff I got would have cost 2 or 3 times that over here. I kitted out 2 rifles, scopes, mounts, bipods, lamps the works. Have been saving hard for next months trip, I need a fishfinder and am going to treat myself to some new camo in time for the pigeons this summer.

Thanks for the advice Frank, I didn't know that. I'll have a serious think about it, the land would be no problem, I know of several farmers who have deer on there land and they have often asked for help controlling them. Have always had to pass them onto someone else. Thanks...

The rifle is a BRNO and the bullet was a 100gr SP, federal I think. To get into it myself I would probably have to lose my CZ hornet as I can't have 2 center fires and there no way that is going to happen. The few trips I get during the year are enough to keep me in good meat and satisfy my tirst for something bigger then Charlie. How many deer would you get in a season...and what species.

I went with a friend and used his .243, he was shot in Co.Clare which is on the west coast over here. Shot in a clearing in a heavily wooded area at about 120yrds, all happened very quick we were only out about 20mins. It's the first buck I've shot and the meat was a bit dissapointing, I had presiously shot Sika doe's which are outstanding eating. Took all the usual cuts and miced everything else. Probably wouldn't shot another buck if I had a choice, I always wanted too so am glad I got the chance but it will doe's or younger animals in the future. Great buzz thou.......they really fill the optics.........