Catamong
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Posts posted by Catamong
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Yes, I've noticed that the Oaks have plenty of acorns on them this year, that's bad news around these parts for pigeon shooters, as it means that the birds will not venture out onto the rape but stay in the woods until the acorns have been eaten up, which could be into February next year.
It'll also be intertesting to see just how much rape is being grown this year, as some Farmers I know have stopped growing it.
Cat.
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shot one that looked like that just yesterday in Rainham Essex almost white on its back
Doh...?
Where's the white on that bird, apart from it's neck markings..?
This bird has a pink, buffy tint that you normally only see on the breast feathers, but on this bird these extend all over its back, most unusual..?
Cat.
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The birds should be on them even before they're cut, they certainly are around these parts..?
They usually hit the stubbles within a day or so of the field being combined, but , as ever the answer to your question of "When's the right time..?", is always "When they're there.."
Cat.
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I've been shooting pigeons in my area since the early 70's, there are definitely fewer birds around now than there were then, and that's not just my opinion, others I know that shoot in this area would agree with me.
Their feeding habits have changed, there are now many more birds resident in the Towns and gardens, this is why, according to the RSPB surveys, pigeon numbers are on the increase, as their survey data is provided by schoolkids noting what type of birds are on the bird table, not by Ornithologists monitoring bird numbers over arable farmland.
Having said that, there are still good numbers of birds in my area, with 100+ bags commonplace for those Guys who know what they're doing, it's just that there are not as many birds around as there were.
One cause of the decline in this area has been the odd harsh Winter, if we get prolonged snow cover, the birds simply move off to other areas, never to return, and whilst we've not had that in these parts for a few years, it was definitely noticeable.
A big concern for me personally is the fact that some of the best land I have to shoot over is now scheduled for re-development, both Residential and Commercial, in a big swathe alongside the M1 motorway. I'm hoping that this will force the birds onto other areas of farmland that I can access, so I will have to wait and see how things work out..?
Cat.
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Yes, I've seen a good few birds with varying degrees of white plumage over the years, but never seen one like that before, in reply to Cranners comment, it does have the normal white wing bars, and I don't think it's a Juvenile bird, as it was pretty much the same size as an adult bird, most odd..,,?
It's now taking pride of place in my freezer..!
Cat.
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I picked up this bird today on Barley Stubble, not seen one this colour before...any comments..?
Cat.
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Yes, despite the obvious drawback of being a Northerner, and having shot with him some time ago, he is a very nice young Guy and a great ambassador for the sport, his win was well deserved, I'd just like to persuade him to see the light and emigrate down South to be eligible for the annual PW bash as a Southerner..!
Cat.
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I own a Benelli Supersport, a lovely gun for Pigeons, but a bit "lively" to handle compared to an O/U.
I bought a weighted mag cap from Tony Manvell at Wiltshire Rod & Gun, it adds 6 ounces on the end of the mag cap and the gun handles a lot smoother, recoil is never an issue.
Invest in one, you don't have to pay £2k for a new one, they come up on here quite often at between £1200 - £1500 a pop, you won't regret it..!
The only thing I would say about them is that the recoil pad is made of very soft rubber compound, it's easy to damage it by snagging it in the zip of the Gun Slip..
Cat.
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Wheat and Barley are not dessicated, but the tendency is nowadays for Rape to be dessicated by spraying a couple of weeks before it is combined.
When Rape was first grown around these parts, it was cut into rows by a swathing machine, then left to dry naturally before combining, nowadays most farmers seem to prefer to dessicate.
Cat.
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I think wheat has already taken over as the no.1 crop of choice round these parts. I think I hit that field just at the right time.
Yes, spot on, I noticed birds dropping in on very green standing wheat tonight, also loads more resting on the power lines.
Cat.
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Yes Jdog.. pretty sure were cereal fields... guessing rape should not be too far off.. it was just after junction 8.. would be good to know other areas.. we could be on stubble very soon
That's my shooing patch, between Junctions 8 & 9, but the rape is still too early to be dessicated as the ground in these parts is heavy clay, not light gravels as you find in low lying parts of Berkshire, however some of the Barley is well on and will be cut a fair bit sooner than last year.
The birds are also on the standing Wheat, which is still very green, I was watching a number of birds tonight dropping in to a field of standing wheat, nowadays they seem to be able to "float" on the top of the crop, which, in days gone by, would normally flatten under the weight of the bird, but I guess the modern varieties now grown must have stronger stems..?
Cat.
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Great post Motty, lots on the Barley in my area also, but it's not laid in very big areas, so difficult to pick up, and not only that, no time to shoot as too damn busy at work..!
All the best,
Cat.
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There is a post on Facebook re these shells, apparently the business is run by an 81 year old Guy who has now been on a 7 day hunger strike over some sort of certification problem, it would appear that the "Big Boys" in French cartridge manufacturing may be ganging up against him, hoping to drive him out of business..?
Cat.
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A truly memorable day for hopefully all that made the effort to attend, if only for the fact that each and every one of us left the ground knowing full well that we could, and should, have broke more targets..!
It was great to see some old friends from past events, together with a good few new faces, I think we can all agree it was a great day out, and we raised a lot of money for a very good cause.
Hope to see you all again next year..?
Cat.
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Travelex offer pretty good rates, (not quite the cheapest), but convenient for most, but you MUST order online for an airport pick up, do not simply turn up at the desk and change cash, as you will get seriously mugged..
Cat.
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Stanmore is good, the roads around are nearly all resident parking till 6.30. They do have a car park but I've never used it so can't comment. Or Pinner station has a big station car park that's cheap and very convenient. Lots of people park and ride from Pinner
If there is an event at Wembley, the car park at Stanmore Tube will most likely be full.
If you're coming from Essex / Herts border it makes no sense to drive to Stanmore anyway..?
Cat.
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If you don't have a French hunting or ball trap permit, they may not sell them to you, a lot depends on where you want to buy them?
Most cartridges are not significantly cheaper in France than they are in the UK, also if you bring back more than 1000 you may have difficulties if you are pulled over for a vehicle check, check the website of the ferry company you are travelling with.
Cat.
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Both JDog and Aga Man are correct, pigeons won't go for sprouting tic beans, but they will go for sprouting Soya Beans, as some farmers are now starting to grow.
One of my Farmer friends is growing some on areas of failed rape and has been warned by others that they are very attractive to pigeons, so it may be worth checking?
Cat
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Both Captains have also yet to sign up.......
Will be signing up tonight, looking forward to it as usual, a clear win by the South is deffo on the cards this year..!
(Captain Cat).
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According to the boys on shootclay who have placed orders this week , their orders have been cancelled by decathlon . And the cartridges will be removed from the website asap.
Jasper.
Well, well, quelle surprise.?
Cat..
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I wasn't sure if it would damage the chokes
What are the chokes made of..?
Cat.
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Why ever not..?
Cat.
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Mowdy
Indeed, an EFP can be used- but not Decathlon personnel are au faith with the legal position of this.
Most of my Frenchie shooting buddies had never heard of an EFP and for some experimentation I tried using my SGC, FAC and EFP at two different stores in the South of France and was told 'non'
But for me I have an FFTIR licence anyway :-)
So, its patchy and I think most on here reference the use of their SGC?
But, as you have discovered- lovely when they open that cabinet to be able to buy as much of whatever you need and such a choice of slugs.
My local armourie ( shop) has an amazing selection including rubber ball ( solid and multi pellet), at least 8 diff types of slug design and in .410 too.
Oh how I miss it all being back in Blighty- fortunately I still have the house and am popping back in a few weeks.
Yes, I had a similar experience in a Terre et Eaux store in Amiens, they weren't convinced by an EFP, I had also to show my FFBT membership card, then it was "D'accord, pas de probleme..!"
To be honest, the only real bargains I've noticed recently are the 28g Steel load in 7.5 plaswad, which works out at about £165 / thou, a tad cheaper than UK prices, I will probably call in at Terre et Eaux in Calais and pick up some when I'm next there in mid May.
Worth a look if you can understand the Froggy Lingo..?
Cat.
English Open at Hodnet
in Clay Pigeon Shooting
Posted
Mid morning on Saturday for me, I'm looking forward to a really good shoot, as always at Hodnet..
Cat.