motty

Judging from what I see on other sites etc, Oxfordshire would seem to be at the top of the list for pigeon population, with some huge bags being taken there regularly. I see Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Essex mentioned regularly as a place where large bags are taken. Cambridgeshire and Norfolk are where I shoot, and there certainly isn't a shortage. I reckon the south west is one of the more sparse areas for pigeons.

Haha. I didn't include the film where the dog decided to swim to the other side of the river, before deciding he would listen to me and fetch the pigeon that dropped in the middle of it!

Cheers, Cranners. Yes, Boomer is his name, named after a successful American gundog. He can be a very good dog when he wants to be, and loves his wildfowling adventures. Unfortunately, there are houses within earshot, and some folk just like to complain about something.

I would love to know who complained, but I probably won't find out. I will probably have issues there from now on, which is a shame, as it isn't a bad spot for a few wildfowl, too.

Plenty of clips were unusable of mine, too. Called myself an anchor several times! I did struggle at times, but I was getting the hang of the .410 by the end of the day. I have only used it on odd occasions, previously, as I get frustrated with it and use a 12 instead. I left a he'll of a lot of birds that day that I wouldn't hesitate with using the 12. I had to use a bit of restraint.

No pigeon shooting for me at the weekend (working), so I put together some film from my last outing. No, I am not great at pumping with the .410, before anyone else comments!

I will normally start with my old faithful flocked shells. I will maybe carry 10, if I have a bit of a walk. If I have a long walk, I will probably just take the magnet. I don't use any of my full bodied decoys these days.

Game dealers are taking them, but are storing everything. They have currently got 400 pallets in a cold store, at a cost of £1200 per week!

Good on you, Dog. You are an ideal chap to introduce folk to the wonderful world of pigeon shooting.

Taking note of what happens and when, is a great way to plan your future reconnaissance.

My first thought was soya beans. The plant leaves have a certain velvety feel.

Still a hell of a lot of pigeons around. I also had a few youngsters make the bag yesterday, too.

Keep doing what you're doing and the rewards will come.

When the gun comes out, my dog won't stop whining and howling until he is safely out of the door on the way to the truck! It still amazes me how much dogs love going shooting! Thanks, Ken. I do tend to put a fair bit of effort and planning in to my shooting.

A good bag, but a little detail of your day wouldn't go amiss.

I agree, but is such a strange thing to get used to. It is the first time I have used moderated guns all day, and for such a prolonged period. I was getting to grips with the .410 by the end if the day, and hopefully have some decent film. I was frustrated slightly, too, having to leave many birds that I would normally go for with the 12. I mostly used 21gm 7.5s in the 20, and 18gm 7.5 in the .410. Good write up, Jules!

I know you have shot big bags before, so I was expecting maybe 300. I think most would consider 80+ to be a decent bag, but not a big day.

Not trying to have a dig, but "BIG DAY!!" is slightly misleading.

Clickbait?

No idea, but we shot well under 2 for 1. Plenty around! Did I? Damn it!

Yes, I was pleased with a few shots in there. It is a shame that the gopro is limited in capturing stuff at range. Jules was on fire that day and the film didn't do him justice. Very clever editing! Thanks for the other comments, gents! I welcome them all, positive or negative.

Pigeons are not particularly clever creatures. They will likely not remember having been shot at a few weeks before, and what their imitations looked like at the time. I seldom change my tactics throughout the year.

I have finally got around to uploading another video. I hope it is of interest to some of you.

I like that. I still have a few full boxes of some of those in the cupboard.

I think home loading is the way forward if you want to take the noise levels right down. Steel shouldn't be a problem through the moderators. A bloke on Facebook puts over 3000 steel shells a year through his moderated 20 with no issues.