Mightymariner

Well done chaps. These days, if I get into double figures I am very happy. No rape cut down here in the Wolds, but won't be far off.

So JDog and I met on Friday to shoot some peas. "We won't need a plan B," he said. Optimistic, I thought, but then considered he might have been watching my fields during his nature rambles along the dunes. The fields run right up to the dunes, with the beach just a few metres away. They have been attracting a lot of pigeons, and humans, who walk the dune paths and go to the beach or discover the old tank sunk in the sand. Apparently some of them go for nature, orchids and the like. Anyway, we had the usual discussion about positions. I thought the best spot and where there would be most shooting, was where JDog went. I went to another spot, one I shot a week ago, about 200 metres away. I didn't think we would be shooting at the same birds. He was in action almost immediately, I could see birds dropping in nicely to his whirly or the trees behind his hide. The only issue was he had to shoot at a certain angle to avoid firing directly at the dunes. I had to wait a while for a shot but having got two, I was able to get my rotary going. That made a big difference and soon I was popping away at birds coming from over the road and the occasional refugee from JDog's positon. Even though I shot here a week ago, the birds decoyed confidently. The only issue is there are about six fields and a lot of areas the pigeons can drop in once they are shot at. Nonetheless, I had a productive time, shooting 22 before packing up at 6pm. JDog left at 5.30pm, with 36 in the bag, so I suspect if we both stayed later we may have shot 70-80 pigeons easily. I will be back there no doubt, maybe leaving it a little longer. However, the peas are growing well and it may not be easily shot in the future.

Yes bulkhead behind front seats with a little window to the rear, all panelled out in the rear in black plastic. Very capable off road on those tyres but it was dry.

Had this on a day-long test last week. Really impressive. Incredibly capable. Interior fantastic. I had a look at the 90 commercial which is the cheapest model, not masses of space but some clever storage ideas. Probably too nice for me. Dealer said they had three delivered recently and sold all within three hours.

Well done chaps. An amazing mileage to find some pigeons, from the Wolds to the coast. I am far lazier. I did find some on the peas and managed 16 after reassuring a lady with horses nearby about the noise. Next time you go to Chapel, the North Sea Observatory is worth a visit - great cafe.

They don't have a discount code any more.

These pigeons have been around for days on these drilled barley fields. There is no food so I am not sure what they are doing. On Saturday two guns shot 70 on one of the fields. They have been building up for days on these fields and some more across the road. In addition, on the other side of town there was even more on some drillings, possibly 600. I haven't been shooting apart from one outing where I shot six. Every time I find something promising our local shooters are on it or the springtime butterfly shooters turn up. The drillings are all done now, apart from a few fields of peas to go in. I am actually pleased to be back working tomorrow so I don't need to look at fields teeming with pigeons that I won't ever get the chance to shoot.

I am always careful about challenging people on land I shoot, as it may turn out they have permission to be there from the landowner, farm manager etc. It's not always the public wandering anywhere they like, though I agree that is often the case.

Well done for getting out in that cold weather. I waited until yesterday when it was much more pleasant. We saw hundreds on drillings and managed to shoot ten between us. Mind you on the edge of the Wolds with views towards the coast, it was exceedingly pleasant.

It's just good to get out, isn't it? It's not about the numbers (that's what I always tell myself) and recently it's just about getting out. In fact I think I enjoy it more just going for a drive with no kit in the car. I get bored with some reports (everywhere not just on PW) that give scant detail (or colour) about the day, conditions, location etc in favour of "no sooner was I set up than two birds came in and were dispatched....within an hour I had 40 on the clicker.... we picked 108....blah blah blah". I would much rather read a report with details such as yours and not those where the bag is given most prominence. Keep it up!

I don't want to start the "it's not a Defender, it's a Chelsea tractor" debate again. I am after some honest opinions of anyone who has one of the new Defenders or has had a test drive, or other knowledge. My last Defender was stolen a few weeks back (second one I have had stolen) and I am considering what to have next. I like the look of the new Defender, and would like to see the hard top 90 when restrictions allow. Prices are high but leasing might be an option. Alternatively I could go for another Defender of similar vintage to the 2012 tdci I had stolen. However, I am not sure I dare given I live on a main road and also prices have gone through the roof. Or, I have considered getting a Series 111 for shooting. So, your opinions?

Thanks for the replies, I will have a look. I essentially want a pair I can chuck in the car and not worry about, don't need anything fancy. On the Defender. I am waiting till the garages open again so I can test drive a new one.

Thanks, actually I was looking at these, look decent for what I want. I am like a moth to a flame, would like to get another Defender but my head says no. Have bought a Freelander for the time being, while I decide what to do next.

I am after a new pair of binoculars, approx between £50-£100. Last pair in my recently stolen Defender along with some other kit I am now replacing. Any recommendations would be good. Last pair were Olympus but not sure I want those again.

If you had looked at the weather you wouldn't have contemplated going out but it was actually quite pleasant on the side of the hill, the sun made it warm and I didn't notice the wind. JDog's plan was good but I could see we would be frustrated watching birds dropping at the top of the field, so it made sense to move. I just took a net and seat. I think the pigeons were blinded a bit by the snow as they came to trees very easily when I thought they might spot me. As Johnny says, it was great to be out, given I spend all my days in front of a screen, this was the perfect antidote. I have included a couple of pix, one from my 'hide' and one as we left the field.