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kippylawkid

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Everything posted by kippylawkid

  1. Just as I was bemoaning the lack of pigeons on my patch, along came the chance for a shot. The keeper on the syndicate I am a member of rang me to say a patch of standing beans we had used as a part cover crop the past season had been knocked down and there was a good show of birds. This lad knows the time of day and sure enough, I scouted the field and the field was active with 2 distinct lines coming in. Having been starved of a shot at pigeons, I checked the forecast and saw yesterday was the most suitable day to shoot, with the strong westerly wind being perfect for this field. I was set up for 9.30, thankful to have a thick hedge with the wind to my back. I placed 20 dead birds on spikes with rotary and 2 flappers and had a reasonable 2 hours for about 20 down. Then the flight just changed and the birds started to drop onto a strip of ploughing on the ridge above the cover crop, totally bypassing my pattern. I havered (for too long if I’m honest, as I didn’t fancy lugging all the gear up a sodden plough) and decided to go up the ridge and try to flight a few. I shot 2 and on closer inspection of the plough, saw there were beans chitting through from last years crop, along with a range of weeds (it’s an organic farm) and I presume that was what the birds were feeding on? I then placed the 2 dead birds on the plough and hid behind a gate (see pic) that just about broke mine and Stan’s outline up. I had a grand hour and a half where the dead birds pulled pigeons in just enough for a shot. No flapper or whirly, just dead birds – old school for all you purists! Doubles were off the menu as after the first shot, the others were starburst 100 yards away in the gale. Total bag was 48. Not the biggest, but a fantastic day out in really wild conditions with some tremendously testing shooting. In my photo, you can see where my original hide was placed in between the blue feeders before I moved, the pic doesn’t show how steep the slope is. Hopeful I might get another day out of the field.
  2. Cheers, I live in Seahouses and have permissions on farms around the area. We're just starting to see an increase in pigeons now.
  3. Yes, I've seen them thanks. I'd still like to own one, but I've also developed a liking for old English guns too!
  4. Lovely gun. My brother had an identical one 30 years ago that I lusted after and the daft sod traded it in for a **** Franchi auto. No wonder we don't get on!
  5. First post for a while as pigeons have deserted my permissions in Northumberland. Last week I had an early morning flight on a rape field that I'd seen a few hitting. The brisk SW wind kept them to a shootable height and I picked an enjoyable 12 in an hour before work. On Saturday afternoon in the forecast storm, I couldn't resist having a shot in a small mixed spinney at roost. I'm normally chuffed If I get 6 from here and I didn't hold much hope for any more. I arrived at 3.30 and was straight into action, taking 2 from a bunch flying almost stationary above me. The howling wind definitely helped funnel the birds over the spinney and muffle the shots. There was an almost non-stop flight for the next hour and I was delighted to pick 27, including a (fortunate) treble. I tried out some of the Pigeon Extreme 34g No5 shells through my Maxus auto and was mightily impressed with their stopping power. Hopeful that when the drilling starts, the pigeons will return.
  6. Well done on getting out. Nothing to report from Northumberland on the pigeon front. I normally shoot local rape fields on early morning, windy forays by this time but have not seen any birds to warrant this. The rape crops aren't great but majority are decent. I'm hopeful the spring drilling will bring sport. The area has had a massive influx of pinkfeet geese this season, the most in living memory. I have taken a few where they have been doing damage on sown crops. I used to chase the geese with great enthusiasm all season on the mud and inland, but have lost the desire to shoot as many.(I think this happens to many of us?) A good pal has had his record year on Lindisfarne foreshore.
  7. Outstanding. Really enjoy watching your posts.
  8. I feel for you there. 5p is an absolute joke. Could you use non-toxic and sell to birds of prey guys? There seems to be demand.
  9. Well done, it looks a great spot. It's not Northumberland but it's still decent😄
  10. One of my permissions have just sewn 2 fields of Tundra Beans - direct drilled into stubble. He has tried them as his rape crop has been poor for 2 years running. This is a relatively new crop in our area, particularly an Autumn drilling. Has anyone had success on them? I presume they will be as attractive to pigeons as other varieties?
  11. Impressive improvisation JD. Did you not use one of the adjustable Bergara seats?
  12. Thanks for the replies. My concern is that the bolt will just fall out in the field as it is very slack and easy to pull out.I don't want that concern every time I use the gun.
  13. The bolt/cocking handle to my Browning Maxus has just fallen out as I placed it back in the cabinet.. The gun is less than 12 months old, had light use and has not been dis-assembled. Should i just clip it back in or do I need to dis-assemble? It does click in but I can easily pull it out - which makes me think I'm not doing it correctly. Or do I utilize the warranty - I don't want to take any chances with a relatively new gun? Appreciate any experience and feedback from the PW massive.
  14. Cheers Sam. it is good but doesn't mention showing evidence of non-lethal methods? Do we still need to show this?
  15. Apologies for not contributing to PW for some time but cricket and football seem to have taken over my life recently. I now have time to have a crack at some pigeons that are building up nicely on a few of my permissions, however I'm still a bit reluctant to set up in case I have not fully complied with he non lethal stipulations. Indeed farmers on 2 of my permissions are very wary of letting me shoot in case THEY are breaking the law. This has made me a bit cautious. So, would some of the PW massive like to list the measures they completed before shooting. Again, apologies if I am being a bit slow here.
  16. Great report. Really disappointing that you struggle to pass on the birds to dealers. The price offered by dealers in Northumberland is 25/30p per bird. This has been the price since I started shooting 30 years ago and is definitely not enough. it will be interesting to see if Brexit affects pigeon movement and prices.
  17. Nice return to one of your old stomping grounds. I have built up a decent list of local pubs and restaurants that take my pigeons. Some ask for them to be filleted, others want them in feather but all are happy with the arrangement.
  18. Great report. I suspect you may be being more than a bit modest about your shooting. 1 for 2 in gale conditions is pretty decent in my book. Heaps of drillings went in up here last week, birds straight onto them the same day but had them cleaned in less than a day. Spring drillings used to be the cream of sport for me but the new super-efficient drills leave little spill and lessen the chance of a decent bag.
  19. Update. I used my Maxus on our syndicate cock day on Friday and had a brilliant morning flightline shoot in the snow on Saturday. As the learned JDog suggested I consciously relaxed after each shot and the gun never hicked. Thanks for all the replies, it has hopefully saved me the hassle of sending the gun back to Browning.
  20. Nice outing JD. Carrying kit is a big deal. 75% of my permissions have margins that I can drive right around the fields. It's a pain when I have to lump the gear and like you I try to carry only essentials.
  21. 1. No gloves - we're made of whinstone in Northumberland. 2. Unfortunately I need the second and third shot on a regular basis! Consciously releasing the trigger is new to me - I'll have to get my head around it.I do like the feel of the gun, it points very nicely.
  22. Thanks for replies lads. I will have a go at consciously releasing the trigger. I've googled this and it is a repetitive issue with the Maxus, the USA guys go into it in great depth on their sites. I must admit it's the first I've heard of it. If it starts interfering with my shooting it will definitely be going back. You're concentrating on the bird and shouldn't have to worry about whether the gun is going to work.
  23. Good point, I think they're ok as I have been using the same shells through my O/U with no problem. Strike seems fine on the empties.
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