Suffolk shooter

I think depending on what part of the country you're in these may already be on sale in certain stores as I saw them in the Ipswich one last weekend They also had laser range finders (for golf) and a night vison monocular(£75 and I believe this might be the one Ferretboy111 and Pin each converted to sit on a scope a couple of years ago) again in the Ipswich one.

Mungler, Long time no speak. I agree it does sound more like fallow and indeed said so previously, but as the only one who was there, only Taxidriver truly knows what he saw (don't forget he asked for advice on what species in the first instance), none of us can be sure until Taxidriver gets pics. On the permission thing, certain individuals :yp: don't care whether you tell them or not, they still "try" to take it away, but fail miserably SS

al4x I must admit to never seeing large groups of Roe myself,(6-7 being the biggest group I regularly saw every morning on the field at the bottom of the Garden), but there are those so-called "Specialist"/"Professional" deer Books that also state that Roe are solitary and we all know that just isn't the case all of the time. To give you an idea, there is a particular area in Suffolk that is reknowned for large medal head Roe. These are taken every year without fail, and despite the numbers shot each year, the number seems to rarely differ from year to year. Is this a Deer "mecca"?? Groups of 10+ have been seen at certain times of the year. It could just be the Gene pool, or the mineral's found in the area, outlying influences, abundancy of available foodstuff?? I'll grant you that to me it does seem like the deer in the original question are indeed Fallow, but until photographic proof is given, no one other than the person there at the time can truly be sure what they were, other than it was safe to say that they were DEER! I just love the way people assume that it can't be Roe, because they've never seen them there, never shot one there and don't know anyone who has seen or shot one in the area either. There are one or two areas in suffolk where CWD have been spotted, much lower down the county (In and around the North side of the River Orwell) than previously thought was the case. So they're not far off Essex, so perhaps in a few years, these may have travelled that bit further and be in Essex? Who knows?? Same as wallabys out near Southwold/Dunwich. SS

There most certainly are Roe in Essex (North, South, East and West), just not in any great numbers as elsewhere in the country. North Essex has quite a number though dependant on where you are. What I'm not understanding is why people disbelieve that this could (and does)actually happen. I stand to be corrected by MC, but I do believe a few years back when I was over on West Mersea that one of the guys MC knows at the BL rifle club stated that a Muntjac had been seen on the Island. Anyone who knows the Island, knows there's only two ways on there, one by the Causeway, and the other by swimming. Not exactly deer inducing pathways either of them. So why not Roe in Essex near Chelmsford for which there is miles of countryside corridors to enable them to get there and stay there? There's Red, Sika, Fallow, Roe, CWD and Muntjac in Suffolk and Norfolk and certain parts of Cambs have all these too. Does Epping Forest (although not as big as it once was) not have the area to hold Roe as well as Fallow and Muntjac, and is that not that far from Chelmsford (In Deer travelling terms)? I only ask because the BDS stated that there were no Roe on my permissions and yet with another member off here, a fine Buck was seen and watched whilst out early evening rabbiting. Seen since then as well, so can't be a rogue. Can it?? SS

No worries Matt, It was a nice 'little' drive out on a Friday after work, even better was when I got home to find the delivery of other shooting gear I had been waiting for had come . The offer of a trip out is there if you are down this way at all (including non-lethal deer/hare watching for your other half :yp: ) SS

Top bloke to deal with. Still have the SbS .410 Adi and still knocking the bunnies over with it. SS

PM sent re Scope SS

Does anyone struggle to pop the spent primer out of their Prvi though? I only ask as the ones I've used, and tried don't seem to want to come out when using the Lee Turret Press? Any ideas??

PM Sent

NSW currently has three marshes that it leases on its own right and two shared in association with Rockland Wildfowlers. Currently no foreshore shooting at all, but this might change? No need for boats, shooting is limited between certain hours dependant on which marsh although moonlight flighting is allowed on all NSW marshes. There are bag limits early season relating to Mallard as a consequence of the club putting some down each year and is an effort at ensuring they not all taken within the first week!! Those marshes jointly leased with Rockland are subject to Rocklands rules and so may differ somewhat for example on one particular marsh, no more than six geese to be taken by one gun at anytime, yet on that marsh shooting can be had all day. Cost for joining NSW this season was £185 for new members which included BASC membership, joining fee and years membership. Ontop of this they hold a fortnightly clay shoot and monthly meetings, plus a game pie supper in December and two open clay shoots. SS

After posting that yesterday, this morning on the way into work all the way along the A14 from Bury St. Eds right past Soham, Ely and Chatteris I saw flocks of Pigeons ranging between 50-60 birds upto a massive one flying north from Ely of approx 5-600. It has turned colder here overnight as well with a clear blue sky, mist and dew everywhere. Rooks I saw were feeding on old stubbles and the recently harvested potato stubble on either side of the A142 near Mepal. Those pigeons that were on the ground were only in 2's and 4's but looked to be on grass margins (Clover ) and in road side hawthorn bushes/trees (Berries ). I haven't been upto Wisbech for a little while, but will be going along the A47 from Guyhuirn to Peterborough, so if I see anything else about, I'll let you know. SS

I haven't seen the pigeons flocking up here yet lister1. Most I see driving around are still on Stubble's or on recently harvested potato fields. The Winter OSR I've seen has really come on in the last week with some appearing to stand 4-6 inches high, but no signs of pigeons on them in any numbers yet. I think its a case of getting onto a flight line and sticking it out tbh. Where abouts in the fens do you shoot? There's small skeins of Geese and the odd flock of duck moving around, but until the larger numbers arrive with the cold weather, that will remain the same. I've started to see an increase in Swan's, including a pair of Black Swan's and the Cormorants are ever growing in number along the forty foot drain. We've had a bit of rain in the last 24-48 hours, so hopefully the washes will start to attract the wildfowl, but whilst the winds are still southerly, its still too warm really. I know Welney Wildlife reserve has started tio see an increase in migratory waders and ducks, but not in the large numbers we will get. Seems to get later and later every year for migrating birds. SS

I can see you didn't shoot them with the 10b then Dan.

Interesting tool. Worked my permissions out at 4,217.629 acres excluding friends I help shoot over as well as the wildfowling marshes of the clubs I belong to. No wonder I never spend time at home :look: SS

Nice pics, love the sentry shots in pic 1 and the sunset is pretty good as well. Scenes like that make shooting and being out in the fresh air worth while. SS

Mate the only true way of knowing what lead at what height and speed is too keep going and build it up over a period of time. That and going out with a more experienced shooter. Each person percieves distance differently, some will say 15 yards, others 20 or some even further, same with lead. Think back and try to picture how far in front you were and then next time, given that birds won't necessarily fly the same height, speed, direction, give it the same again plus a foot (dependant on angle). Remember you'll never hit if behind, but if in front, at least you're giving youself a chance. The main thing is you have listened, put it into action, and then rather than being just satisfied with shooting it, you've plucked them and realised that you were a bit behind. Give it a bit more next time, and I'm sure you'll be just fine. Don't forget that you gave it another shot, so assume that some of that shot is from that barrel as well! Glad to see you've had your first goose though, still waiting for mine this season. Enjoy it. SS

Glad you got the Lead sorted Toombsy. On the geese turning thing, had a similar thing happen last season, when on the marsh with Funky. There was a skein of some 30 odd birds coming low from across the river drifting slightly left of us. Funky called them and they turned heading straight for us, lovely height spread out across in front, they came in to about 100 yards and suddenly flared away. We looked at each other asking why?!?!?!? We were hidden in tall norfolk reeds, hadn't moved or spoken other than the odd call to keep them interested. I stood up and looked for something that would have put them off as we were the only ones out on the marsh that night, only to see a late comer to the Marsh walking straight across in the open behind us with his dog!!!!! The position he was in and the proximity meant he couldn't have failed to have heard us calling or to have seen the geese coming and calling back, just inconsiderate, but unfortunately one of those things. There'll be other times though SS

Hi and welcome to PW and the border badlands of Suffolk/Norfolk. I'm afraid you may well find that most of the land in the Eye area is sewn up. I know of at least three guys who have the majority of shooting in that area and one of them is a Professional Pest controller. That said, nothing ventured, nothing gained and the best advice is to get out and knock on a few doors, to see what response you get. Try speaking to Jimmy Ling out at Hoxne (you might have to ask around for directions), as although he has "retired", he would be the best bet (He was the local Gunshop) to find out who may have some land not currently serviced by others. Also try the Working clothes place (Can't remember the exact name, but Yellow and Black signs) on the industrial estate on the road from Eye towards the 140 at Broome, they also might be able to help out a bit. Failing that one or two of the more local lads to you on here might be able to help you out. Happy to take you out myself for some pigeons at some point, but nothing "permanent" I'm afraid. SS

Sorry Bud, I'm shooting Clays up on the base that day, followed by walked up Partridge and then flighted Duck and Geese (and anything else that flys or runs). We'll have to sort a trip out though soon. Fancy a bit of Wildfowling? SS

Cracking shooting Alan. HC, Pigeons will be safe when he has two arms, I've seen him shoot Alan, Stick to one arm mate See you Saturday

John, Best bet is to look on the Cabela's website, their prices are really keen even with delivery. I know Funky picked up a nice jacket only the other week in their Bargain Cave section :look:

Doh didn't see that when I downloaded it. cheers nick, sorted it out now. SS

Just remember not to shoot to often otherwise you'll scare them off. Most fed flight ponds tend to get shot once a fortnight. Obviously it depends on numbers of birds, size of pond, numbers of ponds in the area, if you're feeding it or not. Play around with the lead thing, as I said I'm not 100% certain on the ST figures given, but if they flare up then you're in front as a general rule and of course this is based on birds flying across you (I seem to remember that's how the chart showed it) Ultimately you'll know yourself if its too much, trial and error and remember to shoot the pilot (Head) not the passenger (body). Good luck, I'm sure you'll be knocking them out of the sky regularly soon. SS PS look into joining one of the many Wildfowling clubs as you're in Lincolnshire. Some good sport to be had on The Wash.

I bet you anything you like, that you are shooting behind and in all probability lifting you head slightly to watch them better, meaning you could be shooting up the left or right at them. As an example, last year a friend of mine was out on a marsh and had seen and shot at geese a number of times over a couple of weeks, but had failed to connect. I had a phonecall from him asking me why. I told him I thought he wasn't giving them enough lead and to add at least another three foot to what he thought on the premise that he told me that the geese carried on rather than flared up as he shot. Two nights later he was out, geese came in, he gave it what he normally would and then added to the lead 3 foot. Result not only did he bring a goose down, but as it was the one behind and left of the bird he was aiming at, he realised not only was he not giving them enough lead, but that he wasn't looking straight down the gun. Result one bird, a now fitted gun and more birds followed. Its an easy thing to do and one I've done or more than one occasion myself in the heat of the moment. A goose is deceptive because despite being bigger than duck, they have a slower wing beat by comparison and appear to fly slower, when in fact the reverse is true. I forget the exact amount of lead, but I seem to recall that ST did an article last year based on a forty yard comparison of Pigeon, pheasant, partridge, Duck, Goose, Grouse all flying at their respective speeds and believe that for a goose it was 12 foot lead @ 40 yards. SS

Nowt wrong with using Remington on duck. I've been using them for the last four years and never done me any harm. I use both the nitro and sportsman in 3 & 3.5". Normally I use 3's for duck, but am using 2's as thats all they had in Richardson's when I went in. BB's for geese, but have brought them down with 2's as well. What did you pay for yours, as they seem to vary greatly depend on where you get them. I'm paying £11 for 25 Remington Nitro 3" No 2's. SS