VINCED 686

totally agree, or take a second shot

Thanks for the reply's Guys. (been off line a while) I take it back cocker boy . I totally get what your saying and all the things you mentioned have been discussed at home. That's what I meant when I said the missus has finally come round.. we wouldn't have a dog in the house unless everyone was happy about it. again thanks for all the input. Its been really helpful

Its an option but who would look after the kids and clean the house..... those two things would seriously eat into my shooting time.

Thanks fenboy. I think its time for the trampoline to be replaced with a kennel

Helpful !!!!!!

The Missus has finally come round to getting a dog. The thing is she has said it cant be kept in a kennel as it cruel !! So for the interests of a happy balanced household the dog will live in the house with us. The wife and kids want a Springer Spaniel, I want a lab. Bearing in mind the wife keeps the house like a show home nice but I'm talking a little OCD My questions are Is it true short haired dogs malt more than long haired ? Which of the two are the easier to train Are either one of the breeds better suited to being a working dog / pet....... and finally are there any pros or cons to either breeds Any advice would be really helpful ( I should mention that I will be taking the dog with me to work most of the time) Thanks

Thanks guys. I was worried I might have missed it but It looks like I'm ok .

Hi all. I've got two massive oak trees growing along a brook on one of my perms. I was wondering when the pigeons start to feed on them. Do they wait till they have dropped or do they pick them out of the shells while they are still on the tree. The trees look absolutely full of them and the area is also a roost for a lot of birds. I haven't shoot in the area for ages as the rape failed early in the year and the farmer just burnt it off and turned the soil over would this be a situation where I should use lofted decoys ? Any advice on the subject would be appreciated.

As above. If the pigeons feel safe to land and feed they will join the party. As for the flapper I put mine amongst a small group of decoys to mimic a bird jostling for space to feed ....top middle or bottom of the pattern. It all depends on what feels right on the day. As for the magnet ...either left or right of the hide between 5 and 10 metres out. Again what feels right at the end of the day ! Just play around with it and if it doesn't work ....change it !

good to have you .

Very nice.

Defiantly go to aa decoys. I have 2 and neither has missed a beat .

Ill try and get them up tonight

Around seven / seven thirty if tonight was anything to go by .

So I get to the field around half two. There is plenty of movement and the flight lines are still going steady. The first job was to get some flags out which was a good call because around 100 - 150 pigeons lifted from the spot I intended to put them. It was very tempting to set up there but I had a plan and whenever I've second guessed myself in the pass I've always regretted it. Flags out and birds still moving around the field I drive to the chosen spot and set up the hide ( using all the helpful tips that I received) . I'll try to put up some photos but it may take some time Next the decoys go out ... a mixture of real birds and flocked shells in a semi random pattern. I also put in a floater and the flapper. I decided to leave the magnet for a bit and see how it goes. I get settled into the hide and Its not long before I get the first ........ a right to left about 40 yds out With that shot everything in the field lifted off and started moving about. It was like shooting over winter rape. I had a couple more in the commotion but they soon settled down but at the same time stopped committing and taking a wide berth as they flew by. I did a total check .... hide was ok. pattern was fine. so I put out the magnet and game on They started to come in . It was a steady pace but great shooting. it would go quiet every now and then so Id have a pick up (no dog yet) ad move the pattern about and it would liven up again. I had a frantic 20 minutes as soon as I decided I was hungry and tried to eat my dinner !! Then as quickly as it started it stopped with only the odd bird coming in. I started packing up around 7:30 The total for the afternoon was 45 picked up. there were two which I swear were lung shot but couldn't find them and one that just plain disappeared. There was a pile of feathers about 70 yds out but no bird..... one of my best shots of the afternoon as well Not a massive bag but my best so far and loads learnt !! So thanks for any advice give guys :good:

so no trying out new dance moves when there's quiet spells ?

Thanks guys .... pegs and line are in the kit bag. The guns having a good clean and the rest of the gears loaded up. I've got a half day at work then its on

thanks ditchman. I just got some 12" pins from the thatcher's at work ..... they should be perfect.

I'm going out tomorrow to shoot a 80 acre field. I did a recce today and they are feeding about 50m from the hedge line. the problem is the wind is blowing into the hedge and the forecast for tomorrow is showing strong winds in the same direction. one flight line is coming down wind the other two are going cross wind ...one from the left and the other from the right. I was planning to flag out a section of the field to increase my chances. I've had mixed results setting up in the middle of a field and would like any suggestions, like hide construction, pattern etc. or should I set up against the hedge with the wind in my face if I'm setting up with the wind in my face is there anything I should look out for ?? There are a good number of birds feeding and have been building up in the last two days. It looks like ill be in for a good day and I really don't want to make any avoidable mistakes so any tips or advice would be appreciated Thanks

I always put out signs on one of my perms. The footpath/bridal way cuts along one edge but I have had problems with people wandering off the path. There's not a lot you can do aside from giving them a friendly warning that they are putting themselves in danger. I always get an apology and a lot of interest in what I'm doing so any positive response to the sport is good. My FEO suggested putting out a bell for horse riders to ring but I have never bothered as it would probably get stolen.

That's how it starts its the odd slab on the weekends ... then 500 at a time and before you know it your buying them by the thousands ........... Its a very slippery slope

I would defiantly bring the magnet closer.

looks like he enjoyed himself. well done .

27 over rape stubble TOTAL 8832

Thanks for all your thoughts guys . lots of useful stuff to chew over. I would have waited it out if I didn't have to get home. I set up on the same field tonight for a couple of hours. Spent lots of time on the hide so I was totally concealed. set out the pattern (not much different from before). I moved the van out of sight and as I was walking back I could se birds flying into the pattern and decoying beautifully. I switched on the magnet and got set up in the hide and the same thing started happening again. Long story short ...... the magnet arms were reflecting the sun !! Switched it off .... switched on the flapper and shot 27 . Not a massive bag but it was steady and consistent so happy days.