Foolofatook

Yes, maize is always popular, we had one auto feeder at the release pen that fed kibbled maize as birds were coming back to roost. A couple of broken bales with some feed sprinkled popular too. Thanks to advice on this forum we'll place hoppers as Walker570 suggests and auto feeders in a little one acre game crop and watch the effect. The advice on grass or fallen leaves is well taken. Thanks guys for the excellent advice, it's going to be fun placing hoppers/ bales to provide a feed "circuit." Now back to snares, traps and rifle. ...

Excellent. It becomes apparent our feed stations have been helping to lead birds away. Time to get the O.S. map out I think. Many thanks.

Thanks for that. Yes you're absolutely right; we had used straw under auto feeders but time constraints didn't allow for the gun to be consistently applied! The feeders placed in a wide circle sounds an excellent idea. Can you remember approximately how wide the circle? 10 yds diameter would sound about right to me. Many thanks for such an informative reply.👍

Our shoot has been using auto feeders for last two seasons, however crows and pigeons are a constant nuisance and returns have declined. We previously hopper fed but spirals allowed birds to feed quickly and wander and again crows/pigeons had an easy meal. Using pan or Wright feeders has been suggested now on going back to hopper feeding. Anyone any experience of advice about these ?

Thanks guys, point taken in regard to Browning weight. The Lincoln sounds a tempting choice.Will definitely investigate further.👍

Considered a 20 but prefer the 16.

Dibble has a point in respect of him fit, however most gun dealers sales of o/u will outstrip side by side sales by about 10:1. Small wonder that many don't like trading them in. Few nowadays are exclusively game shooters so the versatility (in general) of the o/u for game or clays has the greater appeal. Add the opportunity to change chokes at every stand,alter the adjustable comb, contend with only one trigger and put a range of pretty high velocity rockets through it appeals to the majority of modern shots.Ask a man to point at an object 40 yds away with a ruler and chances are he (or she) will turn it on its side. The pointability of the o/u ensures it's dominance in the market. But I still love a good side by side 😊

Not sure about the ring question but may be an issue that the oil you're using is not standing the heat. Believe it or not a friend of mine had a similar issue,now uses Castrol rather than gun oil and in a Bennelli ! Just a suggestion.

Don't put steel shot through a Browning 325. This gun was built to fire lead. Not worth risking damage to a perfectly good gun for a duck !

Anyone shot one of these? My Miroku mk38 has been used for last 20 years for everything,however it's getting a bit heavy now to lug round the woods and fields. Ah, the effects of age...😒

Yes, grubsonline have good deals on at present. The Fieldline and Tayline boots are a great buy, warm, tough and durable. Less than £100. What's not to like??

Thanks for that, will give Cedric a ring. 😊 Yes, Swandri has a good reputation, now have so many choices to check out it will take days of online shopping and reviews. My shooting season is over now so no better way to spend time before fishing season !!!😊

Our shoot is the size of the cardboard box diagram! Keep pen central out of North and East wind if possible. Avoid building pen on steep slope - they'll fly out on the low side. Scully is right about habitat. Then dog in,dog in, dog in...

Perhaps the real truth is to ban the sale of woodcock. Rumours abound of game dealers paying £10 per bird. Small wonder that these birds are shot at night by lamp and .22. This needs to be stamped out first and foremost. Secondly if you ain't eating it you ain't shootin it!

Try " Advice from a Gamekeeper" by John Cowan. No technical stuff about crops etc but good down to earth advice for a beginner in the vocation. Look for it used on amazon or abe. 😉