Toombsy Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Got permission to shoot over a mere from an island for this morning only. I was dropped off by boat at 7am, and while we were motoring there loads of mallard and tufteds lifted - no geese though. Was surprised by that as I always see geese on there. Had plenty of magnum No1 and 3 cartridges, opted for quarter and half chokes, set up my hide and was ready for them within ten minutes. The lad who took me there by boat was going to collect another couple of mates and spend the day lure fishing for pike on the same mere, drifting around between the islands. That wasn't ideal, but I couldn't say no. Had my first shot within minutes at three mallard as they whizzed overhead with the wind. Missed. Certainly wasn't easy going as they were coming in from all angles, sometimes high, sometimes really low, and always from over the surrounding trees. Made it really challenging. Next shot I thought I was in for a left and right as the first mallard dropped like a stone, but I missed the second. Ended up with four mallard in total. Then I heard a single honk, then again a little closer. A solitary greylag about 30ft up headed straight down the mere with the wind. It was thundering through, gave it masses of lead - much more than I thought necessary - and let rip. Its head dropped and it cartwheeled into the water. Couldn't believe it. And I certainly couldn't believe it when it got up and tried to flap away so had to give it another shot. Everything went quiet then for a good hour but there were still loads of duck around, but they were circling really high. No sign of any more geese though. At about 11 I started to hear the geese, and the lads were getting closer in their boat bagging up on pike. I switched from No3s to No1s and got ready. The honking was getting closer and it sounded like they were headed straight towards me. I started to see the lead birds over the trees and just as they broke over the water one of the lads thought he was being clever and shouted GET READY THEN !!! Instantly the greylags turned and ******** off - around 50 of them! I wasn't too happy, but I'd bagged my first greylag and had the most ducks ever in one session. Definitely a day I won't forget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryantidgwell Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 cracking morning m8 well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 good job.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentbarrel Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Good shooting, did you go locally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Sounds fantastic, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Good shooting, did you go locally? Yes mate. Four mins from home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentbarrel Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 A hell of a day out then!!! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Thanks mate - was well chuffed with how it went Although I dropped the goose, after plucking it and the duck and a couple of pheasants on Tuesday night, I noticed that all the birds were hit in the middle and back end of the body. I best give them a little more lead to make sure they are hit in the front half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babka3487 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Hell of a permission that, sounds like a dream come true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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