columbus Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 I shot two fields today. This morning i had 8 birds for 10 shots ,this afternoon i had 24 birds for (wait for it,)60 shots.I dont normaly shoot that bad but it could just be an off afternoon,( please! ) But it made me think what you pro's average. I normaly average over a season approx 66%. I have read in the shooting press of a pro averaging 95% idon't expect to get enywhere near that but i am wondering what is the average for a layman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Keith Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 If I go home with 30 birds in the bag for 60-70 shots I am a happy man. It all depends whether you are decoying or flighting if you are flighting the birds tend to be higher which if you are like me missing is easier. But if you are decoying you can select the range the birds are at with your killing area in the decoy pattern. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
columbus Posted September 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 Hi Keith Sorry i should have said it was over decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Keith Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 Columbus Last week I was shooting over a rape stubble it was a fairly windy day with the wind crossing the hide from my right.The stubble was fairly high and I had dead bird decoys out on cradles.The pigeons were coming in quite steady and I was having great difficulty hitting them with my first shot and only sometimes hitting them with my second shot.I picked about 30 pigeons and went home disgusted. The next time I shot the same field the wind was alot lighter and I had about the same bag but with alot less shots. Whether it was the strength of the wind that was putting me off or whether it was me having a bad day nobody will ever know but I suppose thats pigeon shooting for you. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 I try not to count (it only upsets me!) but try to work on the principle that if i've had a good days sport and got a few in the bag then i've done ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
number 1 Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 on saterday i had 26birds for 33shots and that was the best ive ever hunted in my hole live and it was also the best and most exiting day ive ever had but early in the year on rape i had 28 for 80-90shots so it prooves some days are good some are bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 On my first proper day out decoying when I was 15 years old I shot 18 woodpigeon for 24 cartridges. I was so pleased with myself that I bragged about it to everyone. Ever since that day I always monitor my pigeon/cartridge ratios (of course I do, they cost money) and I average less than 2 cartridges per kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 You boys have nothing to worry about with those averages, the overall figure for a reasonable shot seems to work out at about 1 kill for every 3 shots. We had 5 Italians out today and they shot 150 birds (lots of ferals) for 570 shots, though some of the shots they pulled off were incredible.........has anybody else tried the Gamebore 'pigeon extreme' cartridges?.........very impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 Never even heard of 'em, how much are they Deako? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 silly money to be honest Malc, 1500 cost us £218 but thats what they wanted and the cartridges were very, very, good........check out the Gamebore site for details, though they are probably a bit strong for us Brits, the Continentals love 'em though!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 I agree with Deako....if your hitting 1 in 3 ,or better.........you've nothing to worry about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 I've just regained conciousness! :( I think I'll stick to Clear Pigeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 lol........ :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 Loads of different factors affect the accuracy of my shooting over decoys. I always pick up my empties and sometimes I am suprised at how many shots I have fired for birds killed, either good, or bad. I have moved over to Gamebore Clear Pigeon 30gm, as it is the cheapest cartridge with a felt wad that my Gunshop sells. I have been using the Lyevale Express Pigeon, which is a good cartridge, but has a plastic cup. Deakos Italians sound like an old friend of mine. He believed Eley Maximum 6s were the best cartridge for anything. He use to suffer with headaches a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everygoodnamewastaken Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 My dad told me about a guy he knew from work. All he used was rio 7 1/2's for everythink pigeons pheasant grouse duck and geese! i think you just have to be comfartable with your combo :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Keith Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 I use Gamebore clear winner I find them to be very good Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted September 4, 2002 Report Share Posted September 4, 2002 I use Hull sterling game 20 bore for everything, 'cept geese, no better cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstopper Posted September 5, 2002 Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 I average about 40-45% James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin15 Posted September 5, 2002 Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 Would it be fairer when decoying to count the oppourtunities you have not the amount of shots fired, any bird passing within 40 yards is an aceptable target. Another funny thing ... the other day i was being watched by a grumpy nieghbouring gamekeeper I killed 13 birds with 13 shots including 2 left and rights however i would say that my average was about 50%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
columbus Posted September 5, 2002 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2002 Kev15 when i asked about average's over decoys, i took it as read that if a bird came in to range ,(in my case 30 yards i can't see much further than that)you take a shot at it .So every opportunity within reason counts as a shot. We are there for the sport after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PC Futrett Posted September 6, 2002 Report Share Posted September 6, 2002 God I have along way to go with my shotgun............... Unless of course you are saying 1 in 3 kills to the box then I am a good shot..Doh!. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.