It's now official

[Toombsy]

You know how some people have got 'bogey' birds on clay grounds - those targets they just cannot find or hit - well pigeons over trees is proving to be mine.

 

In a hide I average a pigeon for every two cartridges... but when roost shooting it's one pigeon for at least seven shots, maybe eight.

 

I'm **** at it

 

Last night was just the same. The birds were coming in in droves - nice and steady, just over the tree tops - but try as I might I could not hit a thing. As per usual.

 

The three I did hit last night where what I'd call instinctive shots. They were birds that were already in the trees, they spooked, flew through the canopy and I just caught a glimpse of them, stuck the gun in my shoulder and pulled the trigger. They folded and dropped down stone dead.

 

But any birds that I can see for ages coming in.... I might as well throw the cartridges at them.

 

Going out again later today to get this problem sorted once and for all.

 

Anyone else have this problem? Got any tips?

[Alanl50]

You know how some people have got 'bogey' birds on clay grounds - those targets they just cannot find or hit - well pigeons over trees is proving to be mine.

 

In a hide I average a pigeon for every two cartridges... but when roost shooting it's one pigeon for at least seven shots, maybe eight.

 

I'm **** at it

 

Last night was just the same. The birds were coming in in droves - nice and steady, just over the tree tops - but try as I might I could not hit a thing. As per usual.

 

The three I did hit last night where what I'd call instinctive shots. They were birds that were already in the trees, they spooked, flew through the canopy and I just caught a glimpse of them, stuck the gun in my shoulder and pulled the trigger. They folded and dropped down stone dead.

 

But any birds that I can see for ages coming in.... I might as well throw the cartridges at them.

 

Going out again later today to get this problem sorted once and for all.

 

Anyone else have this problem? Got any tips?

There quicker than you think, give them more lead its deceptive over the tree tops especially if high.

Alan

[beerdeor]

I have the same trouble on long incoming clays to much time and I start thinking about the shot , as you say you hit the instinctive shots so that kinda sums it up

So if anyone has an answer I too am all ears

Keep at it bud and good luck

atb Jim

[humperdingle]

How tall are the trees mate? If you have a guesstimate, you'll probably find that you're underestimating the distance the birds actually are away from you. If they're flying, then they're a good bit more away.

Shooting from a hide tends to lend itself better to closer shots, and more instinctive shooting IMO, so you're having more time watching them come over the canopy, but assuming they're closer than they actually are.

 

Possibly

[Toombsy]

At a guess I reckon those birds that I have shot at (and missed) are between 20 and 30 yards high - not overly high. And they aren't screaming through the air either - they have turned into the wind, have closed their wings and are coming in to land.

 

You know - they should be easy shots. But not for me

[JonnyR]

I have a theory that those 'instinctive' shots work because you are swinging the gun more. I am **** at high driven pheasants for the same reasons - too much time to measure lead, think about the line, point the gun, stop....******, missed again.

 

One piece of advice I was given was to pull through the bird from behind, rather then shoot maintained lead or AN other method. That way you keep the gun moving more.

 

Good luck.

[Toombsy]

Been out today experimenting...

 

Found the reason straight away. It's because I'm not mounting the gun properly. I wasn't burying my cheek into the stock.

 

It's dead simple, but it's one of those things that you can't practice at home - the ceiling's too low to dry mount the gun fior that sort of shooting.

 

Instead of seeing the normal 'figure of 8' with the sight beads, if I mounted the gun as I was doing, I was seeing a huge gap between the sight beads.

 

Had a word with myself, got my cheek down, shot at 3 pigeons coming in and knocked 'em clean out the sky with first barrel. Shame it absolutely slung it down or I'd still be out there

 

There was nothing wrong with my lead picture, it seems.

 

Sorted

Edited February 27, 2010 by Toombsy

[Brad93]

I have this problem on pheasants i see coming from a long way, have the gun broken, then bring it up at last minute you may find yourself shooting better, rather thank thinking about it too much

[Popgun]

I've got a mate who had this problem it turned out he was trying to miss the trees and kept stopping the gun in the open he was deadly in the trees not so good, you just have to swing on the bird and not worry about hitting the trees.

[berettaman]

I've got a mate who had this problem it turned out he was trying to miss the trees and kept stopping the gun in the open he was deadly in the trees not so good, you just have to swing on the bird and not worry about hitting the trees.

 

thats easy to say but most of us dont own an escort,want my barrels to stay round

[tikka tom]

I've got a mate who had this problem it turned out he was trying to miss the trees and kept stopping the gun in the open he was deadly in the trees not so good, you just have to swing on the bird and not worry about hitting the trees.

 

same i had that 2 just protend the trees arnt there 9 tims out of 10 you hit them

Edited March 26, 2010 by tikka tom