Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Hi All. Well don and i are out again. we had a very modest couple of hours pigeon shooting yesterday (7) but whilst out noticed an awful lot of crows and magpies about so we decided to dust off hootie for a visit. We arrived this morning 0730hrs which is a little too late really as this is a crack of dawn job really alas banging away at daft oclock would upset the local residents nearby so will just have to do our best. We built our hide with a good thick holly bush as our background and set hootie out at 25yds with a dead crow at his feet. We didnt have time to pour some coffee before the first crow of the day arrived, spotted hootie and commenced a bombing run!! Well those of you who have tried stalking and decoying crows will know the satsfaction that comes from completely fooling one..... and this was well suckered. As poor mr crow passed the 30yd mark your humble scribe stood and delivered 32g No6 straight into its chops as it objected to hootie. Needless to say it fell from the sky like the proverbial brick. Woo hoo i do enjoy that thump as public enemy No2 hits the deck. Don was up next and a panic stricken aged companion didnt see the crow coming from his side. As i pointed out his glaring lapse in concentration he stood and wafted his 20bore in the general direction of said crow which fell from the sky laughing at his pathetic effort as i am completely sure he missed cleanly. We had a lapse in the action for 30 mins or so now when a crow came over the top of the woodland and spotted hootie but flared away no doubt hearing aging companions joints a creakin' i stood and calmly knocked it down at some 50yds god bless those 36g No7.5s through 1/4 choke a wicked little crow buster. Dons turn next as a pigeon ghosted into a tree above us at a grand range of 7yds. Aged companion stood and the pigeon heard those joints and looked straight at him his first shot at a sitting bird was a clean miss, followed by another clean miss at 15yds...... don assures me that his 3rd shot would have true and that indeed said pigeon would have been added to the bag....... alas he had forgotten to reload from his earlier crow and only had 2 shots on board and pigeon gave a cheeky waggle of tail feathers as it made good its escape. As we approach the end of our alloted hour or so of corvid harassment i spotted a magpie again approaching from aged companions side. I really think he had better get some new specs. the magpie was in amongst the tree canopy by the time i got onto it. I awaited for it to approach a clearing in the canopy and with the tiniest window of opportunity knocked it down some 35yds out and 30yds up and excellent shot that even got gruding praise from the ancient one, which china soon had to hand. An excellent result that will help the songbirds in the coming nesting seson. You may notice that china is on her own and my old black lab is not in the picture with her. It saddens me greatly to let you know she is no longer with us. She lost a determined fight with cancer and i had her put to sleep last week. One of the hardest things i have ever done, and a great friend and shooting partner. All those of you who have had and lost working dogs i hope will raise a glass this evening in her memory with me Thanks for everything girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 well done i never had any success with owl decoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Sad to here of the loss of a shooting companion, its never easy but alas inevitable. Interesting post on owl decoys, the crow is always a worthy and difficult target. Last month while decoying pigeons I twice shot carrion crows or hoody craws as we call them here, in both instances the mate came to investigate and one paid the price the other never came within range. Saw the same thing with rooks, there always seemed to be a wake for the dead bird. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 3, 2010 Report Share Posted April 3, 2010 Well done Hootie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarlair Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Sorry to hear about your dog mate. Remember the good times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 to China. It is always a very sad day when you lose a companion but try and think of all the good times you had and also the good life you gave her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuddster Posted April 4, 2010 Report Share Posted April 4, 2010 Smashing write up. chin chin to your old girl best regards fudd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted April 6, 2010 Report Share Posted April 6, 2010 (edited) aaahhhh aidy, sorry to hear about bracken.... she'l be missed dearly pal... top dog, a credit to you... ahhh poor bracken...i feel quite sad now... Edited April 6, 2010 by myzeneye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITCHF Posted April 6, 2010 Report Share Posted April 6, 2010 (edited) Good write up, I was looking at buying a Hootie, mind's made up now Sorry about your best freind. Edited April 6, 2010 by MITCHF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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