Inane drivel.

[Jim Sarakun]

The plan was to go shooting over wheat today with Ryan, our very own top shot. The guy seems to hit everything, not that we mind of course and you could say we taught him well. The recce yesterday saw them all over this particular prarie.

 

The forecast was 26 degrees so I thought I had better take the wheel barrow, rucksacks just make you too hot, and we are not allowed to drive on the headland at the moment, so for those final few yards, the barrow makes life a bit easier. Pneumatic tyre is a must should you choose to use one.

 

I also made sure I packed plenty of cold drink and my DPM bikini.

 

We got there about 10.30, and Ryan opted for the top of the hill, always a good choice, as Pigeons tend to gravitate up hill, and I had second best, about half way down one side. We were probably a mile away from each other but in the same field, just to give you a grasp of the size of these fields.

 

I set up by the tramline they were frquenting yesterday, and opted for 2 flappers, set in tubes, so they sat just proud of the crop. That way they can be seen for miles. No birds for them yet but hopefully that would not be a problem for too long. Two floaters were added downwind, and then I put a dozen or so mix of rubber and plastic decoys in the tramlines. I then put 3 cradles in tubes with open wing decoys in them, plastic again, to make it look as though they were scrabbling on the top to feed on the seed, just like they do when you observe them from afar.

 

I had no dead birds as we hand them in at the end of the day in this heat so they get in the fridge as soon as, unless of course I were to keep a couple back to drop off to the illustrious Clare, though this was not on the cards today, shame.

 

So that done, into the hide and wait. I slipped into my DPM bikini at this point, no one about, so who cares. I did in fact have to go topless today, as the cup size is now a little too small for my admirable proportions.

 

Well 5 came in almost immediately, not all together mind, but time enough for me to reload. I bought them down, and when I was sure it was clear, picked them up to swap with the plastics and to get the flappers rocking.

 

Well, I observed hundreds of Pigeons coming into the field, but in the middle of course, and only a total of 13 ventured over to me all day, and met their fate. I did also get 3 mosquito bites.

 

Ryan fared a little better with 23.

 

During the day, Ryan was phoning to tell me that 3 guys and a girl had set up a hide in the field next to him. They were shooting like crazy, and I could hear 3, 4, 6, shots going off in quick succession. How dangerous was that? After a phone call, Bob volunteered to venture over during a lull in the fire fight, to pass on some knowledge, the outcome to this I do not yet know.

 

I did suggest that I go over in my DPM speedos and have a word, take the girl and slide around my hide with her for an hour or two, though Bob suggested there may be a suicide, and I had better stay put.

 

So, a not too profitable day, though we did our bit, which is what the farmer pays us for. I did though thoroughly enjoy my day out in the glorious sunshine.

Edited July 10, 2010 by Jim Sarakun

[asap]

Hello Mr sarakun glad your still getting plenty down your way. I know what you mean about the heat i was out for a few hours Thursday afternoon on some swathing and that was warm . Were out on a small block of swathing tomorrow so it should be fun . I think your idea is cool and I'm off to town first thing in the morning and getting me a mankini

[Jim Sarakun]

Good on you. I recommend you steer clear of the shorts, as they nip your tackle when you sit down, making it difficult to stand up, like...... your stuck.... for a few painful seconds.

 

Some nice saucy numbers available in Matalan at the moment, the birds luv 'em.

[Alanl50]

Hi Jim

I like your write up, your dress sence conjours up horrific images

The pigeon are making a steady come back in my area now and Ive had varying number from 10 to 40's so its looking promising

Edges of sugarbeet, and wheat, the barley seems to dry for them.

I do hope you are using your Hatsan for your forays into the field complete with self detaching chokes

Alan

[Jim Sarakun]

Hi Alan. I hasten to add that I do in fact look quite sexy in my summer shooting gear, if what the other chaps say is to be believed. Comments range from having hot sex with me to harpooning me, which I presume is another kind of intimate act. We tried to take a photo to upload, but the mirror inside the SLR broke, must be the heat.

 

A lack of Pigeons is not an issue round this way. getting under them is. All their favourite crops are planted on the Prairies this year and are quite difficult to shoot. All the smaller fields that are surrounded by trees are planted with crops they are just not interested in. Next year eh?

 

The Hatsan has proved to be a very reliable and robust tool for me these last couple of years and is my gun of choice now. The o/u hasn't been used now for some time. The hatsan has never let me down, has been immersed in water a couple of times, due to jumping over ditches that were in fact wider than I thought. It has performed well in all weathers, driven rain, snow and now this heat, where after a few shots, the barrels are too hot to touch, and it takes ages to cool.

 

When I first bought it, I knew I could shoot better than that, and it wasn't until I fitted full choke the dead in the air rate was acceptable. I hate winging and walking in this heat, or any weather come to that. I just can not hit clays with it though.

 

Good luck in the field.