My second time Wildfowling

[harrycatcat1]

I started off with a lay in and got up at 4 am for a two hour drive to the Wash, I arrived at about 6.20am and my mentor had just arrived so we both got togged up quickly as it was freezing cold. We walked onto the sea wall and started walking towards where we had worked out where we were going as on our previous visit we had seen some ducks in this place. I went down the sea wall at the end of the blackthorn/hawthorn hedge jumped over the small creek and went the other side of the post and barbed wire fence and got settled into a smallish creek that I could stand/crouch in. I got settled hid the dog and waited in the moon light which helped me see the creeks. Just before I had got my gun out two mallards went over me, I looked on the bright side instead of swearing, at least my camouflage was working.

We waited patiently (me and the dog) and kept our eyes pealed the only disturbance was some flippin cock peasants making a row the other side of the sea wall, this noise winds my dog up.

The dawn came and I thought "my feet seem to be getting cold" even though I had put an extra pair of wool socks on. The curlews and the snipe were having some sport with me flying overhead so I was happy that I was well hidden.

I then spotted two walkers with a dog coming along the sea wall as they got closer two more mallard came from their direction towards me and I could not risk the shot as I was not too far away from the sea wall.( once I have overcome my mud phobia I will progress further out) I kept down and both Mallard went right over me.

The cold feeling seemed to be spreading up my legs I thought I was getting nesh. I looked down and the creek had filled up with water to nearly to the top of my legs and my coat and pockets were soaked, no flippin wonder my feet were cold!! But the lidl waders were keeping out the water but not the cold.

Time to go me thinks, anyway as I got out of the creek packed my gear away and looked from where I had come it was all flooded. Oh ****.

It was supposed to be a 7.5m tide but as the wind was blowing from the North it must have come in further so my mentor suggested. So I was landlocked and could not get back to the sea wall. Mmmm whets the plan now then Stan??.

Anyway the worst case scenario is that as it is now high tide I just wait till it subsides and get over then. Anyone for cards?

I thought I would use the time to walk around the perimeter of the "island" just to see what was there and to warm the dog up who had been really patient waiting with me. The dog decides to jump some creeks which she won some but one was a jump too far and she fell in a deep creek and could not get out as the sides were too steep and could not scramble out. Luckily I had left her collar on and got the "v" of my wading stick under her collar and dragged her out.

Just about an hour or so later the water had gone down enough to get my way back to the sea wall and a welcome drink. I was never in danger as I was only "yards" from the sea wall and not miles out, I had a radio, phone etc but could have done with an "Inspector Gadget" boat in my pocket.

 

Oh and please do not criticise my mentor as it was my fault as I did not go the right side of were the cows go on to the marsh where he told me to go. It was just a mix up of instructions and no one got hurt.

 

I did not see any, not one pink foot whereas last time I saw thousands, do you think the moonlight fooled them into thinking it was dawn?

 

In conclusion I really enjoyed the morning and as I have said before I consider my first season will be trying to learn as much as I can about wildfowling, not to shoot loads of birds. I have certainly learned a lot today.

 

What is it about wildfowling that makes you cant wait till you come back next time?

 

Is it the 3 or 4am start, is it the 2 hour drive, is it the freezing cold, is it the flippin mud that seems to want my waders more than I do, or is it the tiredness? I cant just work it out.

Edited October 26, 2010 by harrycatcat1

[magman]

Great read that thanks

[Marley29]

Interesting read mate. I have thought about giving it a go and you have made my mind up for me, ill stay clear.

Good luck for next time round though.

[anser2]

Sounds like you had an interesting trip. For someone who loves wild spaces and wildlife , wildfowling is by far the cream of shooting sports , but if you just want to shoot a lot of birds stick to pigeon shooting. I am lucky these days I only have a 15 min drive to the marsh , but when i was younger I used to have an hour and a half drive , but it was worth the early morning rises. In time however I just got a job close to the marsh and one where I can work around my shooting.

 

You can never visit the marsh too many times even without a gun, observation is the key to success. I will know where the birds are feeding and only have to wait until the tides or wind is right I know that 9 times out of 10 I will bag a duck or goose or two. With experiance you will get to know the marsh , how high the tides will come and safe routes on and off the marsh. Good luck and have many more flights.

 

As for the lack of pink feet , I expect they all flighted inland when the moon first rose.

Edited October 27, 2010 by anser2

[shakin stevens]

Cracking story sounds like you had a good few hrs to take in the marsh and wildlife! i travel the same distance to the wash

and it does make you wonder why you do it, another factor what draws me back is the ifs and if only i had gone to the left

or right! as you watch the last in range goose sweep wide on the back of a skein.

regards bob.

[harrycatcat1]

Interesting read mate. I have thought about giving it a go and you have made my mind up for me, ill stay clear.

Good luck for next time round though.

 

 

NO!!!! Have a go its great, the experience is second to none,

 

You just have to go with someone who knows what they are doing and you will love it

[harrycatcat1]

Sounds like you had an interesting trip. For someone who loves wild spaces and wildlife , wildfowling is by far the cream of shooting sports , but if you just want to shoot a lot of birds stick to pigeon shooting. I am lucky these days I only have a 15 min drive to the marsh , but when i was younger I used to have an hour and a half drive , but it was worth the early morning rises. In time however I just got a job close to the marsh and one where I can work around my shooting.

 

You can never visit the marsh too many times even without a gun, observation is the key to success. I will know where the birds are feeding and only have to wait until the tides or wind is right I know that 9 times out of 10 I will bag a duck or goose or two. With experiance you will get to know the marsh , how high the tides will come and safe routes on and off the marsh. Good luck and have many more flights.

 

As for the lack of pink feet , I expect they all flighted inland when the moon first rose.

 

 

That's where I failed this summer not spending time on the marsh

 

I thought that I had read somewhere that the moonlight could could affect the movements, it surprised me not seeing any pinks as last time there were loads.

[ayano3]

I sounds like you were on Kirton or Frampton Marsh to me. Sounds familiar!

 

I have no idea what time you arrived but wasnt you a bit late?? I live just 15 miles from the Wash and leave home at 5am to get there in good time, even earlier this morning. But everyone to their own, I would rather be to early than to late!

 

You sure had a full and eventful trip, I have seen people caught out by the tide on a few occasions. The strength and and directions of the wind does change predicted tide heights.

 

Hope you have many more escapades on the Wash

[harrycatcat1]

I sounds like you were on Kirton or Frampton Marsh to me. Sounds familiar!

 

I have no idea what time you arrived but wasnt you a bit late?? I live just 15 miles from the Wash and leave home at 5am to get there in good time, even earlier this morning. But everyone to their own, I would rather be to early than to late!

 

You sure had a full and eventful trip, I have seen people caught out by the tide on a few occasions. The strength and and directions of the wind does change predicted tide heights.

 

Hope you have many more escapades on the Wash

 

 

Kirton mate, I don't know about late as I have about 20 minutes fighting with the mud wanting to pull my waders off getting into position, then it seems ages till the birds start and there is a glimmer of dawn, but then again I am a beginner so you will have to forgive me.

I have a lot to learn. The main part is I love it

 

Regards

 

Hcc

[ayano3]

Kirton mate, I don't know about late as I have about 20 minutes fighting with the mud wanting to pull my waders off getting into position, then it seems ages till the birds start and there is a glimmer of dawn, but then again I am a beginner so you will have to forgive me.

I have a lot to learn. The main part is I love it

 

Regards

 

I thought it sounded like South Lincs marsh.

 

I usually shoot the other side of the Welland and said about times as I like to be there nice and early to get where I want to be. Its also a bit of a pet hate of mine when you see other wildfowlers walking along the sea bank to get a spot on the marsh when the early duck have already started flighting, it was always an unwritten rule for many years that if you are a bit late walk at the bottom of the bank, but many of those seem to have dissapeared over the years.

 

Thats is not at all aimed at you or anyone else really, just a passing comment on how eticate had changed over a period of time. I am pleased you enjoy the sport of Wildfowling, theres nothing compares to it.

[harrycatcat1]

I have only been twice and never seen any other wildfowlers to be honest but only been on Mondays.

 

How soon before dawn would you say that wildfowlers should be set up and in position?

 

Regards

 

Hcc

[ayano3]

I have only been twice and never seen any other wildfowlers to be honest but only been on Mondays.

 

How soon before dawn would you say that wildfowlers should be set up and in position?

 

Regards

 

I was in Shep Whites car park this morning at just after 5am and wasn't the first there !

[al4x]

Interestingly we were oop north last week with some guys that do a lot of goose shooting and this may answer your query, they didn't bother with the morning flights when there is a full moon as apparently the geese alter their movements entirely because they can feed at night

[harrycatcat1]

Interestingly we were oop north last week with some guys that do a lot of goose shooting and this may answer your query, they didn't bother with the morning flights when there is a full moon as apparently the geese alter their movements entirely because they can feed at night

 

Well the second morning I went was two days after the full moon and it was so light but I thought I had read somewhere that the fullish moon upset the geese.

Only good thing is at least you can see where you are going on the marsh :blink:

As a beginner I find it quite intimidating pitch black and the mud pulling at your boots

Regards

Hcc

[Spaniel]

does take some getting use to, walking around in the dark.

I went out week before last on a full moon and not aduck to be seen, where as for the previous weeks they have been flying in just before it got dark.

But nothing beats sitting on the marsh listening to the sound of the birds as the dawn approaches, the only prob is getting out of bed earlier enough

[ayano3]

The moon messes up flight patterns but on a moon when the cloud is right, helped by a good tide, its amazing shooting 'under the moon'

[harrycatcat1]

The moon messes up flight patterns but on a moon when the cloud is right, helped by a good tide, its amazing shooting 'under the moon'

 

 

Would you be good enough to elaborate ie would it be an evening flight?, through the night? or very early morning?

Sorry for all the questions

[ayano3]

Under the moon can stretch quite a few hours. I have started shooting around 7pm or 8pm and been there until 1am or 2am some nights. Some of my best flights have been under the November moon.

 

It was good on the Wash this morning, 7.9 tide that flooded the marsh apart from the small bit of bank were I was sat. I was almost cut off from the sea wall but I knew I would be and it was planned. Managed to bag 2 Teal and one Pinkfoot, and the guy I guided had a Teal to take home too.

Got my pass stamped off 'her who needs to be obeyed' so its soon time to get ready to go again.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I am more than happy to answer questions and help if possible.

[harrycatcat1]

Under the moon can stretch quite a few hours. I have started shooting around 7pm or 8pm and been there until 1am or 2am some nights. Some of my best flights have been under the November moon.

 

It was good on the Wash this morning, 7.9 tide that flooded the marsh apart from the small bit of bank were I was sat. I was almost cut off from the sea wall but I knew I would be and it was planned. Managed to bag 2 Teal and one Pinkfoot, and the guy I guided had a Teal to take home too.

Got my pass stamped off 'her who needs to be obeyed' so its soon time to get ready to go again.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I am more than happy to answer questions and help if possible.

 

 

Thanks for that as a beginner I need all the info possible, I am there again on Tuesday morning. I will let you know how I get on.

[UK fowler]

Under the moon can stretch quite a few hours. I have started shooting around 7pm or 8pm and been there until 1am or 2am some nights. Some of my best flights have been under the November moon.

 

It was good on the Wash this morning, 7.9 tide that flooded the marsh apart from the small bit of bank were I was sat. I was almost cut off from the sea wall but I knew I would be and it was planned. Managed to bag 2 Teal and one Pinkfoot, and the guy I guided had a Teal to take home too.

Got my pass stamped off 'her who needs to be obeyed' so its soon time to get ready to go again.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I am more than happy to answer questions and help if possible.

nice one ayano3 good to see some old hands taking the time to pass on there knowledge the wash is shooting well at the moment there are some pinks about but not enough to pull the crowds makes for better shooting

[ayano3]

There is a few about at the moment, not sure for how long though. I don't mind passing on my knowledge to anyone as long as they take a bit of notice and are willing learners. That's how I got to know the little I know. In my opinion all new members should do a certain amount of trips to the marsh under the guidance of someone experienced before being granted full membership, that way they get to know their way around, where and where not to go at certain times and the rules, written and unwritten !

I best point out that I'm not a guide, paid or unpaid, I'm just someone willing to see others enjoy the sport as much as I do safely.