pete1dart Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 We had our first shoot of the season yesterday. We were anticipating a good day as there are alot of birds around spread all over the farm. The first drive was a little bit disapointing with a fox running out where I normally stand. There were not many birds that went over the forward guns and we put this down to old charlie running around the drive. I had a pigeon off this drive with no other birds coming my way. Ill have the fox in a fortnight when we are next out. The second drive is a block of maize that we flank 2 stubble fields into. When i was around feeding on Saturday you could hardly move in the maize without tripping over a pheasant! This was the case yesterday. The partridge broke early, they seem to be really skittish this year, and the forward guns had some nice shooting with them going over a high hedge and climbing all the time. I could hear some jays in the hedge that runs along the side of the cover crop. I managed to get 2 with 2 shots, with another 2 going out up the front with a massive flush of pheasants. These two knew when to make a break for it! No game coming my way again with me thinking I was on a vermin controll day! The third drive we knew from prvious years that the Partridge normally break early and from along way off with the beaters walking in some drilled wheat fields. Me and the other keeper decided to get into position early so that we could have a go at them. The drive started and still no sign of the partridge. All the drive consists of is an overgrown hedgerow with a strip of maize running along side it. Around a quarter the way through the shout of 'Partridge' comes bellowing from across the other side of the hedge. Then all hell breaks lose, the first covey came straight at me. Around 20 birds in this one. I managed to miss 2 easy birds with both barrels. Lets just say a few choice words came from my mouth. As soon as i had two more cartridges in the gun the call came up again, once again a largeish covey came straight at me, this time i was on the mark and had a nice high Partridge. A few more smaller groups came over me with me ending the drive on 4 partridge and a nice high cock Pheasant. The next drive would be hit or miss. We have a plot of maize and kale on a hill and normally early season we get quite a few birds in there. The problem was the wind was whipping through there today and I was thinking it might be a blank drive. Some early Partridge broke with me getting 1 and the forward guns bagging a couple. The first few pheasants then started to flush . The guns being in a dip made some of these birds very challanging with not alot of birds dropping in the flush! Considering the weather conditions there were a fare few birds in there and we drive it in such a way that the majority fly back to the pen. After lunch we went to another overgrown hedgerow with strips of maize running either side. I got into my normal position and straight away an old cock bird from last year came high and fast over me, i managed to drop him just behind me in the grass and i was well chuffed with him as he was in top condition and it was probably one of the birds that had managed to beat me last season. A very dark hen bird was then quickly behind and that was also bagged. The forward guns had a nice bit of shooting but once again it must of been just one of those days for them. Alot of shots for not alot of birds dropping. Onto the last drive and it was only chucked into the schedule to try and boost the numbers a little. I was walking behind the line of beaters when a hen bird got up and came my way. I managed to bag her and the banging started up the front. When the drive finished it was clear that around 9-10 birds were accounted for on this drive with the picker ups still hard at work. Back in the yard the count started and it totaled in a bag of 48 Pheasant, 21 Partridge, 2 Pigeons and 2 Jays. Not a bad start to the season, we were looking for 80-90 so if the guns had of shot a little better we would have got there and maybe more. I was pleased with my shooting, I havnt picked up my over and under since the 1st Feb as i use my Extrema2 semi auto for the pigeons in the spring and summer. Although I missed a few easyish Partridge and a nice hen bird it was nice to have a bit of variety again. I would like to also say thanks to my boss who let me treat my dad for his 60th. He let him stand down the front all day to make up the numbers on the front guns. He was chuffed to nuts with the day as he does what I normally do. He had 8 partridge and 9 pheasant. Cheers for reading Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 (edited) Sounds like you had a good day Pete and a nice touch with your boss letting your dad get in the shooting line for his birthday. Phil Edited October 29, 2010 by philr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 sound like you had a good day. We have our first shoot of the year on our syndicate today, can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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