OddJob Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I've been very kindly offered a more informal pheasant shoot tomorrow and it is my first one. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or guidelines so I don't make a *** of myself or annoy the experienced chaps? I've only been shooting clays for about a year or two but not in huge quantities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 think safety at all times and don't shoot low birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 and definatley dont shoot the beaters Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 (edited) 30 degrees in front of you is your bird don't be greedy have your gun in a sleeve unless told otherwise close your gun behind if no pickers up, if not close it forward early and keep it pointing to the sky at all times do not swing through the line do not shoot low birds behind do not shoot ground game unless otherwise told to do so do not snotter birds if its worth one shot, its worth two (no more ie - pump or semi's) I of course have never done any of these things but - shaun4860, stuey, steve42 & jd frain do it all the time. I tried to teach them well but failed miserably. Edited November 5, 2010 by markm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Dress smart and take a decent bottle of port with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 close your gun behind if no pickers up, if not close it forward early and keep it pointing to the sky at all timesdo not snotter birds Could you explain these a little more, not too sure what you mean. Snottering a bird sounds 'interesting'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Basically only close your gun where it wont be pointing at anyone... if there are pickers up (dog men) then they will usualy stand behind the line of guns, so you need to watch for them when closing the action. Snottering = Splattering in Northern perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Basically only close your gun where it wont be pointing at anyone... if there are pickers up (dog men) then they will usualy stand behind the line of guns, so you need to watch for them when closing the action. Snottering = Splattering in Northern perhaps? LOL, cheers for clearing that up. When your gun is broken and you are ready to shoot, turn around and close the gun, point the barrels in the air and then turn back around and face the front / wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 so you Northern bods who close the gun pointing behind you I take it you're going round repeatedly if you have many birds coming over, must say i don't think i've ever seen anyone turn round to close their gun in the time i've been beating / shooting. I usually close the gun with the barrels facing down then bring it up at a 45 degree angle to the front minimises any issues and most of the time the whistle is blown well before the beaters are actually in range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I always close mine behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Close mine in front - as Al4x said, the beaters are usually way off when the drive starts. If you are not sure, wait and see what everyone else does and then do that if you want to fit in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing-Bong Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I've been very kindly offered a more informal pheasant shoot tomorrow and it is my first one. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or guidelines so I don't make a *** of myself or annoy the experienced chaps? I've only been shooting clays for about a year or two but not in huge quantities. Out of interest where you off to, if you don't mind me asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 then you have to bring it up and back through the line in the air, I guess we usually have picker uppers behind and some drives where guns would be turning round rather too often when they're trying to reload as fast as they can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I close behind, raise the gun into the air, and then turn forward again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Interesting different protocols for loading. Game shooting is waaaaay down my list of shooting and i only go once or twice a year (tomorrow being one of those times - woo! ) but i haven't seen people close guns behind them before. If i did that for the duck drives i'd bore myself a 6ft deep hole by the end! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I've been very kindly offered a more informal pheasant shoot tomorrow and it is my first one. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or guidelines so I don't make a *** of myself or annoy the experienced chaps? I've only been shooting clays for about a year or two but not in huge quantities. Do not worry Neal you will be with me Cheers Terry bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted November 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Do not worry Neal you will be with me Cheers Terry bakerboy That I will, just wanted to make your life easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 Close your gun in which ever direction is safest to do so.The person on the next peg will be closer to you than any of the beaters,so don't worry about them.But you need to be aware of where they are.Put plenty of sky around anything you shoot at and you'll be fine.Enjoy yourself,and let us know how you got on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 I've missed something here? Surely it's OK to load the gun in front when the barrels are pointed down at the ground and the action lifted to close the gun loaded? I haven't shot a pheasant north of Lincolnshire so I haven't got a clue. Further enlightenment needed please gents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing-Bong Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 I've missed something here? Surely it's OK to load the gun in front when the barrels are pointed down at the ground and the action lifted to close the gun loaded? I haven't shot a pheasant north of Lincolnshire so I haven't got a clue. Further enlightenment needed please gents. I dont think that there is any hard and fast rule, my gun just gets closed. It's about barrel awareness, and always being aware of where they are pointing. Every time I turn my back on the beaters direction, usually to have a pee, those early partridge whizz over my head just when my hands are full. :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 I dont think that there is any hard and fast rule, my gun just gets closed. It's about barrel awareness, and always being aware of where they are pointing. Every time I turn my back on the beaters direction, usually to have a pee, those early partridge whizz over my head just when my hands are full. Does it feel like a 4.10 or maybe a 4 bore !! Your point about barrel awareness is precisely right, I think. You can't go pointing a bead anywhere near beaters or anyone else, but turning around to load and then shoot driven game seems like a nonsense. I've never ever seen it done. Anyone actually done it? How do you get your balance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 (edited) Take a nice home made/turned priest Avoid discussions along the lines of "did you see ME's caption competition on Pigeon Watch" Edited November 8, 2010 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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