lordhardup Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hi guys, I am off shooting on saturday for the first time on some new fields. I am off on my own as my mate cant make it (flu) so how do I keep myself busy if the birds are few and far between. What pattern should I try? I have 6 FUDs 12 half bodies and springs 2 adjustable bouncing rods 1 foam floater 2 full bodied decoys and a lofter and 2 crows, oh and lots of enthusiasm. Thanks for any advice you can offer. I am in Lincoln if that helps. ATB Clynt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 What you shooting over ? 2nd have you done any reccon ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 What you shooting over ? 2nd have you done any reccon ? Hello Tom its Clynt. Have done norecon as of yet, going to have a look friday, dont even know at the moment whats down. It was carrots potatoes and rape last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hello Tom its Clynt. Have done norecon as of yet, going to have a look friday, dont even know at the moment whats down. It was carrots potatoes and rape last year. Ok when you go down on friday have a look at any rape fields may even be wortha look at tats field too , look from where birds are coming in to the field from and where there going in and where there going out too note the wind dirrection . and then come and ask tomorrow night as this will give us all a better chance of giving you some ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Might be worth asking if someone (experienced) will go with you. As Iv said before, a picture paints a thousand words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedwickedmotox Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Hi mate first off you want to go up with a pair of binos and glass around for a few hours and try to find any flight lines these are motorways for birds coming to and from there feeding sites, the way to tell is you will get birds flitting along them in 1, 2s and 3s poss more in a steady stream you then gotta identify there feeding sites,maize stubble turnips etc, i always set up birds in small groups of 3 to6 in patches on the field i also use 6mm steel bar about 1500mm long with a bird with wings spread facing into the wind this works well for me remember birds use the wind to land not to feed! This is always good for me but im down westcountry way! the main thing is flight lines and feeding sites youll waste your time other wise! good luck mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 When you are on your recon,look for birds in the air not on the ground and as has already been said,find where they are entering and leaving the field and set up under one of these flight lines,prefferably the last one in the line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mightymariner Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 If you can, go first light and watch what they do, where they go, and if they come back after being disturbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks guy, I never got a chance to do any recon today so I will set off early and see what I can see. Will keep you informed. ATB Clynt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proTOM1 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 How did you get on buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Bloody hell what a day. I went to the new fields but the birds were coming in too high over the river bank, gave it an hour and packed up. Moved on to my other farm that I had tried last time, as I had no luck with the birds last time, I thought that I would just have a walk round. Any way as I was slowly making my way round the outside of the wood trying to creep up on a rabbit or two, movement from the wood I was shooting last week caught my eye. PIGEONS, loads of the *******. So I stood and watched, it was blowing a force ten and they where flying down the hedgrow and landing in the field at the back of the wood I was shooting last time. The crafty ******* had moved fields, just one field up, seemed to be enough for them not to come to my decoys of the week before. Which is typical of my luck, I had watched them coming and going though out the week, but the day I set out my decoys they up and move. Any way you would think my problems were over..... Well this was when the fun really started. I got back to my car as quick as a flash and rushed round to the field gate in my car, opened up drove through, closed gate, hide car the far side of the small wood and started to unload all my stuff. I know I am new to this decoying lark, but by god its hard work trying to carry all your stuff, gun and ammo all in one go, so as not to have to walk all the way back and lose time shooting. Any way I make it to where I want to set up. Pigeons that were there, soon left, fair enough I thought, I will see you shortly. Now, you have done this before, HOW THE HELL DO YOU PUT UP A HIDE IN A FORCE TEN??? I put my poles in, blinded by the scarf I was wearing. Took out my netting, which seemed to be in a rush to fly off to some exotic far away place, pausing only for a loving and long embrace with the horethorn bush.At length I did manage to untangle it long enough to attach it to my hide poles in the sudden lull which it turned out to be was the eye of the hurricane. Got my seat out, set ouy my ammo box got out my lunch and now to set the sceene for Mr and Mrs pigeon. Set out the decoys in formation, stand back and take in the sceene, no, not happy, a quick shift round in the now stiffening breeze, at last Im happy. Even before I make it back to the hide the birds are flying over, a warm glow as excitement mounts. Back to the hide, try to rid myself of the 20lbs of field now attached to my feet. Sit down to load my gun, pick up my ammo box for shells. The handle fits nicely in my hand as I lift it, only for it to fall open and all my carts fall snugly into the soft muddy puddle. ( great,I will need to clean them all when I get home, who wants old rusty shells in their box) Lucky for me, I have a couple of clean boxes in my game bag, sitting clean and dry in the far corner of the hide.Watching for any lurking puddles I reach out for my game bag. GOD ALMIGHTY, the trees have come alive and want to eat me.... No, its just my hide. The hurricane has returned,and wrapped me in my own hide. Putting my gun down, I fight off my over friendly netting and secure it yet again to my poles. Turn to enter my hide, only to be beaten to my seat by..... thats right......my hide. For the next hour a fierce struugle ensues, with lots of unpleasent words being carried away by the still growing storm. I fall, as I pull the lustfull netting from the ever loving embrace of the bush on to my **** into the same muddy puddle not long ago visited by my cartridges. I manage to pick myself and the netting up and tie the netting to the poles and myslfe to my chair as I really was begining to fear for my own safty in this raging tempest. My hide billows like the sails on a racing tall ship, whipping its self into a frenzy to and thro, ripping itself free and back to the arms of its lover, the horethorn bush. Im no whimp, but I do know when Im beat, and boy was I beat.Time to sit and cry quietly for a while and call for my mum. Whilst sitting and sobbing I look up to see pigeons still trying to come into my pattern, or were they just flying over to watch the funny man fighting a large green net? You decide. Down, but not out Mr pigeon, as Arnie would say "I will be back" ATB Clynt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripey999 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 How did you get on buddy Bet you wished you hadn't asked now Sounds like it wasn't to be that day but at least it was a recce day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Bet you wished you hadn't asked now Sounds like it wasn't to be that day but at least it was a recce day. Already planing a trip for saturday, wind premiting lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Well he did ask lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorsey Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Awesome write up tho. And I promise I didn't laugh. (Much) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Awesome write up tho. And I promise I didn't laugh. (Much) i did not just me stuff like that happens to then :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddywack12 Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Great write up. I thought you was going to finish with "I ended up with 100 odd pigeons". Nice to hear the tales of real pigeon shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_T Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Is there a YouTube video I can watch!! I've had days like that battling the wind. My best advice is to buy some para cord and make some 'guy ropes' from the poles to nearby branches to brace the hide. I also recommend some spring clips to secure the netting to the poles. Cheers, Dr_T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzrat Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Poor form to laugh at others misfortune, but, :lol: :lol: Fantastic write up, really gave me a chuckle At least I know Im not the only one that has Mr Bean days Serious note, If they were still coming in with you making love to your camo net they were obviously keen. Next time if its that bad maybe try just standing against the hedge so you have a decent background and just stay absolutely still til the last moment at least you might get a few shots instead of a blow out (pun definitely intended ) Fuzrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 that is a great write up. send it in to shooting times and you will win some welly boots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlistairB Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Classic write-up, i'm glad it's not just me who struggles in the wind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbird Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 that write up has made my day i think most of us can relate to something in the story if not everything. 10 out of 10 for shear determination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 had a day on the crows last week, and had exactally the same experience with the wind, strong enough to bend one of my hide poles, glad Im not the only one then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooting Tom Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 am i missing something did you say how many you got.. , or where you to busy fighting your cam net to pull the trigger lol, that was funny but i think we have all been there. and great write up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordhardup Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Is there a YouTube video I can watch!! I've had days like that battling the wind. My best advice is to buy some para cord and make some 'guy ropes' from the poles to nearby branches to brace the hide. I also recommend some spring clips to secure the netting to the poles. Cheers, Dr_T No afraid thres no video, pity could have sold the idea to Mr Beam lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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