Net v"s hide poles

[toads]

Hi, I dont normally put roof net on my hide but on sown field birds were drifting in high and slow.What is the point of hide poles extending to 7ft when all the net you buy are 5ft? surely 6ft would be a reasonable compromise.I like to stand to shoot that was why I was getting fustrated!.Looks like the wife might have to get sowing machine out(its just like doing pair of curtains eh?)cheers

[Cranfield]

Most shooters sit down and look for birds through the hide and only stand up to take the shot, or crouch down just before standing up to take the shot.

 

Others of us mostly shoot sitting down in the hide, which means that the net doesn't have to be extended to its maximum height.

 

You can get ex MoD netting which is much higher and longer (cut to order)than most standard camo nets.

[motty]

I prefer to stand and look to see where birds are coming from, only crouching when they get quite close. I then stand to shoot. If birds are flying over the hide, i find it helps to just crouch and wait for them to come into the pattern. I've never felt the need to put a roof on a hide - in fact i think they would be quite obstructive.

[shoughton]

I have John Batley's book and he is a strong advocate of the hide roof. I have his DVD too - but I don't think he covers that so much. If you want a copy of the scanned page of the John Batley hide then PM me and I'll send it to you via email.

 

I would like to give it a go but struggle a bit with the poles I have too. I'm 6'3" and so would need some long hide poles to be able to stand :( . I have taped extensions to my poles in attempts to make it work but still struggled due to the drooping net - drive me mad!

 

Steve

[PhilR]

I've taken a leaf out of John Batley's book and copied his hide idea of the V front and a roof.

 

I bought two Stealth nets from our sponsor, one I use to make the sides and front of the hide and the other I drape over the top as a roof, and if I'm out in a field under a tree or can't get close up to a hedgerow, a back with it too.

 

I bought a couple of the Wilkinson's washing line extension poles (£2.98) each, sprayed them green had to re-do the first one after forgetting the internal bit that extends and use them to get the 'roof' net up a bit higher at the front at each side. My four regular poles extend to about 66" not counting the spike bit and the Wilko ones go up to about 88" so quite a bit of extra height with them if needed.

 

I've shot a few woodies and crows that have approached the pattern from behind me which I think I may not have done, if I'd just had a hide around the front leaving me exposed from above and behind.

 

I generally shoot sitting down but stand if needed.

[stubby]

I have John Batley's book and he is a strong advocate of the hide roof. Steve

 

yup, a very good read, although I tried his "hide" idea out myself, have to say Ive never actually used it in the field, garden only for pictures normally just build hide against hjedge

 

[shoughton]

That looks a good hide - although I think the true 'Batley hide' may have a longer front part? What you've built looks very effective though.

 

Steve

[motty]

I think hides with a roof are quite unnecessary and very restrictive. Sometimes it's nice to have a 360 degree arc of fire - quite impossible with that type of hide.I think it's fine just to make sure the back of your hide is a bit higher than the front.

I've read batley's book and watched videos of him and at times i reckon he talks a lot of nonsense.

[shoughton]

I think hides with a roof are quite unnecessary and very restrictive. Sometimes it's nice to have a 360 degree arc of fire - quite impossible with that type of hide.I think it's fine just to make sure the back of your hide is a bit higher than the front.

I've read batley's book and watched videos of him and at times i reckon he talks a lot of nonsense.

 

You may well be correct - but my experience is more limited and I guess I'll try anything if I believe it may increase my chances and not cost too much!

 

Steve