southamptonshooter Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 I've got permission over 70 acres of broadleaf woodland (50%) and grazing land about (50%)in the New Forest with 3 good sized ponds/lakes and streams. No cattle is on the grazing fields as the manor house is privately owned and was used for keeping/training horses. The horses are no longer about and the fields are just left as grass. Its never been shot by the owners and the few times i've been there over the last couple of years with by spaniel he's put up a few phesants and partridges (i think possibly from a surronding shoot). I'm fairly new to rough/game shooting and smallhold keeping and was looking for any ideas that would with little cost and time boost the pigeon, duck and phesant popluation for a bit of sporting once or twice a month. Any comments greatly apperiacted. Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Feed your ponds and get some feeders out for the pheasants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul041075 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Lucky ***, agree with above post, get feeding up. Sounds ideal to build up and then think about pens and putting a few down yourself next year. Get vermin bashing especially for any foxes that will sure to be kicking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southamptonshooter Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Went to have a look this evening, plenty of wood pigeons coming in and out the woods, only one problem they are really high I would say about 80/90yards straight up above me. I tried but hit nothing!! I gave up on the pigeon and thought I would have a walk about, I could hear some ducks on the bottom pond I wasnt sure how best to approach the pond as i didnt know where on tje pond tjey were, typically I came in from the wrong end and put up about 60 ducks out the other side into the wind, by the time I could get a safe shot off once they had cleared a few trees in the way they were about 70yards flying straight away from me. I mana ged to let off 4 cartridges but again no luck. Then whilst walking back to my truck a hare jumped out in front of me about 50 yards and sat and looked at me, again I shot once as quick as I could but missed the bloody thing. I've got no reason why I missed that sitting duck can only assume nerves got the better of me!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Not sure I should off any advice to a SCUMMER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorsey Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Windy days will bring the pigeons a bit lower - but you'll still have to be a good shot to hit them! As was said before - feeding the ponds will encourage the ducks to hang around but it sounds like you've already got a fair bunch of those there. Good luck hitting something next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southamptonshooter Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Going back Sunday for another try, I'l post again with the results and hopefully some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southamptonshooter Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Someone mentioned about controlling the foxes I only have a sgc so will it be possible to decoy foxes close enough to use my shotgun. If so that cartridges should I use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Someone mentioned about controlling the foxes I only have a sgc so will it be possible to decoy foxes close enough to use my shotgun. If so that cartridges should I use? Without sounding too harsh you may be better off inviting a friendly experienced shooter along to give you a few tips as it sounds like you may need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW682 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Someone mentioned about controlling the foxes I only have a sgc so will it be possible to decoy foxes close enough to use my shotgun. If so that cartridges should I use? This is one of those questions that if you ask 6 people you will get 7 different answers You could try a search because that topic has been covered many, many times on here. On the other hand I could summarise them for you: *someone will point out that most foxes are shot with 28-32g no6 because that's what most shooters have in the gun when the fox appears. * someone will tell you their favourite for fox is a big load of SG. * someone will point out that at any distance greater than 10/20/30 yards, there will be huge holes in the pattern of SG. After reading many posts you will probably start to see a general consensus of 36g-42g of BB to no3. If you don't mind recoil and especially if you have a semi-auto many will also recommend a bit heavier load of the same sizes, up to about 50g. As already mentioned, there will plenty of suggestions outside of this range, but the majority normally fall someone in that region. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorsey Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 ^ sounds about right to me. I've never specifically gone for foxes with a shotgun - but have managed just fine with the #6s in the gun when they've presented themselves at very sensible ranges. I wouldn't want to wound a fox so I would probably want a bigger shot size if I was going for foxes properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southamptonshooter Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Cheers guys, that all makes sense. I will give it a go Sunday as know they must be their because last time I was there I saw about three dead carcases spread about. Not sure how to go about calling them, might try the polystyrene on glass trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) Without sounding too harsh you may be better off inviting a friendly experienced shooter along to give you a few tips as it sounds like you may need them. And non toxic cartridges for the ducks. Edited October 13, 2011 by chrispti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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