ayano3 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Had a great day out in the gales/winds of South Lincolnshire picking up on a Pheasant shoot today. After a early few showers the sun almost broke out and remained dry for most of the day, but the high winds/gales didnt drop at all. We have six drives all of which are truly wild birds. The first drive wasn't the best showing of birds I have seen from 'The Moat' but the guns did manage about five birds. Once again the guns were limited to what they shot, the emphasis was on cocks but if presented with a good hen then they could take it. Many of the birds peeled back and dropped back in the far end of the cover/wood. Drive two (Long Plantation) was far better even though the guns could not come to terms with the backwind partridge. There was a few more birds shot on this drive and Rhia (my fox red lab) had her first retrieve of the day. (A hen from about 70 yards away) We did somehow lose a Cock with a leg down, but it certainly flew well. Craig, (Jocknob from the forums) who I invited down again to assist me picking up also picked a nice cock bird with his well trained black lab Dee. (Time for a wee tot of Sloe Gin now) Drive three (wezzle drove) is usually the best of the day, again this proved to hold many Pheasants. Unfortunately the team of guns could not get anywhere near the 'Missiles' and on many occasions saluted them as they whistled by at what looked like 100mph at 80 yards up. We did get a couple of birds to pick though. At dinner we had got 28, it dont seem many but they were all what you would call quality birds. Double 15 come straight after dinner, a picker ups nightmare! Many of the pricked birds drop into the rough ground at the side of a very busy A road. I keep my dog on her lead here, no bird is worth as much as any dog. Thankfully most of the birds shot went out of the side and not the usual direction. Priory was next drive, a brilliant drive with nearly all birds flying with the wind behind them. I stood quite a way back, further than usual. I see one gun on peg 4 rock a real high cock bird so followed its flight. It seemed to fly on for ever before finally dropping down. The dog had this marked so we left it until the end of the drive. This proved to be her best retrieve of the day, she must have gone back almost 300 yards to pick it. As this is only her fourth trip picking up I thought what a great pick. The final drive didn't really show as many birds as usual, although Craig picked a nice bird. The final count was 46, all birds were screamers and well taken. The only winners today was the game and wind. We only have two shoot a season and show some wonderful high fen birds, so thats it for the season. Thanks to Craig for coming to help...... The last shoot also means the start of Pigeon Season. Cant wait to get there Saturday Night roosting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Good write up mate, I bet they (the birds)were screamers if the wind was anything like it was here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 The birds the guns shot were all bloody good shots. I cant remember one easy shot all day. None of those reared chickens today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Sounds like a great day....thanks for the write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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