oxfordfowler Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) I have just sat down and worked out what I did last season - it's a good job I was sat down and that her in doors doesn't look at this site. I made 12 trips to the Wash @ 260 miles round trip and 11 trips to Whittlesey/Earith @ 200 miles round trip. I stopped counting the cost of that when it went over 4000 miles. Plus a trip to the Solway in January. For that effort my bag was 43 Ducks, 2 Grays and 10 Pinks. I loved every minute and I'll do it all again next season , just hope next season brings a bit more flooding. Better get back to work - got a new gun to pay for Edited March 2, 2012 by oxfordfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Thankfully my journeys are much less than yours. Average about 90 miles round trip depending on which marsh I'm visiting. However, 39 flights bagged 2 pinks 4 greys 2 gadwall and 1 mallard. On 28 trips I didn't fire a shot! Very few birds about and everything seemed to go wrong when they were. Disastrous season. Health permitting, I'm an oldie, where will I be on Sept 1st? Yes, that's right, back on the marsh - wouldn't miss it for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Well done mate, sounds like a top season with very good trips-birds ratio. All the effort paid off. Like you said probably best not to let the Mrs know how much it all cost!! What gun you going for now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoBeRt1990 Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 260 mile round trip **** that, my trip is about 5 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenntay Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 my round trip 20 miles to local marsh and about 700 miles to n,e scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 30 mile round trip for me. Terrible season too but that was my fault. I had more chances this year than last (maybe i'm/we're figuring out some nice spots) but my shooting was a shocker. I've been having really problems on ducks and pigeons of late, spent 18 months overleading everything (a bad habit that crept in) and then last summer and most of this season trying to override that 'instinct'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 I have just sat down and worked out what I did last season - it's a good job I was sat down and that her in doors doesn't look at this site. I made 12 trips to the Wash @ 260 miles round trip and 11 trips to Whittlesey/Earith @ 100 miles round trip. I stopped counting the cost of that when it went over 4000 miles. Plus a trip to the Solway in January. For that effort my bag was 43 Ducks, 2 Grays and 10 Pinks. I loved every minute and I'll do it all again next season , just hope next season brings a bit more flooding. Better get back to work - got a new gun to pay for Just done a rough calculation assuming 30mpg and fuel at 1.42 a litre (which is what my costs would be), and that's £906.42, or to put it another way, £16.48 a bird! That's before you look at carts, food/drink etc! When you break it down like that you start to wonder if you're right in the head! But, like you, I'll be on the marsh again next September! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 30 mile round trip for me. Terrible season too but that was my fault. I had more chances this year than last (maybe i'm/we're figuring out some nice spots) but my shooting was a shocker. I've been having really problems on ducks and pigeons of late, spent 18 months overleading everything (a bad habit that crept in) and then last summer and most of this season trying to override that 'instinct'. I know the feeling, I've missed some real sitters this year! Having said that I'm now back on the clay ground and it appears that I may be developing Indeterminate eye dominance, particularly in poor light conditions or when tired! That may explain some of it then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK fowler Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 cash well spent Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Oxfordfowler Are you complaining, even a little bit ? that is a great bag! My fowling grounds are much nearer but I did not get even 25% of your bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) I have just sat down and worked out what I did last season - it's a good job I was sat down and that her in doors doesn't look at this site. I made 12 trips to the Wash @ 260 miles round trip and 11 trips to Whittlesey/Earith @ 100 miles round trip. I stopped counting the cost of that when it went over 4000 miles. Plus a trip to the Solway in January. For that effort my bag was 43 Ducks, 2 Grays and 10 Pinks. I loved every minute and I'll do it all again next season , just hope next season brings a bit more flooding. Better get back to work - got a new gun to pay for Your very dedicated , but did you get lost , I live less than a mile from the wash , but whittlesey is only about 25 miles away yet its putting another 160 miles on your journey ? Edited March 2, 2012 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordfowler Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Oops - Your right Fenboy, my bad maths. That will be 100 miles each way when I travel to Whittlesey. But I'll still be out every chance I get next season :shoot: scolopax - No way am I complaining I just starting working out the amount of time and effort and then wished I hadn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 One thing I never ever ever work out is how much my sport costs me. If I did it would be frightening :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 One thing I never ever ever work out is how much my sport costs me. If I did it would be frightening :o What is frightening is 8 trips to the marsh for me this season @ 178 miles return @ 30mpg £6.50p per gallon and only one shot fired = £308 in diesel Did I love it? = yes Shall I be there next season? = yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 (edited) Hi Stu, thats a good bag, obviously Whittlesey & Earith shoots better than sheps I have not counted up yet but I know I have almost filled in two bag return forms, that must equate to 40+ trips. I think I forgot to add one or two flights, didnt have a great season but the advantage is I only live 14 miles from the marsh. Dont be late on 1st. Edited March 4, 2012 by ayano3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hi Stu, thats a good bag, obviously Whittlesey & Earith shoots better than sheps I have not counted up yet but I know I have almost filled in two bag return forms, that must equate to 40+ trips. I think I forgot to add one or two flights, didnt have a great season but the advantage is I only live 14 miles from the marsh. Dont be late on 1st. I was thinking about the 1st today and was wondering how many cars shepps would accommodate and what time would you have to be there to get a space? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Well i made 23 flights in total. My main area is 78 miles from home, closer venues as little as 20miles or so only made up 5 of the 23. Fuel is an issue, to be fair a very big one- i dont know how long i can support this traveling i can flight duck within a walk from my house but don't as it just aint the same as the saltmarsh. I had six blanks in total and had a good season on Geese though a bad one on the duck, the numbers of Duck were not about, came late and went inland to the flooded fields due to the milder conditions for most of the season. Could have done better on the duck but was limited this season due to the loss of my trained dog, this meant i had to be very selective about my shots and they do so love to keep water under them in flight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitty tree Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 hello lads. you guys are well dedicated.to fowling traveling all them miles for your sport .i in my younger years done many a trip to the solway/wigtown. just for night or morning flight. them where the days. i am lucky enough to have accsess to marshes on my door step have shot them for 30yrs now average mileage round trip 15 miles. did any of you lads ever shoot at southport permit marsh it used to cost 2 quid per permit per day. well gone now . it was absolutely great when conditions where right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) To me this is what shooting is about , not whats shot or the quantity , many blank outings above but all enjoyed and looking forward to repeating next season ( finances permitting ) , i always came back with some thing from my Wildfowling days even if it was just memories or sightings of Harriers and other wildlife . Used to shoot Solway ( powfoot/cummertrees area ) in the 70"s and around Shep Whites ( wash) when Kenzies boat was still there , we have been thinking of an outing or two next season ( both over 60 ) with maybe the sons helping us along. Julian Edited March 6, 2012 by Zulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitty tree Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 nice one julian. nice to see you getting the lads fowling. ye your right it is not the quantity . you cannot beat a nice brace of pinks/greys then home for a pint lol.regards peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 nice one julian. nice to see you getting the lads fowling. ye your right it is not the quantity . you cannot beat a nice brace of pinks/greys then home for a pint lol.regards peter. Took my youngest son when he was 18 for 1st time decoying , he dropped 2 Pinks with 1st ever shot at geese and dad missed Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washwildfowler Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) well i did just a few visits this year with fuel prices the way they are ,looks like i will have to get the push bike out this next season to bike the 700 yards to my local marsh :unsure: .... i shall not put how many visits i did, or what i shot this season because last season i upset some members on here when i posted my total .... i am now working on a little project to keep me busy till the 1st which i think some of the wildfolwing members will like .... i will post about it when all is finished .. Edited March 6, 2012 by washwildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 hello lads. you guys are well dedicated.to fowling traveling all them miles for your sport .i in my younger years done many a trip to the solway/wigtown. just for night or morning flight. them where the days. i am lucky enough to have accsess to marshes on my door step have shot them for 30yrs now average mileage round trip 15 miles. did any of you lads ever shoot at southport permit marsh it used to cost 2 quid per permit per day. well gone now . it was absolutely great when conditions where right. Perhaps better its not any longer open for all commers, people died out there nd i think the council were left with little real choice. The current situation with Southport is equally as crazy though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Boots Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Another enjoyable season just passed - as always. I can't complain as there are numerous, good goose grounds within an hours drive for me. Numbers of birds in the bag was considerably down on the previous 3 seasons, though not through fewer visits out, or lack of trying, but the mild weather & abundance of various food sources for them, but as has already been said, if you measure success or enjoyment by numbers in the bag on the shore, you're missing the point & in the wrong game! Roll on Sept 1st...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) Not a brilliant season by a long chalk but enjoyable all the same. I dare not calculate my fuel bill and have hidden my gamebook so as the wife can't see just how many trips I made this season!! Already hyped up and waiting for the 1st September. Going to be a long summer Edited March 7, 2012 by Reabrook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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