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What gear do you take for pigeonning ?


The Sniper
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Last night in the Pigeon Watch Arms ( cheap beer for new members......don't be afraid.....good laughs and advice given for free !!!) the subject of how much gear you take with you on pigeon shooting expedition was discussed.

 

At this time of year it is easy if you have access to a 4 x 4 and can just drive up, drop your gear off and move the vehicle.

 

But what do you do when the crops are growing or you have no 4 x 4 ?

 

My theory has always been to travel light and expect a mediocre day, and if a good day develops you can always nip to the car for some more gear.

 

So here is a list of what I take out with me.

 

A 45 litre rucksac with two side pockets.

 

In one pocket is my flask of coffee.

 

In the other pocket are my two home made game carriers ( specially made to fit small pigeon necks....capable of carrying 40 ..I wish) the pegs for my shell decoys, the coathanger wire props for holding the birds heads up and a pair of secateurs.

 

In the main compartment of the rucksac I have 18 shell decoys, my snap box, an army soap bag which contains exactly 50 cartridges, my ear defenders and my rotor and battery if required. ( I have stopped taking the rotor out on stubble as I find it puts the birds off.) On the outside via velcro garden ties, attached to the rucksac , I have a Shakespeare fishing seat.

 

I then have my gunbag with suitable gun enclosed. On the side of the gun bag I have rivettted two pieces of leather through which I have slotted two velcro garden ties.Through the garden ties I can put all my hides poles ,with netting attached to it, as per John Batleys advice ( yes it does work ) plus my rotor arms if required and flappers or whatever.

 

Using this gear I find I can be mobile if I have to move hides ,and it is comfy enough to walk long distances with it.

 

Anyone else like to list their gear and why you choose it ?

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I carry gun in slip.

 

An old light weight slip in which i put hide poles, a couple of 2' & 4' painted garden canes on which i can mount coat hanger cradles for dead birds etc, i also put in here a light weight net for my hide roof, hat face mask and a small collapsabele tripod seat.

 

I then have an old wychwood fishing boat bag which holds my main hide net, 100 cartridges, tent pegs twine, black electrical tape, sack for dead birds, food drink and odds and **** etc.

 

I then have a game bag which has 15 shells, 3 full body decoys, coat hanger cradles and usuallly i take 3 dead birds from the freezer for these.

 

100 Spare catridges hidden in car (as yet unused!!!)

 

All carried on the shoulder except for the gun which is carried using handles, quite portable

 

The heaviest part of all this is the cartridges!

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All my kit goes in a large kit bag. 4 hide poles and 2 flappers in outside pocket

bottom of bag plastic bucket filled with cam net, 8 shell and 8 bodied deaks

cart bag whixh takes 150 carts (heavy but you never know!!!! :D )

bottle of water.

 

Kit bag is fitted with shoulder straps easy to walk with.

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Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

Claydon , I went down to 50 cartridges as I invariably end up with just a few shots and on the rare occasion I have a good day I just nip back to the car for some.

 

Red Stag................agreed mate :D

 

Col Pol, Yes he has influenced me a lot in my pigeonning.

 

BTMS, wwhen was the last time you even got near using them all :lol:

 

Highdowns , No net or poles at all mate :P

 

Anyone else with any other comments please ?

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Good advice on the cartridges i think i will just take 50 with me and leave the rest in the car, as you say if you need to you can always nip back if you are having a good day, i have only just started in the past couple of months its taken me a year to get a land to shot on, and havnt used even 50 on a trip yet.

I live in hope!!

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In the rucksack I carry the usual dozen full body deeks, camo net in the bottom section, secateurs, string, camo paint, flask, wine gums etc in the side pockets. Gun in the slip, with hide poles strapped to the side. Over a period of time I've picked up five cartridge belts (at car boots, cheap second hand p/x's at the local gunshop) and these are full and worn around my waist. In the past I've been caught out with not enough ammo, so now I won't go out with less than 150 rounds. Wearing them in the belts, I'm hardly aware of the weight.

This time of year the load is lessened, I don't bother with nets or poles, just gun, ammo, decoys, and an empty sack to carry home the birds. A natural hide I can build in a matter of minutes. The wine gums are carried in my pocket.

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