Effect of mist on morning flight

[crichbish]

It's my first season wildfowling and was planning a morning flight tomorrow, having just checked the forecast they are giving Fog and Mist, apart from the obvious safety issues does anyone have any experience as to what impact this has upon flight times?

 

Cheers

Chris

[wildfowler.250]

It's fog is my FAVOURITE wildfowling weather. Birds fly so much lower if it's like pea soup. Not noticed difference in evening flight times with fog ,(haven't yet managed a morning under such conditions).

[ayano3]

The Geese get lost in the fog and if your good you can call them into where your sat

[crichbish]

Thanks both, will give it a go and report tomorrow

[wildfowler.250]

The Geese get lost in the fog and if your good you can call them into where your sat

 

It really is a twisted hobby isn't it?

[Blasted mallard 1974]

Sometimes Geese won't move when to much fog . Fingers crossed

[Gutty Boots]

There are no rules set in stone I'm afraid, they dont call it a wild goose chase for nothing!

 

If the fog is really dense, they may fly very low to help them navigate. If they have had good feeding they may not flight at all or wait until weather conditions improve.

 

if it is only misty over the estuary/shore, they might come off very high above the mist, you wont see them but will be able to hear them!

 

Go anyway & see, I'm sure you'll enjoy it & learn something. If you get time, on your return home each time, make some short notes on the weather, state of tide, time, moon, flight lines taken, number of birds etc. It will all help in the flights to come........

[Wildfowler]

It's fog is my FAVOURITE wildfowling weather. Birds fly so much lower if it's like pea soup. Not noticed difference in evening flight times with fog ,(haven't yet managed a morning under such conditions).

Couldn't agree more! Fowling in the fog is great!

Keep your wIt's about you!!!

[scolopax]

Hate fog, I always regard my wildfowling trips as armed birdwatching and there is'nt much to see when it is foggy.

[Dee Wildfowler]

Fog, or thick mist, in the morning can result in some good shooting but the question is when. You go out an hour or two before sunrise with the expectation that as the sun rises it will start to burn off the fog. If at normal flight time the fog is still thick then the birds normally sit tight and will only move when it becomes thin enough for them to see where they're going. That can mean that flight takes place in quite light conditions and the birds may come at you at closer range than you would normally expect which gives exciting shooting.

 

When I've got up on foggy mornings I've always gone out, certain that it will get lighter and that the fog will normally clear so safety isn't a serious issue but if I've gone out for evening flight and the fog starts to form, Usain Bolt would have difficulty keeping up with me as I head for home.

 

John

[crichbish]

Well it was a strange one, the ground surrounding the estuary was shrowded in fairly dense fog, less than 30m visibility when driving, but the estuary itself was clear. As daylight broke the fog rolled into the estuary we didnt hear or see a single bird, but have had a good walk over the ground. Nice to be out even if there were no birds.

[steve0146]

Same on our estuary. Thick fog and not even a goose was heard. I had a teal appear in the fog and was gone before I blinked, never mind raising the gun.

[anser2]

^{Fog in the morning can be a mixed blessing. If you know the flightline geese are using they can be very easy in a fog , flying low and not picking out a fowler very well. They will also come in well to calling . They are lost and looking for their mates in such conditions. On the other hand they are often late in flighting and if it looks like clearing often wait until it does so and then flight too high. Fog is not often very good as the geese may be fog bound on the field or just drop onto the nearest water. If you are in the right place it can be a bonanza , but it makes geese very difficult to plan for.}

 

Fog for ducks usualy delays morning flight . While its thick the birds are often over you and gone into the fog befor you have time to shoot. On the other hand you can often walk ducks up in places where you cant usualy get near them. I have often had a good duck flight just as it starts to thin. As for the evening , ducks often cant find the pond they have been feeding on . On the whole I would rather not have it for the evening flight. Indeed like Scolpax I would rather have a clear morning and see the birds even if I do not get a shot than stand in a cold damp shroud and hear birds all around and not see a thing.[/sup]

Edited September 8, 2012 by anser2