lakeside1000 Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Thirty years ago I used to shoot every chance I got, with thousands of acres and facing literally thousands of pigeons I became a really good shot, well I thought I was anyway, average was two birds with every three shots. Then demands from family and work took over and the shooting dropped off, until finally a long distance house move meant no permissions, so I sold the guns and let the licence lapse. so in October this year, following illness and early retirement and looking for something to do my wife suggested why not get back into your shooting, I didn't need telling twice, after a visit to the local police to get the lowdown on licence etc I got the application in and waited, the licence arrived two weeks ago so I quickly found a nice o/u beretta at a good price, 250 hull pigeon 6's from the local shop and waited for the right conditions. So today the sun shone, the wind was very light and I had a small field of winter wheat to set up on, A dozen shell decoy laid out text book style, 3 lofters in the trees behind me and a comfortable hide took no time to achieve and brought back so many memories plus that expectant buzz I remembered . Back in the hide I took the gun out of its slip removed the caps and dropped it two of the hull 6's, sat back and waited, Just ten minutes gone and floating across the field came the first bird, I stood up lifted the beretta and flicked the safety off, the pigeon crossed right to left at about 80 yards, swung in behind a large oak tree and reappeared 6 feet off the ground going left to right over the decoys at about 25 yards, I could hear my own heartbeat, I brought the gun in from behind the bird and swung through, just allowing a small lead and fired, a cloud of white appeared behind the bird but it just wriggled and carried on flying, angry with the miss I swung into it again to give it the second barrel but as I went to take the shot the barrel made contact with a small tree to my right stopping the swing as I pulled the trigger, the shot went behind the bird and I could only stand and watch as it flew off over a nearby wood, I swore under my breath and reloaded, pushed the safety on and sat down, but just moments later I looked up to see about twenty plus birds coming straight in about 40 feet high, once again I lifted the beretta, pushed the safety to off and drew a bead on the lead bird, now head on shots were never my favorite but I gave it both barrels and missed by a mile, I watched as they all scattered. From then on it just went from bad to worse, high birds passed me by, several crows went over at about 50 feet but even with both barrels the result was the same, nothing, By lunch I was feeling the cold so collected all the decoys ,dismantled the hide and took the long way back to the van round the top of the field, on the far side of the field is a small rabbit warren and I had seen movement while in the hide so thought I would check it out, sure enough sitting just 30 yards out in the open is a big fat bunny enjoying the sun, I switched to the half choke ,took aim and let rip, expecting the bunny to roll over, but no, it just jumped in the air about 3 feet as the shot tore into the ground underneath it, the ran off into the warren, So whats next, well I think its back to school for me, if there is anyone in east norfolk you can recommend , let me know. meanwhile I better buy a blunderbuss and a few pounds of nails . :no: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 You're out of practice and had a bad day, don't beat yourself up about it. Get yourself to a clay ground and a lesson if finances allow and bash away. As soon as you hit a few your confidence will grow again and you'll be itching to get in the hide. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guvnor68 Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Dont worry mate just a bad day at the office it will come bud.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 Your expecting too much of your self pop along to a clay ground and chuck a few up to get your eye in. It will come good Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 some of my pals think i'm a shooting god if they have seen me on a good day.some think i fire blanks ,get out again and again it will come back.positive mental attitude or you might as well dig a hole get in it and start throwing soil on yourself.not one bloke on here has no bad days.if it was that easy antis would shoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman_l Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 As soon as you hit a few your confidence will grow again and you'll be itching to get in the hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEADLY PLUMBER Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 With a bit of practice you will get it back. Your probably trying to hard or thinking about it to much. As once said by Obe 1 Conoby Youze the force. I miss the easy one's sometimes when i dont gve it my full focus. My son is a newby and gets himself into a right stew if he misses and that makes it worse. When he calms down he knocks them down no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Don't worry, I'm **** as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 If you are missing sitting rabbits then perhaps gun fit/mount is the issue? like has already been said have a go on the clays and maybe have a chat with someone about getting the gun fitted. Most of akll enjoy being back out with the gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 we all shoot better when we are shooting regular , I used to be a fairly decent shot years ago when I would shoot perhaps 3 days a week , but then children and dwindling permissions got in the way and I hardly shot for years . When I had chance to start going again my shooting was not great to put it mildly . Now I have plenty of permission again and go at least once a week my shooting has come on leaps and bounds again and I don't miss too many at all. I think its just that you start to build pictures of shot birds in your mind again and you start shooting in the right place instinctively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Lol don't be to hard on your self, has a terrible last four outings. Fed up with it making me worse lol. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Don't worry, I'm **** as well Me too, in fact your first (recent) outing sounds a lot better than me at my peak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 why don't you go and have 50 sporting clays to get back into the swing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 like the others have said. don't let it get you down fella, it will only affect your shooting next time. as said a round of clays may help blow off the cobwebs or even better getting out into the field more. just a thought make sure your gun is not cast for left hand. has happened before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted November 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 I have taken all your advice and contacted the local clay club, just waiting for details and im there, looking foward to trying it out. thanks all, alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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