evo Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 ok after reading some of the posts on here i find that a lot of people in the shooting world (yes us lot) seem to have a different opinion on what is sporting and what isn,t and what you can and what you cant shoot (the mind boggles at some write ups) i am reading things like" dont shoot when bird is too close" ," only shoot the high birds" "dont shoot them on the ground" " shoot them just as they land " "shoot them as they take off" "i only shoot the high challenging birds" "dont shoot every bird" "shoot everything that moves" "only shoot for crop protection" " i decoy over grass" "dont shoot a roosting bird" "shoot roosting birds" the list is endless but it is pretty obvious that everyone on here has different views, please can you explain this as i know my views but they certainly differ from a lot on here be it wrong or right, one of the main things i cant understand is how a flying bird (pheasant) at 25yrds is classed as not sporting but a pigeon,woodcock,and any other legally shot bird at the same distance is classed as sporting please can anyone explain what they think of above and tell us your views we will now just see how different they all are looking forward to this topic and guys and gals, no arguing please i,m asking for your views in your opinion HERE GOES, GOOD LUCK and all the best cheers evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lksopener Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Hi evo, It's all subjective to the shooter and opinions will differ greatly on this. Personal i read on here a sporting shot is anything that challenges the shooter and that's a fair assumption. The sporting unsporting debate generally refers to game shooting mind. Having shot all UK quarry I still believe the humble woody is one of the most sporting birds on out shores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Hi evo, It's all subjective to the shooter and opinions will differ greatly on this. Personal i read on here a sporting shot is anything that challenges the shooter and that's a fair assumption. The sporting unsporting debate generally refers to game shooting mind. Having shot all UK quarry I still believe the humble woody is one of the most sporting birds on out shores. thanks for that so does that mean a sporting shot is a very high challenging bird ? which if i,m right has more chance of a wounding, i understand people say its for game birds but surely a fast jigging pigeon at 25yrds is more sporting than a pheasant coming straight at you and at 25yrds would be classed as not sporting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBS Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 You seem confused over the difference between a paid for sporting bird that is bred for sport and vermin control/crop protection Would I shoot a pigeon at ten yards, on the ground or sat in a tree? Yes every time. Would I shoot a pheasant in these situations? Of coarse not. Why anyone would want to pay to drill unsporting pheasants is beyond me and I certainly wouldn't be best pleased to be stood in line with someone else doing it, same applies to someone not shooting a ten yard pigeon as its unsporting, if your not going to do the job then get out of the hide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I think 'unsporting' is generally applied to game birds ie a low pheasant or partridge which may be very close and 'not worth shooting'. Pigeons on the other hand can be shot on the ground, in trees or at close range as they are classified as an agricultural pest. That said they are amongst the most sporting birds going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 but as has been pointed out pigeons can only be shot for crop control , so decoying over grass is not crop control,,can you see how confusing it is to someone new to the sport,,dont worry thats not me by the way i,ve been shooting for 38 years and believe me i,ve NEARLY seen it all,good shots,bad shots the lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian28 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Decoying over grass is crop control, the farm i used to shoot over was a clover grass mix, the farmer wanted them shot over it as it was grown as animal feed. A pheasant 10 foot in the air is not sporting any fool could hit it, shooting low birds could also injure beaters. Shooting ground game is also a no no on most pheasant shoots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SniperCWF Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 How about wildfowl? (When decoying) If they land on water before you get a shot off? Wait until it takes off again? I've seen various ( albeit USA based) wildfowling videos showing shots taken at birds on the ground and on water? Would this be considered unsporting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Id say sporting is picking the shots that at least give the birds a chance of geting past. A phasant trundling straight over at 25-30 yard is only ever going to end up very very dead so why not let it go for next time? Pigeons are great fun, and hard to beat on a windy day. Even if Im out to get rid of them, I wouldnt shoot one sitting down with a shotgun for similar reasons to those above; at least give them a chance. Is not all about how many you can get, more about how you get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bi9johnny Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 The big thing is bob that what people write on here and criticise others about is a far cry from what a lot of people practice , fact No one only the foolish will put up on here with it being an open forum what they really get up to when out in the field and I'm not saying people get up to bad things its just the way it is. Take your post of shooting a pheasant with an air rifle and the comments that received and just wonder how many of us old boys have done the same whilst out and about years ago but are now unwilling to admit to anything of the sort in today's so called pc world. Is it sporting only you can decide, is it one for the pot how much do you want it, would you shoot that way all the time again you decide. We do what we do but if you do it wrong be a man stand tall and take the flack for it is my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) See below... Edited December 31, 2012 by Grandalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 You seem confused over the difference between a paid for sporting bird that is bred for sport and vermin control/crop protection Would I shoot a pigeon at ten yards, on the ground or sat in a tree? Yes every time. Would I shoot a pheasant in these situations? Of coarse not. Why anyone would want to pay to drill unsporting pheasants is beyond me and I certainly wouldn't be best pleased to be stood in line with someone else doing it, same applies to someone not shooting a ten yard pigeon as its unsporting, if your not going to do the job then get out of the hide no I,M not confused,,i know what i think and do what i do,its the posts on here that are confusing me because everyone has different opinions of what is sporting and what isn,t. believe me its not me that is confused,i,m just confused by some of the post not what should and shouldn,t be done,,cheers evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 How about wildfowl? (When decoying) If they land on water before you get a shot off? Wait until it takes off again? I've seen various ( albeit USA based) wildfowling videos showing shots taken at birds on the ground and on water? Would this be considered unsporting? Not if your gun is fixed to a punt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Id say sporting is picking the shots that at least give the birds a chance of geting past. A phasant trundling straight over at 25-30 yard is only ever going to end up very very dead so why not let it go for next time? Pigeons are great fun, and hard to beat on a windy day. Even if Im out to get rid of them, I wouldnt shoot one sitting down with a shotgun for similar reasons to those above; at least give them a chance. Is not all about how many you can get, more about how you get them. well said ed,,cheers evo The big thing is bob that what people write on here and criticise others about is a far cry from what a lot of people practice , fact No one only the foolish will put up on here with it being an open forum what they really get up to when out in the field and I'm not saying people get up to bad things its just the way it is. Take your post of shooting a pheasant with an air rifle and the comments that received and just wonder how many of us old boys have done the same whilst out and about years ago but are now unwilling to admit to anything of the sort in today's so called pc world. Is it sporting only you can decide, is it one for the pot how much do you want it, would you shoot that way all the time again you decide. We do what we do but if you do it wrong be a man stand tall and take the flack for it is my opinion my exact thoughts also john he he as you say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 It`s not even as simple as saying don`t` take birds less than 25 yds away. I shot with a guy for a good number of years who was a safe but poor shot, who would only put 6 or 7 pheasants in the bag on a 100 bird day but he was paying the same as everyone else so I never minded him taking some lower birds as he was safe and the higher birds were beyond him. He was a close personal friend of a good friend of mine, was great company and enjoyed his day out even though his contribution was small Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) Anyone can shoot a low bird with luck. A higher bird, or a challenging bird will keep someone banging on about it all day. Life is about making memories, any idiot can shot everything that moves, but he isnt going to remember all of those. Ill bet we all have a good few five or six shots where everything fell into place on a really challenging bird that we are proud of. Thats sporting. Edited December 31, 2012 by demonwolf444 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 It`s not even as simple as saying don`t` take birds less than 25 yds away. I shot with a guy for a good number of years who was a safe but poor shot, who would only put 6 or 7 pheasants in the bag on a 100 bird day but he was paying the same as everyone else so I never minded him taking some lower birds as he was safe and the higher birds were beyond him. He was a close personal friend of a good friend of mine, was great company and enjoyed his day out even though his contribution was small Bill thats exactly what i,m on about,,"does that mean those low unsporting shots that you friend of a friend did" became exceptable as sporting because he was a bad shot now i am confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 The big thing is bob that what people write on here and criticise others about is a far cry from what a lot of people practice , fact No one only the foolish will put up on here with it being an open forum what they really get up to when out in the field and I'm not saying people get up to bad things its just the way it is. Take your post of shooting a pheasant with an air rifle and the comments that received and just wonder how many of us old boys have done the same whilst out and about years ago but are now unwilling to admit to anything of the sort in today's so called pc world. Is it sporting only you can decide, is it one for the pot how much do you want it, would you shoot that way all the time again you decide. We do what we do but if you do it wrong be a man stand tall and take the flack for it is my opinion agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 What is a 'sporting shot' has therefore to be personal judging from the posts so far. I know that I would never be tempted by a low game bird but I have friends who do shoot such birds and I cringe every time. Telling them off, especially when it may not be my shoot, is just not on anymore though I have done it in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) Its all relative really to what you want to do and how good you are. When decoying pigeons I like a challenging shot but will shoot the easy ones if they are in the air. My mate and often decoying buddy doesnt shoot alot and will shoot birds on the ground or in a tree if he needs a few for the pot. It is much more humane to shoot at a range you have a good chance in a kill that at one you havent. Ps of course the shot has to be one of safety to others around you regardless. Edited December 31, 2012 by Redgum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 i would say it all depends on the bird you shoot. i reckon a snipe, woodcock,and teal would be a good sporting bird at 25 yards but a pheasant at this distance would not be so sporting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 thats exactly what i,m on about,,"does that mean those low unsporting shots that you friend of a friend did" became exceptable as sporting because he was a bad shot now i am confused I would have considered them unsporting from any competent shot but should we exclude those from the sport that are not as good as others ? Personally, I am willing for those less able to take a few lower birds on a driven day as it has cost them the same as the more competent, as long as they are safe. The guy in question in my OP shot clays once a week during the closed season and shot game at least every other week during the season but just hadn`t` the aptitude. Would you stop a 28 handicap golfer from playing just because he takes twice as many shots as you, I wouldn`t , as long as he played safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 Anyone can shoot a low bird with luck. A higher bird, or a challenging bird will keep someone banging on about it all day. Life is about making memories, any idiot can shot everything that moves, but he isnt going to remember all of those. Ill bet we all have a good few five or six shots where everything fell into place on a really challenging bird that we are proud of. Thats sporting. Tripe! You need to have a go on a grouse moor! Bet you would change your opinion on low birds then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 woodcock don't normally get high in the air so most of them that I shoot are low, in sayin that today I flushed 3 and didn't fire a shot at one of them, the first one lifted 6ft from me and flew off 4ft off the ground I let him go as I'd have to shoot him before he reached bushes which would have meant I'd hit it very hard, second one was shootable through light bushes but I didn't want the chance of just wounden' him so I let him go the 3rd one the dog pushed right at me less than 20 yards it came straight at me I lifted the gun knowin it would have to clear the trees to get by me but when it did I realised I'd have blew it a sunder so I just let it go, it was great to flush them but it was equally as good to let them go as this is the second time I've flushed them from the same place so they could be there If I go back again for a hunt before the end of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 (edited) May I add to my post about shooting low game birds by excluding grouse as per gixer1's contribution. Shooting in the end butt on the edge of an escarpment in one drive I shot at a number of birds infront at head height and to my right I shot at several birds which were possibly 20m below me. None were easy, all were very sporting and not many of them were shot. Edited December 31, 2012 by JDog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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