Frenchieboy Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) I had to go up to the farm this morning for eggs and noticed that the lower fields were covered with literally hundreds of crows and jackdaws. I mentioned this to the farmer and his reply was "Well, where's your gun, get out there and blast a few of them"? Well me not being one to turn down some easy decoying with practically no walking off I went, distributed the eggs to the pensioners in our flats and got the shotgun, decoys, hide and cartridges out. I was back at the farm within about 45 minutes and lo and behold the crows had done a dissappearing act. Not to be deterred as these crows seemed to be flitting from that farm to the neighbouring farm and back again quite regularly so I set up the hide by the side of the pile of poly wrapped big bales and set out 10 crow decoys in the field where the crows had been feeding. After calling away for about 10 minutes the first crow came in and fell to the first shot from about 35 yards. After unloading the gun that crow was immediately set out on a kebab skewer amongs the decoys. I had only just got back into the hide and reloaded the gun when crow number 2 came in - Yet again that one fell to the first shot and was set out amongst the decoys. Things then went quiet for the next 15 minutes or so and then in came a large flock of over 2 dozen jackdaws. 2 of them fell to a "left and right" and they too were set out amongst the decoys. At this point I thought I was in for a bumper day while drinking a cup of coffee but some mist started to come in and reduced the visibility to about 150 yards. All was quiet for a while and the mist was rapidly getting thicker. Eventually another crow decided to try to land on a phone line to look over my pattern and that fell to the first barrel straight away. By now the mist was getting so thick that visibility was down to less than 50 yards so i decided that it just was not going to be my day after all and packed up in the interest of safety as visibility was so poor. Shame really as I felt that I was on the button dropping 5 birds for 5 shots, but that's shooting for you! It is unbelievable how quick the mist can come in and spoil what should potentially be a great day but not to worry, they will be there for Sunday morning for me - Weather permitting! If it does come off (And is not too misty or foggy) I will take a camera to show the amount of crows that have congregated lately on this permission, I wouldn't be exagerating if I said that in the morning there were around 300 crows and jackdaws all feeding in two adjoining fields. Just as an added bonus I have been asked to get up there one night and check for a couple of foxes that have been spotted in the upper fields. That is fine by me as I have a PW member coming through either next Thursday or Friday night to try out his brand new (And very expencive) Night Vision set up - Hopefully we will be able to do a report on it with a photo of a fox or two falling to it! Edit: Just to add that I was using my Pop-Up hide which kept me nice and warm and dry and comfortable while hardly looking out of place along side the big bales! Edited January 4, 2013 by Frenchieboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Were is the videos mate I use to look forward to watching them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Were is the videos mate I use to look forward to watching them Sorry Bullet mate, I didn't take a camera with me. I am however hoping to take one when I go out with my mate and his new night vision next Friday for some foxes. The last video I did was on the Shooting Sticks I made on the Crafts and DIY section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 I've had some good days on the crows in mist/fog. The poor visibilty works both ways insofar as the crows find it more difficult to spot the hide and do come in closer for a nose at the decoys, but it can make them harder to see until they're right upon you. The noise of the gun is also muffled which is useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Sorry Bullet mate, I didn't take a camera with me. I am however hoping to take one when I go out with my mate and his new night vision next Friday for some foxes. The last video I did was on the Shooting Sticks I made on the Crafts and DIY section. I'll have a look cheers hope you get a couple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Good shooting and great write up Frenchie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotShot! Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Great read and well done ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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