Big Al Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Yesterday I was able to sneak off for an hour on the shore. It was very quiet and I wasnt expecting to get a shot. The time was all wrong - 10am and between tides but I didnt care. I was just happy to be there. As I walked along the shore to a favourite bay, I put 40 or 50 wigeon and teal up so I hunkered down a little short of my usual spot. With little wind I saw the disturbed birds settling a few hundred yards from me on the open water. The cock wigeon yellow patch stood out in bright sunlight coming from directly behind me. After about 20 minutes the wigeon started to swim back to where they had been disturbed from and I got a real good opportunity to study the behaviour of the birds up close. The difference in personality between the birds became obvious with some being bold and brassy and coming within 15feet of me. Others (perhaps more experienced birds) stayed a little further off. A flock of lapwings flew towards me and gave me a real aerobatic display of grace and style, again coming to within a few feet of me. But it was only when one landed approx 5 feet from me that it struck me what might be happening. The bright sun was in their eyes and concealing me from them. I tested the theory by lifting my head so my face was in plain view of the lapwing and wigeon. They sat tight. I raised my hands. I coughed and they looked my direction but sat tight. I was disturbed from further experimentation by two cock teal that came tearing over the wigeon, probably heading for my usual bay. As I stood to shoot I was unaware of what the wigeon did as I was focussed on the teal. All I know that is after two shots and both teal down, the wigeon and lapwings were up and off in seconds! The sunlight gave me a "camo" I hadn't thought of before. I thought of BBs stalking cow and wondered if anyone else has had unusual assistance with concealment when in pursuit of wildfowl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 In flooded watermeadows along the banks of the Thames back in the 60's. Good place for canada geese but absolutely nowhere to hide up in the foot deep floodwater which stretched for miles. We found a line of 11 fence posts which jutted out into the water. We became the 12th and 13th. As long as we stood still there was absolutely no problem. The birds would fly right over our heads about 20 feet up. Had to get the spacing right though or they got suspicious and would veer away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Some years ago as part of some research into the effectivenes of camo I did a number of foreshore flights wearing a flourescent orange Ventile immersion suit. I still shot duck who appeared to behave no differently, as long as I kept still, than if I`d been wearing the latest photrealistic camo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunneravi Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 This debate has gone on for years re camo. Americans hunt in bright orange, probably with an ak47 granted, but they still have success. There was a vid on fieldsportschannel last month about it too. I wear it still even if its just psychological lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 This debate has gone on for years re camo. Americans hunt in bright orange, probably with an ak47 granted, but they still have success. There was a vid on fieldsportschannel last month about it too. I wear it still even if its just psychological lol I saw that on fieldsports channel! Mark Gilchrist's experimental camo was enough to put me off my dinner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunneravi Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I saw that on fieldsports channel! Mark Gilchrist's experimental camo was enough to put me off my dinner! It was too lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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