harrycatcat1 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Oxfordfowler asked me to post this for him regarding his annual trip to Scotland. Got nothing to do with my age - you rotten lot. Now what was I supposed to be doing?. OK as I was saying, drove up on the Sunday with my brother. Snowing most of the way. Arrived at Wigtown about 12:15ish. and as is traditional headed straight to the merse (bino's in hand) for a look see. Nothing to be seen from the "stake" so went to the birdhide. Sat in the hide and ate our sarnies - watching several hundred Barnacles over the river on the Crook. No Pinks to be seen - there's a surprise. Did spot some Pinks earlier on the ground closer to Newton Stewart. Some wag had placed a dead sea gull on the door to the hide. After visiting Wigtown we set off on your route to visit and check out our usual farms as we needed to find the Geese for Monday morning flight. Well we traveled a few more miles and let everyone know we were about for the week. No Geese to be found in any of the usual spots (did spot some a farm we had not used for many years) so things not looking good. The stockman on one farm did mention that geese had been about but were erratic which was confirmed by the owner of the adjoining farm. So that we decided would have to do for Monday morning - as we had nothing else. Off to meet up with the other brother and Dad at the "Digs" - evening meal, excited banter, glass of scotch, gear readied and bed. Up at 05:00 - 20 mile drive. Decoys out hide (for Dad and the thermos's built) all in the snow. As things turned out we managed to pull a couple of skeins into the decoys and ended the morning with Two Pinks in the bag. Back to the digs for breakfast at 12:00. Then spent the afternoon driving around looking before an uneventful evening flight at Wigtown (Creetown). Tuesday found us setting up on a new field (to us) - 6" of snow covered everything. Hundreds of Geese could been seen flighting in (from about 07:30) onto a field a mile or so away. There were so many we could see them as a dark patch on the ground. As luck would have it several skeins came our way and all of those came into the decoys. So 11:00 saw us walking off carrying 12 Pinks. Again spent the afternoon looking and end up at Creetown for the evening. Wednesday and we are set up on a higher field next to the field used on Monday. Not expecting much as all the geese in the area appeared to have joined with the large number seen Tuesday (we could not find them). We were lucky again and ended the morning with 5 more Pinks which included a definite for Dad (not bad for an 80 year old with only one eye). This time we estimate several thousand geese flighted inland of us. Great to watch but frustrating. After breakfast we were determined to find where the large number of geese were settling. As we had a good idea of the direction off we went to search the area. After some time we did manage to find (easily 4 figures) them in a field we even managed to find the farm owners after a bit of asking around. Found the farmer (who had a bleeding nose and was in a tearing hurry) He advised that we see uncle Jimmy (to get permission) but shooting syndicate used the farm. Had an informative chat with Jimmy who then pointed us toward brother Willy - so off we went to see Willy. Nearly an hour after entering the farm yard we left disappointed the syndicate would be shooting Saturday. It was a really close run thing, so nearly got on (we will next year (I have high hopes)). Lets hope we can convince Willy, Jimmy and bloody nose to say yes next time. So off we set to Wigtown for an evening flight - but we didn't get there. On the way we had to pass the farm where we had spotted a few on Sunday (gone Monday) and ohhh YES another several thousand sat on a field away from the farm. So quick knock on the farmers door and bless him he remembered us - we were on. Just needed to do some exploring around the farm/field to check access points and stuff (didn't want to get lost in the dark next day) and we had to plan a route for Dad. Thursday we set out with great expectations (ahh well). the geese came to the field OK but would not come anywhere near the decoys - they approached but kept peeling off as they approached (just out of range). We could not work out what was wrong. Moved the decoys/hide put decoys in and out but no use. Ended the morning with another 3 Pinks to the total. At one point there must have been close on a 1000 birds circling the field (which all arrived together). Thursday afternoon found three of us (Dad stayed at digs - too long a walk) going into a smaller estuary that can produce good flights of duck (sometimes - once every 2 - 3 years). We could not believe our luck no sign of any foot prints on the access route _ no one had been shooting the area. Had a very entertaining evening, loads of duck in the estuary (combined with a strong wind). Had to pick our shots so as not to drop birds in or over the river running through the merse. Went away with 3 Teal and 4 Widgeon (Younger brother shot his first Teal). Friday - we blanked in the morning, wrong place etc etc. Our own fault we should have made use of the mid morning high tide and gone back to the small estuary from the previous evening. Which of course two of us did Friday PM - ducks were back. So we shot another 2 Widgeon and a Teal to end the week on a good note. Saturday - packed and drove home. A little worried about the M6 as it had been blocked by snow and vehicles on the Friday but all clear when we drove passed Wigan. Sunday - filled the freezer. Why can you not get rid of the smell of Goose and Duck guts off your hands for days. Hope the dustbin men appreciate what I have put in the bin . Finished the week with 23 Pinks, 4 Teal and 6 Widgeon - between the 3 of us. HCC & AYA - is that a better report Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable. This was taken from another wildfowling forum/site sorry ayano3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Where did the last one go Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Where did the last one go Harry Administrative error on my part mate but we are back on track now Administrative error on my part mate but we are back on track now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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