njc110381 Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I was out at the farm this morning, having a nice slow walk around on my day off. Didn't really see a lot to be honest, a couple of rabbits, pigeons and crows. I missed out on one rabbit, it come out of the hedge about 10 feet in front of me, legged it a good few yards, then went down a hole. I'm still a bit slow, so didn't have chance to attempt it before it had gone! All the pigeons were out of range for my skill level, so I left them to it I had the local buzzard out with me all morning, so maybe that's why there wasn't much else about? Just before I packed up to leave, a rather daft crow decided to mob the buzzard as he was gliding around above me. I wasn't too impressed by it so when there was a good space between them I give the crow a load of no.6 up the ****! It dropped him cleanly, which I was pleased about. The shot was at about 25 yards, with 1/4 choke. My first kill with the new shotty :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Fox Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 We have so many bloody buzzards round my way, one farm has at least 6 pairs in residence, has anyone else noticed that the numbers have gone up over the last 5 - 10 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invector Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I see buzzards most times I'm out. A pair have nested in a spinney, next to some of my OSR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 There are quite a few in my area, but I can't see as they cause any problems. After all, they share my interest in hunting rabbits! Cool birds I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Where I fly I see them thermaling all the time, and one one of my permissions I see a few pairs almost like clockwork. Love seeing them about, such mastery of the air, makes any glider pilot jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 thats one bird i like two shoot and thats crows they just fold up when shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 We don't have buzzards in my area, but a good selection of hawks, including a pair of marsh harriers. I have always thought buzzards were carrion eaters, do they actually catch live prey ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipper Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 We don't have buzzards in my area, but a good selection of hawks, including a pair of marsh harriers. I have always thought buzzards were carrion eaters, do they actually catch live prey ? I think it depends what kind of buzzard it is, some do catch live prey. and some falconers train them for hunting, (my dad had one last year) common buzzard I think it was. We get a few of them around derbyshire and when I go to the lake district I always see a few. the lakes is the only place I get to see the native red squirrel now shame. I went to scotland a couple of years ago for a weeks fishing,shooting,hawking and ferreting some friends up there have got a small holding with a wood running down the side of there field. they had a big bird table that they used to put day old chick on (the ones they fed to there hawks) and shout "come on mrs buzzard" and sure enough a couple of mins later mrs buzzard would apear for her breakfast. amazing to see and quite unbelievable. KIPPER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Its a good feeling isnt it, first kill with the shotty. I bought down my first 4 birds today with the shotty (all kills have been land based). 3 crows and a partridge..Was happy, cant wait till next time cos there is alot of potential on this field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I have always thought buzzards were carrion eaters, do they actually catch live prey ? I've heard of them taking poults but haven't witnessed this. They do a great job of diving into coveys of partridges and pheasants and scattering them. I guess if this happens enough the game birds go elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Fox Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 They do nab poults, the ones around are way are getting aggresive in the hunt for food because of there numbers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 on the farms i shoot the pigeons land in the same tree as the buzzards.when im under trees the buzzards land in it and alone come the pigeons and bang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I enjoy seeing the buzzards about. FM :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Check you PM NJC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Buzzards do eat carrion, but are also quite keen hunters if they get hungry. I've watched the one on the farm take several rabbits, and fly away with smaller ones too. They are very powerful birds, quite a size if you see them close up. How crows ever get away with mobbing them I'll never know, they certainy don't if I see them doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 I'm getting the hang of this shotty lark now. Got myself a rabbit today, again with 1/4 choke, at about 20 yards. Not really edible though, got him a bit too cleanly if you know what I mean Thinking about it, I should have used it as bait for the crows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 I'm getting the hang of this shotty lark now. Got myself a rabbit today, again with 1/4 choke, at about 20 yards. Not really edible though, got him a bit too cleanly if you know what I mean Thinking about it, I should have used it as bait for the crows Why do people always make a mess of rabbits with shotguns, all the rabbits iv had with mine have been in mint condition apart from 1 popped eyeball. What load are you using? 32g Shot number 6 over here. 1/4 & 1/2 choked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted November 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 I use 30g of 6. Gamebore clear pigeon fibre wad. 1/4 choke. Don't really know why I mashed it, I thought the choke and cart choice were about right for the range I got it at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 1, 2006 Report Share Posted December 1, 2006 Was it a sitter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Sorry HD, didn't notice that last comment on there! It was running away from me, I hit it between the shoulders and lost the whole front end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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