Plan A worked for once

[Mightymariner]

I am always nervous when I approach a field I have been watching for a while, wondering whether the combine/tractor/sprayer or another shooter is going to be there already and ruin what might have been a good day. Always helps to have a plan B and C this time of year.

Anyhow fortune smiled yesterday as there were none of the above at the farm I went to and set up next to a patch of flattened wheat. I had watched this field for a week or so and knew the pigeons and crows were hammering it, so I was optimistic of a good day.

Having flagged off another patch and parked the Defender next to a muck heap to stop them landing there, I built a hide under the sitty tree next to the patch. Six dead birds and I was in action, which was pretty sporadic but still busy enough to stop me gettiing bored.

Nice wind at my back and every time I took a shot, it put birds in the area up, bringing me the chance of another shot.

I had ones and twos, a few left and right and lefts, even two birds with one shot. I also had quite a few crows and rooks come right in. My shooting wasn't as good as it could be though, and I missed some very easy birds. Still it was a great day.

I picked 50 pigeons, and had approx 15 crows and rooks, losing several of each in the standing crop.

Bit stiff today but pigeons delivered to game dealer, looking forward to next session.

[dead eye alan]

Nice one!

[JDog]

Good one. Both 'dead eye alan' and I on other threads today have expressed the nervousness one feels when heading out to a field with a few pigeons on it. At this time of year those big blue/green/yellow tractors can spoil a good session.

[Mightymariner]

I know exactly what you mean, I almost expect the worst then it comes as a pleasant surprise when your chosen spot is still OK. I often text a farm manager to see if they are going to the same field, but he usually doesn't know that far in advance where they may be combining. It will be interesting to see how harvest and drilling pans out this year, as round here only peas and the odd field of barley has been harvested. I guess 95% of crops are still standing so they will be going flat out in August/Sept maybe October to get everything done.