NickB65 Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 It has been **** year of far Pigeon shooting wise - the rape crop is only 50% so most pigeons are going to the other fields which have meant a very slow year to date. That at getting engaged and them married within four months and a week in Malta has meant very poor shooting. So today I was up at 4am and was in the field by 6am. I set-up under the double pylon with a magnet 25+ decoys. For a steady hour I had pigeons being drawn by the magnet but when they were within 50 yards they veered off to the top hedge. So, I left the magnet doing its thing s and packed everything else up was was up the top hedge and set-up by 8am. The pigeons from the tall trees where being drawn by the magnet but then veered off up to the top hedge where me and the decoys were waiting. Now I have never been the greatest shot but even by my standards I was ****..... I seemed to be shooting low and left. I have this habit of weaning to see the bird and not blocking the bird out wight he barrel.... Snap shots are easy and I managed a lovely right to left and then a wonderful high bird. But some easy shots I was just missing. I slowed down and thought more but I just missed - I sped up and stopped thinking and still missed - I then got angry and shot the blighters and managed one or two. Started to get into the swing and got a few but most where wing hit which is either me shooting low or left....... still managed 26 picked up with another 8 in the field of wheat behind. Looked for them but Mr Fox will have some dinner with those. After a long think and mull I think I need to pay a visit tot he clay ground and see my instructor again and find out what is going on..... Lovely day happy with the 34 birds shot for 75 cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1985 Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Well done. You got a bird or 2 that's the main thing! Could just be an off day or could be your gun fit? Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveyg Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 34 is a good bag for this time of year and for only 75 shots..not to shabby.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddaftspaniel Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 nearly 1 in 2 aint bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 nearly 1 in 2 aint bad That is true but what miffed me was I missed some really easy shots which I just shouldn't have. Two which gore me are one from behind over head and flying away from me in a straight line - gave it both barrels and it just flew on and the either was a right to left not more than ten feet away and again both barrels and both missed....... Was back there this morning to pick up some gear for a colleague and the top hedge was buzzing with pigeons. Fingers crossed for another clear day this weekend so I can see if I can improve on the bag. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 Don,t look too deep into your shooting mate, we all have our off days. Out of interest what crop are you shooting pigeons on at the minute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 That is true but what miffed me was I missed some really easy shots which I just shouldn't have. Two which gore me are one from behind over head and flying away from me in a straight line - gave it both barrels and it just flew on and the either was a right to left not more than ten feet away and again both barrels and both missed....... Was back there this morning to pick up some gear for a colleague and the top hedge was buzzing with pigeons. Fingers crossed for another clear day this weekend so I can see if I can improve on the bag. :-) It happens to us all at some stage im sure but thats why some people use semi automatics 3 shots great when you need all three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Those two at 10 feet were too close for the pattern to be effective, unless you were absolutely on the money, but then there would have been very little pigeon left. That is true but what miffed me was I missed some really easy shots which I just shouldn't have. Two which gore me are one from behind over head and flying away from me in a straight line - gave it both barrels and it just flew on and the either was a right to left not more than ten feet away and again both barrels and both missed....... Was back there this morning to pick up some gear for a colleague and the top hedge was buzzing with pigeons. Fingers crossed for another clear day this weekend so I can see if I can improve on the bag. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Those two at 10 feet were too close for the pattern to be effective, unless you were absolutely on the money, but then there would have been very little pigeon left. Hit one once at 10ft, hit the ground plucked and cooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted May 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Don,t look too deep into your shooting mate, we all have our off days. Out of interest what crop are you shooting pigeons on at the minute? Well the pigeons are feeding on part of a rape field where the rape was decimated by flea beetle and growing there we have wild poppies, some clover and other wild flowers. They love it and have been docking there in their hundreds for over a month. My father in law doesn't mind as they are not of what is left of his rape. They are so keen on this food source that even when you scare them off they are back in minutes. When I plucked and prepped them all the crops where full of wild flower leaves, heads and some other greenery. What was interesting when prepping the birds I did notice that those I thought I had just winged where hit well in the chest so not as bad as I thought. I want to break the big 50 and maybe the 100 this year so need to get out there and practise. Can not wait for this weekend. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Those two at 10 feet were too close for the pattern to be effective, unless you were absolutely on the money, but then there would have been very little pigeon left. I though he meant two birds 10ft apart Penelope. If it was 10 ft from the muzzle, the pattern probably would have been less than the size of the birds body. Your right there would be little left to eat. Many years ago I shot a hare on a driven shoot, it ran in front of me at about 25 ft. I completely disembowelled it. I shouldn't have shot and boy did I get some stick from the other guns and quite rightly so. Another lesson learnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Not heard from you in awhile nick I did start to wonder , congrats on the wedding and nice to see your getting some birds it's been pretty baron for me of late Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) 'and the either was a right to left not more than ten feet away and again both barrels and both missed'. Easy to do in the excitement of the moment. A few years ago I shot a driven redleg that was a little close, fortunately I hit it right in the beak, so the carcase wasn't damaged but it's head was obliterated. I though he meant two birds 10ft apart Penelope. If it was 10 ft from the muzzle, the pattern probably would have been less than the size of the birds body. Your right there would be little left to eat. Many years ago I shot a hare on a driven shoot, it ran in front of me at about 25 ft. I completely disembowelled it. I shouldn't have shot and boy did I get some stick from the other guns and quite rightly so. Another lesson learnt. Edited May 29, 2014 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 'and the either was a right to left not more than ten feet away and again both barrels and both missed'. Easy to do in the excitement of the moment. A few years ago I shot a driven redleg that was a little close, fortunately I hit it right in the beak, so the carcase wasn't damaged but it's head was obliterated. I've seen that on driven pheasants. One of the reasons I no longer do driven shooting. I enjoyed it for years but would much rather sit in a creek or a hide these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Always been my preference too. I've seen that on driven pheasants. One of the reasons I no longer do driven shooting. I enjoyed it for years but would much rather sit in a creek or a hide these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Not heard from you in awhile nick I did start to wonder , congrats on the wedding and nice to see your getting some birds it's been pretty baron for me of late BIGMAN - Thanks - the wedding plans have been the priority since we got engaged in January and there have been few pigeons on the land due to the poor Rape crop. Now they are on the wild flowers it is getting more interesting :-) You have to come over one session as there is always room for a second hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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