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Afternoon on the Peas


kippylawkid
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post-305-0-14059900-1402177072_thumb.jpgA pea field on my permission had been steadily building up after the recent downpours. The new growth had attracted a good few birds. Happy days. However, this was not a straightforward shoot.

The field concerned has a large camp site 1 field over and a busy road with footpath on one side.

Thankfully a decent southerly breeze enabled me to place my hide with the camp site and wind at my back, leaving me with 180' of safe shooting space.I could not fire any shots to the footpath on my right, so positioned the decoys accordingly.

I started with 12 plastic half shells on cradles and shot my first bird at 2.30pm.

Nearly all the birds came from behind me, having to fly over the camp site. It is a long time since I have had birds decoy as confidently. I was in that long forgotten position of knowing that every pigeon that came to the field would visit my pattern. Having shot around 20, I replaced the plastics and set up the flapper. While doing this, 2 pigeons came into the pattern and landed about 10 yards from me. I reckon they'd become used to flying past humans and were nowhere near as wary as usual. Anyone else agree with that? Or were they just used to feeding undisturbed?

The birds continued to come in regularly in 2s and 3s until 6pm when I called it a day and picked up a very satisfying 78 pigeons and 3 crows.

I did lose a good number in the neighbouring wheat field but couldn't go in flattening that, I value the permission too much!

I reckon if I could have fired all around the hide I would have comfortably made 100+, but safety first.

As a pointer, it was a warm afternoon and the dog was absolutely cream crackered. I took 4 ltrs of water and he guzzled the lot. Always remember your dog in hot conditions.

To put the cherry on the cake, I called in to let the farmer know how I'd done and he was that chuffed he handed over a slab of shells. What a guy!

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Nice bag.

Couldn't you have let the dog have a look in the wheat?

I only really send the dog for runners. That way she doesn't really get too hot and need much water. I pick most of the birds I shoot.

I let him pick a couple of runners on the edge of the wheat but it was obvious he was going to cause damage so I pulled out.

Mine doesn't usually get too hot but it was a really warm day and he was blowing from the word go.

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