Enjoyable afternoon on barley stubble

[FalconFN]

The barley has just been cut and I'm off on holiday next week so I was desperate to squeeze in an afternoon shooting before it gets ploughed in so I re-arranged my diary managed to get my work done by 2.30pm. When I turned up, 50 or so pigeons lifted and there were small groups crossing here and there, I watched to make sure the usual flight lines were being followed and set up not far from a decent one.

 

I was ready by 3pm and the first birds were taking a look - although at a bit too much of a distance and too fast for my poor skills, I was over eager and taking shots that I shouldn't have so I only hit 2 out of the dozen or so I shot at. I decided to sit back and wait for them to fully commit to the decoys, which meant watching dozens of them skit past, some of them pretty slowly, until one opened its wings and really committed to land. This approach paid off as I then hit a further 26 for less than 50 carts which is pretty good going for me.

 

I shot until 5pm and ended the day with 28 for 60 carts which, considering the poor start, I'm pleased with. When I improve I'll be able to take on faster birds but for now I'll stick with my slow and stead approach and live with small bags, cleaner kills and fewer wasted carts.

 

 

[ezi bez]

Take it one step at a time , just shoot at what your comfortable with , the ratios will even out.

 

Atb ezi

[steveyg]

quality afternoon...enjoy your hols.. B) I would personally have ago at the faster birds..Its all a learning curve,just give them more lead