ShropshireSam Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 What a day. Have been watching three small barley stubble fields since harvest as often get good numbers. Last week one field had 300+ on it so I have been itching to get on but other things have got in the way. Managed to get today off work and weather perfect. No clear flightline in these fields with pigeons crossing them at various points. But as one field half ploughed planned to set up in middle field. Rain first thing then dried out and wind picked up. When I arrived very few pigeons about but had only recently stopped raining so assumed they would soon turn up. Set up by 9:30 with my back to a large oak tree and a popular sitty tree. This tree is good to shoot under as not much canopy. Set up with wind directly behind me and a wide U with about 20 flocked shells directly in front. Soon had 5 bagged and put two on flappers at front of pattern. Pigeon traffic was a reasonable pace but fluctuated between busy and quiet sessions of about 5 mins. Flappers did not seem to be helping with more birds flairing away so switched them off and left as angels and added another stationary angel. By twelve I had bagged 40 and had built up the pattern with deadbirds on craddles. The wind picked up and had a very busy two hour session, often had pigeons coming into the pattern from two different flightlines at the same time and pigeons committing to the pattern straight after a shot. Then a quiet half hour and first chance to grab some lunch and coffee. Traffic picked up again and similar to morning except for wind made for better sport. Finished with 186 picked. Ratio just under 1:2 and 14 left-and-rights. My first ton and more than doubled my previous best. Couple of points to note: 1) I was using 1/4 choke with Eley First (7.5, 28g) in first barrel and 1/2 choke Express pigeon special (6, 30g) in second barrel. I was very impressed with the killing power of the Eley First for a cheap clay cartridge. 2) As more stubbles are getting cultivated and drilled there is less stubble around for pigeons which is why I think these fields were so busy in the last week. So keep your eyes out on the remianing stubbles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Quite a day!Nice to see when everything comes together for someone ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordripon Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 well done , sounds like one to remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 A great result for you. Your knowledge building and experience has paid off handsomely. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveyg Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 First 100...14 L/R and a PB ..CRACKING RESULT Great post and pic,well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Excellent, a session you will probably remeber for the rest of your days! Well shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Awesome day and great write up. You'll be smiling for days reliving it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 A good day. Those Eley First's are a very good pigeon cartridge. Been using them recently in the fibre 28g and at £40 a slab, you can't go wrong. What a day. Have been watching three small barley stubble fields since harvest as often get good numbers. Last week one field had 300+ on it so I have been itching to get on but other things have got in the way. Managed to get today off work and weather perfect. No clear flightline in these fields with pigeons crossing them at various points. But as one field half ploughed planned to set up in middle field. Rain first thing then dried out and wind picked up. When I arrived very few pigeons about but had only recently stopped raining so assumed they would soon turn up. Set up by 9:30 with my back to a large oak tree and a popular sitty tree. This tree is good to shoot under as not much canopy. Set up with wind directly behind me and a wide U with about 20 flocked shells directly in front. Soon had 5 bagged and put two on flappers at front of pattern. Pigeon traffic was a reasonable pace but fluctuated between busy and quiet sessions of about 5 mins. Flappers did not seem to be helping with more birds flairing away so switched them off and left as angels and added another stationary angel. By twelve I had bagged 40 and had built up the pattern with deadbirds on craddles. The wind picked up and had a very busy two hour session, often had pigeons coming into the pattern from two different flightlines at the same time and pigeons committing to the pattern straight after a shot. Then a quiet half hour and first chance to grab some lunch and coffee. Traffic picked up again and similar to morning except for wind made for better sport. Finished with 186 picked. Ratio just under 1:2 and 14 left-and-rights. My first ton and more than doubled my previous best. Couple of points to note: 1) I was using 1/4 choke with Eley First (7.5, 28g) in first barrel and 1/2 choke Express pigeon special (6, 30g) in second barrel. I was very impressed with the killing power of the Eley First for a cheap clay cartridge. 2) As more stubbles are getting cultivated and drilled there is less stubble around for pigeons which is why I think these fields were so busy in the last week. So keep your eyes out on the remianing stubbles. 286 PIGEONS.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIDENSEEK Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Great day & write up! Keep 'em coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 A good right up and some useful tips, well done and thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Good result.....good write up.....with the Eley first's a good kill ratio can make for a cheap day out........ TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dbw1shrops Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Well done Sam good write up and nice bag of pigeons you seem to be getting a few birds moving in round your neck of the woods now mate ! Think that's where mine have all vacated to lol 👍 I use 7.5 express power red 1500 now at £42 a slab you can't go wrong. Atvb Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Great result and some good shooting. How long ago were those fields harvested ?Was their any "volunteer" barley sprouting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 An excellent day, i'm pleased for you. Don't bother with the heavier cartridge in the second barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShropshireSam Posted September 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Well done Sam good write up and nice bag of pigeons you seem to be getting a few birds moving in round your neck of the woods now mate ! Think that's where mine have all vacated to lol I use 7.5 express power red 1500 now at £42 a slab you can't go wrong. Atvb Dave Thanks Dave. Now I have gained the trust of my farmers I can have guests on a couple of permissions....will have to have you over for a day. Likely to be quieter now the shooting season due to start but should have some peas in the spring? Great result and some good shooting. How long ago were those fields harvested ? Was their any "volunteer" barley sprouting ? Fields have been cut for about a month, very little volunteer barley sprouting as been too dry....but plenty of barley left behind by the combine, mainly as whole heads or partly broken heads of barley rather than threshed seed. Two remaining stubbles will be left overwinter with cattle on so may get another go before cattle put on....will see if numbers build up again. Thanks for all the positive comments - was certainly a day to remember :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dbw1shrops Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Hi Sam yeah mate that would be great thanks 👍 I'm always out and about in the week now trying to reccy but at the minute I can't seem to locate them on my perms seem to be spread out over the stubbles but not in any numbers ! If I do start to get some good numbers I will be sure to give you a shout thanks again. Atvb Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Well done you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuy Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 What a fantastic day, its great when a plan comes together, and good shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 An excellent day, i'm pleased for you. Don't bother with the heavier cartridge in the second barrel. I had a feeling that if you posted on this topic you would say that. I agree, there is a lot of fiddling around with cartridges going on and it is just not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 well done Sammy boy, you made the effort and got a result there is hope for us all just prey to the pigeon god......kenbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pesky pigeon Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Well done great read and pic thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocknee Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Nice one and as has been said if you have found a cartridge you like stick with it and use it in both barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Thanks Dave. Now I have gained the trust of my farmers I can have guests on a couple of permissions....will have to have you over for a day. Likely to be quieter now the shooting season due to start but should have some peas in the spring? Fields have been cut for about a month, very little volunteer barley sprouting as been too dry....but plenty of barley left behind by the combine, mainly as whole heads or partly broken heads of barley rather than threshed seed. Two remaining stubbles will be left overwinter with cattle on so may get another go before cattle put on....will see if numbers build up again. Thanks for all the positive comments - was certainly a day to remember :good: If there is still plenty of food there I would almost guarantee you'll get another day on there. Almost every time I've had a first good day on a stubble like the one you mention, I've followed it up with another on the same field a week or two later. The best part is, you shouldn't have to wait too long for the birds to be back on there in similar numbers - and maybe even more! I'm just waiting for numbers to build on a couple of barley stubbles with a fair bit of food left on top, then hopefully I can have another good day or two before I turn my attentions to wildfowling once more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonslayer15 Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Well done mate a very good bag in dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted September 28, 2014 Report Share Posted September 28, 2014 Well done Sam , a day you will always remember, good intel and very productive day . The first of many , may your reputation spread across Salop to your advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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