motty Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 I decided to go for a few shots at the pigeons going to roost in a little wood, on Christmas eve. I shot a worthwhile bag there a couple of weeks ago. I asked the kids if they wanted to join me. To my surprise, the eldest of the my boys (aged 12), said yes. He would have to use the .410 pump. He has only had the odd shot here and there before, and I hoped he would be able to finally sample some fine sport as the birds came thick and fast. I've never pushed the boys to start shooting, preferring to let them find the sport when they wished. So we arrived in front of the wood at around 2pm and the pigeons were already making their way in with crops full to bursting. I showed Ryan how to operate the .410 and re-iterated the safety points. I initially gave him a half empty box of Eley 18gm 6. We both knelt in the sugar beet and started shooting. I left the lower, easier birds for Ryan, and I thought he'd be lucky to hit a pigeon. The .410 is not the easiest of guns to handle, especially for a complete novice. I gave him very few pointers on how to actually address the birds etc, only that he must swing through. I shot a couple and he missed a few. A nice 25 yard quartering incomer went to his right. I watched as he upped, swung and fired. The bird winged down into the horse field next door. I quickly jumped the gate and sent the dog. I soon returned his first ever pigeon to him. He seemed well impressed with himself. Only a couple of minutes later and he stoned one over his head that crashed through the branches of the trees. It was my turn to be impressed - what a tidy shot! So we carried on and the pigeons kept beating a path towards us across the beet. It made me chuckle as Ryan was 'firing and pumping' for all he was worth, he was really getting in to it. I had to reign him in a bit as he tried a few rangey shots, but I couldn't really blame him for that. He shot another that nearly hit me on the head, and one final bird that must have been the best part of 40 yards after it had alighted from a tree. He ran out of cartridges (I had took around 40 for him) and he then took to spotting for me. I could have shot a far bigger bag than I got, but it was far more satisfying getting a new recruit (hopefully now) hooked on the sport. We've just been to 'feed the ducks' and he asked if he could take the .410 for some duck shooting. Maybe. The picture shows Ryan with his 4 birds in the final bag of 22. Most of the birds were stuffed with berries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Well done Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Well done to the lad, looks like you will soon be needing to make more room in the hide, looks like you had a reasonable bag too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 step aside PC there is a new kid on the block well don't that lad colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Motty, you have kids? And here's me thinking you were married to Muncher and Fenboy. Seriously though it must have been a very proud moment for you when he shot his first pigeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Great stuff! I was hoping my 13 year old son might have taken an interest by now! I may try to persuade him to try clays over the holiday. Great read motty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 well done to the pair of you , but mostly to the lad , . the .410 is a great little tool , and NOT the easiest thing to use as you say , but it obviously fits him well . only one small point ........ get that blooming sticker off the butt haha as I learnt with my lad , the key seems to be not to take them too much , always leave them wanting , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Motty brilliant result for Ryan, the first of many we hope and eventually taking you out and showing you how to do it with the new methods that will be invented in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Nice one :-) U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul taylor Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Fantastic. Bet you feel well chuffed with the young fella. I hope he gets the bug and you share many happy times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG wales Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Well done ryan and a proud dad tonight i bet you are motty . Arb neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooterluke Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy bingo Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 well done mate keep him at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted December 27, 2014 Report Share Posted December 27, 2014 Superb can't beat having your son as a shooting buddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkey00023 Posted December 28, 2014 Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 well done to both of you he will be on the marsh in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted December 28, 2014 Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 Well done mate,hope he's hooked ,gunna cost you big time if he is an ounce of heavy shot 4s in a twenty next year on the foreshore . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 Brilliant! Well done Ryan and Motty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 Congratulations to the little man on his first pigeon. Mottty you must be beaming..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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