DeepThought Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hi I've taken the decision to part with some cash and join a wildfowling club in time for this season. I'm an absolute beginner to the foreshore and as such do not have a clue what sort of kit I'm going to need for the mud of Chichester and Langstone harbours. So far I have a gun (and I'm still in two minds about taking my beloved Beretta out on the salt marsh) and a bit of camo gear. What else needs to go on the list? Waders and a staff seem like a sound investment but after that I don't have a clue. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 A bog roll is a good place to start... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) A compass and a good wildfowl/wader ID book. If you go for thigh boots then get a good pair of waterproof over trousers, cut them down to a bit below the knee and wear them over the waders. Flexothane are brilliant. These also make it far easier to use Grandalf's suggestion than chest waders . http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/products/flexothane-4500-trousers.htm A DJ Calls 'Sonderman 66' mallard call. Easy to use with a little practice and can be found cheaper than the link. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ILLINOIS-RIVER-VALLEY-GAME-CALLS-SONDERMAN-66-DUCK-TEAL-WIDGEON-FOWL-CALL-/390824788411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5afef901bb A brass wigeon call. Very easy to use. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Economy-Brass-Widgeon-Call-Game-Call-Widgeon-Call-Duck-Call-Brass-Call-/181716827095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4f2abbd7 Edited May 27, 2015 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew f Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 callers dog ( not a must) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepThought Posted May 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Yes, the dog is a glaring omission from my kit bag at the moment whilst negotiations continue with the wife. I don't know what I was thinking marrying a cat person. I'll have to buddy up with someone with a pooch for the first few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Just the gun, some appropriate shells and appropriate apparel for you marsh ie boots and coat etc. A staff need be no more than a stick or broom handle as you tend to loose or break them sooner or later. The dog is the most important bit. Decoys? you will be guided by your mentors on that marsh but being in the right spot at the right time is way more important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guttersnipe Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 All of the above but also a cheap waterproof watch (I use one with and alarm) to ensure you know relative tide times, take your phone (maybe get a waterproof bag), decent hat, face mask and neoprene shooting gloves (Aldi). The less you take the better, getting it down to the bare essentials happens over time. Flask optional but the mentor may appreciate it... I also leave a change of clothes in the car for the drive home - just in case. Don't worry, the mentor will keep you right, just listen, learn and enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDDYONE Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 Along with all the obvious things i.e. gun, non-tox cartridges, waders, coat, decoys etc. I take out a gardeners kneeling pad to sit on. They are cheap, weigh almost nothing and take up very little room in your bag, but having your bum insulated from the freezing mud is priceless. Another little bonus for carrying one is that if you pack it on the side of your bag that rests against your body it helps stop all those pointy bits of your decoys poking into you. I can also endorse Guttersnipes tip about the extra clothes after having to sprint a hundred yards from my car to my front door in my underpants carrying my gun and towing a muddy spaniel on a cold December evening. I was living in Islington (North London) at the time, I'm so glad there were no mobile phones and youtube in those days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 Although not an essential item' but one that will add to your experiences and also help with your ID is a pair of binoculars. Doesnt need to be a very large pair something handy to stick in your bag or pocket will do. I have done a lot of Wildfowl watching both in the off and on season over the years and always have a pair in the Van/car. Ive cut my fowling back to the bare basics this past number of years' only flighting at Dawn and dusk and never really take Bino's for them short periods' but if you intend to spend days out in the estuaries tide flighting etc' then a pair of glasses will wile away the quite times of the day and most Wildfowlers love watching the birds of the the shore' Fowl,waders and if your lucky a bird of prey or two might make an appearance .Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckandswing Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 If you love your Beretta, leave it at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fandango Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 High on my list of things ia;- A) A understanding missus B) Patience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Sounds like your sorted gun and camo! Find a decent non toxic cartridge as mentioned above. Waders Basic duck and goose call Zippo hand warmer That's all I really take with me, anything else is extravagance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 hello, i use to live in chichester and joined that club, first thing is learn the area/ tides/ marsh/ and do a wildfowling course. as for the shotty i had an early AYA no 3 which after every time out was washed dried and re oiled, semi autos were not as popular as today but no reason not to use yours if you wish or get a cheapy O/U S/S and have a good butt pad fitted. i never found the need to use magnum carts. i use to go with a friend on his boat before sun rise most but there are good shore places good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) A bog roll is a good place to start... Grandalf that brings a new demention to "fowling on the marsh " Edited May 30, 2015 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Oh believe me - He will need it. He will then say 'Oh b***** - Why didn't I listen to Grandalf'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Oh believe me - He will need it. He will then say 'Oh ****** - Why didn't I listen to Grandalf'. True words , have had to use my shirt before now and rip my keks up not a nice job!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 If Motty was a real friend Jules he would have let you use his shirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenshank1 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I would always take a compass and always take a head torch and new batteries to the shore. Getting lost or disorientated or caught out by an incoming tide at dusk would be a real nightmare without a compass and head torch. I was once way out on the shore on Moray Firth and just as it was getting dark a snowy blizzard came over me and for 20 minutes raged with the wind. I was very glad I had my compass and head torch that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 If you love your Beretta, leave it at home. Good advice!!! Do not take any gun of value, unless its coated etc the mud/sand/salt will ruin any gun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 A pitted and rusty weapon was the hallmark of the old fowlers. Still shot straight - most of the time. Just keep one for the marsh and forget about its value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepThought Posted June 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks for the advice everyone, I was thinking about getting a cheap pump but I do worry about recoil being a bit fierce with those hefty wildfowling cartridges. Can anyone offer an opinion there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I tried a pump for a couple of years but then changed to a SA Benelli. Wouldn't change back that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmyra608 Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Just bought myself a revo k200 duck blind 3.5" o/u for the marsh. Very cheap at just £400 so no need to worry about it getting a little bit muddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepThought Posted June 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 I've been looking at those Revos, the price is certainly right for a gun to get ruined on the marsh. An Armsan or a Hatsan also figure on the list. How important do you think it is to have camo on a wildfowling gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 The main benefit of camo is that the coating offers a layer of protection against corrosion , other than that there is no real need for it . A friend had the revo K200 and soon sold it , they are very light and recoiled badly with heavy loads , if it does not fit perfectly you are likely to know about it. I would suggest you look at something like a second hand extrema , all the guns you mention are budget which is fine in a dry field but sooner or later they are going to let you down one way or another on the foreshore , be it with reliability or rust , a false investment in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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