anser2 Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 (edited) Following on from the previous post " whats the worst thing about wildfowling I thought it would be good to redress the ballance and ask what is the best feature about wildfowling. Two main factors for me. The chance of out witting very wary birds. reading the weather , the marsh and deciding what the birds are likely to do. When the pinks have been feeding on spuds for the past week what will they do after a heavy overnight frost. Probably change their feeding grounds , perhaps to feed on grass or winter wheat on a different farm. How will the tides effect them , will they remain on the roost or will a stiff west wind drift them a mile or two to the east. And what tack will the geese take when flying in at dawn ,with light winds they are likely to fly stright to their feeding fields , with a stiff side wind on my section of coast they tend to take a line down wind to their feeding area and tack back to the fields low into the head wind. And will a hard frost or snow change the flight time. Usually on my marsh the main flight time is around sun rise , but given a few days of hard weather the geese are hungary and will sometimes move in the first glimmer of dawn. On a south wind the flight may be protracted with a steady stream of skiens comming off the muds for several hours , given a strong north wind the muds may be cleared of birds in minuets. And then of course there is the effects of the moon or fog to take into account. I just love it when you weigh up all these factors and guess it right picking the right place on the marsh to hide and shooting straight. I also get great satisfaction to sit back after the flight with a bird or two in the bag on a windy , sunny morning , dog by my side , hot flask in hand and just drink in the marsh and its birds . Watching waders being pushed off the muds by the incomming tide or perhaps a hunting harrier or duck moving out across the sea. Mornings after flight like this realy make wildfowling for me and sometimes its a job to tear myself away and head for home. Edited June 6, 2015 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 Well Robert I just love being on the marsh with the sights, sounds and the smells during the season. You just cant beat it. For me its the best shooting sport I have tried. Regards H ps I can put up with the cold when changing in the elements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 I agree with Anser2 once the self imposed pressure of the flight is over it's great to put the gun down relax and observe whilst the post dawn marsh slowly comes to life......magic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 I love to be out on the marsh as dawn is breaking , if it comes at the same time as a big tide that covers most of the marsh even more so. The sights and sounds at such times is the reason most of us go I would guess. I enjoy the long walks with the dog wind in my face , the uncertainty of what the flight will bring , those wing beats over your head while its still too dark to see , the excitement of hearing pinks out on the mud and wondering if you are going to be in the right place when they start lifting . I have said it before I should have started fowling years sooner ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 I love to be out on the marsh as dawn is breaking , if it comes at the same time as a big tide that covers most of the marsh even more so. The sights and sounds at such times is the reason most of us go I would guess. I enjoy the long walks with the dog wind in my face , the uncertainty of what the flight will bring , those wing beats over your head while its still too dark to see , the excitement of hearing pinks out on the mud and wondering if you are going to be in the right place when they start lifting . I have said it before I should have started fowling years sooner ! Hmm... Whatever floats your boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 I agree with all the above. Fowling is such a big package. Can't be split into small pieces. For me it's the sound of pinks. The 'first hearing' of the season sends shivers up my ancient spine. Like the hunting horn must be for them guys in crimson jackets and their hounds. Never get bored with the sound of pinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 sound of pinks leaving leaving the roost, is something special, being out on the foreshore where it has not been changed out there by mankind, and the fun of those real dark mornings where you have done the trip hundreds of times but still struggle to find your way. never the same flight twice. it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 sound of pinks leaving leaving the roost, is something special, being out on the foreshore where it has not been changed out there by mankind, and the fun of those real dark mornings where you have done the trip hundreds of times but still struggle to find your way. never the same flight twice. it's great. Those dark mornings are great ,are they not , when its as much as you can do to stay on top of the sea wall without walking off ,thinking where's that bloody dog when he is two feet in front ! I bet if you could see footage of ourselves we would look like we are just walking back from the pub after 12 pints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klammer Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 After you have been outwitted by the geese on two or three succesive flights, getting it spot on and being in the right place at the right time. Shooting well, and picking everything you shoot, not falling in a creek up to your elbows. Happens about once per season, but I still go out in all weathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 to be honest its being there, I love the weather, I like to dress up in clothing designed for the job, I like to load my cartridges, I love the feel of a good gun, I like the history, I like making an effort to feed myself and family, I love the sound of lifting geese, I like to make a clean kill and i'm not fussed if i go home with nothing, just being there actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 All the above posts came from the heart of wildfowlers who accept the challenge of trying to outwit some of the hardest quarry on the shooting list , and at times in adverse weather conditions . The satisfaction I get nowadays is watching everything going on around me , weather it is the sights or sound of the estuary or the marsh , the sun rise , sun set or being out under the moon , and the icing on the cake is being out after a fresh fall of snow .......magic. Dog work play a big part of my enjoyment also , as 99% of the time spent fowling there is only me and the dog on the marsh and I would like to think he is as keen as I am , and what better feeling is there when your dog return with his tail wagging after a hard retrieve with a winged duck or goose in his mouth that you had gave up for being lost .......... years ago sex might have been a better feeling , but even that is doubtful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 You beat me to the dog part Marshman. All of the above' although I dont get to hear pinks in big Numbers. i love hearing the dog come Snorkliing back in the darkness' breathing through his nose' the tell tale he has the downed bird on board. I would still opt for Sex before Fowling' but since i got married I seem to be doing less of both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m greeny Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 For me theres just too many things to list about the whole wildfowling package i am just blessed to be able enjoy such a wonderful past time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washwildfowler Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Everything !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Oh we lucky, lucky few... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Well, pretty much everything but for me personally it shouldn't be any Fun at all if it was easy so it must be sorting the riddle out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 For me it's the thrill of the chase, yes I enjoy it when it all comes together but it is being out there in all conditions learning the habits and movements of the quarry and trying to put myself in the right place at the right time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 a simple but perplexing question....... for me the whiffle of a few pink foot coming into my deeks starts my heart fluttering like no woman ever has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 a simple but perplexing question....... for me the whiffle of a few pink foot coming into my deeks starts my heart fluttering like no woman ever has Wait 'till I see Chas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I think every fowlers wife knows the score on that count. I mean out of bed at 4am on a cod stormy morning and leaving a good woman behind says it all really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I love the sound of pinks as they come off the roost and get steadily louder. We have a hot roost nearby where there are 100-500 birds depending on the time of the season. Where they fly off the roost is not predictable though so you never know if you're in quite the right spot. It is tough to pick against that split second when you've pulled the trigger and a well earned bird just folds after a long flight approach. thanks, rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Everything about it! The prep, the background work out of season, the loneliness of it all, getting your position wrong by ten yards and watching everything fly past out of range, learning something new almost everytime you go. Out of all the types of shooting I have done it's by far the most demanding with regards to difficulty of shots. Crouching, kneeling, laying, birds coming from any direction at a split seconds notice, if you can consitently hit birds well while out fowling you are a very good shot! I also like the people that do it, it's in no way about the numbers, it's about the whole experience. Most are happy just seeing the birds, even if they are out of range, I know I am. I remeber telling a few lads on my shoot that I regularly walk for over an hour through mud to get into postion in some areas, carrying my gun and other bits and bobs then not even getting a shot and sometimes not even seeing a bird! They find this insane, they call me nuts!!! But I don't mind, because we clearly all are lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Sport is a game of chance, well said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundodger Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Everything about it! The prep, the background work out of season, the loneliness of it all, getting your position wrong by ten yards and watching everything fly past out of range, learning something new almost everytime you go. Out of all the types of shooting I have done it's by far the most demanding with regards to difficulty of shots. Crouching, kneeling, laying, birds coming from any direction at a split seconds notice, if you can consitently hit birds well while out fowling you are a very good shot! I also like the people that do it, it's in no way about the numbers, it's about the whole experience. Most are happy just seeing the birds, even if they are out of range, I know I am. I remeber telling a few lads on my shoot that I regularly walk for over an hour through mud to get into postion in some areas, carrying my gun and other bits and bobs then not even getting a shot and sometimes not even seeing a bird! They find this insane, they call me nuts!!! But I don't mind, because we clearly all are lol That is just how I like it, but on some occasions I do find it a bit disappointing, but that is this game eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Wait 'till I see Chas... she would neither be surprised or offended its a different kind of flutter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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