Mulligrub Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 What's a reasonable hit rate for rough pigeon shooting? We have a farm worker who's very handy with a shotgun, and I'm going to provide him with cartridges so he can shoot pigeons on our germinating OSR crop, one field of which is especially likely to be hammered by rabbits and pigeons this year. Although he's quite trustworthy, it would be useful to get a ball park idea of how many cartridges he would reasonably need per kill, allowing for a fair ratio of misses. Frankly, I don't want to end up resourcing my chap and all his mates with cheap cartridges that he keeps on needing to be resupplied with, if you see what I mean. Thanks, all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Need any more shooters No many farms provide cartridges, if he is a decent shot then 2 - 1 is a good starting point . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 3-1 for pigeon is pretty good over a period of time.In summer with good decoy set up and calm conditions expect better....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulligrub Posted September 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Thank you so much. I'm glad I asked, as I would have guessed a lower hit rate than that (based on my own shooting!) and would have oversupplied cartridges accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 This is a question our landowners have never asked. They often ask how many we've shot and then buy us a 250 slab of cartridges. We don't expect it nor ask, but they do it anyhow. If he's an employee then issue them on the understanding that what isn't used he needs to return. I can understand your reticence to subsidise his mates, but if it bothers you that much just supply your employee; the others will be more than happy to supply their own simply for the shooting. Is he shooting during work hours and therefore being paid, or in his own free time? Are you claiming the cost of the cartridges back against tax? You also may have to consider the cost of eaten yield against the cost of pest control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 I've never been bought any cartridges The OP is clearly a generous chap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 I supply cartridges to our shooters too now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 This is a question our landowners have never asked. They often ask how many we've shot and then buy us a 250 slab of cartridges. We don't expect it nor ask, but they do it anyhow. If he's an employee then issue them on the understanding that what isn't used he needs to return. I can understand your reticence to subsidise his mates, but if it bothers you that much just supply your employee; the others will be more than happy to supply their own simply for the shooting. Is he shooting during work hours and therefore being paid, or in his own free time? Are you claiming the cost of the cartridges back against tax? You also may have to consider the cost of eaten yield against the cost of pest control. lots of factors to be thought about. cost of gas guns and cylinders + losses of cylinders to unwanted people >> Caravans get cold in the winter. >> Do you follow. and as above eg booking them to farm , crop loss. Is it part of the job in working hours or is it on his time at weekends ect. You could also say that it is your crop you should be out there looking after it yourself in the rain and the cold , blah - blah. My general average could be down to 1.8 /1 on summer decoying and everything is going in my favor but it only takes a few long shots or I'm having a bad day and the ratio could easily slip to 5/1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulligrub Posted September 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 My chap is a general farm worker, and this shooting would be in his own unpaid time. I'm aware he can't afford to buy his own cartridges, and for all the good reasons suggested above I think it would be beneficial for the farm if we provide him with the gear so he can shoot the pigeons- just so long as I don't supply him at the rate that I would need if I were to do it myself, being as I'm such a shocking bad shot! Thanks for the helpful comments- much obliged to you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 I am inclined to agree with 2:1 being a good starting point. If he is a 5:1 shot get somebody else to shoot for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Only ever been given two boxes of 20 cartridges ONCE by a farmer. Although they DO buy me drink and biscuits, presents at Christmas for the service I provide. That said, I give them presents at Christmas too, and am on call 24/7 for them, be it rabbit, corvid, pigeon, or fox. And I always keep an eye out for poachers, and thieves, plus help them moving cattle, repairing fences etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchrat Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 My farmers don't even THINK about supplying ammo, I have to lick their boots and beat for them for free for the privilege of protecting their crops. Then they don't tell me when they are cutting or drilling, just complain if I'm not there when they see more than 10 birds. But that's the SE of England, too near London. Loads of potential shooters, some even prepared to pay so I still have to think I'm lucky to have the permissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 My chap is a general farm worker, and this shooting would be in his own unpaid time. I'm aware he can't afford to buy his own cartridges, and for all the good reasons suggested above I think it would be beneficial for the farm if we provide him with the gear so he can shoot the pigeons- just so long as I don't supply him at the rate that I would need if I were to do it myself, being as I'm such a shocking bad shot! Thanks for the helpful comments- much obliged to you all. Thing is are you buying him cartridges to kill birds or keep them off your crops could be two different ratio's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Agree, if he`s carrying out armed bird scaring,you can use a fair number of cartridges in a day keeping birds on the move ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Start off with a slab . Ask him to bring back the empties ( he has got to pick up the empties anyhow ) and replace them one for one . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Start off with a slab . Ask him to bring back the empties ( he has got to pick up the empties anyhow ) and replace them one for one . Harnser Minor problem in that idea. He could bring any amount of eleys or gamebore or any brand back. It's a decent offer to supply carts to shoot the birds. Unless he is going through thousands and thousands whats it matter if the pigeons are being shot in this field or that field. trust the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 1-3 its enough to make the lad think before he tries to shoot everything in site rather than everything in range. thereafter a record of number killed and shells used will sort the rest. Do remember that every miss is still a bird kept off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbbracken Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 my farmer gives me the vat back so that helps a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redditch Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 I GENERALLY have a very high kill rate, because I only shoot at what I KNOW is in range. That said, even I have days where I shoot like **** and hit sod all. I've had days where I've missed the first 30+ before settling down and getting most everything. 90% of missing is being too quick to jump up, and shooting at birds that are either out of range, or at impossible angles. Generally if you wait the birds come round again and present themselves for a better shot. Some days though, the birds are just skittish, and stay at extreme range, so you have no choice but to try those shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotguneddy Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 I'm exactly the same mate that way I'm 99 per cent of the time, gonna kill that bird outright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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