Columba Grey Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Despite the injury to my left shoulder from a fall over Christmas I set off for OSR on a permission I have some 100 miles from home. The forecast was for a freshening breeze from SSW, dry up to 3.00 with gales accompanying the rain later. PP couldn't join me as he was at retriever trials in Glenarm. My shoulder was my biggest concern. As I was shooting with the alloy Franchi the lighter weight was going to aid manoeuvrability but recoil might be an issue. So the scene was set with expectations unusually low...I really shouldn't be out! It took two trips with the gear to my chosen spot with a nice wind over my left shoulder and decent visibility for the pattern some 100 yards from the "sitty" trees along the river bank to my right. My guess is there were about 100 or so birds milling around and feeding on the OSR. Once set up I left Willow to settle into the hide as I walked the birds up. I was ready to shoot by 11.30 but only had 8 shell statics and nothing for the bouncers or Magnet. As expected it was hard to pull the birds in and I thought I was never going to have a chance to get the whirly in action. Not unexpectedly I missed the first half chance then shot two tall crows to lift my confidence. This was closely followed by a lovely high Woodie dropped dead in the grass field behind. I finally got the whirly and bouncer in action with two birds in quick succession. As morning flicked to afternoon my fortunes took a turn for the better and the Magnet simply drew in the birds. Pigeons crossing from right to left were a problem .....I just couldn't move the gun quickly due to the pain and restricted movement. I missed more than I hit; some normally easy birds. Interspersed with these glaring misses I had some fine kills enough to keep Willow active and by 2.30 when the action died I had 20 pigeon and 2 crows for considerably more cartridges! All said a great day despite the fact that it undoubtedly exacerbated my shoulder injury and didn't help my facial bruising. I probably shouldn't have been shooting but hell it beats Cabin Fever!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euget123 Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Good right up! Certainly beats sitting in the house! ATB ET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Great write up. The best feeling is just being out. I am struggling between things i must do and the weather being ****. I have to zero my new rifles when i get a chance and see some farmers to sign my 646 permission slips required by Avon and Somerset there seems to be very little time for shooting. Hopefully one day soon the wetaher will be good the birds will be out and i have a day to shoot. Some days I cant believe I am retired. Hope your shoulder recovers soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columba Grey Posted December 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Thank you gents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Well done that man, shows a good degree of commitment for such a long driver carrying an injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmachine Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 well done on the twenty and 2 crows,i found 200ish feeding on osr yesterday had a go at them today 1pigeon up to my neck in muck all my gear coverd but i tryed lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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