Tedly47 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Evening all and a happy new year.... As the title suggests I have achieved one of my 2016 shooting goals on the second of Jan.... Which was to shoot a driven day on the pheasants. I'd like to give you the whole story just to show how good PW can be.....! Right the story starts on the 19th on Feb last year when while looking at the trade section I noticed someone selling some .410 carts, the man in question was browning123, for the rest of the story he will be called "Mr B" anyway I turned up to buy the carts and an hour and a half later I left, the transaction could of taken minutes however we couldn't stop talking! yes you guessed it guns, shooting and country life! One thing was certain we both had a passion for all things shooting related. Let me just tell you a little bit about Mr B. Now Mr B is a few years older than me and has been shooting all his life, he's an exceptional shot with both a shotgun and rifle the kind of thing you'd expect from someone who has done it for all of there life.. However he's not big headed about it at all, just calculating and knowledgable! Right where was I! Over the past year we started going clay pigeon shooting together, then I invited him to do some lamping with me for some rabbits. This went on to us doing some pigeon shooting on each other's permissions etc. Over this time I've realised that Mr B's knowledge far surpasses mine so he's my first port of call it I want anything shooting related, you know guns, kit or advice as he's tried most and knows what works. Well after spending plenty of time together and listening to many of his passionate stories of his pheasant shoot which he's been a member of for 28 years, I thought that was enough I wanted to give it ago.... Now I grew up on a farm and have been shooting since I was old enough to hold a gun (air gun first) but I have never experienced a driven day on the pheasants, I've not really ever thought about it until I listened to Mr B....! So one day I told Mr B that I was going to buy a day somewhere and asked where was the best place to go for a first time shooter, now we spoke about this a few times and at no point did I expect the following... One day we were on the way to the clay shooting ground when Mr B said he wanted me to share one of his days at his shoot, he said that I would find it more relaxing with him and more fun, I was shocked as I know how much he looks forward to his driven days, I said no at first as he's paid for it and he wouldn't take any money off me... Anyway I couldn't resist for long and a little later I accepted with a big grin on my face! The plans were made and I was going to shoot just before Christmas, God I was looking forward to it and then disaster, I broke a finger on my right hand in work and had to have a op to put three screws in it.... That's it I thought no shooting for me or work for that matter! A couple of weeks later and I popped around to see Mr B and he said he wanted to give me the whole day shooting, I couldn't believe it! has he had a bump to the head! So roll on the 2nd of Jan.... The night before I couldn't sleep with excitement, I'd been out and bought some shooting attire all of which was ironed and hanging up ready, my gun was spotless and all my carts were in the bag...... I was ready to go! As you could imagine the pressure was on, not only would I be doing something I've never tried before but I'd have an expert behind me watching and instructing my every move, God I didn't want to let him down! But I'd also have countless others watching, other guns, Pickers etc to say I was nervous was an understatement. Well got to the shoot and Mr B introduced me to everyone who all made me feel welcome, the rules were explained and myself and another guest got to chose the pegs first, I picked number 1, I turned to Mr B who's face said it all! Not a good peg then! (All he'd said on the way there was make sure you pick a good peg) failed at the first hurdle.... Well off we went to the first drive which was in the middle of a wood and just to make my just a little more unsettled the shoot captain was on the peg next to me and Mr B had told me on numerous occasions that he's a unbelievable game shot, so with the shoot captain to my left and Mr B standing a few yards behind me I was feeling the pressure, a lot? Well the first bird came and guess what, yes I missed with both barrels clearly the pressure was too much! Well a few minutes later another bird came along and I dropped it with the second barrel! My cherry had been popped ???? what happens next was unbelievable, for the next ten minutes bird after bird came my way sometime I couldn't load quick enough, it was fantastic and I soon got into the swing of things, I managed to drop a few birds this drive although the bird/cart count was not good? At the end of the drive the horn was blown and I unloaded and turned to Mr B with a missive grin on my face only to see that he was also sporting a grin the same as mine, I shook his hand and off we went to have a mince pie and a port with the other guns, Pickers and beaters (one of which I was in the same class in at school and haven't seen him for 20 odd years) The next two drives were good apart from my shooting, not as busy as the first however it was a pleasure to watch other shooters having good sport. After dinner we went to the next drive, I was a walking gun at the start and was listening to Mr B's instructions as I didn't have a clue what to do! I wish I'd of taken a picture of the other pegs as I was at the top of a valley with all the other guns to my right at the bottom, it was a hell of a view! Mr B had wanted me to be at the bottom of the valley with the others as he wanted me to experience the really high birds, however what happened next was great, with all the guns watching us at the top of the field the beaters flushed a bird, I dropped it with the second barrel and then quickly reloaded as another was flushed, I dropped that one too! We walked down and ended up at the peg I would finish the drive on. At this point I was watching all the other guns having some sport and then I had one of the most memorable shots of my life, a hen bird had flushed and was over the first peg to my right, I watched the gun miss the bird and go to reload, I took aim, the bird was over 50 yards away flying from my left to right flat out so I let the gun swing through and fired, only to see the bird tumble in the air..... I don't think I'll ever forget that shot and Mr B just nodded and said "that's the kind of bird you want to drop" much prise indeed.... Next drive was a little slow but I still got a bird and then it was off back to the shooting lodge for some cake and coffee and to do the bird count sweep stake, which Mr B won! Not that it matters but the count for the day was 135 pheasants and a woodcock... I'm happy to say that I added a few birds to the total however I didn't get a pigeon all day? What a day, I was knackered and my hand was hurting however I now know why Mr B and you guys love it so much.... To sum it up the day was far more than I expected, the people the countryside all of it was amazing.... Oh and I must say these pheasants are not as easy to shoot as expected!!!! So to end, the first thank you is to you guys and pigeon watch for keeping the passion alive and for introducing me to Mr B. The second thank you is obvious..... Mr B, thank you for making my introduction into driven game shooting so special, I can't express my gratitude enough and although I think my bank account is going to take a beating in the future! I'm sure we're going to spend many more years laughing and joking (mainly at my misses) your a very special gent? Cheer to good friends.... Edited January 5, 2016 by Tedly47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belly47 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 great write up seems like you had a fantastic day. the kind that memories are made of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Most excellent field report. Well done all around. Great photograph 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 A good read and an exciteable report of your day. Well done to both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1983 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Excellent write up and great storey behind the day. Well done to both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codeye Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Cracking write up youve gained a good friend indeed , long may it last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Really enjoyed reading that, well done both of you! Now your hooked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly47 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Cheers guys, I could of gone on and on about the day as it was great... Tedly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Great report happy days !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Great write up and welcome to the world of game shooting! You'll soon find the banter and camaraderie quite unique - it's a very addictive type of shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime18 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Lovely story to read I've been lucky enough to be invited by friends to shoot with their syndicates. Opportunities that would not be available without such generosity. can't get enough of it. And like Paul t said the banter is great. Atb prime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feltwad Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Tedly 47 A great write up congratulations , yes I have been there many moons ago it gets the adrenaline running..If mister B or yourself own a hammergun and you are invited to another day may I suggest with the hosts permission try driven pheasants with a hammergun and black powder cartridges this will be just if not better than the first, one pheasant shot with black powder is worth five with a over and under. Feltwad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 ..If mister B or yourself own a hammergun and you are invited to another day may I suggest with the hosts permission try driven pheasants with a hammergun and black powder cartridges this will be just if not better than the first, one pheasant shot with black powder is worth five with a over and under. Feltwad Hence I like my old Damascus barrel SxS for game shooting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Fabulous...very pleased for both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wilksy Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Great stuff very inspiring! Warms the cockles of you heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Very good read , well done to both of you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Nice write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hi Nice write up 😋 Glad you enjoyed your day and congratulations to mr B for giving you such a memory 😋😋 Warning driven days are addictive 😉 Welcome to the money pit 😂😂😂😂 Thanks for sharing All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedly47 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Cheers guys, it was a fantastic day and the start of something I think!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Excellent write-up, what a great day LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 What a cracking day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 I thoroughly enjoyed that, thank you for posting and well done on your day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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