JDog Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 This was the day on the local estate which I advertised ten days ago. Unfortunately no PW members could make it. Some were cleaning out their sock drawers, others had Grannies that had died (again), two couldn't get cover at work (understandable), one may have been stuck in China, one didn't think that the bus service local to him ran to the Wolds, you know the usual excuses. So the team was just five strong and we turned up at the Estate office in very windy conditions but thankfully no rain. It stayed that way all day with the wind blowing anything from 30mph to 45mph. The great luxury of a small team on a fully driven day with fifteen beaters and twelve dogs picking up is that the guns could be widely spaced and as I was placing the guns I ensured that the full width of the peg line was covered with each gun covering almost two pegs. From the off the partridges and pheasants were tricky. The partridges set their course and stuck to it despite the wind but the pheasants could not keep their lines back to the pens and they were truly spectacular as they arced and curved their way through the sky. There were four experienced guns and one novice. The latter had never seen anything like it and to be fair the rest of us stood and marvelled at times at the speed of the birds. We averaged 25 birds per drive until the only drive in the afternoon. I had some inside knowledge about this one as I had seen the beaters leaving the yard early to blank in long before the guns' soup and sausages were finished. It was going to be tricky to place the guns for this one and I had to ask the four other guns to keep looking my way in case revised instructions had to be given. The two guns walking to their pegs in line with the beaters had some early shooting then the rest of the line had some shots before I placed three guns in a steep valley, I was to be at the end of the valley and there was one gun to my left. The blanking in exercise worked a treat and when the birds started to come back they were 'monsters' and fast monsters at that. If anyone had shot 1:4 on that drive their initials would have been GD. Birds trickled out providing shooting for all five guns and with the aid of some wonderful retrieves from the pickers up we picked 43 pheasants. If the day I hope to take for the PW roving syndicate next January is half as good as today I will be very happy. I took some pictures but Photobucket is playing up I fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Sounds like a very good day JDog shame things like work get in the way ! I am shooting the last day not too far from your area , hopefully I will experience some birds like you describe . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 That wind really was blowing today, pleased i didn't make it, i would have shown myself up even more than i have of late! Sounds like the team shot very well to acheive the bag, nice write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Sounds like a great day out JD atb Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I'm truly gutted I couldn't make the day and your jottings are making me feel very sad that I couldn't. I knew it was going to be an ask of my boss with one of the drivers already off sick, but then on Thursday morning I had a glimmer of hope and was granted the day off. Sadly less than 10 minutes later (whilst I was drafting a message to JDog) I had a phone call to say another driver had gone bilious and I was required to cover his 12 hour shifts for the foreseeable. I'm made up for you all that you had a day to remember and I have booked the time off (and had it approved) for the Rovers day next season already Thanks for sharing your day. All the best SABS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Likewise, the bank manager, despite considerable consideration simply would allow the required expenditure. I'm truly gutted I couldn't make the day and your jottings are making me feel very sad that I couldn't.I knew it was going to be an ask of my boss with one of the drivers already off sick, but then on Thursday morning I had a glimmer of hope and was granted the day off. Sadly less than 10 minutes later (whilst I was drafting a message to JDog) I had a phone call to say another driver had gone bilious and I was required to cover his 12 hour shifts for the foreseeable.I'm made up for you all that you had a day to remember and I have booked the time off (and had it approved) for the Rovers day next season already Thanks for sharing your day.All the bestSABS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 You done well to run a full day with only five guns Mr JDog , unlike the majority of the above , I didn't have to apply for a day off work , I wasn't in China ( although for the amount of Chinese people in our town that might have been a possibility ) , all my grand parents ( and parents ) have left this earth years ago and with some planning I could have used my bus pass to get to your neck of the woods. The one and only reason I couldn't and wouldn't go is I couldn't justify in spending a big portion of my monthly O A P for one days shooting , harsh facts but true . I am lucky enough to go on two days this week ( Friday and Saturday ) where I can take my gun and next Monday to trim up a few Cocks if I want to without taking a mortgage out , but it is a good job there are people about who can afford it if not I wouldn't be spending up to 30 days in the Winter enjoying myself on game shoots . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 I confess. I was he in China. Beijing, Donguan and then Shenzen. At times I wished i was pheasant shooting. The Great Wall was a climb. It was -20c up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) This was the early morning sun rise on the day. One of the many drinks breaks. Part of the bag in the game larder. Not forgetting the gun bus with polished tractor. Edited January 27, 2016 by JDog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Fantastic pictures of the sunrise and game larder I do feel the horse power is a little on the low side for the gun bus though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Great photo's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 That's a nice well laid out larder. True respect shown to the quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Looks like a great day, I'm looking forward to our PW roving syndicate day next season. Edited January 31, 2016 by OJW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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