Cranfield Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 I have been shooting pigeons (plus other things), for very many years and have been fortunate to have a few 100+ bird days. In this months Sporting Gun, there is a picture and report of two guns who shot 720 pigeons and 20 crows, in a 7 hour session. I am not criticising, or disbelieving this event, but I can,t imaging that amount of "action", in a days pigeon shooting. How many shots must they have fired to achieve that number ? The mathematics suggest; 740 birds divided by 2 guns = 370 birds. 370 birds in 7 hours = 53 birds per hour. That is almost a bird a minute for 7 hours. That is a feat of endurance , as well as a great days shooting. Has anyone here, ever got close to, or exceeded that sort of number ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyni Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Read that myself Cranfield, We have had some large bags 'over 200' this year but nothing like that it must have been some days shooting. Their barrels must have been red hot to say the least. My mate has had a 400+ day some years ago '2 guns' but they stopped shooting as they had had enough. I wonder what they did with them!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 We've had a couple of 200+ days but don't often get over 150. We have a 100+ about once every 10 days during the busy periods. The most hectic shooting i've ever had was 70 in 55 minutes, I only had 100 shells with me and it was 3 in the afternoon. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Pieman Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Can't be many people that take enough cartridges to shoot 700+ PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 The mathematics suggest;740 birds divided by 2 guns = 370 birds. 370 birds in 7 hours = 53 birds per hour. That is almost a bird a minute for 7 hours. Those figures are stunning enough as it is but even they don't give a true picture do they, as they do not allow for "time out". During the 7 hours, how much time would have to be spent not shooting doing the things that we all know are part of a day in the hide. Here are a few that immediately come to mind. 1 Tidying up the pattern after birds have been shot. 2 Despatching runners, either with a dog or yourself. 3 Taking breaks for food and drink. 4 Watering the undergrowth after the drinks. 5 With that amount of shooting, going to the car for more cartridges. After a day like that, i think i would be ready for bed after my dinner and cleaning the gun. Oh and a glass or two of red wine as well of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tody27 Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 They may have ment 7hrs of shooting, not including the time that they had spent on "time out" I believe them, why would they feel that they needed to lie?- sporting gun doesnt just give the prices to those with the largest bags. BUT... They must have taken at least a thousand cartridges!!! THATS A HUGE AMOUNT TO CARRY- plus with all the pigeons and equipment- they would have needed a bloody HGV tody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 tody27, nobody is suggesting they lied about the details of numbers, time shooting etc. We are just commenting that it was quite an accomplishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 **** that is some shooting,but how can you tidy the pattern in the process of shooting 720 birds, lol. Can you imagine the amount of feathers and wads lieing on the ground after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berettaboy Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 maybe they used a punt gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 On days like that you just leave the dead birds where they fall and pick up at the end. It just ends up one big mass of blue, pulls bird from miles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F150 Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Those of us who have been lucky enough to 'suffer' red letter days know that when these days arrive, all hell breaks loose. You only put your dog out for runners, as it does not matter how your dead birds land on the field - birds just come regardless. I have even been out in the pattern trying to pick runners and shot birds whilst picking up. The most I have ever shot in a day is 207 and only stopped after running out of cartridges. This was in a bale hide over peas on the hottest day in 2002 - which nearly enough killed me but thankfully I have an understanding farmer who allows me to use my quad to transport gear and birds. There was not a breath of wind and the birds were dropping like bullets from the heavens into the pattern. The following day was just as hectic, finishing the day with 183 but the day was less warm with bad thunderstorms. What amazes me, usually I find whenever rain or storms turn up, bird activity seems to stop until the rain has passed, yet this day visibility in the storm must have been down to about 80 yards, but they kept coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 A few years, ago a local chap had over 400 in a day over rape. At one point, he was shooting over 5 a minute! These days are usually the domain of special friends of keepers, from what I can make out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 Must have had bad headaches even with ear defenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 am unfotunate enough to live close to a large town so grain stores are a magnet for feral pigeons,two years ago three of us shot just over a thousand in a day.after we got through the first 250 shells we popped to gunshop 5 mins up road for more,then again and again.suffice to say we were way tired,farmer and shop were happy.shot over two thosand shells between us,had a visit from the police and people of biggin hill i apologise ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 I agree with TEAL regarding headaches. I have been lucky enough to have had many 100+ days. The first big day I had I did not have my ear plugs with me, and after I had fired over 100 shells i started to develop a bitch of a headache. I tried to ignore it and carry on but without doubt it spoiled what should have been a fantastic day. Even after I stopped shooting the ringing headache stayed with me for hours afterwards. Since then I have religiously packed my plugs and ear muffs whenever I set out after woodies. Any other members get these headaches after a few shots? It certainly must have been some days shooting. Who was the clay shooter guy who shot 500+ on his own a few years ago? He is a world class shot and I remember the day was manufactured for him by a gamekeeper pal who positioned him in the hot spot whilst a few other guns kept the birds moving on other fields in the area. Were these 2 guys top shots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 I try to remember my ear plugs, but I have suffered the headaches and had trouble getting rid of the "taste" of the gunpowder. I don,t think the two chaps who made the big bag were "professionals" and I certainly didn,t recognise their names. The Clay Shooter was George Digweed and he shot over a baited field. Its been discussed on here before, here is the link. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...1134&hl=digweed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon_decoyer Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Ive heard that name from some where i might sound wierd but i think i have shot with him befor at a game fair or duck shoot? Has he got a accent? If he has i have meet him before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead-eye-dick Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 (edited) As a nipper I had terrible trouble with my ears, and am unable to shoot more than 2 or 3 shots without the 'ringging' for a few DAYS afterwards..... Your hearing is very important and will never heal itself.......always wear ear deffenders.... YOU'LL MISS IT WHEN IT'S GONE I know alot of 'old shooters' who are very hard of hearing.... No smilies.........Serious message here boy's 'n' girls p.s I'm not connected with the supply or retail of ear plugs !!!!!!!! Edited February 20, 2004 by dead-eye-dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ears Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Hello Dave. It was George Digweed. But i dont believe him. Archie Coates i do. I have met Mr Digweed to, I shot english skeet in the english shooting team with him in 1986. But he is a bloody good shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon_decoyer Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 I have been on a few shoots like pheasant and duck before and he has usually came along and he is a exallent shot. He speaks funny if im right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMMER BURT Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 he lives in the ely area used to shoot at pidley clay ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Thanks Cranfield, I will read up on this. I hope my illusions of a top guy aren't going to be shattered. He is so highly thought of in all the shooting press. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 (edited) .... Edited March 7, 2006 by sam f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TROUT POUT Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 I no what loss of hearing is like as when I was beating with my dad I went to pick up a pricked pheasent (dog wasn't working well) that my dad hadn't even shot, and i bent down and stick went in my ear and perforated my eardrum :unsure: Bit o' blood n a drive to a&e and i back on the rugby field 5 weeks later!!! TP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Some friends of mine spent the day shooting ferals which were flying into a huge grain warehouse at Glasgow dock. They were using 20b's and went through over 1000 carts each. They said by the end of the day it was getting pretty painful and no fun at all. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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