Isaidduck Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 I have been invited on a pheasant shoot by a farmer but I have never done it before . I have done a bit of pigeon shooting but I am not very good at it , the only ones I can normally hit are the ones that are standing still . Are pheasants easy to hit compared to pigeons ? I know they are bigger but they look like they fly faster too . What cartridges will I need for pheasants ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 If you are really that inexperienced, is there somebody you could ask to stand with you? In the heat of battle it is easy to get carried away and potentially become dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Listen to the rules for the day and enjoy your day. No low/dangerous shooting e.g. into the wood side or game cover. Don't steal your neighbours birds. In my view pheasants are a lot easier than a weaving twisting woodpigeon coming into decoys or a roost. Your standard pigeon cartridge will be fine. People get very anal about what will kill this and what will kill that, the important bit is having the bird in the pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Is it driven or walk up ? If it's driven I would take Kennett's advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaidduck Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Hi thanks the advice , he called it walk and stand or something like that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 That means there'll be two teams and you will alternate between beating and shooting. Not being rude you do sound inexperienced and there is too much to tell you to be able to help on the forum. Safety is the main concern and as Kennett said that can go out the window if you become over excited. I took a relatively inexperienced guy last year as my guest . He told be he had shot a fair few days on pheasants but I decided I would give up my gun and stand with him and I was pleased I did. I told him to shoot only into the sky as a background but he attempted to shoot a very low partridge and I stopped him. He said but I would be shooting into the sky, which was true , but it wasn't 6 foot high and the beaters could have popped up at any time. For your own sake and for those of your fellow guns tell the farmer of your experience and ask if someone could accompany you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moose man Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Sounds like you could do with a bit of tuition at the clay ground , it might give you a bit of confidence and get you set up ..The main thing is enjoy the day , no one is expecting you to be GD . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 If you are that much of a novice perhaps you shouldn't have been invited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaidduck Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 We all have to start somewhere , I am not a novice at shooting been doing it years just not very good on birds , on clays I get at least 25% as a rule . I am a little worried that I have heard there are going to be some very good shots on the shoot I have been invited on so I might end up looking daft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 No one will mind how good you are, everyone will mind how safe you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaidduck Posted December 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Thanks Yes I guess that's true , I am sure I will be safe enough I have never had any complaints when I am at the clay ground , obviously I will have to only shoot at birds that are safe to do so and out of the way of beater etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 on so I might end up looking daft. No you wont. Be safe be polite and enjoy the experience. I beat on a shoot last week where with one drive to go there were 70 pheasants on the bag and 670 shots recorded on the clicker. Not everyone is a crack shot, and you may surprise yourself once you get the hang of things. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 If you have shot clays then you SHOULD know safety is paramount. In live bird shooting we then come up against a 'sporting' scenario where sometimes a bird is crossing you and would make a better more sporting bird for your neighbour. Call, "Your Bird" ...if he/she misses it then try and tidy up behind but always safety safety safety and you will get another invite. If someone askes why you didn't shoot at a bird, just say it was too low and unsafe to shoot. As said , go enjoy your day. Check when you are a walking gun if and what birds may be shot. DO NOT shoot at a bird likely to go to a standing gun. Sometimes walk and stand means no shooting in the beating line, sometimes you can shoot birds going back, but in your case, first invite, if in doubt, leave it go. Sharp learning curve; totally different from shooting clays, but just common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 The main thing is, as has already been mentioned, is to be safe. After that just relax into the day and enjoy yourself Don't worry about looking daft, we have all been there. A "walk one stand one" is probably the best way to learn about driven shooting. Usually they are the friendliest type of shoot and are usually made up from like minded people who are out for a days sport, with much banter along the way. Shoot safe and enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 No one will mind how good you are, everyone will mind how safe you are. This^^ Pick the birds carefully, no gun is going to mind if you let them carry on for them. Be safe, stop worrying, a days shooting is only half about the shooting, enjoy yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay404 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Don't be intimidated listen to advice and relax you won't enjoy it if your all tense You will be booking your next day before you know it I was in the same scenario early this year I'm now impatiently waiting for my 4th driven day this year It's an infectious bug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren 67 Posted December 11, 2016 Report Share Posted December 11, 2016 Where about are you. Surely there is someone on here who could give up a day to go stand with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted December 12, 2016 Report Share Posted December 12, 2016 No one will mind how good you are, everyone will mind how safe you are. This. Make sure the shoot captain knows it's your first time and they will brief you up and probably make sure you have experienced guns nearby or even better, standing behind you as Kennet mentioned. It's worth considering what you will be using gunwise, as some shoots arent keen on semi-autos unless the user has a medical condition, and pumps are a universal no-no. If you use either you'd be prudent to look to borrow an OU or S/S. Dont worry about how people will be towards you on the day. In my experience newcomers have been made very welcome on shoot days, and anyone sneering at them or looking down on them would be given very short shrift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted December 13, 2016 Report Share Posted December 13, 2016 If you are that much of a novice perhaps you shouldn't have been invited. Thats a tad harsh (unless you have a very subtle way of expressing your sense of humour) At least the other posts provide a bit more helpful advice. Just a couple of points from me: Dress smartly Be polite Dont take a semi auto or pump action with you Clear daylight behind anything you choose to shoot Dont "poach" your neighbours birds Enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 14, 2016 Report Share Posted December 14, 2016 (edited) I'm sorry you sound very inexperienced to me and would benifit from standing with someone for a drive then having them stand with you to insure your safe. Game and clay shooting are different games yes people swap over easily but you need to know the rule bit likes rugby union and league. Edited December 14, 2016 by welshwarrior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Cartridge wise you won't go far wrong with 32g 5s or 6s, make sure they are fibre wad. Not much more I can add regarding safety, I agree with the above. Tell the farmer in advance it is your first time. Shoot within your abilities taking shots at birds you feel confident about killing cleanly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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