kippylawkid Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 I received a call earlier this week from the farm manager of a local estate asking if I'd stopped shooting pigeons? I'd discounted this estate from my recces as they normally only allow pigeons shooting after the pheasants are done. However, they have a wild bird set-aside field that had been drawing "quite a few" birds and his boss wanted them moved on. This lad knows his onions and I knew there must be a good show. I went for a look on Tuesday and was astonished to see literally thousands of pigeons using the field. There is a sea of rape in the area but they obviously preferred this restaurant. I watched the lines for a good 2 hours and sussed out the likely hide positions. I couldn't shoot until Thursday but could relax, knowing that no other shooter would be allowed on. After a couple of very sleepless nights, I was set up at first light on the top ridge of the field. As it was the shortest day, I wanted to optimise every possible minute. I was nicely sheltered by some blackthorns with a strong s/w wind to my back. This position commanded the field and the decoys would be visible from the 2 main lines. I started with the whirly, 2 flappers and 15 shell decoys. After a slow start I shot my first bird at 8.45, and then a continuous line of birds came to the field. They would not fully decoy though, and I shot 10 in about an hour, having seen thousands on the line. Then, it began to change as the return flight developed and the birds began to present decent shooting opportunities. Wave after wave of packs of pigeons, numbering anything from 20 to 200 came to the field, presenting every shot in the book. I can only describe it as like being on a very busy pheasant peg and struggling to load in time for the next shot. The birds never totally committed to the decoys, possibly because of the tall crop; but they came close enough to give me some breath-taking sport. This continued until 2.15 when all went quiet and I began to pick up. I had pigeons all over the estate and my young dog Stan worked his socks off to pick umpteen birds I would otherwise have lost. I picked a hugely satisfying 220. Probably the best days pigeon shooting I've had. The birds were in good condition with a thick layer of fat on their breasts. The pictures are of Stan and some of the bag as I was in a hurry to complete before darkness set in. I must have been a very good boy this year! Merry Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Brilliant. Were they anywhere near the field I saw them in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted December 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Different estate JD. I tried to shoot the ones you saw but the keeper poo pooed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Absolutely top marks buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Excellent shooting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 Well done, a great Christmas Present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted December 23, 2016 Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 thats a great bag for the time of year you would of thought the farmer wouldn't of minded that amount of birds on a set aside field rather than push them onto the rape nearby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippylawkid Posted December 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 thats a great bag for the time of year you would of thought the farmer wouldn't of minded that amount of birds on a set aside field rather than push them onto the rape nearby I know, I wasn't going to argue though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Father Christmas does exist and he came early to you , well done mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpip Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Brilliant result, plenty of mixture in that wild bird seed cover crop. Great workout for a young dog too blind retrieves in cover shows you how good that nose is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Top result. Set aside (as you have proved) can be particularly productive at this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 (edited) Fantastic day, your patients paid off 👍🏻 Merry Christmas Edited December 24, 2016 by Royboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted December 24, 2016 Report Share Posted December 24, 2016 Well done Stan and to you for putting the shot in the right place. Happy Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 28, 2016 Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 Good result, good shooting looking forward to the finish of the game season and having a crack at the pigeons. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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