NorfolkAYA Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Hi all, I'm off on my first cock day on Wednesday. Although I have done plenty of driven pheasent shooting before this will be my first cock day. Any heads up on anything?. Much different?. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archi Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 If a true cock day then as long as safe they will expect them to be shot no matter within reason. Walking guns will shoot Above all it will be good fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkAYA Posted January 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 May be a stupid question but can you shoot hen birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Probably best not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royboy Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Maybe only shoot cocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 (edited) May be a stupid question but can you shoot hen birds?he shoot wishes to catch up (or at least retain) hens to provide breeding stock for next season The shoot wishes to retain (or very possibly catch up) hens to provide breeding stock for next season - so you should not shoot hens on a cocks only day. Edited January 28, 2017 by JohnfromUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 May be a stupid question but can you shoot hen birds? One of the best questions on PW for some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Look out for the bloke shouting cock over when it's a hen, always bloody funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren 67 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Ask keeper about hens ours tells us if it's a good high hen have a crack at it shame to waste a good opportunity. And enjoy yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 May be a stupid question but can you shoot hen birds? Not a stupid question at all Norfolk AYA , you will start off with a briefing from the keeper or whoever run the shoot , it will mainly be on about safety and what you can and cant shoot . If they catch up the hens you will certainly not be asked to shoot them but there will be a good possibility you will be told Partridges ( if you have got any ) , Pigeons and maybe Woodcock , normally no ground game , duck ( if you are using lead ), and our boss don't like Foxes being shot. Today we had a beaters day rather than a cock day and we could shoot any thing on the list that can fly , for the simple fact they like to start a fresh again in the Summer , this included , Hens , Cocks , Partridges , Pigeons and Woodcock , although we didn't shoot any ( Woodcock ) Next week we have got a Cock day with Partridges and Vermin , but no Woodcock and no Hen Pheasants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Not a stupid question at all Norfolk AYA , you will start off with a briefing from the keeper or whoever run the shoot , it will mainly be on about safety and what you can and cant shoot . If they catch up the hens you will certainly not be asked to shoot them but there will be a good possibility you will be told Partridges ( if you have got any ) , Pigeons and maybe Woodcock , normally no ground game , duck ( if you are using lead ), and our boss don't like Foxes being shot. Today we had a beaters day rather than a cock day and we could shoot any thing on the list that can fly , for the simple fact they like to start a fresh again in the Summer , this included , Hens , Cocks , Partridges , Pigeons and Woodcock , although we didn't shoot any ( Woodcock ) Next week we have got a Cock day with Partridges and Vermin , but no Woodcock and no Hen Pheasants No woodcock on the 1st !!! Unless there's different rules in your area 😊 All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Ask keeper about hens ours tells us if it's a good high hen have a crack at it shame to waste a good opportunity. And enjoy yourself. I know this is sometimes stated, but surely it should be the other way round at this time of the year , clear up the poor hens and leave the good ones alone would make more sense . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason_ox Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I know this is sometimes stated, but surely it should be the other way round at this time of the year , clear up the poor hens and leave the good ones alone would make more sense . I did just that today, really nice high hen and gave it a scare so it should fly higher next season 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I have seen hens that have fairly long tail feathers shot in mistake for cocks When the birds are driven directly over a narrow gap between trees against a white cloudy sky. It can happen because the birds just look like a black cardboard cutout and the decision time is very small. also the majority of guns on cock days are beaters that don't shoot driven pheasants during the year. They may be really good shots but it is the heightened eagerness to shoot that gets the better of the identification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 May be a stupid question but can you shoot hen birds? Keeper will give talk, will most likely be no ground game of ANY kind and what is to be shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 If you do shoot a hen by mistake accept the fine with good grace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Partridges now starting to pair up, so you may ask about shooting them. If it's not mentioned then you just asking will indicate you have some idea what the day is all about. The old adage, "if in doubt don't". Have a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 There are quite a few hens on the shoot i go to with very long tail feathers was asked yesterday not to shoot them but when thay come over the tree tops in a wood with very small window its inevertable that one or two get taken out keeper was ok as he under stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 I have seen hens that have fairly long tail feathers shot in mistake for cocks When the birds are driven directly over a narrow gap between trees against a white cloudy sky. It can happen because the birds just look like a black cardboard cutout and the decision time is very small. also the majority of guns on cock days are beaters that don't shoot driven pheasants during the year. They may be really good shots but it is the heightened eagerness to shoot that gets the better of the identification. Partridges now starting to pair up, so you may ask about shooting them. If it's not mentioned then you just asking will indicate you have some idea what the day is all about. The old adage, "if in doubt don't". Have a good one. There are quite a few hens on the shoot i go to with very long tail feathers was asked yesterday not to shoot them but when thay come over the tree tops in a wood with very small window its inevertable that one or two get taken out keeper was ok as he under stands. As my above post and the other two posts, shooting hens does happen and it all depends on how the keeper views this. I don't know how much shoot keepers fine people but I did go on one shoot where it was £50 per bird. it can really turn a days enjoyment into a sour taste. Some unscrupulous keepers put the one money in their pocket as a sort of tip. There is a lot of difference between a mistaken identication and someone that goes along with the idea of >>> fill your boots my son. If in doubt don't shoot and only shoot the ones that are definitely cocking up. It all depends on how many birds that the shoot has to be shot at. I've been on shoots where you'd be lucky to have 5 shots All day and others where you could have several hundred birds put over you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Most of our beaters and the people who pick up are long standing, and as far as identification goes , I would say they can tell the difference between a Hen and a Cock more than most guns who pay good money to stand on there pegs , yet mistakes can be made and in the majority of a mistake a bit of leg pulling don't come amiss and is soon forgotten . Having been involved in the shoot for over 50years , I have never known the keeper to fine anyone and I have worked under three keepers during that time , like fortune was saying , there is a lot of difference in taking a snap shot at a hen say in a wood with a long tail and making a mistake , and seeing a nice high one knowingly what sex it is but cant resist having a go at it , these ones will be soon be spotted and are unlikely to be asked back again if they cant be trusted and don't abide by the rules . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 The only thing you get on the shoot where I beat 3 or 4 times a week if you shoot a hen is a lot of Micky taking. We are encouraged to take out any hens with a leg down as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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