motty Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 I went out to shoot some pigeons on rape on Wednesday. The weather was good and a couple of rape fields had been cut. I ended (peed off) with a paltry 25 for my efforts. I went straight on the lookout for a location to shoot the next day. I found just what I was looking for; a good carpet of blue on another rape stubble a few miles down the road. As per usual, Jules was invited. The weather looked far from ideal, with some heavy showers forecast for yesterday. Anyway, we arrived at the field yesterday before 10am and watched. And watched. The rain persisted. We sat and watched and discussed tactics until the rain finally relented. We were in no particular rush to begin shooting, as the pigeons hadn't really 'come out' yet, but at 12pm I was keen to get set up and await the first customers. A couple of magnets and a flapper were the main components to the set up. The magnets were to be moved closer a bit later on, as the pigeons started going wide to the right. A few plastics were also added. The hide was built in a shallow ditch. The (strong) wind was at our backs. To start with we shot like a couple of one-armed, blind men. I got annoyed with my dog and I wasn't enjoying it. I put some of the misses down to the swirling wind, but mostly we were just not at it. Later, we made a full recovery. We shot a good string of birds with barely a miss. This was more like it. I had put my earlier stress behind me and began to enjoy the day. The pigeons in general decoyed well, but several skirted just out of range. I reacted by moving 30odd yards to the right to intercept them. This worked well and helped to put several extra birds in the bag. By 5.30pm we had had the best of it, so decided to pack up. We shot 151 pigeons. The team of three dogs did a great job of picking the birds. Picture to follow very shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 My, what a lovely big picture! Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 Much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 You done well to get enough dry weather to have a go yesterday , we had some real heavy showers with a lot of the minor roads flooded and the sun didn't really come out till tea time. Quality photo , dogs look in mint condition along with the pigeons , not one of our rape fields have been cut yet and although they had a early start with this years harvest ,but due to the heavy rain they are only a few days ahead of a normal starting date which is about now. Good report and I hope you have got many good days to come ........... if of coarse you can get the time off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 (edited) Great bag as always. Pleased it is not just me that has frustrating days with my young dog. Good report. Edited July 21, 2017 by aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollieollie Posted July 21, 2017 Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 Good one Motty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Nice report that motty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbutd Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 The day ended with the satisfaction dial back reading high.Speaking only for myself I know that when the wheels come off shooting wise I can take it out on my dogs,(sometimes they have done no more than sit too close to my feet)! Then when the birds fall more regularly I can find myself making too much fuss of the dogs.No pigeons are really safe in your patch Motty.Exemplary report as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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