motty Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 (edited) I had eyed up one of the first barley fields to be cut in the area. It looked very much like it would produce a good shoot. I didn't have my normal shooting buddy to call on (work gets in the way sometimes), so I was going to go solo. Just before I left the house on Tuesday I asked my eldest son if he would like to join me. He has recently left school and is awaiting an apprenticeship. Surprisingly, he said he would come. He hasn't done too much shooting, but has killed clays, ducks and pigeons in the past. It has long been a wish of mine to have my sons interested in the shooting game, so I was now quite excited at the prospect of what the afternoon might bring. We loaded extra drinks before we departed. Upon entering the field, only a few pigeons took flight. I was not worried. I have shot this field before and didn't really expect too much until later. I picked my favourite spot on the field, which I am sure would be one of the bests spots whatever the wind direction. It is also the best spot regarding shot fallout. In other areas, it is unsafe to shoot in all directions. I got the boy to help me set up the decoys. It was particularly difficult trying to get the pigeon magnet into the rock hard and stony ground. He got sat down with his borrowed ear defenders and gun (my Silver pigeon IV game gun) and a box of Trust 24gm 7.5s. I was to his right, to make sure my spent shells from my auto wouldn't be walloping him in the head. He shot the first pigeon to decoy properly. Good start. I would try to take the more difficult birds and I would leave the easier ones for him. This worked ok and he did pretty well. He still missed several and was disappointed with himself for doing so. I reassured him that he was doing fine. I had to shoot a few that he missed or pricked and I think he was glad that they hadn't got away. I think he was enjoying himself far more than he would admit to me, but he seemed to be getting engrossed in the whole affair. He was spotting birds in the distance, ducking down in the hide - almost acting like a proper decoyer. He had even wrung a few necks by the end of the day. We were also making sure we kept count of his confirmed kills. I shot far better than I have done of late, which pleased me no end. I was starting to think that maybe I had something wrong with my eyes! We saw a lot of pigeons. We never had to wait too long for a customer/victim. I could have easily shot over 100 on my own, but I would much rather have had this kind of day with my son. Hopefully he will now come out for further shooting forays, and perhaps shoot his first goose in a couple of months. The final tally was 86 pigeons. 27 fell to Ryan (not too bad for about 90 shots). Edited July 19, 2018 by motty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Good day that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 That's good ,same as you then ? I'm glad now work stopped me joining you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butchdickason Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 It is just as pleasing to watch as shoot sometimes, especially with family, hope he keeps joining you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Well done you must be so pleased must be nice to have your son as company, Start of many outings together I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Sounds like a great day and well done Ryan, a chip off the old block by the sounds of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Motty you old sentimentalist you. There are no better posts on this forum than father and son outings. Ryan is probably telling his chums that if he had been on his own he would have shot over one hundred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Motty and Ryan the deadly Norfolk duo, well done to you both. Hopefully the first of many more similar posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 One day the shoe might be on the other foot with Ryan taking you out for a days shooting ☺️ , nice time of the year to be out and I am sure your boy enjoyed himself and is already looking forward in beating his personal best . Well done to both of you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenholland Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I know how you feel motty, it's the same feeling when I take the grandson out , 23 now I;m glad you took plenty of cartridges , well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwell Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I enjoyed that, father and son time with a few birds in the bag, a good day mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Well done to yourself and Son ? Hope to see a report with a Smiling face of your Son with his First Goose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 What a great post, father and son bonding is great , mine has only been out with me a couple of times and gets upset when he misses birds. We bond in the man cave when I'm usually repairing something for him. Society has a concern with single mothers and no father figure so don't knock it encourage it all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Great post Motty as the picture in your avatar farther and son unbeatable, just hope he continues with you and does not get GIRL fever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 That is such a lovely post. Great going, both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twenty Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Great post, started taking my son with me when he was 11 years old, and he still joins me occasionally now (17 years later), and its quality time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted July 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Thanks for all the kind comments. Looking back, I should have recorded the action. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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