Clodhopper Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 No I know this is not strictly Wildfowling but this seemed the best section to put it in. I Today was the first time I have been out to flight duck in many years. I spent my youth sitting on marsh drains flighting teal and mallard at dusk and under the moon but due to my permission being sold and married life this has given way to other sporting activities. I was very excited about this evening as we had fed a little pond on the farm for a while and suspected we had a few birds coming in. With a good moon and a bit of cloud my cousin and I decided to give it a go. On arrival I flushed a teal from the pond which my cousin dropped. I then managed to shoot a pair of rats as they scuttled along the bank. These were followed by a rabbit flushed by the spaniel as we made our way to our positions. All good so far. Dusk came and so did a pair of mallard wobbling side to side as they came in, both missed. The large moon broke above the wold land to the east and lit up another pair coming in, same line and movement, same result 2 shots 2 missed. Repeat for the next pair. I just could not judge range and line of flight, I had forgotten how to do it. Next in were a bunch of teal this time one was dropped but alas not to my gun, I registered another double miss. Don’t really like to admit it but I was struggling with something that was second nature to me not that many years ago. The highlight of the evening were the 2 water retrieves by the spaniel, a first for him,who has primarily been my wife’s beating dog but has now been promoted since I lost my lab. Despite the rubbish shooting it was great to be out again chasing ducks. Thanks for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 Nice report. Get out and do it again, and I bet you'll get better results. You may also get more ducks at dusk with no moon on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Posted December 22, 2018 Report Share Posted December 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Clodhopper said: No I know this is not strictly Wildfowling but this seemed the best section to put it in. I Today was the first time I have been out to flight duck in many years. I spent my youth sitting on marsh drains flighting teal and mallard at dusk and under the moon but due to my permission being sold and married life this has given way to other sporting activities. I was very excited about this evening as we had fed a little pond on the farm for a while and suspected we had a few birds coming in. With a good moon and a bit of cloud my cousin and I decided to give it a go. On arrival I flushed a teal from the pond which my cousin dropped. I then managed to shoot a pair of rats as they scuttled along the bank. These were followed by a rabbit flushed by the spaniel as we made our way to our positions. All good so far. Dusk came and so did a pair of mallard wobbling side to side as they came in, both missed. The large moon broke above the wold land to the east and lit up another pair coming in, same line and movement, same result 2 shots 2 missed. Repeat for the next pair. I just could not judge range and line of flight, I had forgotten how to do it. Next in were a bunch of teal this time one was dropped but alas not to my gun, I registered another double miss. Don’t really like to admit it but I was struggling with something that was second nature to me not that many years ago. The highlight of the evening were the 2 water retrieves by the spaniel, a first for him,who has primarily been my wife’s beating dog but has now been promoted since I lost my lab. Despite the rubbish shooting it was great to be out again chasing ducks. Thanks for reading. Good honest write up, this is why we do it.....you will be thinking about it ....and the next flight as you go to sleep tonight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 (edited) It happens I've been out and three ducksfir three shots. Next time plenty of shots and never touched a feather. If you don't read them right your stuffed, trying to hard is usually the culprit, relax and just shoot them it soon comes natural again. Edited December 23, 2018 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted December 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 We plan to leave it for a couple of weeks and give it another go in the new year. Can not wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 You where there which is what matters. Memories are made of this...as the song goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 (edited) Pity as you were excited about your outing in advance. Edited December 23, 2018 by JDog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted December 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 I was like a kid at Christmas. Shot well on Friday and like a complete muppet last night but that that’s shooting, brings you back down to earth with a bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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