Scully Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 24 minutes ago, Salmo said: I know for a fact there are guides out there making a grand a flight ...... and that’s a fact I’m not sure what your point is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Scully said: On the whole I agree. I'm not overemphasising the killing part to deliberately play into the hands of antis ( it doesn't need to be overemphasised... it is what it is ) I'm merely trying to emphasise to those shooters who tend to look down their noses at other types of shooting and the way other shooters go about it, that they have no moral right to do so. Killing isn't what it's all about, but we're all killing things unnecessarily for our own pleasure, so none of us are in any position to claim any moral high ground over others. Ethics may play a part in huge bags of birds as a result of driven shooting, but it's a business, and if it weren't for that business and the huge amounts of money and revenue it attracts and distributes by various means, the rest of UK shooting would be stood alone with little or no backing from anywhere. Say goodbye to that and those who want to sustainably and nobly harvest one for the pot will be gone toot sweet; old romantics or not. 😉 All I'm trying to say, in a nutshell, is that while you're killing things which don't need to be killed, you're doing it for no other reason than personal satisfaction/gratification, and are therefore in no position to judge others. I see your points, Personally I dont think im claiming any high ground, in fact I believe we should all be governed by our own conscience, however I also believe we need behave well in our chosen field of the sport. Clearly the end result of all those who shoot living things, is a dead animal on the ground, For some the question of how it got there is the issue, it is true of most things in life [at least in my opinion] that the harder something is won the greater the satisfaction and in the OP post and some that followed, I think the question was, Is decoying large numbers of wild geese to a group of waiting guns, that may have done nothing but supply cash better or worse, than the traditional fowler, that through study and knowledge gained is able to eventually put himself under the birds, usually in much more testing conditions. It actually makes no difference to me how people get their pleasure, although I subscribe to the latter simply because the reward is greater. We all enjoy our sport for many reasons, amongst the things that are important to me is the choice of gun, training my dog, understanding ballistics, making my loads, fieldcraft, marksmanship, preparation, cooking and teaching my children that not all meat suddenly appears on their plate without effort.. As i have tried to point out Im not judging others and neither do i expect to be judged Edited February 15, 2020 by islandgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 If part of the shooting experience didn’t involve taking wildfowl game rabbits etc home to cook and eat I wouldn’t be interested. Shooting takes me to the places I like to spend my time with a purpose and when I am successful is satisfying for many reasons. When fishing while I don’t kill all the trout I catch an obligatory total catch and release policy would see me packing in fishing. I think of myself more of a hunter than a shooter. I’m not interested in focusing on finding fault in others ,that’s not my hobby and I’m well aware that anti field sports means just that so I won’t get to slip under the radar there no matter how little I “harvest for the table” for sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 On 09/02/2020 at 13:55, motty said: This type of shooting appeals more to people who are too old or lazy to shoot them on the foreshore. Come on motty, the inference that advancing age implies a falling of personal standards is a bit off beam maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainhastings Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 (edited) Maybe they just don't have access to the foreshore simple. I would love to but have no dog for the job at the moment so stuck inland Edited February 15, 2020 by captainhastings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 On 09/02/2020 at 13:55, motty said: On 09/02/2020 at 13:55, motty said: I have decoyed pinks in Norfolk a few times. I have also flighted them inland. The kind of shooting in this video doesn't really interest me. I would want only a couple of guns shooting. This type of shooting appeals more to people who are too old or lazy to shoot them on the foreshore. The guns in the video also did a very poor job of killing those geese. I regularly turn down opportunities to flight ponds if there is more than a couple of guns shooting it can get a bit hectic. But I used to regularly bump into a fowler on the shore who was in his seventies who shot with an eight bore so age isn’t a barrier for a fortunate few if the drive is strong and they are comparatively fit ,he would always say he’d be packing it in next season though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmo Posted February 15, 2020 Report Share Posted February 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Scully said: I’m not sure what your point is? The point is there are guides who let guns do anything for a thousand quid a morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 4 hours ago, captainhastings said: have no dog for the job at the moment so stuck inland It is very responsible you think that way, but many Wildfowling areas do not need a dog. I try to have a dog at all times, but If going to a job after flight where it might not be practical to have the dog, i will pick an area where it is highly unlikely i will get any water retrieves if you stay selective on area and what shots you take, you can get by but you will be reducing your options / opportunities, and not all Areas or clubs have deep marshes to give you a chance without a dog. Pairing up with another gun can work, i am not against trying to help a dog-less gun on the shoreline. I talked a 76 year old wildfowler into keeping on until his death at 79 , his wife died then his old Lab died he was all ready to give it all up, But i Helped him when i could and encouraged others to help him, and we kept him going until the end of his final season(he died at Easter so he effectively Wildfowled to the END. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 On 11/02/2020 at 21:20, captainhastings said: Also accessibility. I can get access to a few geese inland though to be honest trying to figure them out after the harvest is mission impossible lol. But its easier inland to find a permission where as joining a club you need a dog etc which i don't have. Basically I frown on any snobbery there should be no them and us rich and poor. We all enjoy our own little outings and long may they continue . Though preferable (and recommended) it is not a requirement of all wildfowling clubs for its members to own a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 12 hours ago, old man said: Come on motty, the inference that advancing age implies a falling of personal standards is a bit off beam maybe? I don't know if you have the wrong impression, but I was implying that goose decoying would perhaps appeal more to the older person (who has difficulties making a long trek out on the shore) or a lazy "fowler" who perhaps enjoys a few shots for minimal effort. Don't get me wrong, I too have enjoyed shooting geese over decoys, on occasion, but it doesn't compare (for me) to proper coastal "goosing". 12 hours ago, captainhastings said: Maybe they just don't have access to the foreshore simple. I would love to but have no dog for the job at the moment so stuck inland You have access to the foreshore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 12 hours ago, Konor said: I regularly turn down opportunities to flight ponds if there is more than a couple of guns shooting it can get a bit hectic. But I used to regularly bump into a fowler on the shore who was in his seventies who shot with an eight bore so age isn’t a barrier for a fortunate few if the drive is strong and they are comparatively fit ,he would always say he’d be packing it in next season though You have made the mistake of thinking I was saying that older people don't go coastal fowling. On the contrary. I see a few in their seventies (some walk quite long distances!) and their enthusiasm is still very strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greylag Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 I know of some active coastal wildfowlers well into their seventies and eighties who would be lost without the opportunity to get out for flights.It may take a little longer to get to their favoured sights but wouldn't miss it for the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 13 hours ago, Salmo said: The point is there are guides who let guns do anything for a thousand quid a morning People pay a lot more to shoot driven game such as grouse, partridge and pheasant. If there’s a business opportunity there are always those who will take advantage of it, and those who want to pay for it. That’s the way it goes. There are some things in life I don’t agree with, but I wouldn’t suggest they stop doing it. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainhastings Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 57 minutes ago, motty said: I don't know if you have the wrong impression, but I was implying that goose decoying would perhaps appeal more to the older person (who has difficulties making a long trek out on the shore) or a lazy "fowler" who perhaps enjoys a few shots for minimal effort. Don't get me wrong, I too have enjoyed shooting geese over decoys, on occasion, but it doesn't compare (for me) to proper coastal "goosing". You have access to the foreshore. As far as I am aware it is all bought up by various clubs around here which won't except you with out a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 48 minutes ago, motty said: You have made the mistake of thinking I was saying that older people don't go coastal fowling. On the contrary. I see a few in their seventies (some walk quite long distances!) and their enthusiasm is still very strong. My point was more that wildfowling on the shore requires a bit more effort and drive if fowling alone as you age whereas fowling with a guide inland over decoys just requires you to turn up and be escorted to a ready made hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 1 hour ago, motty said: I don't know if you have the wrong impression, but I was implying that goose decoying would perhaps appeal more to the older person (who has difficulties making a long trek out on the shore) or a lazy "fowler" who perhaps enjoys a few shots for minimal effort. Don't get me wrong, I too have enjoyed shooting geese over decoys, on occasion, but it doesn't compare (for me) to proper coastal "goosing". You have access to the foreshore. No offence motty, just a leg pull from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 4 hours ago, captainhastings said: As far as I am aware it is all bought up by various clubs around here which won't except you with out a dog. I don't know where you reside, but there are clubs around that will allow shooters without dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 7 hours ago, greylag said: I know of some active coastal wildfowlers well into their seventies and eighties who would be lost without the opportunity to get out for flights.It may take a little longer to get to their favoured sights but wouldn't miss it for the world. I also know several fowlers well into there seventies ( me included ) who would think nothing of going in the morning and again in the evening , mind you I would find it difficult nowadays crouching down in muddy drains for long periods , not so much crouching down, it would be getting back up that would be a problem , last season I did slow down a bit and didn't start till late October then it was non stop with beating , picking up and of course wild fowling right up to the end of the season , in the last full week of January we had a beaters day on the Saturday , Sunday was a day off , Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday saw me on the marsh each night , Thursday night was my last flight which I reported on P W the goose and Widgeon I got , Friday was my ex boss last day on the Pheasants, which I was picking up and last but not least on the Saturday ( 1st Feb ) we had our beaters day , a very enjoyable day with a bag of 118 , and if I am spared I hope to do it all again this coming season . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 22 hours ago, Konor said: My point was more that wildfowling on the shore requires a bit more effort and drive if fowling alone as you age whereas fowling with a guide inland over decoys just requires you to turn up and be escorted to a ready made hide. Always had the help set up the 'coys and build the hide when I used to use the service of a guide. I would have hated having to standby whilst someone else did it all for me. It was all part of the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konor Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Penelope said: Always had the help set up the 'coys and build the hide when I used to use the service of a guide. I would have hated having to standby whilst someone else did it all for me. It was all part of the experience. Sorry didn’t mean to imply guided Fowler’s were inherently lazy. I think most would opt to muck in given the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 1 minute ago, Konor said: Sorry didn’t mean to imply guided Fowler’s were inherently lazy. I think most would opt to muck in given the opportunity. Didn't for one minute that you were 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 On 07/02/2020 at 19:12, Walker570 said: Yes, we also limited ourselves but the farmers back then just wanted them off their crops. On our first visit just west of Blairgowrie, we bought a round of drinks for the whole bar in the local and had shooting for a week within minutes AND one farmer got his missus out of bed to give us supper at 2am in the morning when we left the bar. She never blinked and made us very welcome. Happy days. Proper Scots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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