Cushat Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 I got a call on Monday night from a Keeper mate - his mate, another Keeper on an Estate near Henley, had loads of pigeons on the maize stubbles and did we want to go over? First thing Tuesday morning we arrived and there were thousands of pigeons flighting about, feeding on the maize and sitting in the trees. We had a drive around and I set up in a bale hide where 92 had been shot the previous Saturday. The other guys took a couple of spots on the edge of a big wood where over 200 had been shot by two guns the previous Saturday. It was a slightly hazy day, but a cold breeze and the same conditions that they'd had such good sport in a few days earlier. And here's my view after setting up: Within about 5 minutes, I had the first customer - straight into the decoys, first barrel, perfect! And then that was pretty much it for the day! The thousands of pigeons we'd seen first thing never came back. The odd rook flighted over the hide, and then about 2.30pm I had 3 pigeons within about 2 minutes and a another few followed in the next half hour, but with a total bag of ten, it was a slow day! I wouldn't have stuck it out so long, but it was a comfy hide, nice day and a cracking view and plenty of red kites about to watch. The others had similar experiences, and despite early optimism, we left a bit disheartened. So yesterday (Thurs) I decided to go out on my local permission. It was a much better day for it, overcast and a fresh westerly wind but I wasn't expecting a big day - 40 or 50 is a good day on the place so far this year. I set up about 9ish and straight away had a steady trickly which it unusual around here as at the minute they tend to feed at first light and then don't come back on until lunchtime-ish. The hide - with another bird dropping in from the top left corner: They kept coming, and once I got a few birds in the pattern they committed really well from a long way out and just folded their wings and dropped in. Some cracking fast crossers on the wind and really good shoting all day. I had to leave at 2.30pm for an emergency dental appointment to sort out a cracked tooth, and they were still coming. I had 96 on the clicker and a few to pick in the wood behind me. Sure enough, when I came back to clear up I picked four more and made exactly 100. And when I picked up the empties, I'd shot bang on 200! The bag and a tired lab: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Good day by the sounds of it(2nd that is) Birds were probably still wary after being shot over the previous Sat on your 1st outing. GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 nice post, good photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundowner Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 That was great reading with good pics too !!!! Loved it !!! CHeers mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 A nice read and good pictures. Pigeons do seem to love that maize stubble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purdey03 Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Pigeons do seem to love maize stubble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Chalk and cheese comes to mind. Both days sound good to me Cushat and it was a shame you had to have an early shower. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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