Catamong Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 The forecast earlier in the week was looking good for Sunday, strong Easterly wind, so did a good recce on some fields in my patch, decided to shoot a particularly large area of rape that was attracting quite a few birds. Only snag was, the spot where the birds favoured was a heck of a walk from the car, but garyb volunteered to come along and help out with the carrying, so the long trudge was made a bit easier. We decided to set up with our backs against a hedge which offered us some protection from the bitterly cold wind, we didn't put any static deeks out, just a Shootwarehouse rotary with 2 dead birds on it, and right from the word go we had a steady trickle of birds coming in, which gave some pretty testing shooting on the strong wind. I was a bit miffed by mid morning as I had arranged for another nearby field of rape to be covered by other guns, but it was clear that they hadn't turned up (obviously too cold??), as the birds started streaming across there and landing unmolested. I'd already placed a banger rope out on another field nearby, and also placed one at the bottom end of our large field, which was doing a great job of keeping them on the move, every 30 minutes it went off with a boom, and a big flock would head up and drop straight into our ever growing pattern. At about 11.30 I realised I hadn't heard it go off for a bit so I assumed it had gone out, I wandered down there to check it out, only to find that some ******* had nicked it, would you believe it..?? Gary was shooting really well with his 20 bore O/U, he'd also brought his young Spaniel along which was doing a great job retrieving the deaduns, we both had fantastic sport in the strong wind. We decided to pack up at 1.30, as the flight had died by then, we picked up a fair bag of 67 birds, not a red letter day, but not bad for Winter rape shooting. I reckon we'd have had a lot more if the other field was covered, as they were allowed to munch away there for most of the day without being put off. Here's a pic of our decoy pattern, it's a bit grainy as it was taken on a mobile phone: Here's one of the hide, the remnants of the railway sleeper were there to stop the nets from flapping in the gale, (here's a tip for newbies, don't put your hide under a tree, it restricts your field of fire too much, if possible, always place it in a lowish hedge with all round vision): And here's one of Garyb with the bag of birds: Well shot young man..!! Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Well done both, a busy weekend by the sounds of it Gary. When I first read the title I thought Cat was trying to make MC jealous, then I realised you meant during the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staglioni Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Modest!!!! its a great bag mate stag B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beater Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Good shooting lads Didn't realize hertfordshire was such a rough area!!! Banger ropes going missing!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Well done guys, sounds like a good day out. Interesting that you started the day with just the rotary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Cheers Cat A great post there.. It was a thoroughly enjoyable mornings sport, I think the dog is still half asleep from it all mind B) What that man dosen't know about decoying isn't worth talking about Stuart - You could say it was a busy one!, All fresh out of shells now - will have to restock once the snow melts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Nice shooting and photies, well done. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoaty Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Nice bag Gary & Cat - sounds like I'd better get you back out with me with some of the old master's tips n tricks. I had a couple of hours over the rape late Sunday in that wind. Pretty dam cold it was too - but I didn't pinch your bangers - honest! I had a few very high birds, but they wouldn't decoy so late in the day. Pigeon stir fry last night was good though Regards, Stoaty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Sorry I didn't get that other field covered for you, I was in bed with the missus and I wasn't keen on moving Nice bag, Gary did text me to say you'd done well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Guys, You've mentioned rope bangers?? Been looking for them for ages where from, how much and can you order over tinternet and get them delivered to you home? (would be good if you could get them delivered to a field on a sat morning before 9am (would pay them more for setting light to the rope!!) obviously l would supply them with a grid reference no'!!! PM me any suppliers please! As the Ducks and phesants are on a repreive till Sept the pigeons are going to be my no'1 target for the next couple of months till the rape gets too high!! Thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseaDavid Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Great pics. and a great bag, keep it up guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 You've mentioned rope bangers?? Been looking for them for ages where from, how much and can you order over tinternet and get them delivered to you home? (would be good if you could get them delivered to a field on a sat morning before 9am (would pay them more for setting light to the rope!!) obviously l would supply them with a grid reference no'!!! I'm sure Cat wont mind me spreading the secret...! Portek sell them http://www.portek.co.uk/blackpantherbang.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackthorn Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 well done the two of you, and a nice bag B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 On closer inspection of that picture you took of Gary and Daisy. You've certainly piled on a bit of weight, Cat...! (That shadow looks awfully fat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 On closer inspection of that picture you took of Gary and Daisy. You've certainly piled on a bit of weight, Cat...! (That shadow looks awfully fat) Well, what can I say....?? Who loves ya Baby..?? Give me a few hours with Charlotte and I'm sure I could shed a pound or two..!! Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justintime Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 NICE ONE MATE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 nice write up and photos guys, looks like a fun day was had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 From the photo Cat.. some might say you resemble Richard Griffiths of Pie in the sky fame! Which as I'm sure a man about town like yourself knows was filmed not to far away from where we were setup! I can confirm though, that Cat was on the Healthy Option Sarnies all day and not a pie, pigeon or otherwise passed his lips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Gazza, you *******.....he's an ugly old ***, (very reminiscent of MC) , ..............now, I'm still on WeightWatchers, I'll have you know, (lost nearly a stone since Xmas) , about 13lb of which was due to lugging that damn car battery up and down those fields. Still, I suppose it was worth it, 'cos we had some sport. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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