Billy. Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 (edited) I was contacted via PM last week by a brand new member, saying that he wanted me to take him out shooting with a photographer to do an article for the Shooting Times. Slight scepticism rang around my head, but something said for me to say yes and to take a bit of a risk... I took StealthStalker out on the trip (He actually took me, as I'm useless and don't drive) and met up with the guys this morning, after our initial meeting the night before. I'd been deliberating over a couple of spots on my permission to shoot on and I finally decided to risk a spot that Garyb and I had watched plenty of birds go over. Upon arrival it was clear just how badly the pigeons had cleared the rape off the field, there was hardy a leaf left and I tried to assure the guys that we were right under a good flightline. Our task was to test out the new BushWare Cube camouflage hide, which was provided by the Shooting Times. We got all our kit out of the Landy and a 3 foot long cardboard box. It was opened to find a bag with shoulder straps, which looked a bit of a hassle to lug around with the rest of the kit (not that we had to lug it, but we imagined it would be...!) The bag was unzipped and out came a contraption that looked like an umbrella that had been turned inside out by the wind. A couple of reads of the instruction manual and some um'ing and ah'ing and it was the right way round. We opened it out fully and you could easily fit four people into it, if it was set up so that it was at its full length, not as a cube. It was decided to set it up as a cube and shoot from it like that and a stealthnet camo hide was set up a short distance away for another gun. Standing about 60 yards out, you could clearly see that the stealthnet had a massive advantage and it was really difficult to see. However the Cube was easily spotted and didn't blend well into the background... We finally got set up and started waiting patiently... Nothing was about We'd scared about 1000 pigeons off a field a little way away whilst we were on our way to my permission. I decided to walk down to some woods and try and get them moving, as I really wanted to stick a banger rope in there because we really couldn't shoot at in those woods. No pigeons were committing to our pattern, even though we had about 25 dead bird decoys out, a magnet, two flappers, lofted pigeons in the trees and about 20 decoy shells out.... I was convinced the Landy was spooking them, but SS said otherwise. Anyway, in the end, a depressing total of 2 pigeons were shot today and I felt pretty bad because of that... It was truly excellent though to speak the guys from the Times and get our photos taken and asked loads of questions. I'm looking forward to hearing our amazing shooting story that they're going to write up about, as I'm sure they can't say we only shot two Thanks guys for the opportunity and cheers SS for giving me so much grief Pics to follow once I get them sent to me, PW should get a load of new members soon as I did ask them to stick the forum link into the article as a little plug. Edited February 24, 2009 by harfordwmj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 looking forward to the pics mate shame about the count, but that's the way it goes. how heavy was the blind thingy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 looking forward to the pics mate shame about the count, but that's the way it goes. how heavy was the blind thingy? It wasn't too bad, it was just the fact that it'd have to be another thing to carry over your shoulder that was off putting. Don't get me wrong, it's perfect if you're shooting pigeons with an air rifle or planning on sitting out to stalk a fox or deer, but not that practical for pigeons using a shotgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 As you said mate....desperatley dissapointing But as i said & others will back me up here reccy, reccy, reccy It was hard to even find the rape it was so badly munched..we were a week or two to late At least you managed to pull down a couple of nice birds neither of which were decoying, the weather did us no favours either with not a breath of wind Still with a bit of clever editting our 2 birds may well end up as 42 Did I hear Paul correctly,was it 300 plus photos taken ? For anyone thats interested & wants a laugh the article is in the March 19th edition of Shooting Times, I'm the one blatantly plugging Pigeon Watch with my fleece and badge SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Good plugging that man, but a shame you didn't get much. 300 photos is easy to do. I have maxed out a memory card (about 750 shots) in a little over an hour's wakeboarding many times. It's very easy to do with a digicam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 teehee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoaty Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 teehee Nice one Bill, It was quiet out there today, no wind to speak of and nothing much in the air. I had 3 in an hour and a half next door to you (if you were in your normal spot that is?), but very quiet overall. If you remember, met when Gary B came out with us one freezing morning a few weeks back (a red letter day for us all that one!). Well done getting the magazine boys out though - I look forward to seeing what they write about their day with you. ATB Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Stoaty You didn't happen to be in the field opposite the shell garage, with all the white flags in ? at 7.15 this morning we put a good 2000 birds of that only to see them sit up in the poplars either side of the road, where they stayed pretty much all day SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Stoaty You didn't happen to be in the field opposite the shell garage, with all the white flags in ? at 7.15 this morning we put a good 2000 birds of that only to see them sit up in the poplars either side of the road, where they stayed pretty much all day SS Nope! that wasnt him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 teehee How was work today Gary? I know where I'd rather have been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 How was work today Gary? I know where I'd rather have been How many did YOU shoot again ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I know where I'd rather have been Probably at work earning some money...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 You don't shoot anything sat in the office twiddling with your puter on facebook & PW all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I can tell you exactly where those birds were, they were on the field that Nickbeardo shot the other day, you've got to keep them moving around, I did warn young Will that midweek shooting was a high risk strategy in that area as there's usually nobody else out and about to keep them moving. Glad you all had some fun, I've never been a fan of pop up hides, the yanks love 'em, but they're not ideal for our UK pigeons. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I can tell you exactly where those birds were, they were on the field that Nickbeardo shot the other day, you've got to keep them moving around, I did warn young Will that midweek shooting was a high risk strategy in that area as there's usually nobody else out and about to keep them moving. Glad you all had some fun, I've never been a fan of pop up hides, the yanks love 'em, but they're not ideal for our UK pigeons. Cat. I said to SS earlier, I bet they were over the road from the Shell... and of course he confirmed this! Cat knows his stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I can tell you exactly where those birds were, they were on the field that Nickbeardo shot the other day, you've got to keep them moving around, Cat knows his stuff I did try to get them moving, but I couldn't get hold of any banger ropes. We got them up when we drove past, but they were so stubborn and wanted to stick to that patch (especially as the rape was bright green there) The guys couldn't do a weekend, so I said it would be tricky. I guess it's just one of those days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoaty Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 As Gary said Will - not me in that field with the flags (although that's where we should have been) - I was further up the road on the same side as that field, under what is usually a good flight line which feeds all the local fields (outside the times I'm around obviously ) See you soon Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirnovember Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Which magazine is the story in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Attitude Magazine, or so Billy tells me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirnovember Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Nuts Magazine, or so Billy tells me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Attitude Magazine, or so Billy tells me You'll have to reach up in the adult section... I didn't mention that they asked me to get my 'rifle' out for a few of the photos...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirnovember Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 So, they wanted to see the caliber of your weapon? Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 So, they wanted to see the caliber of your weapon? Nice. Yeah, apparently comparable to a .17HMR... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirnovember Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Yeah, apparently comparable to a .17HMR... What, fast, small and disintegrates on impact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 What, fast, small and disintegrates on impact? As small as a penny, but as hard hitting as a sledgehammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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