Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 At the weekend I expected the birds to be on the rape again, but no sign of them. Found 100s of them feeding on linseed, not on my permission. The flightline crossed a ploughed field where I can shoot, so I got as close as I could bearing in mind the roads and lack of cover elsewhere, and tucked into a row of hawthorns. It wasn't ideal as the wind was coming straight at me, so placed 20 shell decoys in a comma pattern about 50 yards away (leaving plenty of space for the birds to circle and come in), and two Sillosocks floaters, and a flapper. Managed four hours, fired 18 shots and picked up 9. Winged one and gutted that it got away. Searched all over, but no sign. Perhaps it's time I got a four-legged shooting companion! Anyway, here's some pics over the next few posts, and something I knocked up in photoshop.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 The hide in the hawthorns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 The pattern... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 The end result... Well chuffed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 some nice birds there, well done and good thinking on what I assume is google earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yes mate - Google Earth. Great bit of software - would be even better if it was updated via satellite then it wouldn't look like I was lying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Yes mate - Google Earth. Great bit of software - would be even better if it was updated via satellite then it wouldn't look like I was lying! You think you've got it bad, this is where I live and thats as far as it goes Edited February 25, 2009 by shot shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev 1 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Good result in the end ,Nice post and piccies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 They are brilliant on floaters mate . You need to fold the leading edge of the wings up a little so they are curved, and providing the wind's around 7mph or stronger, they will flap. And they fold away for easy storage and lighter than two dead birds. Money well spent I reckon - but they don't work every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Shame you couldn't have set up the hide/pattern nearer those trees on the left or down by the linseed. Wasn't there any cover there, a ditch or something? If you had been under/closer to that flightline you'd (probably) had a much better day. Always worth the trouble if it's at all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 That was the closest I could get mate. There are trees at the other end of the field, but they are on the other side of a B road. I spoke to one of the farmhands afterwards about putting a bale hide on the edge, but he says its not worth it - the linseed is being ploughed in at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 nice photos and work fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENGRASS Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Nice Plan and nice shooting and a cracking hide. Regards GG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sipe-ist Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Shame about the wind direction. The only thing I would definitely have done would have been to put some flags up the end of the field where you couldn't shoot to try to move the flight line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yeah... I was kicking myself for not bringing anything that I could use. Considered using my T-shirt, but it's black. I won't make that mistake again though - have stuffed 3 old compost sacks in my decoy bag ready for next time - Saturday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 lol-typical east anglian landscape...flat as a pancake! Shame you couldnt have gotten closer to flight line,but atleast you got a result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Excellent diagram mate really helps people understand exactly what is going on, and lovely pictures too; I love the final presentation shot More diagrams using Googlemaps from more shooters here on the forum as well please I agree with what some others have said, maybe some flapping plastic bags (a lesson for all of us to have a few in our kit bag as they weigh nothing and take up no room at all) placed on the oposite end of the field to your hide may have shifted the flightline closer to you. If a banger was placed in the corner of the field closest to where they were feeding it would have kept them moving and you would almost surely get some straglers head your way when they scarpered. Sounds like a good day and with a 50% hit ratio you should be pleased, I know I would.....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toombsy Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) If a banger was placed in the corner of the field closest to where they were feeding it would have kept them moving and you would almost surely get some straglers head your way when they scarpered. Good idea. Anyone know where I could get those bangers on a rope fuse, please? (EDIT) Found a thread on this subject so sorted now. Edited February 25, 2009 by Toombsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sipe-ist Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Personally I don't like using rope bangers on the field I am shooting because they actually scare the birds away. Flags on the other hand can just deter birds from where you don't want them. Rope bangers definitely have a place though, scaring birds from fields that are not covered, hence keeping birds moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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