Cranfield Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I was decoying yesterday afternoon between heavy showers and two strange things happened. The setup was on rape, against a low hedge just off the point of a spur into the field. Birds were coming straight in against the wind and from my left. To my right was the "corner" of the spur and so I couldn't see round the corner (about 20 ft away). The decoys were out, with a rotary and two floaters and I sat in the hide awaiting events. I shot two pigeons in the first 10 minutes, then my rotary stopped. I went and had a look and the clips had come off the battery, as there were birds around I just put them back on and rushed back into the hide. A few birds later it stopped again. This time I used my pliers to squeeze the clips tighter and nipped quickly back in the hide. A few minutes later movement on the ground near the decoys attracted my attention and it was the battery bag moving. I went and had a good, slow look and realised that the wire was round the rotary and it was slowly winding the battery in, which is why it kept disconnecting. I sorted it all out and it was OK for the rest of the day. This is the first and only rotary I have owned and I have had it donkey's years and thats the first time thats happened. The second weird thing was during a quiet spell , I was sitting back relaxed listening to the radio when I saw a woodpigeon walk round the corner of the spur and head towards my decoys. My first thought was that it must be wounded and couldn't fly, so wishing to save a cartridge, I emptied my gun, leaned it against the hide and walked out to pick up the pigeon, .............................which promptly flew away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 when I saw a woodpigeon walk round the corner of the spur and head towards my decoys. That's why they have legs I'd imagine Cranners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Maybe it's a moon phase or something ? Last night i was sitting in the jeep at the back of the farm,(good view point and next to the bait station).Anyway we sat in the jeep talking as there was nothing about.Then as i turned round my headlights caught a fox sneaking along the fence only about 100 yards off.I stopped the jeep got out with the rifle,my mate had the lamp.This fox was on the other side of the fence and running right to left.What happened next was errm "different"The fox came through the fence and ran straight towwards us We had'nt been squeeking or even been quiet.The fox was shot at 35 FEET ! ! The next fox also acted strange.Similar sort of thing.It was away up a fence line and before a shot was on it went through the fence and away accross the field.Got back in the jeep and had a quick look and it had come back and was standing this side of the fence again and sitting looking at us He was a bit further away than the last one(169 yards)but the result was the same. So maybe yesterday was "let's do something stupid day" P.S got 3 in total last night so 28 so far this year.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I've had the rotary wind in corn stalks a few times but thats all. As for putting your gun down when going to pick up a suspected pricked bird....... I appreciate you are very safety conscious but I always take mine with me, safety on, for the very reason you experienced. After all, if it was wounded, surely its better to be able to take another shot and dispatch it to ensure it doesn't take ages to die. I wish I had a quid for every bird I've shot whilst out of the hide picking up or something. Anyway, the words eggs, suck, teaching and grandmother come to mind so I'll just get my coat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warlock Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) i use the spine of my knife to dispatch any wounded birds, it`s a 6" blade heavy survival knife so it does the job quick, still take my shotgun with me on a sling safety off, i just press the magazine feed button take the round out of the chamber and then if i need a quick 2 shots i release the bolt which automatically chambers a round. The only weird thing i had happen was happily shooting with a semi auto and though had better have a quick bit of housekeeping to clear my shells, found 4 but 12 were missing thought they may have roled downhill under some rape leaves no sign went back to the hide to grab a drink bent over and 12 shells were wedged in my netting. Also shot a pigeon at about 30 yards removed everyone of his tail feathers which drifted to earth no sign of blood on any of them and the ****** just kept going. Edited March 12, 2009 by Warlock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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