njc110381 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Hey guys. I'm on a bit of a downer at the moment. Had a rubbish day and I'm really annoyed with myself. I decided earlier that I'd grab the shotty and head out over the stubble for an hour or two. Nothing complicated, just me, the gun and a flight line. Well I got there and wandered down to my favourite spot. It a good line, maybe a bird a minute passes on a good day until they figure me out and move over the field a bit. Well today was no different to usual, there were plenty about. I got settled in under a nice (perfect hide) Hawthorn bush. Now for the bad bit. with 27 rounds fired I got...........Wait for it...............4 bloody birds! One Pigeon and three Crows! Those 4 birds were hit with the first 5 rounds, then nothing! Steady flow of Pigeons coming right at me at about 30 feet up. They fly right over me without even a clue that I'm there. A blind man could have hit more than me with a little instruction! I really am ****** off with myself. Usually I expect to get around 50%, more on birds as easy as these. It was a point and shoot day and I've come home with nothing. The one Pigeon I did hit was such a direct hit it wasn't worth keeping, it was nearly bald! I took 3 of the birds with Gamebore White Gold 28g 7.5s and then switched to Eley Hi Flyer 30g 6s. Both should be capable of taking close in Pigeons, in fact the Eleys are usually first class. I've got a right sulk on because I just can't figure out what went wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 need more practice! you'd better get out more often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soreshoulder Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 so many times a pigeon comes straight as me, flying over and you think ' this is easy, just blot it out' etc then you miss i find it helps if you put your gun up at the last minute to help you stop thinking about it too much, its when i focusing on a little more lead or swinging this way or that i miss, and subsequently get very annoyed, take some music or something to help you focus on something else. Not saying it will help you but it does me :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 You weren't using a Hatsan Escort, were you? Off-days happen, it's a fact of life. Once you've got that kernel of doubt in your mind, it's hard to shift. It's for that reason that I try to shoot with a mate, to divert my attention away from self-critique/choke adjustment/wild changes in shooting technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 (edited) Hey guys. I'm on a bit of a downer at the moment. Had a rubbish day and I'm really annoyed with myself. I decided earlier that I'd grab the shotty and head out over the stubble for an hour or two. Nothing complicated, just me, the gun and a flight line. Well I got there and wandered down to my favourite spot. It a good line, maybe a bird a minute passes on a good day until they figure me out and move over the field a bit. Well today was no different to usual, there were plenty about. I got settled in under a nice (perfect hide) Hawthorn bush. Now for the bad bit. with 27 rounds fired I got...........Wait for it...............4 bloody birds! One Pigeon and three Crows! Those 4 birds were hit with the first 5 rounds, then nothing! Steady flow of Pigeons coming right at me at about 30 feet up. They fly right over me without even a clue that I'm there. A blind man could have hit more than me with a little instruction! I really am p***** off with myself. Usually I expect to get around 50%, more on birds as easy as these. It was a point and shoot day and I've come home with nothing. The one Pigeon I did hit was such a direct hit it wasn't worth keeping, it was nearly bald! I took 3 of the birds with Gamebore White Gold 28g 7.5s and then switched to Eley Hi Flyer 30g 6s. Both should be capable of taking close in Pigeons, in fact the Eleys are usually first class. I've got a right sulk on because I just can't figure out what went wrong! High birds need 'High brass' cartridges You should know the score by now you have been on here long enough Edited August 26, 2009 by starlight32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 in the past I have sat out all day, fired 10 shots for nothing :look: and no I wasn't using my datsun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 (edited) NJC , oppotunitys are what you should be counting and not kills . You shot off a box of cartridges and shot like a **** it dosent matter ,you had lots of oppotunitys . One of the best days pigeon shooting I can remember was when I was wood shooting and shot 28 birds straight with out a miss and then fired another 30 shots for about another 6 birds . Not the biggest bag by a long shot , but to me a memorable one . Harnser . Edited August 26, 2009 by Cranfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poorwullie Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 Mibbe's a day at your local clay ground beforehand with, if practical, a little bit off coaching would help. :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 in the past I have sat out all day, fired 10 shots for nothing :look: and no I wasn't using my datsun I did the same on saturday, 7 empty carts for nothing. Once your in the kind of groove your ******! Must admit, i've never had much practice in a single sitting at pigeons so as much as i kick myself i have to remember to take it easy on myself too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr salt Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 You can try to hard. if you are wound up or are carrying tension in your shoulders you wont hit anything. Go to the clay range and fire at a few simple clays. This may get you thinking positivly. It happens to everybody,once in a while. You can go stale from shooting too much or to little. keep trying :look: cheers scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Fudd Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 everyone has off days, wouldnt worry too much about it. might be an idea to have a quick go at some clays to build confidence up if youre feeling bad, but these things happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 You sound like me Sporting clays = easy seemingly easy pigeons = :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry b Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 its not just me then missed loads myself lateley but still getting a few so dont be disheartened and enjoy the day :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 26, 2009 Report Share Posted August 26, 2009 The biggest mistake you can make when shooting low and/or slow birds, is to forget to swing the gun. Its very tempting to point and shoot, almost as thought the birds are stationary, which of course they are not. If I find myself missing these shots, I start further behind the target and "push" the gun through the bird, taking the shot as I go, that usually does the trick. :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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