Des Cochrane

I have 36 rings and 14 neck collars. 2 ringed geese with consectutive numbers with neckcollars were shot on a field together mid nineties around Loch Leven area when I worked as a BASC guide for Alan Murray. The shooting party I had out at the time included Robin Scott editor of The Sporting Gun. He followed up with a 2 page article about this. Des Cochrane www.ukshootingbreaks.org

20 canada shells varoius feeding positions £100

There is always feral greylags to go at. A lot of DIY going on but most ground covered by guides. Check BASC register for guide there is a good one up there. Des Cochrane Ukshootingbreaks

I use 20 gauge personally for my own pigeon shooting. RC T3 no 6s does the job. www.ukshootingbreaks.org

There is a constant build up of geese on the Eden estuary at present. Local farmers will have problems after the inland season ends. This is typical of how the seasons are changing with geese staying around Loch Leven till April before they depart. www.ukshootingbreaks.org

Great pigeon shooting in Fife expected soon over spring sown. I use RC T3 20 gauge, 28 gr No 6 these shells do the job. www.ukshootingbreaks.org

This greylag was shot by a group member out with Des Cochrane and Alan Croston Loch Leven area. The spent shell fast over its bottom beak had appeared to been on for a long time as its beak had grown over the sides. The plastic colour had lost its pigment and the underside was heavily scored, the base metal was missing probably rusted off. Alans lab sam retrieved this goose and at the time Alan thought it sounded like a neck collar rattling. The goose was in fair condition but could have only fed by at least half an inch of its beak remaining.

I can reccommend my pal Brian Bailes for shooting tuition. He,s up in Alnwick area now after leaving Bywell shooting ground as an instructor. You can get him on 01668 215385 Mob 07855337125 Des Cochrane www.ukshootingbreaks.org

Great photos. Des Cochrane www.ukshootingbreaks.org

Tay isnt holding many geese yet nor the Eden estuary. Good numbers of Mallard though. Des Cochrane www.ukshootingbreaks.org

Yip you beat me this time but next time i wull be sober Loch Leven geese late this year. I was up Montrose basin last week with a regular group of clients, off the field 0715 hrs before the flight even started. Des Cochrane www.ukshootingbreaks.org

Yes geese really like potatoe fields shot them on them often you will notice with geese they usually mop up all the stubble fields first then they will go on to winter wheat/barley and tatties but they get alot of hassle from farmers on the wheat/barley fields as they will do alot of damage in big numbers.Its good to watch geese on stubbles to see how fast they are moving if they are not moving fast there will be alot of feeding in that field thats one thing to keep your eye on if you are planning a decoying morning as they might have cleaned the field up and moved on. Geese love potato

Good day everyone. My name is Des Cochrane, I am a BASC registered goose guide based around Loch Leven Scotland. I have shot wild geese in Scotland for most of my lifetime but have been a professional guide on the BASC register since 1998. My interests also include photographing wild geese. Check some of my photos on my website gallery www.ukshootingbreaks.org Iam pleased to be a participant in the shooting forum.