Bradley943 9 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Wow I wrote a catchy title but now don't know where to start Well i guess the start would be good, I first came to the forum looking for people that share the same interests as me and maybe learn a thing or too aswell. I was out on the forum posting (as you do) and 'The Duncan' gave me the oppertunity to go air rifle shooting with him, and he also had a spare 3-9 x 40/50 scope i could have which i was very grateful for. we tossed a few words between each other and was planning to go air rifle shooting together on one of 'The Duncan's' local permissions, but closer to the day, his permissions rape field had been cut meaning the pigeons were out and about So 'The Duncan' being the nice guy he is, offered me the oppertunity to go pigeon shooting with him with the 12g shotguns, now i've never done this before, never even held a shotgun before. My dad kindly gave me a lift too Duncans house which was a little mission in its own self, we thought we missed the turn, and was about to turn back when we saw the sign for Duncans village (which i probably shouldn't say so i will keep it to myself ) but we had a little trouble finding duncan's house, but eventually turned up and met 'The Duncan' who was a very nice welcoming guy!!! we threw my camo and the few bits i had brought with me, including Hobnob Biscuits which 'The Duncan' tells me are very important in a decoying hide into the back of the jag! then headed off towards his local permission, once we arrive we grab a few things out the boot, leaving the guns and a few small bits which will need to be carried on the second trip, we head up the field looking and watching for the pigeons flight path, and we see something which looks good, well i say we, i mean duncan looked, i wasnt quite sure what it was we were looking for, i guess we were looking for a load of pigeons flying over the same spot, but we settled in under the bushes and 'The Duncan' told me about shotguns and how they should be held, handed to one another and fired, he then gave me the oppertunity to shoot it, not at anything in perticular but just to get a feel for the gun. I know i was going to be expecting some sort of a heavy kick, but that as quite a kick!! but after it felt okay. The decoys were sat out into a horse shoe shape with the opening farthest away from the hide, we then sat (shotguns in hand) for the pigeons to come over, duncan kindly gave me the easy shots, like when the pigeons were coming to land into our decoyed area, which i took with ease ha ha. I got the easy shots while 'The Duncan' tried to hit the ones coming over, notice how i said 'tried' he had some spectaular shots, its a shame a lot didnt hit. but after a while of sitting there it seemed the pigeon flight path had changed and we were getting many passing over us, so after a while of thinking, we decided it would be best to move. so carrying our only one pigeon to the next site, and all the pigeon decoys we eventually settled into the second hide. I was really glad to get out of the sun, and it was nice to get the breeze on your back as we once again waited for the pigeons to come over, we got a few pigeons each, leaving the easy shots to me One pigeon came in to land and i took the shot, and dropped it, it fell belly side down so duncan decided to leave it out there as a decoy, but as we sat there keeping cool and refreshed, eating the essential hobnobs and talking about shotguns and other things that came to mind. about half an hour had passed and the pigeon i shot earlier just seemed to come back to life after half an hour of sitting there without a move at all. duncan quickly put the bird to ease as he also taught me how it was done at the same time. We gave this pigeon the title of 'Voodoo Pigeon' Duncan then asked me "would you feel comfortable shooting one from the sky" and i replied with a yes, and once again we sat and waited for the pigeons to come, and after a few misses from both of us, i eventually hit one and knocked it down to the ground with a clean kill and added it to the pigeon pile. we both got a few pigeons each, at this point we were probably on a total of 10 pigeons between us and 2 unretrievable ones which is a shame because until a few hours ago i had no idea pigeon tasted so good!! It was coming close to the time we had to leave to meet my parents so i could go home and a bird came flying towards us, neither of us said anything but both took the shotgun to our shoulders and fired one shot each, resulting in duncan hitting the left side of the bird and me hitting the right, right after each other Quite a shot i must say and it did give us both a bit of a laugh. earlier in the session two birds came into our decoyed area and without a word we both knew which bird to shoot and we both hit a bird each, unfortunately i didnt knock mine to the ground and it flew off but duncan hit his and killed it. All the birds that weren't killed straight away were put to ease just as quickly as they were brought to the ground. We decided enough was enough for today and decided to pack up and head home, we carried as much as we could, but we couldnt avoid two trips walking round the bush line, we spoke about the day and i really enjoyed myself and shooting a shotgun was a blast! Duncan then dropped the bags and what he had in his hand and walked off, i had no idea why until i saw a pigeon on the ground and i knew it was the one i hit earlier, Duncan quickly got towards the bird but as he got close it started to fly off and i thought to myself "what if its badly hurt? will it survive okay?" but it dropped again and Duncan grabbed the bird and put it to ease, resulting in a bag of 14 and 2 unretrieveable, i didnt pay too much attention to who shot what but i definately know i had a few, which from my first shotgunning trip didnt seem to bad, i would have been happy to get one! We headed back to his house to meet my parents, not before picking up his son and a chinese though, he did offer me a one too but i had to meet the parents and head home to be later met by an indian so all was well, i was very grateful for the thought though! we met my parents at duncans house and as we pulled the bags out of the jag, my mum saw the pigeons (she doesnt stop me hunting, but isnt keen on the idea of anything dead with eyes) and it gave duncan a little laugh before duncan gave me a quick crash course in taking out the pigeon breasts to be ate, i took them home and ate them on monday a very very nice bird i must add, probably one of the first birds ive ever eaten. Throughout the day he offered me loads of different things from drinks to cheese and pickle sandwiches, i didnt think i liked pickle till i tried it and it is actually quite nice, gives a little kick to the sandwich. Overall i though 14 + 2 wasnt a bad number for my first time shooting a shotgun, Duncan said i did very well to get anything at all as most people on there first try dont get anything. so i was very proud of myself but also very grateful for Duncans kind words and company. I hope this will be the first of many hunting trips we shall share together! I hope it wasnt too much of a read for you all, or for anyone that chooses to read it but i just thought it had to be put out there and hopefully gave one or 2 of you a little laugh But unfortunately we werent able to grab any pictures, maybe next time! P.S for Duncan, if there is anything i missed i would be happy for you to add it on, or send me it so i can add it in ATB Brad. 3 Quote Link to post
The Duncan 802 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Nice write up Bradley! I guess on that day I turned out to be a better coach than shot. Fortunately, I made up for it on sunday when shooting with my brother- we all have good days and bad I think you did very well for your first tine and showed some natural talent, furthermore I'll be happy to take you out again. Cheers Duncan 1 Quote Link to post
IanB 0 Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Well done Bradley and good lad Duncan for getting him out... Quote Link to post
rizla1 122 Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 well done lads Quote Link to post
snatchbullet 55 Posted August 19, 2011 Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 Well if that isn't a happy camper I don't know what is!! Good write up and hat off to you Duncan. It can be difficult to get into hunting when your young so fair play Quote Link to post
dymented 2,220 Posted August 19, 2011 Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 well done good read Quote Link to post
air gun ant 1,666 Posted August 20, 2011 Report Share Posted August 20, 2011 Well done lad!!!!! And well done Duncan! We need the next generation and your a top bloke for steering him in the right direction, bet he's applied for Sgc now ;-) Quote Link to post
Bradley943 9 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2011 Well done lad!!!!! And well done Duncan! We need the next generation and your a top bloke for steering him in the right direction, bet he's applied for Sgc now ;-) you dont know how much i want to! but i dont think my mum would be keen on the idea of a shotgun in the house. but maybe when i move out Quote Link to post
The Duncan 802 Posted August 20, 2011 Report Share Posted August 20, 2011 It's all how you ask, dude! Once you've been a couple more times and you look serious about it, maybe a nice chat with her could help? I reckon Brian would be supportive, espesh if we drag him along and get him hooked too Quote Link to post
Ideation 8,216 Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Well done lads! Quote Link to post
Bradley943 9 Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 It's all how you ask, dude! Once you've been a couple more times and you look serious about it, maybe a nice chat with her could help? I reckon Brian would be supportive, espesh if we drag him along and get him hooked too yeah definately Quote Link to post
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