With a change in the weather from rain and more rain to a fine mild windy day I decided to have a few hours decoying pigeon on a cut rape stubble. Arriving on the field by 9am and setting up the hide and decoys by 9,30 am I loaded my 12 bore sxs percussion gun by Rowntree the first gunmaker to build a sxs percussion cap gun. with the wind in my back I new that when pigeon came they would come in against the wind and make a incoming shot before they swung of with the wind .It was not long before the first bird came in low just skimming a couple of foot above the stubble and was on the decoys before I notice it on noticing my movement it swung from right to left and climbing which I connected making a good sporting shot On shooting pigeon over decoys provides many different sporting shots from incoming. going away shots, to left and right crossers. Shooting pigeon the local name is cushart over decoys where most birds are taking at 30 to 35 yards I used a modest load of 2.1/2 drms of FFg to 1 oz of number 6 shot .Although there were plenty of good sporting shots there is also one that you remember well This was bird that came from behind and 70 yards high on spotting the decoys it took a quick u turn and dived to the decoys I connected on its downward swoop and it hit the ground exploding in a heap of feathers , these shots are also dangerous has I have witnessed several times because they sometimes when dead end by plummeting into the hide and give you a nasty injury By 2 pm I decided to call it a day the total bag was 43 birds although for this time of year it was a average bay it was a pleasant change to be out in the field and not sitting looking out of the window at the rain. These birds were plump birds I only use the breasts which after marinated they are cooked in a pie, a job for the wife Has i am a lousy cook
Feltwad
Feltwad