Sunday Morning

deeksofdoom

Last Sunday I was out shooting with a friend of mine. First field we pulled up to there were 3 cock pheasants pecking in the corner of the field we got out and I took the springer with me we worked up both sides of the ditch with the dogs. Quick as a flash a cock burst out on my side of the ditch, I fired both barrels and missed. I was disgusted it wasn't the first time I had missed a going away bird this season but I was getting used to it. We tried the rest of the ditches and some beet fields with my GWP but the other cocks had disappeared.

We decided to try some stubbles next again I selected the springer and off we went, we walked a good bit of ground again with the springer spaniels and tried some thick ditches. Was looking for a gap to get through in one of the ditches when suddenly the dogs went into a corner and out burst a cock the other side couldn't see the pheasant not to mind getting a shot off, no point thinking if only, you get your chances its luck at the end of the day.

We pushed on to some more stubbles and beet I gave both my pointer and springer a run this time as it was going to be the last spot before heading for home. The first field we went into we choose to go down a ditch into a bit of a glen, as soon as we started down the ditch the pointer ran off along the opposite ditch with the springer trailing. Next thing all I hear is a lot of clucking and 2 fine cocks burst into the air from the ditch the dogs had just ran up they were just out of range. That brought the total to 4 cocks ....... missed.

We continued on up into some beet, as we went up the hill to the first beet field my pointer kept drawing on ahead of us, I knew there was something up as the dogs went into a ditch in the corner of the field I flicked the safety off in anticipation of a bird bursting out of the ditch but nothing happened. Safety back on I unloaded the gun and crossed an over grown lane way into the beet field, straight away the GWP went on point. I loaded quickly and told her to get on. Her belly was close to the ground as drew along the birds scent. I had a quick glance up ahead of me and sure enough there was a cock running up along the ditch. Next thing he crouched down in the corner of the field getting ready to spring into the air. as soon as he shot up into the air I fired quickly and bowled him over the ditch into the next field. The pointer was on him like a flash she ploughed through the heavy briar's and stood on the ditch looking for the fallen bird, as soon as she saw him she pounced on him like a cat and brought him back flapping to my hand, a lovely shot and a nice retrieve.

Happy with my bird I decided to call it a day as I had to be home to bring the Mrs. off shopping. We went back to the cars I gave the bird to my friend. I headed off, happy out with myself. As i headed home in the car I was keeping an eye out on the fields for another bird, sure enough a s I crossed a bridge I spotted a cock pecking in a field I had permission for. I pulled in grabbed the gun and took the GWP from the trailer. I went down along the field where I saw the cock so as to have the dog huntng into the wind. Sure enough she started drawing toward the cock pheasant. Next thing the cock took off and flew about 20 yards to a ditch. I got the dog to run up along the ditch so as to wind the bird. She ran up and then down the ditch and then crossed over to the other side and I followed her, then she crossed back and went on point on the other side. Now I had to decide was i going to cross over again un;oad the gun and possible mis my chance as he burst out of the ditch while I fumbled for cartridges or stay put and take my chances on the other side of the ditch. I decided to stay put I walked up along the opposite side of the ditch to where the dog was locked on point. I told her to get on and kicked at the bushes, after a couple of kicks she moved on the bird and he burst out the other side. I pushed the gun out between the branches and pulled the trigger sure enough I knocked the bird. The dog took off accross the field and picked the bird again bringing him back to hand lovely.

So 2 birds in the bag over the GWP an excellent morning. Here's a pic of the second bird I didn't get a picture of the first as I had left my phone in the car earlier on. I'm going to have him stuffed will post a pic when the job is done.

mossfort

nice pheasant. what brand of gun is that side by side? it looks very similar to an old bsa side by side i have.

dwighet

well done...

Cracking read.

deeksofdoom

mossfort wrote: »

nice pheasant. what brand of gun is that side by side? it looks very similar to an old bsa side by side i have.

The gun is a Pedro Gorosabel12 bore sidelock on a silver sabel action , I bought it second hand a couple of years ago, its a good fit for me and, its nice and light. It came in from the UK. I wouldn't part with it for love nor money. Here's a few pics.

ghostmantra

good read,,,,nice gun,:) thanks deeks

johnner1

Brilliant story deeks , also a very nice looking gun;) well done.

mossfort

nice gun its got nice engravings and id say there arent many of them about.

Dvs

deeksofdoom wrote: »

I'm going to have him stuffed will post a pic when the job is done.

I recommend sage and onion stuffing.

Dvs.