Starting into game shooting - Advice.

Cap1

Hi everyone.

I have recently pick up my first shotgun. Its a 30 inch sporter .I'm am already a member of a clay club and I'm really interested in learning to shoot game and ducks but don't know where to start. I don't know anyone with land, so any suggestion would be a great help.

allan450

ask lads in your clay club go from their.if your luck a few lads will bring you out over the season.if all goes well get yourself a good dog.worth their weight in gold.

Glenbulldog

Knock on doors be polite even if they run ya,this happened me with one fella last year but got a phonecall off the same fella this year to help him with pigeon problems;) if you have insurance it will help you a lot cause 99% will ask for it best of luck btw what part of the country you in someone here might be able to bring you out for a day.

Cap1

Hi.
Thanks for the help.I am planning on getting a dog but I've a very young family so it will be next year before I get one.
i also have country alliance insurane from the club . I'm in the south dublin area and always interested in learning , so if anyone is looking for some company on a shoot I'd be more then happy to tag along.

sheebadog

Cap1 wrote: »

Hi.
Thanks for the help.I am planning on getting a dog but I've a very young family so it will be next year before I get one.
i also have country alliance insurane from the club . I'm in the south dublin area and always interested in learning , so if anyone is looking for some company on a shoot I'd be more then happy to tag along.

A dog is imperative.
Without a dog it's just not sport IMO.
If you just want to kill something why not help out at the local abattoir ?

ESB Spaniel

You will shoot nothing only crows and the odd rabbit with no dog. Lads on here up your direction should have no bother showing you the ropes.....also will help you determine what type of dog you want to shoot over. Best of luck with everything and hope to see some posts up on this in the coming months.

dodderangler

Start with the crows and pigeons first mate. Knock into some houses for permission and mention you'd be interested in ridding them of crows, pigeons, rabbits and odd fox if they want. You'll get some practice in on that then. Shooting clays is a lot different than live animal. I'm just speaking from experience with other lads and mysel included. Pigeon and crow won't fly in same direction when they fly.
It maybe a silly question but are you ok with taking an animal life.
Reason why I ask is I took a lad out with me before who like yourself shot clays but when I took him out he couldn't shoot a rabbit or a crow. He didn't feel right about it.
I know it's silly but some people can't do it.

meathstevie

If looking after a dog is an issue you can still shoot pigeons, rabbits and ducks without too much hardship. You might want waders for duck shooting if you haven't a retrieving dog though

dodderangler

meathstevie wrote: »

You might want waders for duck shooting if you haven't a retrieving dog though

Or a set of floatys

Cap1

dodderangler wrote: »

Start with the crows and pigeons first mate. Knock into some houses for permission and mention you'd be interested in ridding them of crows, pigeons, rabbits and odd fox if they want. You'll get some practice in on that then. Shooting clays is a lot different than live animal. I'm just speaking from experience with other lads and mysel included. Pigeon and crow won't fly in same direction when they fly.
It maybe a silly question but are you ok with taking an animal life.
Reason why I ask is I took a lad out with me before who like yourself shot clays but when I took him out he couldn't shoot a rabbit or a crow. He didn't feel right about it.
I know it's silly but some people can't do it.

I'm fine with shooting animals. I lived on a sheep station in Australia for 6 months and shot a couple of kangaroos as they where vermin. i do a fair bit of fishing too so gutting an animal shouldn't be to challenging for me . but i think its better to go out and learn from some rather then watching you tube and do it incorrectly.

Cap1

Hi dodderangler

your pm inbox is full i cant pm you.

cheers.

Theshooter2012

Make sure you hunt safely, a lot of different risks when shooting away from clay ranges. Don't let anyone get you into bad habits ie. not breaking gun when crossing obstacles. If you are shooting with a dog keep your eye on the dog at all times, if the dog breaks after a bird and the bird stays low do not take a risk. Know you surroundings ie. houses, roads, people, sheds and livestock the shot goes 250-300 yards so just be mindful of that. Sounds obvious but needs to be said.
I personally hate people who are unsafe while hunting and I know a lot of guys who are the same, hunting is no fun if you are worried about the other guys ruining your day. Being unsafe has no advantage for anyone, only disadvantages.

Be safe and enjoy.

hunterpajero

pm sent..hope yea get it before tomorrow,sorry for late reply