GinaB
Well-Known Member
Last day of the season in ROI yesterday so up at 5.45 and left the house by 6.30 to head down to Ardee in Co.Louth. Uncle M and his friend Gordy, had already got permission from the owner of the fields to shoot in them. It was pouring when we left, and pouring when we arrived about 9am or so (we stopped for brekkie on the way
)
Originally we were going to take Tina to have her last day as a gundog at an Irish shoot, but as it had been raining the ground would be too hard going so we took Midget instead. So I think we'll give Tina one more days shooting in the North and she'll be retired then.
Sat in the car for about 45 mins and drove round and checked a few other fields to see how the pigeons were flying.
Once we had a break in the rain and saw the flocks were coming in once the rain was over, out we got to get set up. Woodpigens feed very well on rape, so we were shooting a rape field.
Off we trekked through the mud, although it was a very mild day. We set up the hide and the decoys and waited. And waited. And waited a bit more
Not a damn thing. So G went off further on down the field and a couple of pigeons flew by which he shot. We used these for the magnet which we set up along with the decoys.
G stayed further up the field while me and M stayed at the hide and he was getting more birds so we decided to move. Got the hide reset up along with the decoys.
And then the birds started coming! Loads of them were flying in, not decoying well but well within range for shooting. You wait a while before retrieving to make sure no flocks are coming and then took Midget out for a few retrieves. She did break at one point, but after that realised what she had to do and worked very well. She hates retrieving woundies though!
The dead pigeons were then left out with the decoys as they bring them in better. I did have a few shots, but missed
And we had to stop shooting for a while as G's gun kept jamming so had to take it apart and clean it. Seemed to be grand after that.
Midget done a very good retrieve though, that even a more established dog would have bother with as the bird landed in a field behind us, very far away and she had to go through some nasty bushes to get through to the next field. She's got a very good nose, and was very clearly watching for directions from M. But she got it
So pleased and M was over the moon as we did have a sticky start with her.
We kept shooting until about 2pm but flocks were becoming less so decided to pack up. We ended up with 39 birds and good experience for Midget
It's hard gonig though as you are constantly up and down so gets sore on your back! Had a good day though
So next plan is, let Tina have one last day, then retire her (you can continue shooting woodpigeon all year round in the North, but not in ROI) and do more training work with Midget over the summer. Going to see how she reacts to the whistle.
Sorry for the essay
I am soo tired though so can hardly remember all the details, but it would have been longer then
Originally we were going to take Tina to have her last day as a gundog at an Irish shoot, but as it had been raining the ground would be too hard going so we took Midget instead. So I think we'll give Tina one more days shooting in the North and she'll be retired then.
Sat in the car for about 45 mins and drove round and checked a few other fields to see how the pigeons were flying.
Once we had a break in the rain and saw the flocks were coming in once the rain was over, out we got to get set up. Woodpigens feed very well on rape, so we were shooting a rape field.
Off we trekked through the mud, although it was a very mild day. We set up the hide and the decoys and waited. And waited. And waited a bit more
Not a damn thing. So G went off further on down the field and a couple of pigeons flew by which he shot. We used these for the magnet which we set up along with the decoys.
G stayed further up the field while me and M stayed at the hide and he was getting more birds so we decided to move. Got the hide reset up along with the decoys.
And then the birds started coming! Loads of them were flying in, not decoying well but well within range for shooting. You wait a while before retrieving to make sure no flocks are coming and then took Midget out for a few retrieves. She did break at one point, but after that realised what she had to do and worked very well. She hates retrieving woundies though!
The dead pigeons were then left out with the decoys as they bring them in better. I did have a few shots, but missed
Midget done a very good retrieve though, that even a more established dog would have bother with as the bird landed in a field behind us, very far away and she had to go through some nasty bushes to get through to the next field. She's got a very good nose, and was very clearly watching for directions from M. But she got it
We kept shooting until about 2pm but flocks were becoming less so decided to pack up. We ended up with 39 birds and good experience for Midget
So next plan is, let Tina have one last day, then retire her (you can continue shooting woodpigeon all year round in the North, but not in ROI) and do more training work with Midget over the summer. Going to see how she reacts to the whistle.
Sorry for the essay
