Adventure on the school run
Shooting Times & Country|October 21, 2020
Pigeon will feed wherever they like — which is all part of the challenge, says Tom Payne
Tom Payne
Adventure on the school run

As we push further into the autumn months, with gloriously fresh mornings and the sun low in the sky, the pigeon shooting becomes rather sporadic to say the least — especially in a year when the wild harvest has been so bountiful.

It’s a little boom or bust at the moment. You put in plenty of miles on reconnaissance for not very much. Patience is, as always, the key as well as an understanding that the pigeon will be enjoying the woodland fruits unless there is something to entice them on to the farmers’ fields.

But surprisingly, even when the wild harvest is high, you can get those couple of days where birds suddenly switch back on to an old stubble or autumn drilling. It’s just a case of knowing when they’ll switch, which is frankly pretty difficult.

If I’m driving about, I am always very aware of where I’m seeing birds and on what. Recently, the weather has taken a turn for the worse. With three days of nonstop rain and intermittent downpours after that, it’s fair to say the ground was wet.

Due to the weather, one recent Sunday a friend of mine invited me to watch them shoot clays in Wiltshire. You know things aren’t going to plan when not only are you going to a clay ground but you’re also only going to watch. The sun did come out on that day and after about nine cups of tea we were on our way back, searching for a pub for Sunday lunch that at least had some normality about it in these strange times.

Inquisitive

This story is from the October 21, 2020 edition of Shooting Times & Country.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 21, 2020 edition of Shooting Times & Country.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRYView All
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 mins  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 mins  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 mins  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 mins  |
August 02, 2023