View Full Version : Shooting; winter 2009/10
Teifi-Terrorist
09-10-2009, 15:24
As the fishing draws to a close the shooting season begins in earnest. Signs are good for a decent winter ahead; there's been a very good head of teal and snipe showing up over the last 2 weeks, which is early, especially for the snipe.
Have bagged a few teal and some mallard already, so the fly-tying kit is getting replenished too!
Was guiding on the Towy about 2 weeks ago and saw what I believe to be the first of the winter's woodcock. Great to see, and I hope they show up in good numbers soon.
TT.
Same here Steff, seen quite a few teal in recent weeks, and saw my first snipe yesterday. Have been out running at dusk, past prime woodcock country, have not seen any .....yet. Had to scrape frost off the car yesterday morning, may make a difference. ;)
Tight Lines
Aled
Teifi-Terrorist
09-10-2009, 16:33
Yup, agreed Aled, the frost should drive them over quicker, with a little luck. Taff, the cocker, is at the ready, but Bonnie is in retirement this winter, sadly.
Catch up soon,
Steff.
Fair play to old Bonnie she stuck at it well, reminded me of an ageing front row forward, plenty of experience and heart, but no longer has the legs, and as i know from experience, retirement for one of them can be very difficult! Teifi still up for it??????
Dal lan cyn hir, |\
Tight Lines
Aled
-1 temps at the end of this week |\
Tight Lines
Aled
I don't know whats going on in my part of the Tywi valley today, but there are a lot of pigeon around this morning!|\
Shame the salmon were'nt as reliable.
Cheers
Aled
The -1 temps never came, and there's no sign of any for the next few weeks.:: We need a bit of frost both for the spawning salmon and to bring the woodcock in.
Tight Lines
Aled
Ok metcheck forecast is offering -1 temps on Tuesday, crossing my fingers!
Tight Lines
Aled
Teifi-Terrorist
06-11-2009, 09:58
Nice to see a few pigeon around Aled, always great sport.
Checked the flight line for the woodcock last week; just the one to speak of. However, spoke to a friend on Tuesday and he'd seen several on a flight line near his house in Llandysul last Saturday, which was before the really rough weather. They're on the way in that is for sure.
Ducks; the teal have wised up somewhat, and are getting later coming in each time. The mallard, however, are now starting to show in decent numbers, which are providing good sport.
Snipe; a ridiculous amount around at the moment, which is great to see, especially in times where they're suppose to be declining. Took a couple of friends up on the marsh for an hour the other night and we rose between 120-150! I walked the dog, whilst they shot. They were a bit slow to say the least, and managed to bag one! The snipe population is in safe hands...
Some large wisps materialising, and have seen as many as 30 get up a the same time. The rest, and the majority, however, have been rising sporadically, which makes for better sport. Haven't shot them as yet myself this season, but Twm-Twm and I are threatening a walk soon, with Phil-Rich in tow as a bird-boy!!
Was up in the Kelso area about 2 weeks ago. The Tweed was continuing to fish poorly. Saw some nice fish on the floor of the Ednam House, the catch of the day. Spoke to a few ghillies and they reported an increase in sea-trout, which was good to hear, perhaps something to do with the decline in salmon? who knows?
I wasn't there for the fishing, sadly. I was looking after some shooters. Got invited to shoot to a drive by one of the guests, which was an experience I'll never forget. Double-gunning with a loader - certainly puts the pressure on you! Great fun though.
Looking forward to the sport ahead. Aled; you'll have to get up soon, let's get Arwel and Rhodri organised! You'll need a good supply of cartridges for the snipe though!! :>
Steff.
Yes i sincerely hope so Steff, and i'm working on an expanded return visit for you as well i hope. |\
Good to see your getting some sport, i'm still trying find some time, but there is method in my madness i'm stockpiling some leisure time. May have to go shopping in Cardiff Sunday, {; ......but believe me i know what i'm doing ;);)
Tight Lines
Aled
Haven't shot them as yet myself this season, but Twm-Twm and I are threatening a walk soon, with Phil-Rich in tow as a bird-boy!!
Steff.
he's not the most obedient creature in the world mind, reckon you need a few intensive training sessions!! LOL :>
:>Frost on the car this morning and some minus temperatures last night. Now this should bring some woodcock in!
Cheers
Aled
Teifi-Terrorist
09-11-2009, 16:43
he's not the most obedient creature in the world mind, reckon you need a few intensive training sessions!! LOL :>
Too true Chuck! However, he has been under the thumb a fair bit this year mind, showing that there are those he does obey...
:>
:>Frost on the car this morning and some minus temperatures last night. Now this should bring some woodcock in!
Cheers
Aled
Definitely Aled! Went out Friday night to the usual flight-line; 6 came over. Went out for a walk last night on dusk (not shooting) to try and find a new flight line. Was about 100 metres off where I would need to be to shoot, but 10 came over, including 4 pairs!
They have most definitely arrived, and arrived in numbers.
Just been to feed the flight pond. Glad to say that the frost hasn't pushed the snipe off.
TT.
Good news Steff, need to get out for a walk and have a look.
Tight Lines
Aled
Woodcock passing through Bucks; we have started seeing them in numbers now whilst out shooting (and taking the odd one or two ~#) but I suspect most are heading your way :(
Hopefully the big numbers will be here with the next full moon given favourable winds...
TP's (Tight Patterns)
IanMcD
Saw the first one of the season last night at dusk.
Cheers
Aled
Tywi valley looks its winter best this morning (as it did yesterday) sadly rains arriving tonight!
This weather and moon should bring a few more Woodcock in.
Cheers
Aled
Leighton
01-12-2009, 22:04
Hi Aled,
It was nice having a good frost this morning - we could do with some more of that - but as you say, the rain is back with us!!
It will be interesting if this cold snap has encouraged the woodcock to show.
I agree Leighton, but i could really do with some time to get out. I'm going to see a childrens show Saturday with 2 excited offspring in tow!~#
Cheers
Aled
Leighton
02-12-2009, 22:06
Aled,
Its all down to time and catching the conditions right!
I'm struggling with time too, but have a couple of hours on the clays on saturday - thats better than shopping or DIY I suppose!
Anything much about in the form of Woodcock? Not heard of much with us down here - I have not been out yet.
No idea yet Leighton, havent been anywhere near the woods or "allts" as we call em.
Havent seen any of the local rough shooting boys either to ask.
Need some settled weather me thinks.
By the way, so a mug in Trout & Salmon with the words Born to fis forced to work on it, will i get one for Christmas, no way!
~#
Cheers
Aled
A few days of settled weather promised, if you get the chance get out there. :>
Cheers
Aled
Wanted: Catch-up whilst walking up woodcock in S.Wales somewhere. GSOH, ample stash of sloe gin and good working spaniel to boot.
Just email/PM me!
Hope all having a good season so far!
Best regards,
Jon T
Teifi-Terrorist
05-03-2010, 10:56
Didn't even do a trip report on our day out Aled, sorry about that!! Thanks for the cracking day though. Great to have caught up. The woodcock got the best of us though, again!! :>
It has been a strange old winter for the shooting really. Certainly a hard winter, which put stop to my snipe shooting back in November some time, sadly. The hard frost also put stop to my duck flighting, which was a major blow.
The woodcock seemed to be arounf in very healthy number this season, which was great to see. I heard of some great bags being taken.
Managed a few driven days on the pheasants, which was great fun. Even had a day out with the legendary TwmTwm!! Not only is he a great angler, he is always on target with the shooting too!!! He hit every bit of sky that he aimed at, fair play. The birds got away safely, bot boy did he blast that sky!! :>
We're going to have to organise a day out to the Treetops shooting ground lads. I need a bit (lot) of tuning myself.
Steff.
I forgot to put report in as well Steff~#
Sad about the rain, the Tywi Valley looked immaculate the following day!::/
Anyway yes plan to have a lesson or two myself over the winter, there's a very welcoming clay club just up the road need to organise an afternoon.
Tight Lines
Aled
Teifi-Terrorist
12-03-2010, 09:21
there's a very welcoming clay club just up the road need to organise an afternoon.
Tight Lines
Aled
Well up for that Aled! |\ count me in.
Further to that; saw a woodcock flighting at dusk yesterday on my drive home. Fantastic to see and a great way to say farewell to the shooting season. I hope they have a safe journey back to Scandinavia etc. and have a healthy breeding season. Stocks were certainly encouraging this winter.
TT.
woodcockandsewin
19-03-2010, 11:42
Becasse a la barbecue!!
http://i83.servimg.com/u/f83/14/53/06/87/dsc00035.jpg
Teifi-Terrorist
19-03-2010, 11:59
Bloody fantastic W&S!! Now that looks like a proper feast. Was that actually in France W&S or were you just showing off by showing how refined you are with your language skills? :@
We need to catch up this season!!! Get your arse to the Teifi!!!
Steff.
steelheadnut
19-03-2010, 17:58
Don't suppose any of you out there have any LARGE bronze mallard by any chance?
Cap
woodcockandsewin
19-03-2010, 18:57
Hola Steff,
It was in France, and I lived to tell the tale...by Christ are they lethal. I'd prefer it if they stuck to the cooking...though I did enjoy the pointers. Managed to slay a largish sanglier as well, but couldn't find an apple big enough to shove in his bouche!!
Off to the Dee this weekend, then will try and get down to Wales for the real thing!!
When is the Argie report coming out?
Cheers
W&S
Teifi-Terrorist
21-03-2010, 15:42
Stick to cooking indeed! :>
How were the woodcock numbers? Were you impressed?
Good job with the Sanglier.
Argentina; not this year, sadly. I was forced to go to the Seychelles for nearly 3 weeks instead, rediculous!! ::/
Had some silly things called bonefish, Giant Trevally, Milkfish. :>
Will put a report up soon, but here's a couple to wet the appetite:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/jonessteffan/milkfish-1500-800.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/jonessteffan/IMG_5382-1500-800.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/jonessteffan/IMG_5825-1500-800.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b129/jonessteffan/IMG_5326-1500-800.jpg
As you can see, nothing major to report.
TT.
My heart bleeds for you Steff,bad shooting my arse,if you kept still long enough i would have had you in the end.At least i dont get woodcock and robins mixed up.lol
Blimey Steff, thats some impressive fish!
Da Iawn Ti.
Tight Lines
Aled
Teifi-Terrorist
25-03-2010, 10:36
.At least i dont get woodcock and robins mixed up.lol
:>
That was the dog! and it was a blackbird not a robin!!
Steff.