Andy used three layers of netting against a treeline to build the hide
The long drive down the M25 to Andy Crow’s 600-acre farm in Kent has become something of a pilgrimage for UK pigeon shooters. Anyone with a penchant for pest control would jump at the chance to spend a day in the hide with the Crowman and, after four years of reading and proofing his articles for this magazine, my own turn finally came.
I’ve been shooting on and off for about four years now, but have really got going in the last 18 months after getting my licence and my very own shotgun – a Browning B725, the one with the black action and gold pheasants. Pretty! I’m now out shooting as much as my busy schedule allows.
My experience of bird shooting is limited but not unsuccessful – an exciting duck shooting trip to Sweden was followed by a beaters’ day at the end of last season, and I was pretty chuffed with my performance at both. However, the only time I’ve ever attempted to bring down a pigeon, it eluded both shots with a display of higher-level aerial ballet which, quite frankly, stunned me. I always thought pigeons were thick, but that day I learnt the valuable lesson of never underestimating your quarry! Since then, I’ve been dying to have another crack at them, so you can imagine my excitement when the invitation came to spend a day in the hide with the man himself.
Little Regan was so happy to be outdoors all day
When I pulled into the farmyard on a dull but thankfully dry Saturday morning, Andy came to greet me with a little helper in tow – his very cute five-year-old grandson, Regan.
“I hope you’ve got some over-trousers!” called Andy as I began lacing up boots and donning camouflage.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2020 de Sporting Shooter.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2020 de Sporting Shooter.
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Causeway for concern
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The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
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A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
