10 November

10 Nov 2012 -

Ian has been keeping his eye out for Pinks on his way to work and has noticed several hundred Pinks in the Haddiscoe area..

Its earlier in the year than we would normally turn attention to the pinks, but being as they were there

my little man (Henry) and my big cuz Ian get up at stupid O'clock and head to Haddiscoe '3 Sisters' with a shed load of decoys and netting.


Before dawn broke we could hear the pinks on a field about 1/2 a mile to the east - it would appear that they have been feeding through the night (strange as there was no moon) so full of excitement we picked what we thought was a good spot and set up quickly.

As light broke, literally thousands of geese and birds of all variety descended on on particular field.. we didnt question why to start with, but as more and more targeted just this one field we started to think there must be more to it than just the nice grass.

After a look with binoculars and a scouting mission from the youngest and fittest member of the group we decided that it was either rape or beet tops they were feeding and no matter how many decoys we had out would entice them our way. As we had Hellington booked up, we decided to leave at 8.30 only to look over our shoulder when we got to the gate to see half a dozen pinks skimming over where we had been standing ;-(

Highlights of the session were:

• Me Ian and Henry taking 7 shots and one goose, hitting it hard but it still didnt come down
• Henry's face when i let him drive back down the track in the Truck
• Ians new boddy warmer - (apparently he got it cheap from a shop in Beccles)
• My wet feet - after 10 years my boots finally gave up ;-(

Anyway, we headed to Maccy D's for breakfast and then headed on over to Hellington,

We walked up the arable field as normal, ian taking the footpath and me the track with Henry, Ian put a cock up off the path which crossed the field closely followed 3 lots of 32grm 5's and then henrys 2 20bore loads, that baby was going like an express train when i swung on it and dropped it in one ;-) I only wish the rest of the day could have gone so well.

I think the early morning had put us all out of kilter as we put up several pheasants and either missed them clean or put em down as runners which the dogs couldnt find in the chest deep rough ground.

At the end of the day we picked up 3 pheasants, I have no idea who got them I think Ian and Henry shared one, me and Henry shared one and Henry butt shot a beauty on his own.

New boots have been ordered and are on the way !!