Field To Table, - Condition Of Shot Game With Air Rifles.

[mark williams 7,549]

Well lads a lot of shooting permissions are under the plough now and on this permission I find myself having to reach for my Shot Guns more.

 

 

Personally I find that my game/ vermin is far better for the table if shot with the air rifle.

I was out amongst the ploughed fields today with my GSP and took two wood pigeons off a flight line I`ve been watching with the Beretta 687 o/u sport

 

 

Here`s three wood pigeon shot with my T Rex a few weeks back.

 

 

 

The ferret lads, birds of prey people butchers won`t touch a shotgun pigeon or game but snatch my hand off for the air rifle birds.

 

 

 

[Jonjon79 13,340]

I don't have an FAC or SGC but, I did work in a game processing place years ago. I plucked and gutted thousands of shotgun shot Pigeons - most were good, some were a mess.

 

In my experience, airgun shot Pigeons are generally in better condition.

[The one 8,396]

Its no just how you shoot them its about how there handled after there dead flung in a heap a few shot pigeon are going to look a mess however they are shot

 

when we go lamping we just drop the rabbits in a big plastic box but every time we refill the air gun we lay them in five in the box swapping head to tail in every layer and even going for them the next morning they still look presentable

[Rez 4,957]

Didn't know you had a shotty on ticket Mark. Shotguns for quantity, air guns (in the right hands ) for quality mate.

[Mister Gain 1,759]

Occasionally my mate drops me off a brace of pheasants which have been shot with a shotgun. The condition of some of them is terrible, and the meat takes a lot of preparation. I have prepared them with up to a dozen shot inside. Shattered bone, pierced guts and intestines which permeates the whole bird, strands of feathers which have been pulled through the breasts and/or thighs, as well as checking for the actual shot itself. I actually chew my food and don't fancy breaking my teeth on shot. Difficulty in plucking the bird without tearing the skin where it has been perforated etc. I don't bother plucking them any more, too much hassle, so just skin them and thoroughly prepare the remaining meat for bagging and freezing. WTF is this hanging game all about? Went to give an old mate a lift to work one sunday years ago, and when he opened the front door I said to him 'I think the dog has sh1t in the house'. He said 'No, we've had a brace of hung pheasants for dinner'. He got a bit for me to try

 

Unfortunately the farmer at the perm has said not to shoot any pheasants as he likes seeing them about, so not actually had a nice clean head shot one which I could pluck and roast.

 

Good job I like tandoori pheasant

[j j m 6,480]

nice shooting

[mark williams 7,549]

Didn't know you had a shotty on ticket Mark. Shotguns for quantity, air guns (in the right hands ) for quality mate.

 

Yes Rez, 37 yrs nearly on Shotguns, competition and game, 47 yrs air rifles competition and game.

The two pigeons shot on their flightpath were travelling at a fair speed and hit the ground with a fair old whack, dead before they hit the ground.

This might answer " The One`s" interpretation of events, with shot guns.

Game shot with air rifles is much cleaner and far less damage.

 

 

 

 

atb

[steg 609]

Some hard mouthed dogs out there too..mate had one..used to crush/bruise everything it retrieved (bloody thing!) Lol

[stealthy1 3,964]

How close were you to the first two pigeons.

[philpot 4,925]

Totally agree with you Mark but it looks as though those two were hit at about 15mts with full choke I have had some like that but pleased to say not so many.

 

Just been for a quick look on the perm after the holiday, 200+ rooks / crows on the rape stubble so if it is not raining like hell tomorrow, a sorte with both rifle and my 12g auto is on the cards. Must see about getting a new owl decoy for the winter months.

 

Is your cook book by Rosie Barnham by any chance.

 

Phil

Edited September 26, 2016 by philpot

[mark williams 7,549]

I`ll take the 15 metres shot guess as a compliment if it`s ok ?

As a re-think approx. 35 to 40 yards, got them both with centre spread shots, not edge of spread - I was on form that day .

Yes Phil, Rosie Barnham`s brilliant book, " Delicious Vermin"

[Snicker 9]

Occasionally my mate drops me off a brace of pheasants which have been shot with a shotgun. The condition of some of them is terrible, and the meat takes a lot of preparation. I have prepared them with up to a dozen shot inside. Shattered bone, pierced guts and intestines which permeates the whole bird, strands of feathers which have been pulled through the breasts and/or thighs, as well as checking for the actual shot itself. I actually chew my food and don't fancy breaking my teeth on shot. Difficulty in plucking the bird without tearing the skin where it has been perforated etc. I don't bother plucking them any more, too much hassle, so just skin them and thoroughly prepare the remaining meat for bagging and freezing. WTF is this hanging game all about? Went to give an old mate a lift to work one sunday years ago, and when he opened the front door I said to him 'I think the dog has sh1t in the house'. He said 'No, we've had a brace of hung pheasants for dinner'. He got a bit for me to try

 

Unfortunately the farmer at the perm has said not to shoot any pheasants as he likes seeing them about, so not actually had a nice clean head shot one which I could pluck and roast.

 

Good job I like tandoori pheasant

Years ago a neighbor shared some Moose sausage with my parents and I. We were talking about how the neighbor took the moose, where was it hit etc. As we were talking about this my Dad asked if he ever re used his bullets? Crazy question until he pulled a complete metal tip 30-06 round out of his mouth...how did it get through the grinder unscathed?