I have had some top named/brand cattys worth hundreds and not been able to shoot them. I envy anyone who can pick up any type of Catty and shoot it well.
Only got the two and if I can start next year with one of those then I’d be a happy man. The amount of swarms I could have hived is reaching double figures now but it gets a little expensive. Only last night I had a message asking if I could catch up two swarms very close to one another.
I take hempseed oil and a probiotic drink, I’m up at dawns crack like a spring chicken and out with dog for a couple of hrs then hobble home feeling all of my 56 years .... by 4pm I’m ready for sleep.
As Minnow says best looped 1745 for 10mm lead. I shoot 11mm steel with my set up which is roughly the same weight as 10mm lead and kill out to 25 + yards easily.
First inspection of the “Cas” bees today, they’ve been in the hive for two weeks now, they were very gentle and stopped on the comb throughout, plenty of capped brood ... couldn’t be better.
I know a few that cut a hole in a sock and put a pigeon inside, the dog will retrieve the pigeon without a mouth full of feathers. Good for starting pups.
A lot of lurchers will catch birds but don’t give a full retrieve ( spit em out on way back) what I’ve found best is if you can get hold of duck ( teal or wigeon ) and start em off retrieving those, hardly any feathers to come out and they float in water.