Any Hunters Live Near Cambridge Area Who Would Show Me The Ropes?

[dayglowfrog 56]

Hi I have been into shooting air rifles for over two years now I have a large collection that I need to thin down .

But other than one squirrel only ever shoot hft or plinking and practising .

I have only just got into cop's though I have three to choose from .

But my main love is Springer's

Just wandered off anyone would be up for taking me out to shoot some rabbits or pigeons etc.

I am confident in my accuracy and stealth as well as gutting and skinning but would like someone with experaince to show me how it should be done so I could feel more confident in asking for permisions etc.

I am self employed with a young family so can be reasonably flexible around child care .

[Jonjon79 13,358]

That's a sensible request Mr Frog

 

I'd offer if I wasn't 100 miles away.

 

From what you've said, it sounds like you just need to work on fieldcraft and knowledge of the quarry.

I'd say, be aware of your concealment, noise, wind direction. Take a bit of time to tune in to your surroundings when you start.

 

Don't be afraid to ask for permission - work with your positives: amount of time spent shooting, accuracy, maturity, respect.

Also, if you haven't got any already, get some insurance - BASC for airguns only, costs me £5 a month. The land owners like that I'm insured

 

Also, BASC will send you a magazine from time to time with lots of pictures of people dressed in tweed

 

Have a look at the VHTV Facebook page - there's an event down here at the start of August. The place will be full of hunters that'll be more than happy to share hints and tips.

 

Atb & good luck

[mark williams 7,568]

Hmmmmm, I`d have taken you too, with a request like that.( 100`s of miles away)

 

Yep, a big ditto to everything Jon has said

 

Meantime, don`t be frightened of asking on here Frog, we don`t bite.

 

You may get your leg pulled though ,- all part of the fun.

 

Welcome to the gang mate,

 

atb Mark

[j j m 6,625]

good luck in finding some one mate,you have put your request very nicely mate,if you were near me id of took you out,im sure some one local will help you out mate

[dayglowfrog 56]

Thanks for all the offers of help ,I knew it could be a long shot .

I will start asking about as my hft club there are a few real hunters there i think.

 

I just don't want to start going around asking for permissions and basically winging it without some sort of evidence I can do the job .

[Rez 4,961]

That's honesty. Why don't you want to ask around for perms man?

[Jonjon79 13,358]

I agree with Rez - Wing it for a while mate - we all have to start somewhere

 

Fortune favours the brave - go fo it

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

Only one way to learn frog and that by getting a perm mate

 

WE ALL HAD TO START SOME WHERE

 

and we all fecked up at some point in our hunting life its all part of learning

 

after all you cant put some thing right until you have broken it

 

One thing i will say is respect the land and the land owners rules

 

atvbmac :thumbs:

[dayglowfrog 56]

I have asked the two land owners I have some contact with but they said they get asked all the time and one did it themselves the other really didn't have any problems nether were interested in letting me just shoot targets .

 

Think I just don't want to waste my first impression as you only get one chance with each land owner .

 

I know there are permissions letters written by Davey I could print off and modifie .

[mark williams 7,568]

Try a few " back water" nurseries Frog.

 

The rabbits are munching like mad at the moment.

Farms, Churches, factories, sporting fishery ponds( rife with rats) etc, etc.

 

If at first you don`t succeed " try, try again"

 

You`ll get a permission mate

 

atb Mark.

[Rabid 1,936]

Frog, which bit of Cambs you in ? I'm on the outskirts of Bedford and you can come and have a day here, see how you get on, not saying I can teach you anything, but the offers there.

[Jonjon79 13,358]

Nice offer Rob - Top man

[Ethan TX 270]

its hard but now were getting into the summer it begins to get all to easy now all you want to do in the summer is see a few rabbits if they run back in to the undergrowth you will lie down and wait 20 to 25 mins then they will most probably come back out again

 

.always set up your rifle bethore you hunt[see if its on target]

.make sure your set in at 30 yards[able to blow the bull at 30 yards]

.make sure you have air,pellets and proper clothes

.be quiet

 

they are some things you will keep in mind everybody will tell you these steps if you are new

[bigmac 97kt 13,836]

AND THIS LAD KNOWS HIS STUFF MATE

 

BEEN SHOOTING SINCE HE WAS 8YS OLD

 

ATVBJIMMY :thumbs:

[Paulnix 426]

Be confident asking for permissions, you know how to shoot and do all the other bits needed, plus you certainly come across by your post as a likeable and sensible chap, you've pretty much had all replies saying if you were closer you'd be welcome to join ( if you come to Cornwall on holiday this summer pm me ) and and these are guys that if you came posting sounding like a retard or you just leeching perms off others would call you out on it.

All you lack is the self confidence knowing you can do it on live quarry when it matters, get your arse over to Rabid if it isn't too far and that will be helped, as Mac said we all screwed up and we all still do on occasion, learn from those times and minimise them but it will take a few shots at live quarry to feel confident.

 

Start asking for perms now imo, it can take a long time to find places not already shot over, Golf clubs, Riding stables, large gardens, Sports fields, people with Chickens or pigs, orchards all likely places as well as the obvious farms, plus when you ask for a perm on a farm point out that as you use a airgun you can shoot feral pigeons and rats around and in buildings, often that part is not covered by those that they have given permission to.

 

Good luck.