Today started with change of plans on where to hunt. Distant thunderstorms were lighting up the sky in two directions but no thunder could be heard as we walked out to the field. Armed with our usual 120 year old 10ga doubles we put out a dozen or so decoys and turned on two callers. Action was steady for the 3 hours we hunted. Many singles and doubles flew into their final resting spot as the big guns barked. We each had a 60 to 70 yard kill which always brings a smile. Several times we had groups of 5 or more come in to see what was going on, each group paid a price. At one point a migrating flock of ravens, a large flock, the likes of which we have not seen before descended on our position. We had at least 25 of them over us. Following them in and then mixing in with them were a handful of crows. I shot one crow out of all the ravens which I studied up and down and then sideways to be sure before shooting. We had 28 birds down and were picking up. It was real hot and we were down to our t-shirts for the job, guns in hand. As we were picking up I looked up to see 5 birds heading our way I kneeled down and yelled freeze. My partner in a bright blue t-shirt was kneeling motionless. I told him when I go to shoot they will be straight over your head to behind you. I stood up, clocked one, he got another which I anchored with my second shot. Morning total, 30 birds. 10gacrowshooter picked up two more on the way home. A real good day for early September, definitely a few new birds in the area.
-- Edited by nhcrowshooter on Tuesday 6th of September 2011 12:22:09 PM
This has nothing to do with your stately ole doubles, but I thought I would share it. I have a buddy that shoot's a 10 ga and loves it. He has several different auto's he hunts with. This past spring he killed two turkeys that were 82 and 85 yards. Both were witnessed and verified by others with a range finder. He shoots custom "Nitro" loads that he orders from somewhere. He showed me some of them. They were homely looking and I just laughed when he told what a high price he was paying for them. I think it was 6 or 8 buck a piece for them. I think they are 2.5 oz loads of multiple shot sizes. Those big bores are just plain awesome. He was on a hunt in Nebraska with several of our when he killed those two birds. Everyone was laughing at him and the ten and a half pound 10 ga till he kill those to long birds. None of us laugh at him now!
__________________
"If money can fix it, it ain't broke" The great theologian and my crow hunting partner AW.
For around this state or area that is on the order of incredible given a time of year I won't go -not cool enough so that is a spectacular job! If I had that kind of crow activity around here guarantee you I'd be out there early morning too!
NH, I was at a gun show this past spring and notice a lot of all brass 10 gauge casings. I think they were only 2 3/4 inch though and appeared to be primed with what looked like a large pistol/rifle primer. Ever consider these in your vintage guns?
Ted
__________________
Life's tough... It's even tougher if you're stupid. John Wayne
I have never loaded brass hulls, mainly because it is a slow and tedious process and requires more equipment than a MEC loader used to load plastic hulls. The beauty of the brass hulls is they never wear out. Brass hulls are usually used by those shooting black powder as BP tends to burn up plastic and paper shells quick.
For those that care to see the process here it is.
.
For around this state or area that is on the order of incredible given a time of year I won't go -not cool enough so that is a spectacular job! If I had that kind of crow activity around here guarantee you I'd be out there early morning too!