Wind kill factor
How do you find shooting in very strong winds? I’ve found it difficult.
Tom says: Strong winds can wreak havoc with decoy spreads. I will often use full bodies in strong winds and anchor them down. Hide netting can also be badly effected by the wind, I often peg it to the poles with strong clips. The netting can become a sail and blow the hide around, so I combat this by using guy ropes to anchor it. These are made from tent pegs and paracord and well worth carrying on every outing. The birds themselves will be affected by the wind. Their approach is often slow as they battle the wind, which means you need to be concealed well to prevent them from seeing you. The birds can also use the wind to escape quickly, so I try to decoy them as close as I can and leave it until last minute before jumping up.
David says: If you own the marsh it is up to you what you shoot. If the shooting is leased then the lease will say what may or may not be done. Remember also that the law in relation to game shooting is different to that for wildfowl. Pheasants may not be shot at night although you can shoot duck; pheasants may not be shot on Sunday or Christmas Day although in many, but not all, parts of Great Britain you may shoot duck.