Wildfowling: Early season success

Having shot my local marshes for numerous years, I have a good understanding of where the best chances lie, depending on the time of year and weather conditions. I decided to put this theory to the test and ventured out with my young dog, Goose, on a marsh that normally produces good early season tide flighting. I have been there in all kinds of conditions but it does seem to do well when all the conditions are typically wrong for fowling. Goose and I set off across the marsh travelling relatively light with a few decoys and some hide building materials.
Quick to make a start
I intended to make the most out of any potential situation. On approach to my decoy spot, I took the opportunity to dump my gear short of the gutter to give myself a chance to stalk in and bag a duck before the flight started. I sat Goose up and pushed into a position for a shot. As I snuck in, I was presented with a passing shot at teal. As I was making the most of the situations I upped the gun and “bang”, missed! Not a good start. But, unfazed, I saw a bunch of wigeon heading down the top of the gutter with some waders, I picked my bird and folded a super-fast wigeon with one shot. Bird down!
Quick set up
As you can imagine, a shot wakes the whole estuary up, so you then have to move relatively fast to get in position with the ambush set. I soon had the motherline in place to catch the eye of any ducks moving on the tide with the help of my trusty calls. All that was left to do was get into a good shooting position now the decoys were in place.
It wasn’t long until we got to add to the tally with a nice pair of wigeon heading up the gutter to investigate the decoys. Hoping for a right and left, I took aim and hit the first bird hard. Rather than making a difficult retrieve for Goose, I decided to put two shots into the first bird to ensure a clean kill and a quick retrieve.
With two wigeon in the bag, I settled in to see what would come up the channel next. Little did I know I was going to get a chance to bag a goldeneye. We have a good number on our marshes but they don’t often venture to areas where they can be shot. Well this tidy bunch was making their way up to me. Unfortunately, I hit the bird hard with the first shot but needed full use of the gun to bring the bird down cleanly, never the less I was happy with a bonus prize in the bag.

[@arcadia1081]

Thanks. I have read of wildfowling by the late Denys Watking Pitchford "BB" but never seen it. Thanks again. Your dog is amazing.

[@northernshootingshow5806]

Brilliant shooting and great work by your dog!

[@kaineroberts7971]

keep up the amazing videos please best one on UA-cam so far great shot and thanks for the awesome vid

[@crazyferret9409]

Rattlewings...always nice to see. Well done Goose!

[@johnwhiteshooting9300]

lovely camera work those mallard were a right treat , well done

[@mikeblake8508]

Brilliant shooting buddy,Also great dog work.
Thank-you for the upload..
Mikey.

[@davidcaul7836]

Brilliant stuff

[@AliShooting]

Lovely shooting

[@kaiclaws]

Good shooting !! How far is the other side of that creek ?? Always looks a long way on camera

[@rustyduck4034]

great shooting with the sxs mate

[@MelvinnLAD]

Cracking video

[@TexasPete888]

What is the spec on your AyA Yeoman? 28" barrels? 70 or 76 chambers?

[@rufcdunnyrufc]

I've got an Aya Yeoman but never fancied putting steel through it, I take it you've had no problems? what chokes yours?
Think mines half an full but not even 100% sure of that, neither was the gun shop I got it from

[@thetraditionalcountryman939]

JD check the flats underneath the barrels where the proof marks are

[@dodgsr2009]

First time to watch your videos. Sub for having a nice dog lol

[@ahmedghanem8340]

👍👍👍💪💪💪💪

[@Skylersteel]

Markman