Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Yesterday I was travelling between Bray Sur Somme and Mametz I spotted a 1918 British cemetery ,and opposite it was a ploughed field. I thought I'd take the opportunity to do a few minutes field walking but noticed a line of 6 hunters with shotguns about 500 yards to my left walking in my direction. After a couple of minutes walking I heard two shots from the group. I immediately looked at them and two hunters were lowering their guns. which were pointed in my direction. Not a bird or rabbit was in sight. Their dogs were not running to any downed bird. I'm pretty sure the shots were a 'request' for me to leave the field. Which I did. From now till January the French countryside will be crawling with hunters and yesterday there were literally hundreds of them out. In the past I've had shotguns 'playfully' pointed at me, but this seems to be a first warning shot. Best to be careful, and especially stay out of the woods. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Garnett Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 My approach to the Leipzig Salient was cut short yesterday and in this instance was very much a case of lacking offensive spirit. During the season, is it just Sunday they are out in this number? Regards, Stephen Garnett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 28 September , 2009 Admin Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Weekends are particularly busy with the chasse but I think they shoot all week. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Return fire on full automatic - that tends to put them off Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Or you could have just turned and fell in a heap on the ground - that would cause them a bit of twitching. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Always keep your head below the parapet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Or you could have just turned and fell in a heap on the ground - that would cause them a bit of twitching. Mick Especially when they tried to bury you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 ...During the season, is it just Sunday they are out in this number? From my experience elsewhere in France, it is Sunday - plus one other day of the week that can vary from village to village. You need to check with the relevant Mairie to find out which day it is in their commune. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Next time I'm taking my SMLE. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Or you could have just turned and fell in a heap on the ground - that would cause them a bit of twitching. Mick Nice idea Mick. I think the dogs would struggle to pick me up and take me back to the shooter though. I've never seen the French countryside so covered in hunters as this year. It was the first day of the season and interest does wane a bit after October. No sign of the credit crunch hitting 12 bore sales. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 You could always up the ante with an 18lbr over open sights! Glad you got away with it John. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2009 You could always up the ante with an 18lbr over open sights! Glad you got away with it John. Cheers, Nigel Thanks Nigel. I'll get a tow bar fitted to my van immediately! Johm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 My wife and I were once showered with spent shot gun pellets near Mansel Copse one October. Thankfully it was raining and we had our hoods up. Assuming they were near enough to hear I doubt whether the hunters concerned would have mistaken the tone of my comments even if the words were foreign to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 What is the French for Get orf moi land? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 After a couple of minutes walking I heard two shots from the group. I immediately looked at them and two hunters were lowering their guns. which were pointed in my direction. I'll bet that they had heard a loud "Kwak" from your direction.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 John Glad you're still here to tell the tale! Let me get you a drink whilst you recover. I always wear a hi-vis when entering woods, and if the hunters are around (Autumn) I go and talk to them before going. In the Limousin, Sunday is always a hunt day, and depending on the numbers of vermin sought, they can be out on a Saturday. The answer: join them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 28 September , 2009 Share Posted 28 September , 2009 Next time, wear your overcoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2009 I'll bet that they had heard a loud "Kwak" from your direction.... If only. I did smile actually. I think I sussed their game immediatedly. I could have done with one later though! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 28 September , 2009 John Glad you're still here to tell the tale! Let me get you a drink whilst you recover. I always wear a hi-vis when entering woods, and if the hunters are around (Autumn) I go and talk to them before going. In the Limousin, Sunday is always a hunt day, and depending on the numbers of vermin sought, they can be out on a Saturday. The answer: join them! Hi Geraint. Thank you for your kind comment. Yes the high vis is essential in woods, but talking to the hunters is just as good advice. In France, in season Sundays in the main hunting day but Monday to Saturday evenings are also popular. Frankly I'd never go in woods in the hunting season as it's not just the bird hunters who are a risk, in woods, it's the Sanglier hunters and they use full bore rifles. One of my neighbours in France shot one a couple of years ago and it was massive. I'll have that Kwak now! John Next time, wear your overcoat. To quote someone else 'I've got to get me one of those!'. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 29 September , 2009 Share Posted 29 September , 2009 John for future reference if you encounter shooters who shoot with more accuracy - what would be your wishes for your collection, obviously i'm more than willing to look after it for you. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 29 September , 2009 Author Share Posted 29 September , 2009 John for future reference if you encounter shooters who shoot with more accuracy - what would be your wishes for your collection, obviously i'm more than willing to look after it for you. Mick Mick You are so kind. Is your house big enough? You know that warehouse at the end of Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Arc...... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 29 September , 2009 Share Posted 29 September , 2009 French hunters are notoriously trigger happy (but so are all hunters). In the South of France last year a grandfather shot and killed his grandson. His excuse was that 'I told him not to move'. He had heard a noise and shot at it! In my own village a few years ago a woman was jogging on a public footpath during the week in daylight when she was shot by a rifle and badly wounded. The 'hunter' must have known what had happened, but he just disappeared (everyone knows who he was, but there was no evidence - a judge). The woman had to crawl nearly a kilometre to the nearest house. It was where I have a licence to collect firewood which gave some pause. Some years ago I was warned by my local commune about taking Scouts on an evening exercise in the forest as 'the hunters will be out and shoot at a noise without looking'. In Belgium they are continually shooting at anything and even hit cars on the road as they fire across! (this happened to someone I know and the police just shrugged). I know a region head of gamekeepers and he told me that even he has no idea when these people will be out or what they will be doing. They simply ignore all the laws and threaten anyone who argues (including him) although he said that he would go along later with the heavy mob and confiscate rifles (which they do have the power to do). BEWARE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 29 September , 2009 Admin Share Posted 29 September , 2009 I was in Heilly Station cemetery once during the chasse and dead and winged birds were landing in the cemetery. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrislock Posted 29 September , 2009 Share Posted 29 September , 2009 I was in Hunters Row CWGC once and dead and winged GWF members were lying everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 29 September , 2009 Share Posted 29 September , 2009 Mick You are so kind. Is your house big enough? You know that warehouse at the end of Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Arc...... John I've been saving the space for the airship but i'm willing to shove it in a corner. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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