ochre

2nd hand beretta silver pigeon 20 bore

that's a nice weapon u have there dexter!

Thanks guys. i'm out tomorrow and will try to 'miss in front'. It's worked for me in the past, I've just lost my rhythm. Will let you know if I find it!

How do you guys/gals judge lead when it comes to our little feathered friends? For instance, at short range, how much lead do you give a bird? What about medium range, maybe 25 yds, how much extra? And finally the all important long range question, perhaps 40 yds, how much extra allowance do you give a bird? I know many people that say they don't judge lead, they just do it automatically. I have to say that whilst this may now be the case, how did you learn to adapt to range and speed? In terms of science and measurement, there must be more to it than 'practise', 'it comes with experience' or even 'it's natural talent'. I tend to estimate speed and distance and allow between a few inches and 9 yds in front for a really quick high bird. If you were being honest, what would you admit to? Many thanks.

Rooster 1. Do you only use dead birds or plastic deaks too? If you do use the artificials which type do you think are the most effective and how many are needed, in your opinion? 2. Also, I have a field where the birds like to feed just beyond a hedge and I can't shoot that field for safety reasons. With the wind usually coming from behind me, how do I get the birds to fly beyond their normal patch and come into a pattern beyond the hedge? Your advice would be much appreciated

Good point Invector, I quite agree. A perfect decoy pattern should attract and hold birds like a flock of naturals - if they spook, it's usually for a reason and our problem is to identify what it is and solve it. Having said that, I do find it hard to get it right, especially when the wind is variable in terms of direction.

1. Shouldn't a company like Pinewood that charges high price for its equipment have a reliable email service? It is hardly the customer's problem if their IT equipment has problems. 2. I still do not expect to have someone I have paid over £250 to be rude to me and not apologise for providing damaged goods (even if they did think they sent the emails). I don't want this to become a big deal, but a bit of common courtesy from UK retailers would not go amiss. We are becoming renowned for our poor customer service and it is totally unnecessary.

An interesting response from Pinewood: emails sent (but not received by me) and big attitude about this forum - he doesn't like it. Actually told me to pick up the phone if I have a problem rather than sending an email. Was pretty shirty and hardly apologetic - I thought you would like to know just in case you have the pleasure of an encounter with Mr Pinewood - very prickly.

Kind words folks. Much appreciated. Still working on the mojo - I know it's there some where

Spectacular bag, rooster. Just got myself 12,000 acre permission and I haven't yet managed to find out where all the osr is - maybe I'll manage a day like that in the future (just the thought of it would be amazing!). Got a fair few pigeons coming in just below my house but it's almost impossible to shoot safely. I suppose it shows that being old doesn't prevent you from cockadoodle doing like a goog 'en.

Hi boys. Lost my mojo over the last week - hit rates gone done to 1 in 7! Any suggestions? :<

What pattern and kit did you choose and what were the conditions like? Nice bag mate!

Hmmm Maori, an interesting dilemma with the 12/20 option. This is how I see it: 1. Young boys, and my wife tells me I was a boy once, like big guns so it makes sense that you'd like a big one. 2. Some men like big guns, big ones, and some like 12 bores because they do what everybody else does. 3. Some men shoot well with a 12 bore and see no reason to change for the sake of change alone. 4. Some men that have used 12 bores decide to shoot with 20 bores because they need a lighter gun and are getting on in years like an old sheep. 5. Some men that have used 12 bores decide to shoot with 20 bores because they realise that they are an effective weapon and, due to the reduced number of pellets, appreciate that it takes accuracy to compete with a big man with a big gun. Some might say, that it is a choice a man makes when he wants a challenge and doesn't mind making his own choices in a world where many are afraid of what others think. 6. Few boys decide to miss out these stages because each one is quite fun. If I were you, now I've mulled it over, I'd get a big one

Invector - do you know, I just saw one swoop in and I dropped it with my imaginary 20 bore Cranfield - you might have something with that 'instruction' thing; I don't know what 'instructions' are, I think that's a gender specific term. Of course, if I did find out how to get the winged decoys on the cradle as a result of having read the instructions, I certainly wouldn't let on now would I? I remain optimistic that Pinewood will come up trumps.

OK - feeling a bit better now: got the winged decoys in the cradle. I'm testing them in the garden to see if they stay on. All I need now is a working speed controller and a new crocodile clip!