Cosd

I wish I'd seen this sooner, I'm not too far from Hertford, Live over in Enfield. Next time you need a buddy give us a shout. I've got plenty of holiday to use up before end of April, so if a midweek day out is up for grabs PM me.

The farmer who owns the land doesn't actually allow anyone to shoot this 300 acre bit of land, it's through my shooting partners dad that we're allowed there. The farmer's his friend and that's how we managed to get permision. So I don't think he's that bothered on the amount we shoot. The farmer is on holiday at the moment, but when he returns he said that he'll be taking us down to another farm he owns where he does pheasant drives from. He doesn't normally allow anyone to shoot there other than his organised days, but again he said we can go to this farm as well (off season) as often as we like.

Went out yesterday with a friend, we've both just recently started and this was my third time shooting, but only the first time I took any kit with me other than the clothes and gun. I've been reading the forum for a few weeks now picking up tips and asking some silly basic questions to you guys out there. So I'd been surfing the net and bought the following: 12 shell woodie's 2 full body flocked woodie's (for lofting poles which I haven't bought/made yet) some Eezy wobblers A home made bouncer (bits bought from a garden centre) Spin bucket seat Large bag Pop up hide Got to the farm which is 60 miles away for 7:00am and it was just getting light. Got all the gear from the boot of the car and headed for the spot I'd been planning in my head for the last week. The farm we're shooting on only has wheat on it at the moment so even the last two times hasn't been anything like the days you guys talk about. As I was walking to my spot (boy was all that gear heavy) I noticed about three seperate flocks flying over the next field to where I was heading so decided to go there instead as I thought this might be a flight line. The wind was blowing toward the area I decided to set up hide on, so I paced out the distance and set up the deeks in a horse shoe pattern all facing away from me looking into the wind. Now, the reason for writing this post isn't because I bagged "100" birds, but just to say that even though it was an extremely quiet day, I was really pleased that, with what I have learn't from your threads, I did manage to set up a decent pattern that DID work. Birds were not feeding in the field, there really wasn't vey much flying about at all, yet the deeks definitely attracted them. Had I been more experienced I reckon I should of downed another 4 or 5 if I'm totally honest. A couple I just didn't shoot at because my reaction was just too slow, and two others I really should have hit but missed. I'm sure one of the two that got away poked it's tongue at me as it flew past, but hey ho, it's probably telling it's mates about me now I shot one with my third shot and used it on the home made bouncer, then got another with the fourth shot. So went home with just two plus one my friend got, in total we only shot about eight cartridges between us. I know 2 birds is nothing to write about, and I didn't shoot any more than the last time, but the ratio of cartridges to birds has improved and I still enjoyed it anyway. Can't wait now till next Sunday, hence up at this time writing this :lol:

I just got myself a pair of neoprene lined wellies from army surplus, new cost £30, used them on the weekend with a pair of army socks £5 and they were nice and warm.....

Will they only be feeding on rape this time of year? What else will they go for in these conditions, I'll be out on Sunday.... I mean ground food! I got the tree/bush bit

Whats the best and quickest way to kill a pigeon if it comes down alive?

So what is the annual cost for BASC insurance? Did I read somehere on the forum that we get discounts as PW members?

I think Cranfield already knows I'd be up for going if anyone has any space for an extra gun or two

Thanks Cranfield

To be honest I have been reading the forum on advice on how to approach farmers and I am making lists of some local farms to approach ourselves. But if there was anybody who has either a large shoot or more than one farm that they need a hand on that would be great too. As I said, the farm we shoot on is 60 miles away, so we can only really go on a Sunday where we have the best part of the day to spare. We'd both like to go more often so somewhere closer would mean we could go even for a couple of hours here and there. At the moment our farm has wheat on it so there isn't really that much going on anyway, so right now we'd appreciate even the odd shoot here and there. Thanks for your reply by the way!!

A friend and I are looking for local farms. The farm we currently shoot at is 60 miles away which means we can only go when we have at least half a day to spare. Being more local will mean getting out there more often. We both live in the Enfield area. Does anyone know where we can start?

I'd like to approach some local farms to ask is if a friend and I can do some pigeon/rabbit shooting more local to where we live as we currently travel 60 miles away. From What I've read it's best to be insured; Which insurance is the best to go for, which is most recognised? Any advice on this and tips for aproaching farmers greatly apreciated

Bought three packs of rods from a garden centre yesterday. 2 X 6mm rod 6' length £2.99 @ 1 packet (3) 3mm rod £2.79 These rods are steel, covered in green plastic coating to prevent rust and come with clips allowing you to connect 6mm and 3mm rods. Look great, eezy peezy to make, and I made two 6' wobblers and enough left over to make a t-bar to take two deeks on a lofting pole.... Not bad for under £9 Not included are 4 crocodile clips, 2 for each wobbler....damn that will take it up to the £9 mark

My mistake I was guessing at the method the gunsmith might use when you talked about the matt black. OK scrap that idea. I think I might try taking my gun to local gunshop and see what the covers look and feel like. Next option, the cam tape maybe

Firstly, thanks to everyone for the replies so far. Highlander, regarding the 'matt blacking' by a gunsmith; I have quite a few contacts in the car paint game, so I'm guessing that if this 'matt blacking' is done that my friends would do just as good a job if not better? Or is this some special process which gunsmiths have?

You say that, but a friend of mine was walking on the other end of the field a couple of weeks back, and he looked like he was holding a mirror. His barrels were gleaming in the sun!

New to shooting. How do you guys stop your shotgun from blinding the pigeons? Is camo tape any good? What about those camo covers?

eggy, You too, really appreciate your time out to pass on some knowledge. Thanks Again

Pin, Really appreciate your time out to pass on some knowledge. Thanks Again

Send me your E-Mail addy and i will send you plans for a magnet give you something to do...!!!! hi sorry to butt in but any chance I can have a copy of thos plans too please? If you ask me to sen you my email can you tell me how as I have only joined today. thanks

Thanks for that. I will be pigeon shooting mainly, there are some burrow holes around so maybe rabbit/hare too.

Been shooting twice now: 1st time shot 1 2nd time shot 2 so improvement at 100% :unsure: Both times didn't have any gear other than gun, cartridges and clothing. After first day soon realised how important camo'ing is so bought myself gloves and head gear for second shoot. Although was a quiete day I did realise how much less I disturbed the birds. I have now just ordered 12 shell decoys (pigeon). A pop up hide and a bucket thing with a spin seat. And 2 flocked full bodied pigeon decoys which I plan to mount on home made poles. Is this OK to start with or is there still basics I am missing?

How do I recognise 'rape' fields?

Hi, Having got my licence, gun and some camo gear with a friend we have been to a farm introduced to us by my friends dad the last two sundays. It was overcast and windy so from what I have read thought it should be a decent day for shooting pigeons. We spread out, my friend had bought 5 decoys and a pop-up hide, I had neither so set out in one corner of the field taking cover in a ditch surrounded buy trees and growth. My friend went to the oposite corner. The field (I think) is planted with wheat and is about 4 inches high. We set up at about 7.30 as the day broke and stayed till around 2. It was extremely quiete, not very much going on other than the odd birds flying through. Briefly, the first week was better for the amount of birds but nothing like I have been reading here on the forums. My friend shot two and I just one. the last Sunday we got two each, I'd shot just eight cartridges (no 7's 30g), and if I'm totally honest I probably should have shot two more birds and the other 4 shots were more desperation than anything else as they were a little too far. Grim as it may sound, we have both got the bug now, having enjoyed the days so much and are definitely not giving up. I've now ordered 12 shell decoys, a couple of flocked full bodies to add to some home made lofting poles (project still in progress), a pop-up hide and one of those bucket things with the swivel top. My mates on holiday this week so we're missing this Sunday but plan for the next. Apart from boring you guys to death, the reason for this blogg is for absolutely any advice really you wish to offer a couple of newbies. I'm not sure if the field we are in is the right one, or whether we have just been unlucky. Looking forward to any tips guys!

Hi, Having got my licence, gun and some camo gear with a friend we have been to a farm introduced to us by my friends dad the last two sundays. It was overcast and windy so from what I have read thought it should be a decent day for shooting pigeons. We spread out, my friend had bought 5 decoys and a pop-up hide, I had neither so set out in one corner of the field taking cover in a ditch surrounded buy trees and growth. My friend went to the oposite corner. The field (I think) is planted with wheat and is about 4 inches high. We set up at about 7.30 as the day broke and stayed till around 2. It was extremely quiete, not very much going on other than the odd birds flying through. Briefly, the first week was better for the amount of birds but nothing like I have been reading here on the forums. My friend shot two and I just one. the last Sunday we got two each, I'd shot just eight cartridges (no 7's 30g), and if I'm totally honest I probably should have shot two more birds and the other 4 shots were more desperation than anything else as they were a little too far. Grim as it may sound, we have both got the bug now, having enjoyed the days so much and are definitely not giving up. I've now ordered 12 shell decoys, a couple of flocked full bodies to add to some home made lofting poles (project still in progress), a pop-up hide and one of those bucket things with the swivel top. My mates on holiday this week so we're missing this Sunday but plan for the next. Apart from boring you guys to death, the reason for this blogg is for absolutely any advice really you wish to offer a couple of newbies. I'm not sure if the field we are in is the right one, or whether we have just been unlucky. Looking forward to any tips guys!