greybeard

I can go back further. Archie Coates wrote the best seller on pigeon shooting back in the early 60's. In one of the chapters he explains how he used real birds and as has been said, they are very delicate but are the best you can get. Archies alternative was to skin a pigeon - feathers and all, and stick it to a shell or full bodied decaoy after treating the skin and wings with formalin. They were more robust but still needed careful handling. One other decay he mentioned that he had tried was to pluck a bird and stick the right coloured feathers to a shell. They were even more robust but needed stacking carefully. His comments after all this was that they worked a treat but did not seem to be worth the effort.

Robins are a bold bird. They evolved to feed alongside wild boar when they lived here. the wild pigs would plough up the ground and the robin would be on hand with his smash and grab style and dive in for anything that was unearthed. Make a quick retreat to a close branch and watch for the next morsel to be dug up. This is why when you are digging the garden they appear from nowhere. Pre programmed so to speak. As for cats. Don't get me started. According to RSPB figures cats account for about 20 million birds in the uk and about 15 million rodents and snakes/sloworms per year. The rodents not only include the common house mouse but the less common yellow necked mouse. wood mice, shrews and a whole heap of other things. Don't get me started on cats.

Steve PM sent Semi pro fisherman. we need to talk. Fox shooting. Yes- PM me please Thank you all

Hi Mark I understand. Your right. Those systems I mentioned are a bit pricy. If you lived closer I could help you out. The only thing I would suggest is this. If this video is a professional gig and you are being paid, you are right, you have to do the best you can, especially if it could lead to other things. I think if I were in this position and there was a chance that it could lead to extra work I think I would hire a system for this one or go to a place where you can sit at an edit system and do the cut. I would take the loss. Call it a loss leader. Your client doesn't need to know any of this as long as he gets a very good product. You may end up making no money on this but it will build your reputation and that is worth paying for. One thing is sure though. If you use the pinnacle and you feel that you have made a mess of it due to the lack of software, then you may not hear from him again. It's a tough one but I would hire a sytem (but plan the edit out in detail before you do) Good luck

Snare 1 First off. When you join the forum you are logged in as beginner pigeon shooter -- I have just joined so -- Durrh! Secondly. I have probably been shooting for longer than you have been alive so I do not need to prove myself to you or anyone. As for your other cynical points. If you knew the way programmes are made you would not make the stupid assumptions that you have. I have land. I have freinds however, you havn't got a clue what you are talking about so I will put your comments down to your lack of knowledge and very suspicios disposition. I know your type. You are a dampner to the spirit. I bet the glass is always half empty.You sit there potificating about things thinking you are so worldly wise and know it all when in fact you are just too lazy to get off your butt and find out the facts.

Hi Mark I've done some editing in my time and know what you mean about Pinnacle. As with all things you get what you pay for so I would advise not to go for the cheapest as you will find it frustrating. A cheaper package will be lacking in what it can do so you end up buying add ons and end up spending just as much as a better unit in the long run. I use Premier and Premier Pro and find them very easy and logical to use. They will take in most formats for editing so are very flexible. Not only that, they come with a bundle of great ad ons which will last you for years. Final cut pro is another great edit system and one that is taking over from the industry standard - Avid. So Premier or FCP would be my recomendation. A tad expensive but once you buy either of them, you will get all you need and won't need to buy another add on for quite some time.

Hi Henry Put my two penneth in here. My wife is an Ozzy. I met here over there and dragged her back 23 years ago. We return to Oz evry 18 months or so so I have done a lot of trip in all configurations. First off. It's a bloody long way and VERY boring, especially in cattle class where we usually ride. Take something to read if you are a reader. Ther are other amusments on the plane as you no doubt know, they all have personal screens -- lots of films and music but you can sure watch an awful lot of it in 23 hours -- which is how long it takes to Melbourne. My next bit of adivice is travel with one of the big 5 airlines. I have traveled cheaply and as they say, you get what you pay for. One bargain price airline stopped at almost every country on the way (at least it felt like it) another plane was so threadbare that I wondered what the maintenance must be like -- that plane was grounded in Hong Hong for 4 hours instead of the usual 1 hour-- we never were told why (had a wheel come loose - who knows) Airline food is just ok unless you travel first, but in the cheap ones it was ****. Go East, its easier. I prefer to get it over with and do the trip in one hit, but on the ocasions I have stopped over if you want a stopover, there are a coule of recomendations- Singapore is good as is Hong Kong. Both worth a visit. Bancock is another shoppers dream. Pack you tooth brush and a deoderant in your hand luggage because when you arrive you be glad you did. Also, take an inflatable cushion, good to have if you need it as those seats can soon become very uncomfortable to sleep in. Move from time to time, keep the blood flowing, especially through the legs. I know a freind takes a sleeping tablet and sleeps all the way there. The crew frown on this but what the hell. If you want to do this then go for it. Nod off over the channel, wake up in Bancock then only 8 hours to melbourne. Hope this helps. have a great trip. I'm sure you'll love the place.

This is such sad news. I'm so very sorry.

Let me say now that I have not taken offence whatsoever. I do sympathise with your suspicions as I too have been on the other end of a similar request some years ago. As I have stated, I have nothing to hide and to all those that got in touch then please ask for whatever phone numbers you would like to call and i will provide them. Better still, I will give you names and you can call the poduction companies/broadcasters and then you are sure of getting the 'real thing'. Ferret Master. Thanks for offering to direct people over. most helpful. Mungler. You are what you are. I don't feel any ill to you at all. Yes I am getting paid, this is my job and I make no appologies for that. As you never thought to ring me but judge me sight unseen, then you will never know what is on offer. Best wishes PS I have been in touch with the Wildfowling club I have held a committee position with and they are fine that I put it up here. So please, feel free to call Haydn Jones. Chairman. Gloucester Wildfowlers Association at your leasure. Havn't got the number in front of me. you'll have to look it up i'm afraid.

Magman I understand your suspicions. I don't know about you but I have, since living in Wiltshire, always shot pigeon alone. I have many contacts and that is why I am not pleading for contributors here. I thought it would good to get PW members involved in some way. Had I realised the hard time I was going to get then I probably should have done something else. However, Hindsight eh? My contacts are Dog men, game shooters, wildfowlers. The one that would be sutable does not want to do it. Those others that I know, I would prefer not to do it. As for obsessive pigeon shooters to take part, I know none around here-- only me. You want to try filming yourself to know how hard it is. ( and i don't mean setting a camera on a tripod and letting the tape run.) All I was ever asking for was help putting this together. I hope, when you see it, you will realise how wrong you were and that this film will be a field sport promotion in the best tradition, not a cowering anti film. best wishes

Guinie fowl Thank you for your support. Believe me. I would not DARE use those company names if they were not true. I would be sued to oblivion

Apology accepted. Timing as they say, is everything. The previous posting about the DVD's was in fact posted before the Country channel request. But there you go. Talk about coincidence.

Mark You may have a point on the name. My name. As I said. I have nothing to hide. I will publish my details. go to www.stewartmackay.com So there goes my forum ID. At least it will improve the hit rate on my web site. That is it now as far as correspondence is concerned on this. If you are interested then please contact me.

I will provide all details, but not on a public forum. I will not name names on a public forum. I do have some discretion.

Thank you magman. Very helpful