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

Thank you again for your comments. I do not want to get into a situation where I am accused of one thing and then I am back defending myself. If you have already made your mind up that I am an anti then why bother PM ing me. Just save time and condemn me without actually talking to me. Chrispi. If you think by posting on here is 'contacting me' then I am sorry. I did ask for personal e mail to me so that I can discuss things in more detail. If you also think it will be cut to make you 'look like a monkey' then ask yourself why -- better still, ask me. Why would the country channel take that line? Anyway, my request is still open. I am happy to talk -- person to person. I am happy to meet. I am happy to give out phone numbers for references if you wish to call them. I can not be more fair than that. I don't know what else I can do at this early stage. Thank you again for your time

Hi Thank you for your comments. First of all, how can you know if I am an anti if you do not contact me? The truth will soon be out when I start putting the programme together. I can spot an anti in the first conversation. Also, how can I give Country Channel references -- again, If you don't contact me. Do you expect me to give phone numbers on this forum. I have nothing to hide. I can give you all the safe guards and checks you need, but first we have to have a dialogue. If you don't ask, you will never know. I have long standiing credentials that can soon be checked. I have been shooting pigeon for 40 years (this march). I have been wildfowling for 32 of them I have held a committee position with a very well known wildfowling club. I have been making TV programmes for 15 years, some with the Natural History Unit. All true. All very easy to check. It really makes no difference to me whether anyone on this forum wants to take part or not. I will be able to find a pigeon shooter sooner or later, I just thought, by reading this forum, you all seem a knowlagble lot so I would offer this chance to present a programme to the people of Pigeon Watch. When the rprogramme is finished I will get back on and let you know so you can watch it. BTW, as the country channel have commissioned it, all the footage will be their copyright so no, I won't be making a video to sell, but thanks for the trust. Also, as such, editorial control will be with them. I am not out to stitch anyone up. All I need to do is make a programme--- about pigeon shooting. Thank you for your time.

I must say, I am very surprised that I have had no takers on this. I thought it would be a great opportunity to highlight our sport and show it in all it's glory. A great opportunity to advertise someones business as well. Never mind. I tried. Best

Hello I have been asked by the Country Channel TV (www.countrychannel.tv) to make a programme about Pigeon Shooting so, as I am a member and a pigeon shooter I can not think of a better forum to post such a request on, so here goes. What I am looking for is a shooter to feature in this programme. The story will take the form of ‘ a day out pigeon shooting’. I would like this to take place on a spring drill as this is a superb time to decoy birds. Not only that, it is a very photogenic time of year. What I am after is a person that feels confident enough to appear on camera and take us through the day. He/she will talk to camera and explain what is going on, what decoys are being used and why. Why we place the hide in a certain place, setting out deeks, the use of the rotary, flapper etc, in fact, everything about a days shooting right down to what to do with the bag at the end of the day. A dog is welcome as long as it is steady and well behaved otherwise it would be best left at home. Lord know filming is slow enough so the less delays the better. I will of course be there to prompt and direct you through it but I will not appear and all my questions will be cut out. The idea is to cut together a piece that will be good for the experienced to watch but also have something to teach the novice. I would like to come on to your ground at a pre arranged day when the pigeon are ‘on’ and film through the day, bearing in mind that it will not be the normal days shooting as I will be asking things to be stopped and repeated, but hopefully, a lot of shooting can still be done. There are certain requirements needed to make this programme. They are. A person who is confident and fairly articulate and can ad lib with ease. Is an experienced pigeon shooter. Has access to some good land Is willing to participate. Lives within 60 miles radius of Bath. This is to cut down travel time (mine) If you would like to offer your services then please PM me from this site. I will gladly talk through any questions you may have. It should only take one day to complete. The Country Channel is growing in size and audience. It is accessed through the internet or on Sky channels 167 & 168. It is the channel that all country sports lovers have been waiting for and at the moment there is no pigeon shooting on it. I hope to remedy that with your help. Best wishes Greybeard

Amazing isn't it? We have one poster saying that we should not be discussing such topics and even stating that our views may even be illeagle (this is the problem with the counrty is it not - thought police and the PC brigade) Then we have another telling us we should feel guilty about what was done by Britain over a century ago. That was then, this is now. Different mind, set different problems. Sorry, don't feel guilty. Only when the BNP start gaining seat will any other political party hear the wake up call. I know where my vote is going

Sorry. Forgot to mention. Yes I do have a DVD rewriter. Why do you ask? Greybeard

Many thanks for your comments so far. Greybeard

Hi I wonder if I can have a moment of your time. I have recently joined this forum and I find it very interesting reading all the information that is stored here. I have been shooting pigeon/ wildfowl since methusla was a lad so know a little bit about the subject. That said. From my research I have noticed that there seems to be a complete lack of DVD's on pigeon shooting, be they the A/ 'how to' kind or the B/ 'this is a day we had down on a Wessex farm' kind. Now my question is this. As the membership seems to cover the country (uk) and beyond, would you say that this was a true observation. I admit that although my research has been long, I am sure that I can not get information on all that is out there. Or have I? in other words, are there so few that they don't show up? My other question is. Would this be the type of DVD that would appeal to pigeon shooters. I know as far as I am concerned when I get into something I buy everythng available, books, mags, films, picture but perhaps I am a little OTT -- but i don't think so. If the footage on You Tube is typical of what is available then our sport is not very well represented on the moving image front. So! if they were out there, what would you prefer to see. A or B or both. Your thoughts on this would be most welcome. Best wishes Greybeard ps. the last one i bought was the John Batley Archie Coats which was very well shot and produced. Others I have seen were more of the home movie type. Not something I would strive for.

Wild rabbits if you can hold them in and keep them in. But I have used tame rabbits with great success. What you are doing here is teaching the dog to ignore a creature (rabbit in this case) as it appears under its nose. The dog doesnt know if its a tame rabbit or a wild rabbit nor does it care. There is some advantage to having a rabbit that doesnt run to the next cover. A tame rabbit may just run a few feet and be even more of a temptation to your dog therby creating an even steadier gun dog. Don't dismiss tame rabbits. They can be a real bonus and teach great steadiness in gundogs -- ideal for the discipline of field trial as they take no prisoners during competition so a rock steady dog is an advantage.

No rabbit bones. No cooked bones Splinters can kill