Dr_T

Great Day Fenny. Unconventional set-up roost shooting and flighting all day in the spinney. Good shooting and some testing high shots too. Enjoyed the day immensely. Many thanks Dr_T

A BIG thank-you to Fenny for inviting me out for a day on the pigeons on Wednesday. The weather was perfect, with a good strong wind and a field of wheat stubble with plenty of grain still on the ground. With a couple of dead birds on the rotary and 20 half-shell flocked deeks on spring sticks, I was set up and with no need for a hide since I was standing at the bottom of a drainage ditch about 7-foot deep running along the edge of the field. The birds can straight in from the word go. It was clear that Fenny had chosen a great spot to set-up since the flight lines were strong and often I was taken by surprise with low flying birds coming from behind me into the pattern. I wished my shooting (accuracy) had been a little better, but I packed up at 4pm (running out of cartridges...note to self: take more cartridges next time in the boot of the car) with 30 pigeons and 1 crow. Very enjoyable day with some very challenging shots because of the strong wind and the low and fast incoming birds. Many thanks Shaun. Cheers, Dr_T

I've found that rotary placement can make a big difference. I'm finding I'm getting best results placing it at the end of one of the arms of the U pattern about 5 yards from the nearest decoy.

Hi, I would also say a magnet and a floater/bouncer or two. I've been using Hypa Flaps on the magnet to good effect, but have noticed once I've shot a few birds, switching to dead birds on the magnet, the magnet works even better. A set of nets and hide poles are good to have too. Cheers, Dr_T

Thanks Shaun for your time and trouble for the day's pigeon shooting on one of your permissions last Friday. Even though the weather wasn't too kind to us, the sport we had was very enjoyable in between the showers. It just goes to show that even in the rain, it's well worth shooting. Top guy All the best, Dr_T

Hi Fenny, You have a PM. Cheers, Dr_T

Went out on Sunday over rape stubble. Set up 20 half shell flocked deeks on spring sticks. No rotary this time since the week before they were flaring off with it out. Well, this time the birds wouldn't decoy even after a couple of pattern changes. So, out with the rotary with the hypa flaps and bingo, birds started to decoy nicely. Then after an hour, one of the hypa flaps looked insecure, so I stopped the rotary and attempted to tighten the clamp. The plastic thread had stripped, so had to change to dead birds. The birds continued to decoy and even were dive-bombing the rotary! I was a bit annoyed with the clamp thread stripping but decided to call UK Shootwarehouse on Monday. I spoke to a lovely lady and described the problem. She said that the design had now been changed and would send out two replacements. They arrived this morning. The new versions have a metal collar insert inside the plastic tube that the thumb screw threads into. Thank you UK Shootwarehouse for great customer service. Cheers, Dr_T

Thanks Tom

Thanks Motty.

Thanks Cranfield. Generally how far back from the pattern?

What is the consensus of opinion regarding magnet placement? What are the most successful set-ups folks?

Two stealth nets plus a Jack Pike Clearview for the top section to view through. I use cheap spring clips for quick and easy setting up. Also bought a cammo tarpaulin recently (2.4m x 3m) which can be used to prevent silhouetting if the background isn't dense enough. Also doubles as a waterproof roof (came in handy yesterday for a couple of sharp showers).

11 over peas yesterday 9092

1/4 and 1/2 usually. 1/4 in top barrel (first shot) since it's a quicker reload in an over and under.

7 over peas this afternoon. 8438

28g 7.5's will be fine out to 30 yards or so. It's shot placement and range that matters. I find it useful to place a decoy at the maximum comfortable range as a reminder. I personally use 30 or 32g no 6's but have used 28g 7.5's on occasion.

Hi Fenny, You have a PM Cheers, Dr _T

Turn gas off whilst wearing ear defenders!

I bought the field version of a Silver Pigeon III for both clays and game/pigeon shooting. Then again I'm tall and well built so don't mind the recoil when shooting a number of clays. The safety on the Field version is auto and resets each time the gun is broken.

Hi Sprinter, You have a PM. Cheers, Dr_T

I think this is a good idea. If a template letter was available to personalise and send in this would deal with the general inertia to putting pen to paper. Maybe BASC could help here? Let's hope BASC will keep us posted in a timely manner. Cheers, Dr_T

Dog walkers trespassing are a real pain without the verbal abuse. No excuse for being rude and abusive. Why don't these people act reasonably and responsibly and stick to public footpaths? Trouble is, if you're carrying a gun (even in a slip) it only takes one malicious call to the plod.... Best to avoid any confrontations if possible.

Yep. My empties go in the recycling bin when I get home.