AVB

Bought two days in Norfolk last week. Was optimistic. Stubble, overcast, breezy. Was really looking forward to it for me and my lad. There were no pigeons around at all. The guide I was with had spent the day before trying to find some and we drove around for nearly two hours on the first day tring to spot flightlines but saw nothing. literally a total of 3 birds. Eventually set up in a field of barley stubble and between 1 and 6 managed to get 10 between us (with very few misses). The next day was even worse. Still couldn't find any. Set up in a field that looked like it had the most potential (in reality the easiest to get the gear to) and shot one in about 6 hours. I enjoyed getting out of the office but it just means that I am itching even more to get out next time as that's when I'm going to get that really big bag!! AVB

John, As there are no other suggestion you donate the £30 postage and keep the Amp thingy Good luck Andrew

According to John's PM I have won the raffle for the mutant amplifier. As John says its the nw280sp model 2x80 watt rms 2x160 watt max its 2 ohm stable bridgeable!!!! I looked on the web and it seems to retail for around £50. Now I have absolutely no idea what to do with one of these. Can it be converted into a magnet or flapper? As it probably can't I am open to offers what to do with this. Options are: 1) somebody buys it from me (john will dispatch) and sends the cheque to APPD. 2) Ebay was mentioned but as I have no idea as to how to do this and don't have the time to learn. So could somebody put it on ebay on behalf of John with proceeds to APPD? 3) Any other alternatives? Regards Andrew

I'll be there as well as I usually shoot there every other week with my lad. I won't be there until around 10:00 but I'll keep my eyes open for a group of large cross-dressers (if I read the previous posts correctly) and introduce myself. Andrew ps - I can't hit the tower either but my son manages to sometimes with his 20 bore.

Put me down for £50. PM your address and will send cheque Andrew

18, 10 and 8 over the past three weeks Regards

mickymiroku, I hadn't really thought of Pigeon Shooting Clubs. I had heard of them but only in passing. I'll try the BASC as suggested. Does anybody in Herts/Essex know of any locally? Also how do they work? Regards Andrew

Hi EssexJohn, I don't shoot locally as I am pretty new to pigeon shooting and haven't attempted to get any permissions yet. I'd imagine it's quite difficult around here. I go up to North Norfolk quite reqularly to shoot with a guide there. Quite a treck and probbaly expensive but I am hooked on it.

Yes but it's either work or shooting. As I am a relative novice I would still rather spend time sitting in a windy field than going to work!

So much for the wind making the birds decoy more easily! Up intill Tuesday I have never shot on a windy day and the bags have been relatively small (although still enjoyable). On Tuesday it was blowing a gale. So much so that my brand new hide kept on blowing down, the rotary kept on getting the arms blown off (or the pigeons ripped off) and the shell decoys were blown off of their stands and blown half way across the field. Ended up with 10 from 50 shots including my first right and left but it was hard work. What are the tips when the wind is that strong? Andrew

Went out on Friday. Not ideal conditions, murky all day, very cold and no or only light breeze. Had two rotaries on the go, one with a speed controller and the other not. I set the speed to about 70%. Some birds were decoying in OK. However towards the end of the day the battery on the rotary without the speed controller was failing and the result was that the arms were hardly turning. Low and behold birds decoyed into to this rotary far more readily, ignoring the other that was still turning at a pace. Was this a coincidence?

I am relatively new to pigeon shooting having been four times in the past four months although I have been shooting clays for coming on two years and I have a couple of questions. 1) I fear I am addicted. I haven't shot since 23 December and my next trip isn't until 3 February. Now I can't concentrate at work thinking about it. Is there a cure? 2) Does anybody know of any guides in the Essex/Herts area. I have previosuly been shooting with a nice chap, Bob Laidlaw of shootinginnorfolk.com. I am happy with his service (and will probably shhot with him ocassionaly) but it's a bit of a trek. I don't get the time to solicite any shooting rights of my own and also haven't invested yet in decoying equipment. Hence the need for a guide, preferably more local. Andrew