Swanky Doodle Pigeon

Shot 10 decoying in Wilts in 2 hours on Monday. Was quite pleased as I forgot my whirly battery. Total 2347

2 more over rape in a spare hour yesterday. Total 3338.

5 over rape yesterday. Total 3308.

11 Yesterday over rape. New Total 2749.

Try www.guntrader.co.uk

Tadley Gun Club shoot on Saturdays - don't have any contact details though. If you don't mind Sundays try Grazeley Shooting Club - they are listed on the BASC Go Shooting website. Also you could also try the Hanson Shooting Club in Theale who shoot on alternate Sundays with Grazeley.

I've got a Hi-Viz which is magnetic. The magnet is quite powerful and there's no way it'll come off. I take it off though when the gun goes in the cabinet. I don't think it's a question of looking at the barrel as it only helps you see the bead with your peripheral vision. I'd recommend it if your confidence drops and you feel you need something to get you back on the bird. It helped me no end.

Have found a suitable charger at Maplin (£15).

I'm glad you posted this Jon. I've just brought one of Andy's too, and I wondered about what to do wth the supports. I thought they may have been soldered so was thinking I'd just resolder them into position. But if as you say it's a weld we can just bend 'em into place. I had 4 hours freezing my nuts off sitting in a hide in Hampshire last week and I only drew in two pigeons. I got the 2nd one and never fired another cartridge. I'll try it out next week hopefully. P.S. Can you charge the battery up with a normal car battery charger? Matt

I big 1 for me on Thursday 2269

I had epi-Lasek in Feb 2006 after wearing glasses for 18 years (I'm 38). It was the best money I've ever spent. I was only -1.75 and -1.5 however I can't stand wearing glasses and my eyes get too dry wearing contacts for anything longer than agame of 5-a-side. But the worst thing - the very very worst thing about wearing glasses is when you go in the pub on a cold night, they steam up when you walk in the door and everybody laughs.:-) In epi-Lasek they don't actually slice your cornea as in Lasik. They put alcohol on which softens the cornea before laser treatment. The whole things takes 15 minutes. It is more painful and has a longer recovery period (about a week but you can see OK after 24 hours). Aparrently the cornea never properly heals from lasik treatment so they recommend epi-lasek for people who play contact sports or are in the armed forces or police. I can undertand being wary though. I'd been thinking about getting this done for years and waiting for a new proceedure or breakthrough. But at the end of the day I realised people (including me) will always be paranoid about their sight and if I didn't do it now I probably never would. My eyesight is still perfect. I get no proglems with night vision. It's just like being 15 again. I would recommend going somewhere like Ultralase as they map your eyes for free as part of the consultation before you decide to go ahead. Optimax are very good but they charge you £60 for the mapping (in 2006 anyway) before they find out whether you are suitable or not. Ultralase have an online forum which was very helpful to me when I was investigating the proceedures. Matt

I used coach screws into timber joists. I think they were about 3 inches. I've got the same cabinet as you by the way. I drilled 2 more holes in the top also for further fixings to make sure.

Mine's not very exiciting either. From my wife's Sony Ericson at High Lodge. I got the pair tho'.

I've always used Gamebore White Gold XLR 28g #8 too, until just after Xmas when I bought 250 Eley 1sts (7.5). It was the worst month of my shooting Career. I'm sure it's just in my head but nevertheless I wont buy any more. I still have a 25 left and have written "Jonahs" on the box. I'm back to my lovely familiar XLR's and I'm all better now. Matt P.S. £33.75 for 250 from Scats.

Scatts do Clear Pigeons in Basingstoke and Newbury. I think there's a Scatts in your neck of the woods Lymington way. May be worth a try.

I had a similar problem. My FEO advised me to use coach screws to fix my safe to joists in the loft. You would need to destroy half the house to get the safe out. I guess this could be differenct in your area though. Best bet is to ask your FEO directly.

Banana and Crisp Sarnies (Salt & Vinegar of course).

It's been posted before - you may be interested in this link. http://www.shotgun-insight.com/intro.html

Yup. I went on Sunday. Was a bit of a wash out weather wise but still a good turn out none-the-less. I was only there for about 3 hours but managed to get around everything. If it wasn't raining so much I'd have stayed longer and had a sit down with some grub and a pint. I missed the Axemen display but there an excellent long netting display which I really enjoyed. There was a really good lurcher racing competition too where they simulate hare coursing. I counted at least 3 arenas working simultaneously. I looked in on the clay shooting but moved on pretty quick as I get enough of that anyway. It had all the usual clothing, gunmakers, food, fishing, working dog stalls etc. Seemed to be lots of falconry stuff this year.

These are washing line poles. They are telescopic & made of steel. The outer part is Green and the inner is bare metal. There is no spike either so you will need to modify them slightly - I just squashed the ends in a vice. Some people put bolts through them as kick plates. I also have some electric fence posts from Scats which are good if you a planning to stay sat down. If I had £40 spare though I'd probably go for the proper jobs.

I reckon mine are probably from the same place. See link.. http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/ishop/853/shopscr483.html

Gamebore clear pigeon from SCATS also.

oops. Hangover. I'll try 'em next week.

Pan fried with garlic is best. I made a couple of game pies a few weeks ago and the pigeon bits turned out very tough though.

I've got a camo bucket with a swivel top. I feel a bit silly but it's dead handy if a bit on the low side.