Swanky Doodle Pigeon

An electric wire surround from a car battery is very easy to set up on a small coop. This should have been done long before getting an exterminator in.

I've only been using the dark lenses so far for driving and cycling so I can't say as yet. I'll probably use them on Sunday A.M. on the clays.

The purists among you may cringe now... I got some new army surplus ESS ICE glasses for £10. I haven't tried them out claybusting yet but I'm very pleased with the lenses. They come with clear, yellow and dark lenses which take a couple of minutes to change. Apparently they're the same as currently used by UK & US forces in Iraq/Afghanistan which seems like a good endorsement.

Holy Cow. I've just Googled for the Oakleys and there's not much change from £200. I can understand why you don't want to break your lenses. Suddenly the Napiers don't seem quite so expensive. My research continues...

I'll be there on the Sunday. I went last year and I really enjoyed it but then it was the 1st game fair I'd ever been to, and I was shopping for a gun. Brilliant stationery engines on display as I recall if you're into that stuff. And the lumberjack display was great fun to watch while having a cold beer.

This is my first year shooting and due to the sunny weather lately I've found I'm particularly sensitive to a bright sky. My cap is no longer enough to sheild the sun and I need to get some glasses as my eyes end up streaming. I borrowed some Napier glasses on one of the stands last week (with interchangeable lenses) and they were a relevation. My problem is that they retail for over £50 and I'm baulking a little at the outlay. Can any of you guys advise if you think the Napier glasses are worth it or if there are any decent (cheaper)alternatives.

1 shot over rape on Monday on my 2nd ever outing. I saw a couple of flocks a mile or so away but not seeing any flightlines. I'm trying not to get downhearted. :unsure: Total 1545 Going out again next week hopefully.

I've got some of these too, but in Basingstoke they were £2.99 each.

A feeble 1 on Feb 5th on my first ever day. Only four came into the decoys all day but unfortunately in the same 2 seconds. I'm just glad I contributed. Total 563

I contacted Chris via e-mail last year and asked about his decoys (I saw them in the video too). He gave me a price for delivery, which I can't actually remember now but I thought it was too expensive for me. Chris replied that I'd probably be better off catching him at a show as he sells decoys when he does his displays. I think he's doing the Kent show in March this year which I may go along to. It wont hurt to drop him a mail to find out his prices. In fact I saved the mail:-- Dear Matt Thank you very for your kind comments. I do sell my own decoys by mail order. However the Pigeon Floater decoy, is extremely difficult to send by post. The floater rod is too long to send by Royal Mail and therefore I have to arrrange a courier delivery. This in my opinion makes the decoy very expensive £35 + £18 p&p. I tend to only sell them therefore at shows. However if you wish to discuss any of my products I'd be more than happy to speak to you about them on the phone. I will be away in Scotland unti the 23rd November, so any time after this would be good. Hope this is of help. Kind regards Chris Green >Hello, > I really enjoyed watching your DVD. One thing that really caught my >eye was the bouncers and decoys you used. The way they moved in the breeze >was fantastic. I think it was on the laid over barley part. Can I ask, do >you sell these bits of kit? I'm just starting out pigeon shooting and have >been mostly unimpressed with the bouncers and decoys I've seen so far but >yours looked the business. > >Thanks for your help either way. > >P.S. looking forward to Part 2. > >Matt

I have a 687 Silverpigoen SC. I can certainly vouch for them although I'm relatively new to shooting. They are reliable, well balanced and look fantastic. Many here will advise you that it's down to personal preference, and that even though you may agree they look good you may not like the feel of it. So my advice would be to not make your mind up until you've handled a few different guns and hopefully tried a few. If you can afford to go for a Berreta make sure you at least try a Browning as well.

The Frost Clippers with the black rubberised handle and the red bits on the end are superb. These are carbon steel and come with a scandi grind so are very easy to sharpen with a flat waterstone. The only draw back is that they only have a half tang so you should go easy if your prising. Having said that I've seen photos of someone hammering one of these into a tree and stand on the handle so they are very strong. I've gutted rabbits, squirells and pheasants with mine and it's perfect for the job. They're normally around £10-£12. P.S. Yes I confess I'm one of those bushcraft nutters too. About the cheapest I can find. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Frosts-Clipper-Bushc...7QQcmdZViewItem

The Happy Valley website looks pretty good. My lessons were at Howard Lindsay in Hants - A little more than 45 mins from Reading though: http://www.howardlindsay.co.uk/index.php?page_id=100014 It's £40 for an hours lesson. I had 3 lessons at Howard Lindsay before I joined the club at Grazeley just down the road from Reading. I've only been clay shooting half a dozen times, but one thing I have noticed is that everyone is very welcoming and willing to help with your shooting. My advice would be to get your lessons in and make sure your safe. At most small clubs I would imagine you'll need to have your own gun but at Howard Lindsay the website states they'll lend you one for a tenner. Also there a nice Go Shooting site which is part of the BASC site where you can search for shooting: http://www.basc.org.uk/content/shoot_searc...e&submit=go It's where I found out about Grazeley. Happy hunting...

A got in touch with a local gunsmith through the Guntrader site that gave me a good deal. Worth checking it out before you buy, as new prices can be more different than you might think.

I'm with you on the poles. I use the plastic electric fence poles from scats. 5 for a tenner. I know the adjustable ones are really good but I can't afford forty quid plus.

Howard Lindsay in Medstead is very good too. I has a couple of lessons there. They were on the web too but I can't get on their site tonight.

Just read the bumf. It enables the shooter to break the gun so they can move between stands more easily than with traditional semis, and also to have a second shot that is more consistant with the 1st . ie coming from the same barrel. Sounds reasonable. Could this be a revolution in the making?

Mine was branded as a 687sc FC by the gunsmith I bought it from. I can't see any difference in the beretta adverts in the shooting press apart from the superior woodwork. My stock is comparable to those I've seen on much more expensive guns. Maybe we just got lucky.

I met the easy hit people a the game fair and watched a demo. The beads are £30. I didn't have a go at the time as I was weighed down by new kit but I kind of wish I did. Link http://www.easyhit.co.uk/

I'll be there on the Saturday. Maybe the Sunday too if I don't get around everything. Of course I'll be checking the beer tent out at least by midday. Ringwood Best is a proper local pint. Mmmm can't wait.

There's a review on the Trulock and Harris website that also mentions problems with the ejectors. It may even be part of the Sporting Gun review although it doesn't have the input from some previous owners.

I seem to remember Sporting Gun Magazine did a used gun write up on it in something like March or April last year. It said look out for cracked ejectors and hairline cracks in the stock amongst other things. I think one of the reviewers said it was the worst gun he'd ever bought as every time he used it something went wrong. Another reviewer said he'd used his for years and never had a problem. Sounds like there are good uns about but on the other hand there could be a few lemons aswell. Quality control an issue perhaps?

Charlie pre-haircut

I use scandi grind knives with a flat bevel. For me the best stones to use at home are Japanese water stones. 800-1200 grit for general sharpening and 6000 grit to get a nice finish and then strop. You can buy double sided stones so it's not too expensive. In the field I use a Fallkniven DC4 whetstone (diamond on one side and ceramic on the other). I also have a pocket skinner with a convex grind. For this I use wet 'n dry paper on a mouse mat.

Beretta 687 SC 30" for Clays and Game. Yet to be christened however.