GunFire

Gun in excellent condition. Delivered to my door! Brilliant, thanks.

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I too am new to pigeon shooting. I went up to my permission at 11am to find that the rape stubble had been disced. I thought about going straight home because there weren't any birds about but as I had made the effort to get there I decided to give it a go for an hour. I put out 12 decoys and within minutes the birds were coming in. I bagged 30 in two and a half hours! That's my biggest bag yet. Didn't expect much from the disced rape but I had a great couple of hours. I'll definitely be trying it again soon.

All good, cheers Kev.

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Hi, New to pigeon shooting. Before I splash out on top quality decoying equipment, just wondered if anyone out there had any cheap or dare I say "free" camo netting that you no-longer wanted. I only have one small permission so really don't want to go crazy on expensive kit. Stafford, Staffs area.Cheers

Well, missed the first feed this morning. Didn't get to the field til 9am. Sat there for 3 hours but not one bird landed on the rape. A few birds skirted the edge of the field but no large flocks that I have seen there before. Just one of those days I suppose. I spoke to the farmer and he had fertilized the field the day before, don't know if this might have had anything to do with the lack of birds in the area? I'll keep trying anyway!

Thanks for the input. Guess I need to do a bit more reconnaissance, see what they're up to. I should have said in the original post that there are no woods on the permission. There are however a number of large trees that the pigeons like to land in before they drop down to feed. There's a couple of good areas to hide in the field but I think I'm going to invest in some cammo netting. Is the stealth ghost stuff good for 25 quid or should I try to find some cheapo secondhand stuff?

Tomorrow I'm going out to a new permission. It's 40 acres of rape. The birds are feeding in large flocks but tend to move away once disturbed. Obviously I can't be in more than one place at a time so I find that I'm best sitting under a flightline into the field. I have a young family and work commitments so often can't spend the whole day watching the flightlines and behavior of the birds. My question is, if you could only go shooting for half of the day. Would you go early, first light? Or late as they head back to roost? I'm new to pigeon shooting. This is my first permission and I have only got the very basic gear. 12 full body decoys, some dark clothing, a 12g shotgun and some carts. I've learnt a lot off you guys already but hope u can assist ne further? Cheers

Just got back. It was windy to say the least. The pigeons were a bit nervous around the decoys. A few came it to have a look but there wasn't a great deal of opportunity to shoot. Most of the birds seemed to be passing, not stopping to feed. Anyway, had a good time and came away with one pigeon so I'm happy with that.

Hello, Off out to shoot my new permission tomorrow. I'm new to pigeon shooting and just wondered if winds of 25mph + would be suited to the birds or if they might stay in their roost? I went out last week in winds of around 15mph and saw plenty of birds feeding on the rape but didn't hit a blimmin thing! I'll get my eye in soon I hope.

Good to deal with you. Cheers pal.

It took 4 months for my initial cert to come through which I received a few months ago. I am also in Staffordshire. I heard that waiting times were now around 6 months.

I'm in Stafford, Staffordshire. Anyone know how much for the Midland game fair on the door?

Nice one. Great feeling eh? I'm also in Staffordshire and it took 4 months too.

Thanks for the input guys. I held off buying the gun for now as I do feel it's a little expensive. I keep thinking about it though. It did fit nicely and I did shoot well with it. I know I can find the same gun cheaper elsewhere but might not be able to "try before u buy". Thanks again

I'm in the market for my first gun. I've seen a lovely S/H 686e with black action. It's £1250 in great condition. I've shot 25 carts through it and it fits quite nicely. At £1250 it's pushing my budget but I do like it a lot. I am a newbie so I still need the basic kit such as gun slip, eye protection, cleaning kit etc. The gun is at a gun shop and the bonus with that is that they have agreed to throw in the extras for free. I know I could find the gun cheaper online but I wouldn't get the extra kit. Is this a good first purchase or am I barking up the wrong tree? Advise appriciated please!

Thanks for your support guys. I have definitely got the bug. I realise now that those tuition fees were actualy very reasonable! I intend to keep on with the lessons and I have a few friends that shoot so i will try to get some practice with them. I'm about 30 mins from both Doveridge and West Midlands Shooting Ground and I believe both grounds will let you try their second hand guns before you buy? I deffo need to get my hands on some different guns before I buy my own. Thanks again

So yesterday I went for my first clay shooting lesson. What can I say, it was brilliant. I went over to shugborough/oakedge and had my lesson with Brian Goring. I'd shot before on stag do's and stuff like that but it had been a long time since I'd even touched a shotgun. Brian put me at ease and had a very good teaching style. I felt comfortable and confident. I payed £65 for about an hour and a half and 100 carts. At £65 I didn't feel that it was cheap but after the lesson I came away thinking that it was worth every penny! To top off my morning, I came home from the shooting ground and my shotgun certificate had come through the letter box! My first shotgun is calling me! Just thought that I'd share that with u all because I'd had such a positive experience. I'd recommend Brian and Oakedge to anyone.

Did anyone go to the open day at doveridge today? Any good? I was put off by yesterdays weather.Haven't yet recieved my SGC so thought it might be a little frustrating looking at all those new guns but unable to purchase!

Hi, I'm near to sunny Stafford

Morning all, Been watching the forum for a couple of weeks now so thought it's time to jump on board! I have owned air rifles in the past but I'm new to the world of shotguns. I've been bitten by the bug after going to corporate clay shoots and stag do's. I sent for my shotgun grant and the FEO visited earlier this week. Hoping for my certificate to drop through the letter box very shortly! I live in Staffordshire and hope to visit some local clay shoots soon. I will be looking to get a couple of lessons and then start the exciting search for my first gun! I have a budget of around £1000 and advise would be greatly appriciated. Cheers guys