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indio

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  1. Thanks to all that replied with their comments and suggestions
  2. I have posted a query in the general shooting matters forum regarding crows and am grateful for the replies members have given me. One of which was that all birds are protected in the UK and that to shoot any of them may cause problems with either the RSPCA or the RSPB should neighbours complain ( crows are a pain that are nesting in a large tree just outside my property fence). My confusion is that if all birds are protected , why is it that we can shoot pigeon/rook/crows on farmland. Can someone please clarify? thanks
  3. Can I please have the benefit of your collective knowledge in dealing with crows. I don't want to attract them I want to send them packing. The problem is at the bottom of my garden (outside my boundary ) there is a tall tree that is on ground that is being developed for housing. I have checked with the local F.O. who has said I can shoot them with a silenced air rifle ( I have licensed shotguns but live on an estate) providing I get the developers permission BUT in the event I don't get said permission, how can I get rid of them as they are making a mess everywhere (washing. patio, car etc). I have bought a plastic owl and a plastic bird of prey with rotating heads (wind driven) as I read somewhere they discourage crows. is that the case? Where do I position them and should I use 1 or the other or both together? your thoughts / comments please
  4. I can't get the hang of posting vids/pics so I will try and set the scene with words. In my back garden, adjacent to open fields the following happens twice a day. Two wood pigeons arrive within a minute or two of each other. They then seem to walk a couple of feet in either direction parallel to each other about a foot and a half apart mirroring each others actions. After a couple of minutes of this one or the other tries to either mount the other ( both try the mounting not just one) which results in them battering each other with their wings. After another couple of minutes they repeat the battering again. Finally one or the other will place it's beak on the ground facing the other with it's rear in the air and the tail feathers fanned out similar to the way a peacock does. They disappear in slightly different directions and appear later in the day to repeat the performance. What's it all about .......male dominance of the other? Answers / ideas please.
  5. bought some plastic shell decoys ( not flocked) and they do shine a bit when wet. little bit of time and a couple of matt paint sample pots from your local diy store sorts the problem nicely. can get the birds in , just can't hit the *********
  6. Bought several items from A1 in Bristol. Only good things to say about their service and quality. Someone has mentioned that their shell decoys are a bit shiny (especially when wet) but that is easily rectified with some matt grey paint from any diy store ( buy the sample pots/tubes and they take little time) if you're going to buy netting , get the 2/3/ply stuff. The "clear view" is exactly that and as easily as you can see out, you can see in. It is useful inside the ply netting to give you a 6 inch viewing capability to see birds approach though. good luck
  7. That price seems very high . I'm sure I only paid about £30 for a dozen from my local gun-shop. Check out similar items on A1 or similar. There is also a gent on here who supplies stuff
  8. Should get you off to a decent start and if you're carrying it that'll be enough by the end of the day especially if you are lucky enough to bring back some pigeons. The bucket seat will prove worth it as standing all morning or afternoon is tiring in itself but can also make you move about more than if you can just sit still. The bucket seat is also quite spacious and you should get a lot of what you need in it ( flask/cartridges/some decoys/net etc) but I would recommend getting a big bag which can take the bucket seat and all your other kit (just the way that I do it but others may have their own ideas and advice) As rimotu66 has said above , don't forget a big bag full of patience and take enough sense of humour with you to last all day. good luck
  9. Good morning , sorry I can't answer your question about local supplier as I'm in Kent but I would suggest that by the time wait for a reply with the name / address of someone local you could have it delivered by A1 ( normally within 24/26 hours). I've bought a net and other stuff from them and the service, price and quality has been good. ( just my personal opinion). I think they have a good name if you look at other posts re kit they supply. good luck
  10. Good Morning took up pigeon shooting about 18 months or so ago so still very much a novice myself ( had previous shooting experience in "rough shooting"). These are just my ideas and if it helps then you're welcome I got a basic starter set from A! decoys and bits and pieces from my local gun dealer. The stuff I got to start with was: stealth net and 4 hide poles ( get the poles with the "kicker-plate" for use in hard ground) A1's sets are good and delivery service good 12 plastic shell decoys . These are a bit shiny so when you get them paint them yourself with a matt grey paint ( you can get tester pots at any DIY store cheaply) 12 tent pegs to secure your poles and net on a windy day and stop your hide blowing all over the place ( you can cut pegs from a hedge but metal pegs go into hard ground easier) some green para cord so you can make guy ropes to help hold you poles steady (use with tent pegs) some form of camo head covering.....can be a baseball style cap , a bush hat , an all in one face veil and head covering .....choice is yours a swivel bucket type seat ( the one I got was a Jack Pike one) it's useful to put cartridges/flask/tent pegs/ sarnies/ etc etc in a big bag to put your kit in ( the one I got was a Jack pike one) thermal underwear if your shooting in winter ( you have to sit very still in a hide ) tea tree oil if your shooting in summer ( keeps the gnats/mozzies away) I have to carry my gear to where I shoot so the above is enough by the time you add cartridges/gun etc This lot will get you started for not a lot of money. If you enjoy it (and it isn't everyone's cup of tea) you can later add things like flappers and magnets and who knows what else You don't say if you have shot before so remember : what you take out ....you bring back and I don't mean just kit so make sure you don't leave empty cartridges / food wrappers / drink cans/bottles / fag packets etc behind The last thing you need ,which you can't buy, is a sense of humour. You will need it ! good luck and kind regards
  11. Wouldn't want to criticise your Dad or his friends but you might want to ask them to give you a bit more time to get your shot in without putting you under pressure. Is it practical to get out on your own a few times without the feeling of someone breathing down your neck ? from the other replies you might want to consider "upping" your cartridges to a 6 with a slightly heavier load ( discussing cartridges on here is like putting a match in a box of fireworks as everyone has their own opinions and experiences) Keep at it , act on the advice you get from others on here that you think is relevant to you, don't be afraid to ask more questions on here (there are only 1 or 2 that might take the p but the vast majority will offer help ) Good Luck
  12. Can't offer you as much advice as the much more experienced guns on here can, but if it helps you might want to check some of the following bits and pieces. Have you done any other types of shooting? Have you an idea of the range at which you are trying to hit the bird? Are you using the right cartridges ? ( lots of info on here about peoples preferences ) Are you a bit too keen to take your shot (ie bird on the edge of your range)? Are you "snatching" at your shot ( ie jerking trigger instead of squeezing ) ? Are you following the bird when you've pulled the trigger ( ie keeping your swing going)? Some people would advocate bum, beak, bang as a way to get on and follow your bird. Are you using one eye or two ? I used one eye for ages and missed loads then tried both eyes open after advice from this site. As others have said, pigeons are one of the most acrobatic birds , especially after spotting you or the first shot at them. BUT don't give up keep practising, nobody is born a perfect shot and remember to keep a sense of humour kind regards
  13. thanks to all for your thoughts and advice. kind regards
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