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Thanks JDog that explains that.

Thanks to all that replied with their comments and suggestions

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

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

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.

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 *********

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

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

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

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

Cheers TC.

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

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

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

thanks to all for your thoughts and advice. kind regards

thanks for your reply and time. Superb looking guns ! kind regards

Thanks for all you replies Gents. Very interesting. kind regards to all

Good Day All, just wondered what experienced shooters thought of the 16 bore versus a 12 bore. The usage would be for general shooting opportunities , (rough shooting, pigeon decoying and roost shooting). interested to hear of other people's experiences kind regards

When I first moved to the country I bought a Mascot waxed coat, lasted about 10/11 years until it " shrunk " or as others have honestly said I got bigger, replaced it with another again lasted 10/11 years ....warm / dry didn't tear plenty of pocket space etc, went to buy a third about 2 years ago and was told they were no longer being made (if anyone knows different PLEASE let me know). Said to the man in the shop "I've had 2 in the last 20 odd years great coats " He said " Yeah that's why they stopped making them ,company went broke" I expect someone will post what's the point of posting about a coat you can't buy anymore BUT maybe someone knows where you can still get one kind regards

Thanks for you reply. kind regards

I'm probably posting this in the wrong section but, has anyone used in the past or is currently using a cartridge by the brand of Yellow Wizard? I remember my ol' Dad telling me that he had used them a long time ago and was wondering : 1/ are they still made ? 2/ what other people may think of them? kind regards

Just wondered what people's thoughts were about a 16 bore. I found a side by side 16 to be a very practical gun for both rough shooting and pigeon decoying. It seems to have plenty of oomph but is a lot lighter than my side by side 12 bore and after a day in the field it doesn't seem a burden. Can't comment on a 20 bore as I have never used one. kind regards

I cant' comment on the effectiveness of the "socks" as I haven't got any , but there are plenty of helpful people on here who can tell you their opinions. I started with and still use the plastic shells ( for ease of carrying) and found that when they got wet that they were a bit shiny on brighter days BUT I did find that with a little time and very little effort that was easily overcome. Pop into your local diy store and get some of the little sample pots of paint ( normally on offer at silly cheap prices) and get some matt grey , bright matt white and matt black and you can paint your decoys so they are non shiny. Doesn't take very long and you have solved the problem . As with all my comments, it's only my opinion and what I've found works for me. kind regards

Most people will have their own opinions , but if it is of any help to you, I bought a stealth ghost net from A1 and have found it to be very effective and good value for money. Their service was good and delivery was quick. Don't be tempted to buy just a clear view net as they are exactly that. Surprisingly enough just as you can see out through them clearly so can your prey see in. I have a clear view net which I use in conjunction with the stealth net and I use that on the inside and set about 6 inches higher than the stealth one so that you can see birds approaching. Remember that it isn't just about not being seen but also about your movement within your hide. I also found that some form of face/head covering was of significance too. Just my observations, others have vastly more experience than me. Good luck.

Be interesting to hear how you got on. I have fields around me that have been left with wheat stubble that have been a disappointment since they were cut. There were no signs of many birds on them even immediately after they were cut. The fields are going to be left as they are until spring. The largest number I have seen on them is probably no more than 15 to 20 birds at any one time and they were on (and often are on) an area approximately 100 yds in front of the farmers house which he doesn't want anyone near (understandably). Winter looks like it will be a lean time this year as there is hardly any rape and what has been sown is already9/10 inches high. The nearest woodland (which has beech and oak) is pronounced out of bounds by the keeper until the pheasant season is over. I did waste one afternoon ( 1.30/4.00pm) trying to decoy the wheat stubble and despite setting up close to a flight line only had 2 shots all afternoon. Good Luck !