Axel

This is a bargain, no wonder it was picked up so quickly. Garages want the earth for Fourtracks, so thank goodness for private sellers. I'm in the process of trying to sell my 2 cars, X-reg Felicia Estate and Y-reg SWB Landy to then go for a Fourtrack as I'm retiring soon and cant run 2 vehicles, so wish me luck. Cheers to all, Axel.

Fine for rabbits etc but I find them less useful on a flapping pigeon but thats just me perhaps? Cheers, Axel.

Great idea! I'm going to our local tool shop next week, I'll pick up a pair. Brilliant! Thanks again, Axel.

Do you know the 'helicopter move' Axel? LB You mean holding the bird between thumb and two fingers and spinning round once or twice? Yes, thats what I do now but it does leave the odd head in your hands sometimes. Cheers anyway, Axel.

Hi pigeon shooters. Does anyone know where I can get the plier type of humane killer. Not a priest but the plier type, which dont quite close but do enough to kill the bird. The only source I've found wanted nearly £30 for them, too much. Please, no lectures on how I should be able to do it by hand if you dont mind. Good shooting, Axel. FEEDBACK; Thanks to everybody, what a great site this is. The round crimpers seems to be a good option but thanks for all your suggestions. Axel.

Have a look at the ukshootwarehouse.co.uk website. There's a section at the bottom of the menu on the left that shows various patterns to get you started. I'd say a Magnet is of a definate benefit on Rape!! You NEED some movement to convince the *******......lets face it if you were a pigeon flying over a field would you want to come down to 15 plastic shells or would you prefer not to risk being blasted to bits and carry on flying as you can see (what you think to be) real live birds moving in the distance? I think I know what your answer would be....... EDIT: More recently we've been using two Magnets on Rape and this seems to work a treat....had a very good success rate with this method. Place two magnets 30 yard apart (one left one right) and a decoy pattern set up in between.....fantastic! Cheers, will give it a go. When funds allow, will get a magnet from you. Axel.

Hi Will, that sounds a great offer. Can I ask your advise please? I've got plenty of land over this way but I'm not having much luck on the OSR despite doing 2-3 recce's before setting up with 15+ shell decoys. I've never thought about using a magnet but you seem to be saying that they are essential over OSR, yes? Where would I put one, in relation to the decoy pattern? I've got 400+ this year in dribs and drabs using decoys but maybe I need to splash out a bit. Cheers, Axel (Cambs)

Dont know what they're feeding on here as I havent got one for a while! The OSR fields do have patches of damaged crop but figuring out where to set up at this time of year is as difficult as always. Also, a local top pigeon shooter, who shoots the same ground I do, recently got 500+ here, so there's not as many around as before. Think I'll try some roosting soon (in none game shooting woods of course). Good shooting, Axel.

Landy now sold, thanks for your interest. Axel. Now looking for a garage that will take my X-reg Felicia Estate in part-x for a sound Fourtrack, wish me luck!!

Now Sold, thanks.

* NOW SOLD* 11/05 Any-one looking for a nice left-hand gun? ie one with 'cast-on' to suit a left-hander. Its a Yeoman side by side NE, game borings, 28" barrels, oiled stock and standard length. Its just been serviced by my gunsmith ie action cleaned & olied, triggers re-set to spec, barrels lightly skimmed etc. You wont get a better quality gun at this price (ask any gunsmith). To at least cover my gunsmith costs I've got to ask £150 ono. I'm off line for a few days but if you're interested, do please leave a message. Good shooting, Axel.

22/7/05; Update to previous; Think I've found a 12-bore SB locally but I've still got the 20-bore SB for sale if anyone is interested? An AYA Cosmos, clean and tight ie no pits, dents or splits and colour good etc, about 1/4 choke, 27+" barrel, stock about 14"+. Perfect beginners gun, or as a 20-bore spare. I'm going over completely to 12-bores so selling this gun (which got me 400 pigeons last year!). I will throw some shells as well and a slip if required. Buyer will have to collect of course (Cambs) but a bargain of a gun at £70 or vno. Good shooting! Clipper.

Not here yet (Cambs) but it wont be long. I did get a useful bag yesterday (25+) shooting over some laid OSR though. I used one route onto the laid area and didnt even try to pick up those birds which fell into the standing crop (I didnt want to cause damage, plus its hell to walk through). Most of their crops were full of cerial kernels so I need to find out from where. Good shooting, Clipper.

Yes, as others have already said, you are covered for field work with the CPSA. I used to be in the BASC but didnt always agree with some of the things they did, so got cover with the CPSA, through their Clubman category, £21.50 pa (a lot cheaper than the BASC). Good shooting! Axel

Go for a Yeoman SS. Iv'e got 2 and paid £50 & £60 for them, Good, simple, reliable guns and spares freely available (ask any gunsmith). They normally come with 14 & 1/2" stock and half and full choke but can be bored out if needed (I've got mine Imp Cyl and -half; and half and full). Get a nice tight, clean one and it will last you years! Do try guntrader.co.uk Good Luck, Clipper

I've been thinking about letting my BASC membership lapse as its a bit pricey and I dont always agree with what they are doing. I would never go shooting without insurance, so I've have been looking at the cover offered by both the Countryside Alliance and the National Gamekeepers Organisation. They both offer good cover for what I do (pest control) and are a lot cheaper than the BASC. Has anyone any thoughts on the matter, or alternative solutions? Good shooting, Clipper. PS Took out a Clubman membership of the CPSA (£21.50), which gives me good field insurance. Good shotting.

You're so lucky. You cant go out in this area (Cambs), without falling over other pigeon shooters!! I first shot pigeons in the 60's and it was bliss compared to now. The guns and the shells were much more expensive and our wages were lower but there werent many others about shooting pigeons. On the farms I shoot now (5) there are at least 3/4 others who also have permission, which is great for a chat but not so clever for finding a shootable field. In terms of pigeon numbers, I think they are down a bit. I dont know why but it think it stands to reason that if there are firms going at it 52 weeks of the year, all getting large numbers of pigeons, then it must knock the numbers down eventually surely? Society, or should I say the media and the tame politicians are generally anti-gun, so I fear we are in for a rough few years in terms of getting hammered!! Axel.

Not too many pigeons in evidence in this neck of the woods (south & west of Cambridge City). I'm out 1/2 pw doing recces but apart from some on the peas, there are not that many to be seen. I've got 110 so far this year, on peas or flighting but its been hard work all the way e.g. 8's, 10's, 15's etc. I keep hoping I'll have one really busy day but the pigeons which are still around, seem to be the clever **** which know it doesnt pay to visit the same field too often! Plus, I think many of them are now back in the woods on the buds and florets, so it wont get much better just yet I suspect. Good shooting!! Axel.

I like it and I want one now!! But seriously, is this available in a legal length (24") without the bayonet? Nice tough finish for scrambling around in a hide (I'm always afraid I'll dent my AYA barrels in the hurly burly that sometimes developes in a pigeon hide). Isnt the Saddlery Gunshop off the M25 getting some Mossberg pumps in soon? The only thing missing from this one is a perforated barrel guard that you sometimes see on pics of WW1 'trench brooms' (as they were called). Keep sending em in! Axel.

Thanks for your help and offers ref a cheap 4x4. Update; I put a deposit on a SWB Series 3, petrol last weekend; 12 months MOT, 3 months warranty, late 82 Reg, £1,200, rebuilt engine & gearbox, sound chassis & bulkhead, hard-top, seats in rear, over-drive, tow-bar, in green/white. Should do the business, if not, I'll stick it on here. Thanks again to all, Axel.

If the incoming pigeon has white bars on its neck and wings, shoot it. If it hasnt, leave it alone. An interesting debate but time to move on I suspect. (General comment, not aimed at anybody in particular). I spotted a field of peas covered in pigeons yesterday on my way back from the gunsmith, tracked the farmer down and got permission, so Sat am I'll be out hitting the little ******* with the white bits! Good shotting! Axel

Have you tried here me duk? http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/ works for me WB Yes but none close enough and it too much of a palaver getting it sent to a dealer etc. Thanks anyway. Just noticed your Cambs , not too far away from John Bradshaw (Fotheringhay nr oundle) He has all sorts comming in all the time Only open Friday and saturday but will answer the phone most week days (01832) 226376 WB Got a nice Yeoman from John Bradshaw as suggested for a very good price. It needs a small job doing but that apart, its £60 well spent indeed. Thanks for the tip Rabbit Bosher. Axel.

Have you tried here me duk? http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/ works for me WB Yes but none close enough and it too much of a palaver getting it sent to a dealer etc. Thanks anyway. Just noticed your Cambs , not to far away from John Bradshaw (Fotheringhay nr oundle) He has all sorts comming in all the time Only open Friday and saturday but will answer the phone most week days (01832) 226376 WB Cheers WB, I'll give him a go if the EA Game Fair has nothing. Clipper

Have you tried here me duk? http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/ works for me WB Yes but none close enough and it too much of a palaver getting it sent to a dealer etc. Thanks anyway.

Got one from John Bradshaw as suggested by Rabbit Bosher. Nice clean gun for £60 which only needs one small job doing. Thanks for the tip RB. Axel. PS If buying from the above, do be aware of his policy of no 'refunds' on anything cheap (I think below £200). This is actually in breach of the Trades Describtions Act but that doesnt seem to bother him too much. Just something to be aware of if using him.