Fellside

Golden leg ….?! Amazing. As for the one legged bird - you want you’re money back for that one….😁

I’ve seen a lot of variation - but never one that pale (pic above) or a beak that short. Great woodcock season this year BTW. Hope you’re enjoying success also.

The ‘Woodcock Watch’ team reported capturing one in 2019. Certainly not common. Bet it tastes like any other….😁

I have found pigeons in this condition a few times over decades. I don’t think it is bird flu. If they were bird flu cases, with partial paralysis, and being flightless, they wouldn’t have been up in a tree. Just my two penneth.

Leucistic or ‘golden woodcock’. Some nice info about these in a GWCT article. Haven’t seen one personally, but great to see your pic.

Hi everycal, Sorry I don’t have the stock you need, but hope the following info helps. From experience an 8 year old would definitely need a 410 - as at that age any more gun really pulls their arms down. A Yildiz youth 410 multichoke is a cracking little gun, 26” barrels set up with the most open chokes possible. BTW you’d be amazed at what these little guns can do - the modern cartridge developments help. Great that your boy is interested!

I see - thank you for explaining Red696. Yes increased legislation is certainly a growing threat. However, most sports are significantly threatened by computer games also. At least this is what I’m told by various sports coaches. A double whammy you might say. I know one thing for sure though (as Konor notes), once people are given a chance to access shooting, they are invariably enthusiastic to return. Overcoming the perceived (or actual) barriers is key.

I think you must be referring to me here Red696. You may well be hacked off with a certain lead issue - but who on earth said the sport is being phased out for future generations? Shooting (and many other outdoor pursuits) is more under threat from screen based games than your tangential doom prophecy. Hope you “get jolly over some volunteering days” as you put it. You may develop a more informed stance if you do.

You wouldn’t be seeing it that way if you witnessed what it takes to organise, safety assess, run and pay for a youth coaching event. Volunteering isn’t ‘free labour’, it’s putting your shoulder to the wheel and making a difference. You would find it difficult to achieve it off your own bat - not least of all due to the cost. BASC and/or other shooting org’s therefore become key. BTW Who are these shareholders (champagne quaffing or otherwise)?

Yes you’re right - they won’t. I had presumed you’d bought a thousand. I’ve been in your situation before re discovering disappointing cart’s - and returned nearly 1,000. Long story, but they used a bad batch of powder - blooped and fizzed. They weren’t Gamebore. The ‘Italian jobs’ are great (Fiocchi FBlue) as mentioned.

Quite clearly BASC weren’t selling membership to first time Scout clay shooters - and yes BASC pay rolled employees were strongly present. They organise and run the days - many of which are on weekends. I can detect that you are new to clays and possibly shotgunning also. Welcome to the world of clay shooting BTW. It’s a great learning journey and I hope you are enjoying it. RE air gunning, BASC have done a great deal to support this area of our sport also. I may be a shot gunner, but I’ve never forgotten my air rifle routes. I still use a couple of air rifles too - which I share with my children. Wouldn’t part with my air rifles. With respect Red696 you may not be that familiar with BASC’s work. I can understand to a certain extent the lead debate angle, but you may be too willing to assume that BASC haven’t made a lot of great gains. How about volunteering to help their staff put on a kids clay shooting event? Most children love clay (and often game) shooting, but find access just about impossible. They, and more often their parents, often just don’t know where to start. marvellous 👍

As an aside from the lead debate - I would respectfully disagree re BASC ripping off its customers. You only have to get involved with the youth coaching side and you will see massive gains, almost entirely funded by BASC. When you witness a child grinning from ear to ear after smashing their first clay……..?! Imagine this scene playing out thousands of times a year up and down the country, and you may have an idea of how big a program this is. For example, at last year’s Scout jamboree, they coached over 1,700 children in a week! That was only one event out of many. I can understand disgruntlement re the lead issue (although decency and respect seem to be lacking at times), however I don’t see a great deal ripping off to be fair.

Re the TT1 cart’ mentioned above, I have been informed that these have been sieved/sorted only once, hence the number 1 being used. The Italians tend to be really honest about their budget cart’s. However, when you buy a premium cart’ (per White Gold) you should expect quality graded shot. Just return them - as they just don’t live up to their product claims. P.S I use Fiocchi FBlues a lot these days - great cart’.

I think the most sensible suggestion above is - walk away. If it’s been ‘worked on’ then an experienced gun smith would have to inspect and rubber stamp so to speak. Please don’t take this the wrong way but you don’t have the experience/knowledge to assess for safety yourself. There are so many decent inexpensive semi-autos out there, steel proofed, multi chokes and 3” chambered - all the bells and whistles. Some also have shims for fitting. You can often try out one or two used ones at shooting grounds….just a thought….?

A little tip. Buy Italian 7 1/2 clay loads with 2.4 mm shot. It is actually a UK 7 and brilliant for pigeons (and crows). As for shot size 6 and above……. yes the price difference is highly questionable. Manufacturing volumes may excuse a £10 or £20 increase, but not £100 and more.

The OP may want bangers to use in conjunction with shooting. During the summer I tried to buy bangers to stop pigeons settling a few fields away from where I was shooting. I couldn’t buy them anywhere. I tried all the usual farm supply stores and more. I’m sure if he needs a person to make loud bangs - which cause pigeons to tumble from the sky - invitations will follow………?!

I have to say well done Hantsrob (!!) for making such an effort - and finding out what shooting real birds is all about. It sounds like you had some good shooting and excellent guidance. Enjoyed the write up.

Hi Steve, Can only speak for myself - I didn’t see it as a complaint, just a price enquiry. It’s been quite useful to see what other people are paying. Good luck.

I was quoted £50 for RFD transfer. So we’ve established that the cost (so far) ranges from £25 to £50 with £37.50 being in the middle. I would say that £45 isn’t hugely over the top….. and greatly cheaper than burning time and fuel on the road. There’s my two penneth ….. if it’s any use.

In direct answer to the OP - no I haven’t tried those loads. However two regular shooting pals have converted to steel in 20 bore (one using Eley, the other Express) and report not noticing any difference from lead. I have witnessed them killing some decent high stuff. I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

Merry Christmas Conor 🎄

I think you may have quoted me out of context harkom. I was never in favour of silencing any debate, but moreover having a better standard of debate, which shows us in a better light. My suggestion was to engage in the more heated stuff privately. I agree with you that a ‘frank and open discussion’ re members views is always beneficial.

OK Rewulf, I appreciate the points you make. Happy hunting and have a great Christmas.

You’re correct in that it’s a minority - however some of this minority have considerable influence and following. Ask yourself the question: will they be pleased with this infighting debacle (and make the most of it) or pretend not to notice? The Pigeon Watch moderators appear not to guard reputational interest. A few thousand more views on a hot topic will increase add revenue. That’s just a platform reality these days. However we could all do a better job in having these discussions more privately. Or just agree to disagree more respectfully. Alright…alright…. I may have gone too far there in my last sentence….. 🙂.

Its hard to stop and look around if you’re still in the heat of the argument. Also, everyone in the brawl always says it’s the other chap’s fault. Still not a great look for those witnessing however. I’m not honestly sure what percentages of non shooting onlookers we have and I don’t know of any empirical data re their opinions. I only know that they do look in - probably more than we imagine.