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So just the other day I received a call from a friend inviting me to go pigeon shooting with him after the farmer had called him saying there were too many pigeons around. He always comments on how he shoots and 100+ bags each time he goes out so after arranging a time and day I took him up on the offer. On the way to the ground he said he always buys the gamekeeper a drink to keep him sweet which I thought was fair enough. After a day in the hide with him and only 30 pigeons later we packed up and went to see the keeper. After a bit of chit chat my mate took his wallet out and gave the keeper some money before we bid our farewell. On the drive back he states that he’s given the keeper £100 so I now owe him £50. I was absolutely fine for buying the keeper a drink - I think it’s a decent thing to do, but there’s a fair difference between a drink and £100. Now I know a lot of people pay for shooting, it’s quite a normal thing nowadays. However, is it really the done thing to invite someone shooting - then after the fact ask them to pay when there was no mention of that in the invite? After all if I knew I had to pay I wouldn’t have gone as I really can’t afford luxuries like that at the moment. How should I approach the matter? Should I just give him the £50 but make a point of it for future? Or should I raise it with him that it was an invite and no mention of paying was made before? any advice would really help!

i may be acquiring about 40 bayonets, wheres the best place to get advice from please, ie valuation etc, thanks ray

Dear PW I work in London and live on the South Coast. I have wanted another dog, we have Jack Russell 4yo and entire. The jack goes to work with the wife. I've been given the OK to bring a dog with me to work. I'd ideally like a small springer bitch and would like to give a home to a working dog that for some reason doesn't cut it. IE a 2 or 3 yo dog not a young pup 4 days a week will involve a short walk to train, 80min train ride, 2mile walk through Royal parks and quiet streets. Out at lunch. The reverse journey home in the evening. At work she'll be in a bed in her own area. On day 5 dog can stay home with missus and JR. Oh and there's a large Tom cat at home too. Am I expecting too much? Is this workable? Never had a springer. Thanks for your time to read.

Is any one on PW using a Huglu Semi Auto, any report on the gun Good or Bad as I am looking at a 20 Huglu tomorrow. Thanks Butch

Is any one on PW using a Huglu Semi Auto, any report on the gun Good or Bad as I am looking at a 20 Huglu tomorrow. Thanks Butch

Hi all, i'm new to the forum so hope i'm posting in the right area. Got a question maybe someone can help answer on here. I moved to live on a narrowboat last year, changed SGC to new authority (Northants) and FEO has said cabinet on a boat is no issue. I am on a secure mooring, just looking for some enlightenment on how to secure cabinet in the boat. I've heard of a few ways it could be done but does anyone on here have practical experience on the matter? Looking for the easiest way ideally, under the bed out of sight. Thank you and any suggestions are appreciated. Rob

Hi, Having little money now the season of buying stuff that people don't need for people you don't like approaches I thought I had a good deal where I got an older pump action Multichoke in px for my £75 Italian semi auto A5 copy but, the guy took a cash deal instead leaving me grumpy and looking around for a plan B. Once I get shot of my Franchi , my slightly pathetic budget is £200 which means i can have a Hatsan or an older Mossberg. This should be a no brainer in favour of the Mossberg but Hatsan seems to have ironed out the problems it had with earlier models, I'm not concerned about Brand names just reliability. Any thoughts.... (Getting shot of my Franchi is not a euphemism)

Hello My plan to make sloe vodka is as follows: wash hands, remove blackthorns and apply bandages. Sterilise kilner jar in oven - 190 degrees for about 20 mins. Allow to cool and add sloes that have defrosted and been smacked about with rolling pin but not pricked. Add equal sugar to sloe weight. Top up with SWMBO's vodka Add some vanilla (?) not sure about this bit. Shake every couple of days till sugar dissolved. After 3 moths decant and filter. Then leave till Christmas in the dry dark wardrobe. Does this sound like a plan?, first time and would welcome advice...... N.

hi guys i just need a bit of advice, i have a .22 hatsan striker 1000s. i shoot pigeons normally and i am having a bit of trouble killing them i have a good shot and i am hitting them either in the neck or head and do not seem to be killing them. they either need to have another shot to kill them or they fly off. i have tried using a couple of different pellets but it dose not seem to make a difference. i was looking on some advise on what pellets to use or just any more advice i can get. thank you and i will appreciate any advice you have got.

Hi am going to fish grafham for the first time next weekend does anyone have any advice on how to tackle this water for the first time ? Any advice is appreciated Thanks ferret

I have been watching pigeons feeding on Ivy berries, there have been a couple of hundred birds in a strip of trees every morning this week, been watching them on my way to work. what would be the best way to decoy birds on Ivy?

I have been watching pigeons feeding on Ivy berries, there have been a couple of hundred birds in a strip of trees every morning this week, been watching them on my way to work. what would be the best way to decoy birds on Ivy?

Is anybody a member of the national pigeon and pest control. I have recently been on the nppc website this looks like a good thing. Is it? Also is there any land available in Leicestershire?

After some of your advice Gentleman, i took my car in for repair last Monday, it needed a service and was suffering from a squeak and a smell of exhaust fumes in the cab, after leaving it with them they diagnosed an exhaust manifold gasket, 250 quid including a service and alternator belt. phoncall later saying it needed a new exhaust system, bill goes up fair enough. picked car up Thursday night it still has a smell of fumes,still in the cab, still has a squeak, and now the fuel injection warning light is on, whats the best way to approach the garage and what rights do i have? so far they have changed the catalytic convertor, part of the exhaust and lambda sensors??

Recently bought a hilux pick up and am looking for some storage solutions. A rear canopy is out of the question due to them being silly money cheapest I found was an ifor williams alluminium one but still around £600 with the Vat. Alternatively I have found a large alluminium tool chest on e bay for £150 so thinking of getting two of them and bolting them down length ways. I won't be carrying much apart from some decoys and guns shooting equipment etc it's not a works vehicle so only carrying shopping of a weekend so I think these two boxes should be enough anybody else use these for carrying gear about in their pick ups? Any other ideas welcome

Hi guys, Hoping to get some advice if possible? I bought my wife a clay lesson this time last year in the hope that she would love it and want to come again and I would eventually gain a shooting buddy for weekend clay bashing! I have only used my new shotgun twice before rifle shooting took over and fancied getting out on the clays again. Well, as expected she loved it to bits, shot well and came away wanting to go back again. Great, I thought, I knew having her try it would work!! However, the following day she was in a lot of pain. She is petite and had been given a shoulder pad and was shooting with a nice little 20g O/U, but she had to shoot left handed due to an eye dominance issue (she wears glasses) picked up by the coach - which had caused an old injury with her left shoulder to flare up again. So, that was that, she said that although she loved it, it wasn't worth aggravating her shoulder. Can anyone suggest what can I try in order to help her enjoy clay shooting, without causing any more issues with her shoulder? Many thanks in advance!

Rat problem at my dads farm! We have alot of rats really annoying my dad as they are ruining all the barley and meal for the cows & sheep. So we really want rid of them. My dad is really not a fan of poison as he says you don't know where the rats carry it and he doesn't like it with the dogs around. Also similar with traps as the rats are HUGE so takes really big steel bear claw type traps to get them which would probably kill the dog if he was to walk over it! so he doesn't use it anymore. We have got a few with the Jack Russell and sticks Yes sticks (Yard Brush Shafts to be exact). It is now rare to have a big lot of them on the floor as they are aware of the jack Russell now. So they are on grain bags, Work benches, Shelves, Ledges on walls, Joists and steels on the roof etc. (we have two entry's to the worst shed of rats and above two doors there are large ledges for storing ropes & caned stuff etc which is crawling with them. The jack Russell is not the best dog in the world for catching them but honestly has the best nose you ever seen and can pick up cent and locate exact position of a rat in any shed in 20 seconds. If you then poke that with a stick one will run out and run across steels and down wood etc to escape point. They move too fast for the air rifle and shotgun would likely blow the shed up! So i am wondering if i could use these! Birdshot 22lr load. I have used these before on a rat down a steel pipe and i blocked the other side and then shot down it at about 5 yards and i thought it would turn it to soup but it was un-noticeable that it was shot! So i am wondering what this would do to tin roof or if you shot at one scaling a rope along the wall would some pickles from the shot come back at you or would it be dangerous. I think there are 100+ pickles in each 22 bullet so they are smaller than grains of sand so damage may be un-noticeable? All advice is appreciated! Thanks in Advance!

So I have had it in the back of my mind for a while that it would be nice to get into reloading, but have really been looking for somone who is giving up of the like so I can get a full set up for a reasonable price. So I thaught I would ask PW for advice So I have seen this for sale and have no idea if this will be ok, ie. if it will be up to date, data avalable ect. and also if it is a good price?! (I have abosulutly no idea, but looks like it could get me started) So the ad is as follows: "Redding loader old model but ok ,20kgs shot mainly 6,s 2,000 primers,qty 1oz plswads tin nobel 82 2x1/2 tins 82 1/2 tin vectan qty capped cases all 12 bore also approx 125 no 4 shot express steel selling for old mate who has stopped £200 ono" I have sent them a message asking for photos and will post as and when they arrive. So guys is this a good idea, and if so would i need anything else to get me started? (I have a sack full of my once fired carts) Many Thanks, James

Hi guys i use my old baikal o/u fixed choke for pigeon and crows and the odd bunter. even though i have shot for many years with it i am considering a lighter and smaller gauge, possibly a 20 bore for the same pursuits.the reason for change is i am 8 stone wet have a very light frame and i am finding moving through the late side of 40 my muscle mass and tone is not what it used to be.i have found on a few occasions this year when rattling off consecutive shots (if i am lucky enough) that i am feeling it both in fatigue and also discomfort. i also walk a bit with the gun so a lighter tool required. as for a twenty i am willing to take on the cart costs, i have never shot one but have have heard a few people rave about them. needs are: o/u ejector multichoke just about to purchase a .243 full mock up so budget is limited to around £500 for something second hand. am looking to buy in a couple of months time maybe, just looking for some advice from pw members and any suggestions would be wonderful. FAST LEAD TO ALL!

Hi all, Trying to navigate though the new world of cyber meet and greet and throwing a line out to anyone that might be able able to help... Last year I returned back to the glorious rolling hillsides of Hampshire, after a 5 year stint in dry dusty Australia and I'm looking to meet someone/people that wouldn't mind giving me abit of a intro back into shooting.. I started shooting when I was about 12 originally with an old 410 hammer action poachers side by side, shooting pigeons and rats, rabbits, going along with a family friend on a rough shoot he was a member of. Then went along as a half gun on the same rough shoot and I absolutely loved it, got my shotgun licence owned a few labs decided the country life was for me.. then I hit 18 and booze and girls and gave up . I have never shot to a high standard but I just love being out, walking for hours, being with the dogs sitting in hides WAITING..!! Since I have been back I've tried to make contact with the old club I was part of but most of the old boys I went with I guess, don't have the internet.. I'm looking to join a rough shoot and chip in with feeding of birds, maintainanace of pens/woodland etc, I'd like to come along for a few days and not shoot and then join for next year, ideally carrying on abit of out of season pest control with my new shooting family.. I'm based in Portsmouth/Southampton half way in between but I'm neither Pompey or saints. I'm work mon-fri till 5 as an electrician so shooting sat would suit me best.. If you can put me in touch with any clubs I'd be more than grateful, I'm not looking for huge bags or a huge cost thanks in advance, Mike

Hi, Are there any members on here, that are employed in the wind turbines industry, or have been, as I'm looking towards that line of work, and wondered what courses i would require to complete to hopefully become more employable in that field, any advice would be greatly accepted. I'm in the Colchester area. Many thanks Ratus

OK folks, out there i am in the process of looking for new outdoor wellies. I've decided i quite like the Hunters. Quick question to those of you who own a pair, do you need to go up a size to accommodate thick socks? e.g If you are size 10, do you need size 11 to wear thick socks inside em. Advice much appreciated. All the best. Aled

looking for advice , thinking of buying a pump action gun for pigeon, vermin and fowling. I own a Beretta ultra lite and looking for something for the rough stuff. My Friends dont rate the pump action , was looking at winchester and remington what do you guys think?

I am looking to buy my first rifle and along with it my first scope I have put off buying a rifle for a couple of years for all sorts of reasons but have now decided to take the plunge and I have to admit that as much as i love shooting with rifles i actually don't know a lot about scopes and moderators. I getting a .243 and i would very much appreciate ANY ADVICE ON SCOPES and moderators, with recommendations of different scopes, in different price ranges (above £200) and reasons why. I am looking for a good quality scope that will be versatile for lamping foxes and stalking deer. (around the 4-12 x50 magnification area) I look forward to hearing any advice you have to offer. Many thanks

Evening all, Just looking for a few tips on selecting shotguns and maybe some recommendations. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be getting my sgc, all being well and will be looking for an all round shotgun for myself, for clay, pigeon abd poss bolting rabbit with 200-300 to spend? My consider buying a little something for my son (12) to use on clays, Any recommendations or advice would be great!! Thanks