pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 hi there, im looking for some advice really, im currently shooting air rifles and was thinking of applying for my shotgun licence , the farmer on one of my permission has said i should,im shooting pigeons from a hide with a few decoys out and using an air rifle with limited success ,my bag would increase i think with a shotgun as with the air rifle i have to wait until a pigeon lands to get a shot off, but do i need a gun dog to pick up etc as i have read that you really need one to find all the shot birds and retrieve pricked birds etc,the reason i ask is i already have a pet dog and another dog is not an option and so was wondering if it was worth going down the shotty road or not. any advice would be great. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 I think its time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Its very difficult to get pigeon shooting permission with just an air rifle, especially on arable farms. Farmers like to hear a big bang every now and then (even if you miss the pigeon). You don't need a gundog for pigeon shooting , but its something you may consider in later years. So my advice would be to apply for your SGC and get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark@mbb Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 I would ask for some help and you may get an offer from some one local to take you out and show you the ropes and you dont need a dog at first it will keep you fit retrieving the birds Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Its very difficult to get pigeon shooting permission with just an air rifle, especially on arable farms. Farmers like to hear a big bang every now and then (even if you miss the pigeon). You don't need a gundog for pigeon shooting , but its something you may consider in later years. So my advice would be to apply for your SGC and get started. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Your from Scotland first join SACS before you apply for a certificate pity you werent at Dalkieth at the weekend we had air rifles and clays free of charge for youngsters some of the youngsters got their dads to bring their airguns and the boys from Juniper Green airgun club helped them to Zero them good job all round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 I use a dog and find my outings more enjoyable for it , but they are by no means a must have , yes you may lose a few more birds in tall crops but the farmer is not going to be worried about that , your in a fortunate position in already having the permission so I would say its definately time for a shotgun , it will transform your pigeon shooting ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 thanks for the replys guys , im very close to going for it, just not quite sure yet, i have no one to show me the ropes as yet, i have £400 saved for a gun and cabinet, i dont know what il get for that and also what does it cost to apply for the licence,i will look into sacs as well. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 £50 and some passport photos get in before the end of the month when stamps go up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 ok ,now if and i prob will go for it which choke should i go for , i have read that you get ones you can change , but i dnt know if my money covers that, what choke would you use for pigeons etc, just so i know what im looking for. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Don't worry about chokes..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 are they not important then , like i said i have no one to show me the ropes and i need a bit of guidance on all aspects of shotgun shooting. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Go to your local clay ground and have some lessons while waiting for application to be processed..... Can take a few months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 the guy in the gun shop reconed it would take 6 weeks to get it providing there was no problems , the land owner has given me written permission but said if i applied for it to come and see him ,does he have apart to fill out on the form, and do i need the gun cabinet first so they police can check because if they refuse me im left with a cabinet , altough i cant see why i would be refused.Sorry for so many questions but i dnt have any idea what happens etc Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumpy Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 There was a post on here the other day saying that it took 4 mnth's for a certificate to be granted, take a trip to your local clay shooting ground and meet some people who will give you advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) For shotguns on mainland uk permission in writing isn't required it is for FAC you may as well put in for both if you have permission it £60 instead of £50 and ammo for firearms (rifles ) needs to be locked up separately 6 weeks is possible depends where you are, also you need referrees1 for SGC 2 for FAC Edited April 9, 2012 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 yeah i think that i might try that,just to see how i get on ,im sure there somewhere pretty close to me.im hoping if i get my licence that my some of my other permission may grant me permission for the shotty also ,,i have a lot of ground to shoot over , some is only suitable for air rifles but many hundereds of acres are good for shotgun, it will be a steep learning curve trying to teach myself the basics,i think some clay shooting and this forum will help alot . cheers guys Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 BASC has some good guides, and IMO well worth joining if pest control is your thing I would say go for co terminus and read up plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 BASC membership is worth considering, they offer help and advise as well as insurance. Put in the application for a SGC, don't worry about the gun or chokes - absolutely anything will do to hit the pigeons, worry about finding something you like nearer the time. If you buy a cabinet and install it before you get a visit for your SGC application it will speed things up, however if you aren't certain that you'll get granted one then you don't have to buy a cabinet first, however it will delay it slightly as your FEO will need to come back to check you have installed one when your certificate is granted. You need somebody to countersign your shotgun certificate, 4 photos and then stick it in the post, it's simple. How long it takes depends on which licencing authority you are with, it can be a couple of weeks to 6 months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 the farmer must be going to sign it as a reference ,he is a big land owner in my area and i only have a small part of his land but this my change if i get this . i know that people are saying dont worry about chokes and stuff but what about side by side , or over and under or semi auto , whats the best option there. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 the farmer must be going to sign it as a reference ,. i know that people are saying dont worry about chokes and stuff but what about side by side , or over and under or semi auto , whats the best option there. Peter has farmer known you personally for over 2 years? Don't worry about the gun until you have a cert, and spend some money on some lessons totally different to what you are used to! Aim at a moving target with shotgun ( or any gun) and you'll miss every time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant hit rabbits 123 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 If you're coming from air rifles onto shotguns, I would say you really should invest in a few lessons as it is totally different. Worry about guns when you understand the basics of shotgun shooting and have a little experience under your belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 the farmer must be going to sign it as a reference ,he is a big land owner in my area and i only have a small part of his land but this my change if i get this . i know that people are saying dont worry about chokes and stuff but what about side by side , or over and under or semi auto , whats the best option there. Peter As I recall the referee must have known you for at least 2 years, more is better. SxS or OU or semi... it's mainly a matter of what you prefer. A semi can perhaps be handy in a hide as it holds 3 shots and is easy to reload, but for someone starting out I'd strongly suggest a break action, probably OU as most people seem to prefer them. The important thing is to find a gun in good condition that fits you well - and any choke should do, though avoid the tight chokes as they can make it harder to hit things. Practise on clays would probably be essential if you haven't done much with a shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro68 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 i have been shooting on this particular farmers land for a couple of years and approaching a couple of years on several others ,i understand what your saying regarding shooting a shotgun and an air rifle ,i defo need to get some experience under my belt , the last time i spoke to the farmer he said the boys he shot with back in the day have all sadly passed away and he must be in his seventies , maybe i can talk him into and outing with me . Im hoping to do a job for this guy and im sure it will lead to more shooting permission in the end . cheers again guys. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.