danro Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi all I'm new to shotgunning and never shot at pigeon with one. I'm currently practising on the clays and wondered at what stage you chaps would consider a clay shooter to be "good enough" to move onto live quarry. I'm breaking the clays fine.... but there again, I know which way they are coming from and going to so scores will be a little misleading. I've been airgun hunting for years so I'm a great believer in taking the most humane shot you can.. but shotgunners are going for moving targets so there is much more skill needed in shot placement in a very short space of time compared to airguns where fieldcraft is king and the shot a formality. Your comments will be interesting. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 (edited) If you feel you have the mount , swing and eye coordinated with the gun then thats the time. A reasonably different kettle of fish shooting woodpigeon, many clay shooters that I know of muff their averages with real pigeon than what they get on clays, but dont get frustrated if that happens just enjoy it keep cool and it will come together. Good luck Edited November 21, 2013 by deny essex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have took some very good clay shooters pigeon shooting and the birds have made them look like novices Go when you feel confident but expect to struggle for a start as long as you have the basics , good mount / gun fit etc then you will get better the more you go as you start to build sight pictures easier. The main thing is to remember unlike a clay a pigeon will be speeding up lots of time, where as a clay is slowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I have took some very good clay shooters pigeon shooting and the birds have made them look like novices And vice versa - I know a lot of pigeon/game shooters that suck at clays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nagantino Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Shooting live wood pigeon is a great leveller. That's the beauty of it. Being a good clay shooter does not equate to a shooter who can bring down wood pigeon cos they jink and weave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Just do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEADLY PLUMBER Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Like your first girlfriend. Get stuck in. Even if your not shore quite what it's all about. However be warned pigeons are like girlfriends. You could get lucky or it could end in tears. And as my dad once said have a johnny in your pocket. Just in case you get lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Skill level is irrelevant, pull the trigger when you are confident of a kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 And vice versa - I know a lot of pigeon/game shooters that suck at clays Yep , I have a badge for that club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Churchill Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Shooting live wood pigeon is a great leveller. That's the beauty of it. Being a good clay shooter does not equate to a shooter who can bring down wood pigeon cos they jink and weave. Indeed, clays don't have wings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 And vice versa - I know a lot of pigeon/game shooters that suck at clays That's me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Thanks to the Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club I've had the opportunity to shoot at lots of grounds that are set up for "game shooters". The clays are bloody easy. I have been advised by a BASC coach that being able to shoot standard English sporting presentations of clays at 40 yards would make you quite good enough for a game shoot. It's more about learning how to use your gun and follow through. Also, being secure enough in your gun mount to go gun down, which I did ten minutes into my first sim day. Oh, my arms! If you want to go and shoot pigeon try DTL ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Decoy Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Like your first girlfriend. Get stuck in. Even if your not shore quite what it's all about. However be warned pigeons are like girlfriends. You could get lucky or it could end in tears. And as my dad once said have a johnny in your pocket. Just in case you get lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 The humble woody can present you with as much in the way of sporting shooting diversity as any game bird IMHO. Personally speaking I don't bother with clays, never found a decent recipe for them! Best to get out there once you feel you are up to it, don't be too disheartened if early results don't come up to expectation, very few of us don't have the odd bad day out there even if usually shooting good numbers. One of the best days I had was shooting pigeons on a flight line directly down wind in a howling gale, had to lead them by a 5 bar gate and some of the hit birds, dead in the air, landed a good 100 yards down wind of my hide. It wasn't a massive bag but very rewarding shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Well you either can or you only think you can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 If you can shoot a gun you can hit pigeons - it just depends when you choose to shoot them When I set up I like to watch the first couple land and I'll shoot one on the floor and the other as it takes off - gives me confidence the pattern is attractive enough to them and I've had a couple of shots so settled down a bit. Then I'll shoot the next ones as they are slowing and coming in to land. Once I'm 'in the swing' I'll shoot them as flaring crossers, which is when pigeon shooting is at it's best (and most addictive). Just don't take wild pot shots at jinking distant birds - know your limit. If you only feel confident at dropping birds when the 'landing gear is down' then there's nothing actually wrong with that - Just enjoy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Thanks to the Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club I've had the opportunity to shoot at lots of grounds that are set up for "game shooters". The clays are bloody easy. I have been advised by a BASC coach that being able to shoot standard English sporting presentations of clays at 40 yards would make you quite good enough for a game shoot. It's more about learning how to use your gun and follow through. Also, being secure enough in your gun mount to go gun down, which I did ten minutes into my first sim day. Oh, my arms! If you want to go and shoot pigeon try DTL ;-) why would you shoot DTL as practice for pigeons, that would be great if every bird you shot at was going away from you sporting clays is perfect practice for woodies different targets, angles, speeds, etc I used to shoot clays quite a lot, and when I did shoot pigeons after a round of sporting days or the week after I hardly missed a bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 why would you shoot DTL as practice for pigeons, that would be great if every bird you shot at was going away from you sporting clays is perfect practice for woodies different targets, angles, speeds, etc I used to shoot clays quite a lot, and when I did shoot pigeons after a round of sporting days or the week after I hardly missed a bird Please note my little winking smiley, indicating I was being at the least arch. As it happens, shooting DTL is about an instinctive response, which is coincidentally what I believe some people here say is important when shooting pigeon. This underlines my point that it's about learning to use your gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Please note my little winking smiley, indicating I was being at the least arch. As it happens, shooting DTL is about an instinctive response, which is coincidentally what I believe some people here say is important when shooting pigeon. This underlines my point that it's about learning to use your gun. any shooting is an instinctive response,, mount swing shoot, but if your only shooting at a certain target ie going away how does that help on a 50 yard crossing or high driven pigeon ,pheasant etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 any shooting is an instinctive response,, mount swing shoot, No, it isn't. I shoot clays and I don't shoot like that at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yickdaz Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 No, it isn't. I shoot clays and I don't shoot like that at all. ok we all have different styles and ways of shooting, but pigeon shooting is more instinctive than clay shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 ok we all have different styles and ways of shooting, but pigeon shooting is more instinctive than clay shooting Daz , is right it's very instinctive , you have to judge where the bird will be. I can not comment on comparisons as I've never shot at clays. It's back to basic skills if you can let the first bird in land and shoot the next one coming in and then the first as it lifts off you will give yourself a good chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leadbreakfast Posted November 23, 2013 Report Share Posted November 23, 2013 I too have never shot clays and started on pigeons but if I did go clay shooting would probably be ****. But if I was sat down and somebody pulled the trap without me knowing so had to get up mount swing shoot that would be more like pigeon shooting I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danro Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Cheers Chaps. I've still a fair bit of practice to do on my mount. So for the time being I'll stick to the clays, but should a "pigeon day" arise on one of my shoots, I'll give it a go!! Much appreciated danro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Shooting pigeons is something that's very difficult to 'practice' for. Yes, clays help, but pigeons tend not to fly over when you shout "PULL!". Try a compact sporting layout, with a friend launching targets randomly, and wear good ear defenders so you can't hear the traps working. This will help with your instinctive shooting. (and start with gun unmounted, as there can be long periods of inaction). 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.