markadams Posted May 2, 2002 Report Share Posted May 2, 2002 Does anyone know of any pigeon shooting clubs in the Sussex area? I am struggleing to find pigeon shooting land and thought maybe a club was a better idea but not I am struggling to find one of these in the area. Thank you Mark Adams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted May 2, 2002 Report Share Posted May 2, 2002 Welcome Mark, and don't despair if you can't find a club in your area, they seem to have died a death these days. You say you are struggling to find shooting land, what seems to be the main stumbling block mate?, what answers are you getting when you ask for permission?. I'm sure that between us lot, we'll sort it out. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markadams Posted May 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 Deako, Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it, I have tried several approaches: Writing letters to farm owners, by using Yell.com (this did not receive any replies, from 50 letters). Visiting Farmers (mixed responses ranging from: they already have someone, no I can't shoot and **** off. I have seen several fields with pigeons on but I have no idea who owns them so I am going to try leaving a water proof letter at the gate. Do you have any other suggestions? Mark Adams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave15 Posted May 3, 2002 Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 My dad works for an estate and we live in an estate house so all I had to do was to ask my dads mate the Game Keeper if I could shoot. Anyway go beating on the local shoot (beating is driving the game birds out to be shot) after a while when people get to know you you often get invited shooting if this does not work ask the game keeper. If you a good beater and you ask for trips shooting insted of pay its hard for him to say no! :( Good Luck :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markadams Posted May 3, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 BigDave14, I go beating in the season and have tried this approach but I have always been told that they already have several people shooting the pigeon. I have paid for pigeon shooting an a couple of Game bird shoots, but this works out very expensive. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted May 3, 2002 Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 Mark, firstly, have you looked at the tips under "getting land" on the pigeonwatch home page? :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazza Posted May 3, 2002 Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 Hiya Mark, alot of us know what your going through, as we probably went through the same ourselves. I know I did! This probably isn't going to help you much, but I'll try...........The first thing is........DON'T GIVE UP!!!..........It might take some time, but keep trying..............Wait untill you see pigeons feeding on the land, before asking the farmer, their more likely to say yes, if they can see damage being done. If you don't know who owns the land, ask at the nearest farm, they will know.From my experience farmers prefer to meet face to face & aren't that good at replying to letters. Take a business type card with you, with your name, address & telephone number on. Also take your certificate & your BASC membership card, if you have one. If your told "no", just ask them to keep the Card, just in case! Be polite{as I'm sure you are} & try not to disturb the farmer when he's busy. If you do get a Yes, make sure you ask when & where you can shoot, & what the farmer wants you to shoot. I was in the same situation as you when I moved to a new area, so I know how hard it is! Once you've got one persons land to shoot on......as long as you don't upset anyone......more will follow. You can use the first as a referee. I go & see the people who's land I shoot on regulary, so they don't forget you. There will be land out where you are, that isn't covered, or not covered properly. People think that because the land is already "looked after", it's not worth trying. Trust me , it is! I shoot on land that is already covered, but I've never seen anyone else on there & only once seen signs of people on there. Be prepared to go out & shoot, even if you know it's going to be a waste of time, because you've been asked to by the farmer. I was up at 4 'o' clock this morning, because the farmer had asked me to go & shoot, even though I knew I was going to struggle. One other thing is to plead with the Gamekeeper you go beating for. He will know all the farmers in the area & may be able to give you names. You could email Daystate64, who is a member on pigeonwatch, from what I can make out from his posts, he is a farmer & could give you some tips. Don't give up looking & asking! All The Best Lazza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markadams Posted May 7, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2002 Thank you all for your replied it has given me renewed hope, I am going to continue with the letter writing and visits until I find some pigeon shooting land. Thank you all it is great to know that so many supportive people are out there. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted May 7, 2002 Report Share Posted May 7, 2002 Mark, without doubt, the best approach is the direct one, knocking at the door of the farm. A good time would be about 1.30 pm.Most farmers I know get so much mail that another letter just won't get the response you want. Knock on the door, be polite but honest, but don't waffle.If its a no, leave your phone number, keep watching the fields, and if birds start hitting a crop, call again and show the farmer whats happening.......this time you should get a chance.As Lazza said, never give up, you only need one farm and the rest will open up for you. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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