tomleatel Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 So hear it is... I have bought a shotgun 12g Escort Magnum semi auto, and have been clay shooting a alot, but now fancy trying the real thing. Thing is i am not sure on a few points 1. What equipment do i need? 2. Where can i do it? (live in north kent) 3. Once shot, what do you do with the pigeons? 4. What is the best type of cartridge to use? 5. Insurance? Now i knows that this all sounds a bit silly, but if you don't ask, you will never know.. Thanks Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I am in the same boat as you so look forward to the replies. A few things I have allready done 1 Knock on farmers doors for land permission, I now have 2 farms to shoot on. 2 Join BASC for the insuarance 3 Pigeon is very nice to eat. 4 a few decoys and possibly a magnet (spining flying decoy thing) You could consider joining pest rid or NCCP if you can not get land yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 NCCP do not seem to operate down south for some reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taff Mason Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 hello mate, i'm pretty new too. but i've been pigeon shooting quite a few times now. more expirienced guys may tell you differently but... 1. the escort is fine, a handfull of decoys will be enough to get you started, on my first trip out i borrowed 7 from a mate and had an awsome days shooting, a hide of some sort, cover your hands and face and just keep still. 2. obviously you need permission, most of the fields are cut now so farmers may be more inclined to let you onto their land. 3. just pluck the breast then cut it straight off, minimal mess and good easy food, you could also freeze a couple to use as decoys on your next trip out. 4. i use 32g 6 1/2's, but anything around about there will do the job 5.BASC or simmilar hope this was of some help guys. TAFF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Von Tirpitz Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hello to a fellow Hatsun Escort user! You are best to join a club or sydicate if you can, if not then its the long winded job of asking all your local farmers if they need you. 6 shot clear pigeon 32g i think is best. Good question on what to do with them, eat them is one option, locals may like them for ferret fodder, not sure what other uses they have Equipment is full camo gear, camo net, decoys and patience, although I am sure there are others on here who will be better to tell you more. Admiral Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Cool thanls for the advice. I'll have an ask around for any syndicates. Not sure the wife will appreciate me bringing dead pigeons home, but maybe the local butcher will do the messy stuff for me!!! After though then. Are there any syndicates around the North Kent area, or slighlty wider adrift? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taff Mason Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) ! Edited September 15, 2008 by Taff Mason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taff Mason Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 don't worry about the wife mate, just repeat this as loud as you can next time she walks in the room!..... ''LOOK BABE...IM THE MAN IN THIS RELATIONSHIP...AN I'LL DECIDE IF I WANNA BRING HOME SOME PIGEONS TO EAT...YOUR LUCKY I DON'T MAKE YOU PREPARE THEM...AND WHILE IM ON MY SOAP BOX...I DON'T SEE THE POINT OF ALL THOSE STUPID LITTLE ORNIMENTS AND RANDOM BOXES THAT ARE TO SMALL TO KEEP ANYTHING IN YOU ALWAYS BUY BECAUSE THEYRE ''NICE''...I'D LIKE A COLD BEER WAITING FOR ME WHEN I FINISH WORK...WE DON'T NEED TO LIGHT CANDALS UNLESS WE HAVE A POWER CUT...I DON'T CARE IF THEY SMELL NICE EITHER...YOGA AND PILATES ARE NOT CLASSED AS WORKING OUT...TOFU IS NOT FOOD...I DON'T LIKE ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS... YES YOUR BUM DOES LOOK BIG IN THAT, AND YOU CANT PARK!!!!!!'' you won't have any woman troubles after that mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Most of that i may get away with, but the parking car thing is not a good one for me... If i bought home a dead pigeon she would FREAK!!! Took me long enough to get the gun in the house in the first place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nagantino Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Taff Mason, by God sir I like the cut of your gib.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEINVISIBLESCARECROW Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Guns fine, don't worry about more gear yet, just slowly walk hedgrows & rough ground & put some Pigeon to flight. BASC for insurance & any 30//32gm size 6's will do, consider fibre wads though. If you have a sitty tree your in luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 don't worry about the wife mate, just repeat this as loud as you can next time she walks in the room!..... ''LOOK BABE...IM THE MAN IN THIS RELATIONSHIP...AN I'LL DECIDE IF I WANNA BRING HOME SOME PIGEONS TO EAT...YOUR LUCKY I DON'T MAKE YOU PREPARE THEM...AND WHILE IM ON MY SOAP BOX...I DON'T SEE THE POINT OF ALL THOSE STUPID LITTLE ORNIMENTS AND RANDOM BOXES THAT ARE TO SMALL TO KEEP ANYTHING IN YOU ALWAYS BUY BECAUSE THEYRE ''NICE''...I'D LIKE A COLD BEER WAITING FOR ME WHEN I FINISH WORK...WE DON'T NEED TO LIGHT CANDALS UNLESS WE HAVE A POWER CUT...I DON'T CARE IF THEY SMELL NICE EITHER...YOGA AND PILATES ARE NOT CLASSED AS WORKING OUT...TOFU IS NOT FOOD...I DON'T LIKE ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS... YES YOUR BUM DOES LOOK BIG IN THAT, AND YOU CANT PARK!!!!!!'' you won't have any woman troubles after that mate! Aye, but only because you won't have any woman after that! Nial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Once you've de-breasted, what do you do with the rest? Leave them as a tasty snack for the foxes? Wouldn't really wanna freeze 'em for decoys after you chop their bits off - be a bit messy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I don't even fancy de-breasting them. Would a butcher do it for you if you paid? Really want to do the shooting, but not so keen on ringing it's neck. and all the other bits that go with it, supoose it is something that you just do!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'm new to the pigeons as well. gun i use a browning gold camo S/A camo netting and a few hide poles. i bought a few pecking full body plastics and a pack of 12 half shells I made my own magnets and the hyper flapper tpye birds for the ends and then made 12 silosock types decoys that all work very well. coat and trousers from local arm surplus. vial from the CLA fair. cartridges were all that had at the time so 32g number 6, 70mm game specials been out a few time now and banging birds. i breast the birds on site and put the left overs in the hedge. these feed the foxes and helps to stop the foxes taking as many game birds. i have just got the motor to make the flapper as i need to clear the crows as well as there bluming loads here. regards Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 WOW.. Sounds like your sorted I have nothing, except my gun and 1000 32g cartridges. Really need to meet someone who can show me the way, and let me tag along for a day. Plus someone to show me the hole gutting process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 If your not going to eat them or prepare them then try to fing a game dealer who will have them off you ! seems daft to shoot them just for the sake of ! ! ! Send them my way so i can shoot and eat them if not ! ! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubix Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 You don't need to gut them. Pluck all the feathers, 4 second job. Use a ultra sharp (boning) knife to cut down and out each side from the breastbone, 5 secind job. Put the two fillets into a sealable bag and you're done. No blood, guts or mess. If your landowner doesn't mind leave the remains where they are as food for the wildlife. The hardest part will be hitting the things in the first place. Seacrh on youtube for 'debreasting pigeons'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Oh dear another newbie with all the gear and no idea! First things first is to either get someone who does know and has some experience, a mentor, or go to a professional guide and LEARN about shooting live quarry. It's fine to start on clays and that's what I'd recommend every time as long as you took lessons, again from a professional, and didn't just turn up with a gun and shot alone or with your mates but shooting live birds is an altogether different thing. You need to learn about safety in a pigeon hide and safety for what's around you. You need to learn about shooting etiquette and the law. You need to learn about the kit and setting it up. You need to learn about the quarry, what can and cannot be shot and how it should be dispached if wounded. You need to learn about preparing the birds you've shot and hopefully how to cook and eat them. You've a lot to learn and IMO you shouldn't be going out shooting live quarry until you've learnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Hence why i asked in the first place... I have had shooting lessons, and have had the gun fitted as per recommendations.. I keep being told how much good sport there is in shooting live pigeons, which is why i have started looking into it. Problem is when you don't know much about it, it is difficult to get all of the facts. Do you know anyone around the North Kent area who i could even pay to show me the ropes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I suggest investing time in reading THIS and THIS and if you need more info on any matter just click on the search button, top RHS of the page between "Members" and "Help" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Oh dear another newbie with all the gear and no idea! If you had read his orginal question correctly you will have see that he DOES NOT HAVE ALL THE GEAR! Hence the question below! Thing is i am not sure on a few points 1. What equipment do i need? Terry Do not jump down the throats of us "new" people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Oh dear another newbie with all the gear and no idea! If you had read his orginal question correctly you will have see that he DOES NOT HAVE ALL THE GEAR! Hence the question below! Thing is i am not sure on a few points1. What equipment do i need? Terry Do not jump down the throats of us "new" people! Actually that little bit was my attempt at the lighter side. If you read the rest of my post you'll get my drift if not well here goes again...nobody should be allowed to buy a gun and simply go shooting. Lessons first on clays then as you progress maybe get someone to show you 'how to' on live quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masson Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'm quite interested for this to become a great thread for new people (especially me!). I can see why Highlander made his comment - the OP's aversion to doing anything useful with the birds other than the fact that it would be 'good sport' might not go down too well with everyone here. tomleatel, pigeons are a major pest. I had no idea how much of a pest till I started reading here and elsewhere (basc) about it all. If you want to shoot them, I think that you should at least have an idea of who could take them off you before you go, whether or not you have to do anything to them before hand will be down to your arrangement. A very important thing is getting the permission for land. While you work on this, it might be an idea to try and find someone in your area who currently shoots and ask if you can shadow them (even without your gun) for a bit to see how they set up, bird knowledge/habits, that sort of thing. You might also see how easy it is to prep them for yourself. To find someone, maybe start a dedicated post as not everyone would open this one, but a specific post for Kenters might get their attention. Don't forget that when you ask a farmer for permission, if he already has enough people then you know that there are people local who might be able to take you under their wing for a wee bit. And to all of the people looking to jump on the "don't attack the noob" wagon, don't forget that there are many stickies which cover a lot about the basics, including basic equipment, which people really should read before asking, or long standing members see the same thing being asked too many times. My tuppence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Well done Masson, you have explaind what i was trying to say. Problem with being a newbie is that one is not always up with the protocols, which is one of the reasons that i have asked the question. I will bear in mind the new post thing, but i have quite a bit of reading that people have very kindly sent me, that i think i may read first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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