Pre-Shoot Arrangements

Once a booking has been confirmed, the client will be contacted on the evening prior to the scheduled shoot to finalize the meeting time and location. The exact timing of the shoot is subject to seasonal variations—during the winter months, sessions commence early and conclude early due to limited daylight, whereas in the summer, shooting typically begins around midday and continues until approximately 6 or 7 PM, coinciding with the birds' most active feeding period.

Proof of Insurance and Shotgun Certificates

This will need to be shown before the start of your shooting day or can be sent to one of our team members in advance. Failure to produce a certificate can result in a booking cancellation. No insurance and Shotgun Certificate = No shooting. Please remember your certificate and don't turn up without it! BASC or CPSA membership both include 3rd party liability cover and are perfect for our shooting excursions.

Extras 

Shotgun Certificates for Visitors Outside the UK 

Hunters from outside the United Kingdom will need a Visitors Shotgun Permit. This is a temporary gun license supplied by our local Police authority, which allows you to bring your gun from your country into the UK legally. The charge for arranging this for you is £60. Please include these details in your initial booking information, if you wish to bring your guns from abroad.

Ammunition

The pigeon is a VERY tough bird. It is essential that you use cartridges with at the very least a 30 gram load of 5 or 6 shot. A plastic wadded cartridge is also best as it produces faster velocities and holds a better pattern and therefore has better killing power. We suggest Gamebore Clear Pigeon, RC Sipe, Hull High Pheasant Extreme, Lyalvale Express Supreme Game... in 32 gram 5 or 6 shot. Please note that I am unable to sell ammunition however if you are in need of cartridges I can highly recommend Charlie Bull at www.justcartridges.co.uk ( they offer mail order of shotgun ammo direct to your home or to us prior to arrival) or we have two excellent gun shops in Oxfordshire: http://www.oxfordguncompany.co.uk/ and http://www.francislovel.com/

Gun Hire

If you prefer to Hire a gun, then you can do so, however you will need to arrange this with us at booking stage and pay for it separately. The prices for guns can range from £85 to £200 and are not included in the package prices. Please reach out to the team asap, if you have booked with us and would like to hire a gun for your shooting excursion to avoid disappointment. 

Communication

It is essential that you bring a mobile phone so that you are contactable in event of any emergency or to check how your position is faring.

Dogs

Please don’t bring any dogs, I do not allow them. We use our own to pick up when necessary.

Season

Pigeon can be shot all year in the UK. There is no close season. In general the best time to shoot them is when the farmers plant spring crops from late February and through March and April. The Shooting is best between June until the end of October. Winter shooting over Oilseed Rape can also be good from November to the end of January but weather is more critical to success (i.e cold and windy is best!!).

Format

You will be shooting on your own in the hide. We do not allow two people to shoot together as it is highly dangerous. You may double up with a non-shooting observer if you like but only one gun will be allowed in the hide at any one time. Depending on the size of the field there may be just one hide, however, on larger fields we sometimes have to put two or more hides so that it prevents the birds from settling and feeding on other parts of the field that are not covered by a gun.

Clothing

Camouflage or green clothing is ESSENTIAL. The pigeon has excellent eyesight. If possible use a camouflage face mask or at the very least a good green/camouflage hat. Don't expect to shoot much if you come dressed in bright colored clothing as this will educate pigeons on your location. Also, if it looks wet bring some decent wellington boots. So many people turn up in the middle of winter wearing a pair of white trainers and end up taking them home soggy and covered in mud. Remember....help us to help you by dressing accordingly!