May and early June can often be the slowest period for pigeon shooting. But I’m very fond of this time of year as a pigeon shooter because you really have…
Tom Payne
Our experts test out four different calibres pigeon shooting
When the editor of the Shooting Times asked me if I would try out pigeon shooting with a multitude of guns of various calibres, I have to admit I was…
Spring drillings and pigeon
It’s been an interesting start to pigeon shooting on spring drillings this year. Many counties seemed like they would never get going but then, with an abrupt change in weather…
How to build a wooden tower for shooting pigeon – and why you should
Some of the most enjoyable afternoons’ sport shooting pigeon I have had has been from high towers. It brings an entirely different challenge. In the right conditions it can be…
Four shooting myths you should ignore
1. Clay practice will improve your gameshooting Practising on clays is something many gameshooters shy away from. Most will wait until the first day or until all has gone wrong before putting in some…
Can’t stop stopping my gun
A: This is a very misunderstood problem in shooting. People say that you are “stopping your gun” but they are not explaining why. The simple reason for it is that as you go to pull…
How to shoot more driven birds
At this time during the season, I tend to lose count of the number of times I hear Guns saying, “I got off to a really good start with my shooting, but now the…
Secrets of successful winter pigeon shooting
Due to the mild weather, this year’s autumn drillings went well, the best they have for a few years — it was more like shooting over spring drillings. With the new farming schemes, there have…
Better pheasant shooting tips
The season is well under way and many of you will have no doubt already enjoyed your first outings. I’ve spoken with many gamekeepers and they are all singing from the same hymn sheet: pheasants…
Choosing the right shotguns and cartridges for pigeon shooting
What type of gun for pigeon shooting? Over-and-under The over-and-under is my preference for pigeon shooting because the design aids the shooter. You have a single sight plane, which naturally takes your vision…
Getting up to speed on partridges
There is something very English about shooting partridges over stubbles in autumn. Once, the majority of driven shooting in England was partridges; not the French red-legged variety but our own beautiful English, or grey, partridge. Modern agriculture…
Top tips for a successful pigeon shooting technique
I am so fortunate to be out and about shooting pigeon all the time. I’ve had the privilege to learn from some of the finest pigeon Shots over the years and have learned and…
How to prepare for the new season
If you haven’t already been busy shooting grouse and still need to get prepared for the forthcoming 2016/17 season, now is the perfect time to do it. What follows is my “hit list” of what…
Harvest shooting time and the pigeon is easy
Shooting pigeon over stubbles is the pigeon shooter’s easy time of year. The weather is favourable; it’s easy to get to the exact spot where you want to shoot because often you can drive…
Fancy an affordable way of grouse shooting?
It always amazes me how quickly the season comes around, but here we go again — and if you are about to head north, I am sure the excitement is building. Grouse shooting, especially…
How to set up a bale hide for pigeon shooting
Shooting over stubble probably offers the best opportunity to maximise your hide position. Bale hides are the ultimate pigeon shooting hide to shoot from and work over every stubble. In…
Why footwork in shooting is crucial to consistency
Being a good game Shot is about being consistent on all forms of quarry, in different weather conditions, on different topography and at different times of the season. Alan Rose, the renowned shooting instructor at the…
Want to be better at gameshooting? Shooting clays is the way to do it …
Practising on clays is something that gameshooters shy away from. Most will wait until the first day of the season or until all has gone wrong before putting in some practice.…
Which crops should you shoot over for big bags in late spring?
For many a pigeon shooter, once the spring drillings have been completed and have started to germinate, and pigeon interest in them disappears, there often follows the slowest period of…
What to watch to improve your shooting performance
When it comes to teaching an adult to shoot, I always treat each person as an individual. I do not treat a lady Shot any differently from how I would…