The only Parker

[Mark Parela]

Here at the world pigeon shoot only 1 Parker in fact very few side by sides. I wish I had more since the Europeans wanted to shoot it all day long and into the nite. 45 bird race day 2 and came up with a 41 with her. She sports 32's and she swings nice for the faster birds here. I think shopping will be in order for a 30 Incher for the kings cup pigeon shoot in Spain.

[Bill Murphy]

Where is this shoot being held? How is your Parker set up for triggers?

[Dean Romig]

41 of a 45 bird race... I don't think 2" will give another bird but I think the shooter can do it.

[Mark Ouellette]

Mark,

I've often read your posts but never realized that you are "over there". Please show us photos of your "now famous" European Parker Pigeon Gun!

Mark

[Bill Murphy]

My Parker pigeon gun is a PHE vent rib 30" gun. In my diminished physical condition, 30" is more than enough. Good luck in your search for a 30" Parker.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Glad to know they're still shooting pigeons in Spain, always good to hear some of the old famous venue's are still in operation.

Destry

[Pat Dugan]

A friend of mine , Rodney Fickel from Albany Ga. is at the same shoot

[Mark Parela]

Its in Portugal this year. I'm only here for the week, not much of a social bug or card player. I just love shooting pigeons and being able to speak Italian sure helps:-) nothing like sitting in the stands watching flyers all day not to mention the clubs are first class.

[Mark Ouellette]

Hi Mark,

Would you please take some photos of the event, club, your gun, and so on and then share with us? The whole affair sounds like a grade event of years gone by...

Respectfully,
Mark

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I don't know about outside the US, but at pigeon shoots here, cameras are not well thought of.

Destry

[Mark Parela]

I'll post up some pics when I get back, rain all week and most don't like there guns getting wet. Me I could care less I have yet to see a coffin with roof racks.:)

These clubs are back stopped and lined, they reclaim it all. True bunker style shooting. One thing I have noticed is the US shooters give em the double tap where the European guys settle the score with one shot.

I am staying at a Friends place, they have taken me to several clubs this week to shoot. I am starting to believe in 1oz loads for clays. Hell there are 4 clubs within 10 miles all shooting pigeons, bunker and compact sporting clays. Life's good:bowdown:

[Ed Blake]

I've enjoyed your posts on this topic. If you don't mind me asking...what is the cost to shoot a round of sporting, or trap at these clubs? My impression is one has to be fairly well-heeled to enjoy the shooting sports in Europe.

[Mark Parela]

The cost to shoot clay isn't that bad, I figure 9-11 bucks a round. Hell at my local club they charge 9 bucks a round for skeet and the place is a dump. Now for pigeons I guess I shot maybe 500-600 practice pigeons for the sake of shooting them. I am by no means a gambler, sure I play some options. But at the end of the day I see piles of sliced cheese going up on every bird. The card games are unreal, just not me. I can honestly say I enjoy shooting pigeons, hanging out talking about guns, style of shooting, loads, the great eats. I'd rather have a nice piece of cake than play options.

At the end of the day I know I have less stress in my shooting, I take 2 shots since I love to hear the gun go bang.

[Mark Parela]

Just rolled in WHAT A TRIP,

Had an issue with my Parker, first the ejector went then I was having a trigger issue, so that will need to be addressed. I'll post up some pics and video later this week. Shot up a pile of RIO pigeon loads, I will say my 21 is on it's last leg, but I did order a Perazzi pigeon gun a month ago so I should have that by oct.

Before you know it Madrid in sept, then right into duck and trapping season. Yeahaw

[charlie cleveland]

what do you trap over there....is it animals for pelts...ive done a little trapping from time to time... charlie

[Mark Parela]

I traveled over there from the good ol US. Trapping is another passion of mine today I mostly trap mink along with coon. There where time I would travel out west to trap coyotes and bobcats KS, MT, NM,AZ right down into Texas. Is a labor of love, by the time I pay someone to fill in for me at my business, gas, truck, gear, scouting.....each mink costs me about 51 dollars to get on the stretcher. I have trapped since I was ten years old and still get stoked every time I trap a mink. To me there is no other feeling I get while running traps, when I got my drivers license I knew right then my life was going to change And it did.