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Catapult
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:04 pm
by Varky
Does anyone know where I can buy a catapult to scare off a couple of pigeons that insist on parading alongside my pool, defecating as they go along.
Re: Catapult
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:18 pm
by Dominic
I've been looking myself, to scare off swallow-eating magpies. I went into the Fish and Game shop opposite Chris Cool, and they looked at me as if I had trodden in dogsmuck when I asked. I think their advice would be to use a shot gun.
If anybody does know, please do tell.

Re: Catapult
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:54 pm
by 71 Trans Am
Several of the shops down the Harbour had them in carved wood in the shape of various animals and they were quite good, strongly made and very powerful elastic - But when i was rooting around down there last week i do not recall seeing any but that does not mean they are not there just seen them that many times it would not register.
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:11 am
by PaphosAL
Fishing shop is your best bet, as anglers use catapults to spread bait out into the water, before casting their hook and line
AL

Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:26 am
by Dominic
Bait slingers aren't that good for accuracy. I tried a number of catapults like the Black Widow, a while ago. They could send a ball bearing a serious distance. They did tend to break fairly easily though.
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:58 am
by 2QuarterPints
If you can't find a catapult you could try fencing staples and an elastic band between your thumb and first finger. I can recall messing around with them as a child and you may be able to get the fencing staples in one of the hardware shops. Probably a lot less lethal than a catapult too.
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:02 am
by Varky
Happy in Cyprus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:27 am
Dominic wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:18 pmI think their advice would be to use a shot gun.
Would be my preferred option too if I had a gun, which I don't. Cue roars of outrage from the 'ban fox-hunting' brigade
Never mind the fox hunting brigade, think of the damage that could be done in the background, especially if the pigeons are on the ground around the pool. Otherwise I would go along with the shotgun method.
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:28 am
by Dominic
Happy in Cyprus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:24 am
Most of the pigeons around our house seem to like perching on and in the rain gutters for some obsure reason. The neighbour's Scary Bird still works remarkably well after several months use. I see quite a lot of these devices around. They are very effective, but require a lot of free space around them to work as they should.
As opposed to the fake owl that sits by our pool and regularly acts as a perch.

Re: Catapult
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:47 pm
by PhotoLady
The perfect solution is
here
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 1:59 pm
by Andy01424
use the old sling shot type Cyps used back in the 70,s, bit of thick elastic,thick piece of leather eye patch shape thread one end through each hole knot it off , buckshot stones bearings, grip between finger and thumb and pull back,aim fire,as you let go of it[leather pouch bit] drop hand a tad , hurts like heck hitting thumb!
Re: Catapult
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:25 pm
by markwoods39
Happy in Cyprus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:27 am
Dominic wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:18 pmI think their advice would be to use a shot gun.
Would be my preferred option too if I had a gun, which I don't. Cue roars of outrage from the 'ban fox-hunting' brigade
just had the Master of foxhounds on the phone "sorry to hear that your dog was injured" was his "apology". He then went on to say that it was my word against his hunts mans about what happened and that as his hounds "walk past dogs and children all the time and this has never happened before" that it must therefore be my fault. I was also told that I seemed unconcerned that one of his hounds also needed to see a vet. He was slightly taken aback when I quoted the Dangerous Dogs legislation at him. This is far from over

This was taken from the internet ? just copy and past the content ? Glad you find it funny HIC

Re: Catapult
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:39 pm
by markwoods39
Says a lot about you to be honest and i really thought u was an ok bloke ? how wrong was I
Re: Catapult
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:43 am
by PaphosAL
A shotgun is a bit OTT for a pigeon, unless you seriously intend to kill it for for food! Quite tasty, actually- a bit like a mix of chicken and rabbit, if I recall? But you'd have to remove all the lead pellets from it, as well as plucking it...
I think the answer here is a .177 Webley Air Pistol. It will not kill the pigeon, but just scare it enough to think twice before coming back! Whereas a .22 air rifle would kill it, ready for the table, after plucking...
In the country pub I used to frequent daily, I knew a Pheasant Plucker!
Cheers- AL

Re: Catapult
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 11:03 pm
by markwoods39
Happy in Cyprus wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:33 pm
We're not talking about dogs here Mark, we're talking about pigeons; which along with rats, mice, houseflies and mossies are unwelcome houseguests /vermin so far as I am concerned.
So why mention us fox brigade ? What they do is barbaric and cruel :twisted . To be honest us humans are far more a threat to this planet than foxes ! if humans was not on this earth it would be a better place

Re: Catapult
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:04 pm
by Firefly
Mark
Lloyd's always saying things in jest. Personally I think he posts before engaging his brain at times, poor old soul.
Only joking Lloyd.
Jackie
Re: Catapult
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:19 pm
by PaphosAL
And Lloyd was replying to Dominic in the post with his smiley... So I think that Mark has taken a rather 'general' reply from Lloyd as something of a personal insult?
That being the case, we'll all be scared shitless to actually comment or help here on PL, in case we offend anyone (who wasn't actually being replied to in the first instance)...
Cheers- AL

Re: Catapult
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 4:02 pm
by Firefly
Lloyd
Mark and I are both passionate about animal welfare.
Al
I don't think anyone on PL is scared to post, If so why belong to a forum titled 'general discussion'. As I see it, if you post, you can expect any reply that comes along within reason. Insults are nothing new, especially on the politics boards, ask Lloyd.
Jackie
Re: Catapult
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:46 pm
by Firefly
Good job you've got broad shoulders Lloyd
Jackie
Re: Catapult
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:05 pm
by PaphosAL
After a long history of frequenting local pubs on a daily basis, I quickly learned the main advice- "Never discuss Religion nor Politics in a pub!"
Haven't been near a pub in around 4 years now... Instead, I sit in here in my office in the afternoon browsing and replying to PL posts, sipping the odd glass of whisky or brandy. So I still abide by the same pub rules, LOL! That's why you never see me in the Political section...
It was SO hard to bite my tongue and NOT respond to the ISIS back bite (between two other members) in another thread, but I managed it, I'm glad to say!
Cheers- AL

Re: Catapult
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 10:43 pm
by Varky
Crikey, how did it come to this? All I asked was if anyone knew where I could buy a catapult.