What must be remembered about the pigeon is that they live an incredibly dull life, punctuated by brief moments of excitement when they are shot at.

Pigeon shooting is an example of natural selection in action. Over a number of decades all the stupid pigeons get shot, so only the clever and cynical ones survive to breed. As a result the pigeon is a formidable foe, and we must use all our guile to better it. As a result of that result, it will take years of experience and research to become an expert. But that is why it is such fun.