The right hand end of the cable is about 12 feet up a tree. That's where the goose starts. With a longrifle, it's down in the 'hollow' before you can swing on to it and get your lead. It's moving right along. Short guns are much faster gettind onto the bird. As far as slowing down - nadda - it's gaining speed all the way. With Englihs styled sporting guns, you can shoot it as soon as it's clear of the trees it comes out from behind. It's not moving very fast at that point, but quickly gains a lot of speed in the next 15' of travel as the cable drops quiclky then.
It's about 30" long, I'd think, from head to tail end. Due to it's angle opf drop initially, if shooting too early, it's easy to shot high.