jamez79 Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Hi, I'm a novice and would like advice on what other "essential" kit I need for my first outing... I've got a dozen pigeon decoys and a crow, poles, netting, whirler and battery and decoys, working on a seat. Gun, cartridges, trusty springer spaniel, flask and lunch for me and my pooch, got clothing and hat, bag to carry kit and pigeons (if I get any), knife. Bag for empty cartridges. Anything else that's glaringly obvious that I've missed? Would rather take too much and leave it in the pick up than realise I'm missing something essential and spoil my first day. Oh, and deep heat for my poor old back after lugging it around the field! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) Maybe something to set up dead birds as decoys wooden barbecue skewers are good or you could cut some from the hedges. Cradles are good for taller crops or you could use bamboo canes like this picture. Other than that you should be ok. if it's likely to be warm take plenty of fresh water for the dog. good luck Edited June 22, 2014 by aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez79 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Good idea! Thanks for that. I've got some barbeque skewers in the cupboard I'll pack them now. Will definitely take lots of water for the dog. I've been looking for a seat. I've got a cheap fold up jobby but its a bit low. I'd like the barrel with the swivel seat on top but it probably won't arrive in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 (edited) A carp net to keep the fly eggs off shot birds is essential IMO once the warm weather arrives Edited June 22, 2014 by sitsinhedges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez79 Posted June 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Hadn't thought of that. I've got an old net somewhere in the shed. Hadn't thought of that. I've got an old net somewhere in the shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Surely you mean a carp sack as opposed to a net? A carp net to keep the fly eggs off shot birds is essential IMO once the warm weather arrives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) Surely you mean a carp sack as opposed to a net? Yes a fine meshed one (I'm not a fisherman) And don't call me Shirley Edited June 23, 2014 by sitsinhedges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez79 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Oh. I've got a net. Haven't got the mesh thingy. I've got a couple of crates and I suppose I could cover it in a cloth dust sheet or something similar? Anything to keep the flies of and stop the meat sweating I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 I've got to the stage now where I don't worry too much about the fly eggs. Most of the pigeons I shoot go into the freezer as soon as possible, so there isn't any chance of the eggs hatching. If I'm selling them fresh, I'll give them a good check before they go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Tissues to mop up................after sitting for hours with nothing happening, you can guarantee, the minute you get JT out for a leak, the birds will pile into the pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDRsniper Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 This time of year a high Deet bug repellent is essential too, bites can be painful especially in multiples. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 A pair of secateurs to cut that bl**dy branch or piece of wild rose that will be sticking in your ear as soon as you sit down. Antibacterial hand gel before you start scoffing your lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie10 Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Some stamina to carry all this stuff across the fields and extra weight back if you have any luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez79 Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Tissues, Jungle spray, secateurs, stamina. Check! At this rate, I'll need a trailer on my pick up! Thanks for all the tips. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Juicer Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Poo bag and wipes. Knife. A few cable ties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler23 Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 More importantly ...turn your phone off when you get there and enjoy the country side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 It's not bad idea to carry some toilet paper if you have to do a ( Campers) as carring all that kit can start the system working overload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 That must surely be all the necessary kit. Now all you need is some experience which may take longer to acquire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 I like to keep stuff to a minimum because it is damn hard work dragging a load of stuff through a standing crop. Sometimes if you are lucky you can drive reasonably close but usually to get somewhere under a line or two that is a fallen bit of crop can be a bit of a distance. My kit is contained in a plastic drum that carries 3 hide sticks, 2 6x4 nets and 6 semi shells slotted together and a string operated flapper. This drum is hand carried and when empty doubles up as my seat. On my back is a net bag, in which are about ten full bodied decoys, a couple carrot net sacks to put the birds in and keep the fly off. Also there is a chunk of hessian that bricklayers use over new brickwork which has been random sprayed Black / Green. I sometimes use this as a backing in the hedge behind the hide or over the top to give some shade if it is possible by using a length of cord and any available branch or stick cut out the hedge. Over the shoulder I have a large game bag which carries anything else. Food, liquid X2, fold up saw / knife, 100 cartridges, small first aid kit, length of string, small plastic container for dog water/food, anti mozzy spray. waist belt for 25 cartrs +25 in various pockets. The bottle of juice for me and the water for the dog are put in the freezer overnight so that by the time we want them they are still fairly cool if kept in the bag in the shade + note on back door so that I don't forget them. nothing worse than hot water and the dog wont drink it. That's about it and it is a struggle with that lot. Last thing note on door to check all including dog onboard before I go, as once I got to the field unloaded everything only to find that I had left the gun back in the kitchen SO I had to reload everything, go back home and start all over again. This is where your reconnaissance comes in because sometimes you set up and nothing comes near so you got to decamp and move it all again. And we call it sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Patience is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Patience is a must.That's something I am not really blessed with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez79 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Thanks for all the tips and advice. I went on Thursday for a half day. I'd watched the field I was shooting on and think i'd identified the flight lines. It was the area of the field where most of the birds crossed. I only got 4 for about 8-10 shots, I found that they didn't seem to come close enough. Some of the ones that came in to have a look, turned away before they got near. I have bought a "job lot" of kit of a friend who has long retired and I discovered that the poles weren't up to the job and were a struggle to drive I to the solid ground. I've bought new poles! As a result of the poles not being in the ground properly to hold the weight of the net, my hide left a bit to be desired and this may have been why the pigeons turned away? The area where I set up, was under the canopy of trees so I didn't have much to my back which again probate didn't help with being hidden. I'll have to buy some more netting. What do you recommend? Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Two stealth nets can be very versatile. If you're setting up against a thin backdrop you can double/triple up using one of them on the back and use the other for sides and front. These are also lightweight and fold down quite small Paul Hart does the best quality ones in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longchalk Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Releasable cable ties are good for a dozen different jobs. In warm weather I put the dead birds in hessian sacks soaked in water. Keeps the flies off and keeps them a bit cooler under the hedge. Pair of secateurs is also good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezi bez Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 Take a cheep tin of fly spray and spray the dead birds you intend to use or eat this will keep flys off your birds and covering wont stop them swetting it will make them worse you need plenty of air around them to help cool them. I use the long white canes they use for test spraying on crops cut in half , inserted up the **** of the bird going through the body, up the throat and into the head . They stand quite high depending on how far you can get the stick in the ground. They bob in the wind quite nicely too . All the best on your adventures. Ezi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.